Blog / Around Town

The 3 Most Beautiful Buildings in El Paso

The 3 Most Beautiful Buildings in El Paso, TX
With a history stretching back as far as 1680, El Paso has one of the most diverse and lengthy cultural backgrounds in the country. While this interesting background is still seen today in El Paso's food and culture, the city also has some of the most beautiful buildings in the Southwest. If you're an architecture buff, make sure to take a look at some of these amazing and iconic El Paso buildings.

St. Patrick Cathedral

Located in downtown El Paso, St. Patrick Cathedral is one of the El Paso's most recognized historic landmarks. Designed by the St. Louis architectural firm Barnett, Haynes, and Barnett, the cathedral's construction started in 1914 and was completed on Thanksgiving Day in 1917. Built in a blended style of Byzantine and Romanesque styles, the cathedral is unlike any other building in the city. Inside, it features ornate stained glass windows, marble altars, a pipe organ with 2,500 pipes, and a 300-year old painting of the Virgin Mary given by an anonymous donor in 2002. The cathedral is open for visits from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, although attending a mass in either English or Spanish makes this work of art come alive.

Lhakhang Cultural Exhibit

Built in 2008 for the Smithsonian's Folklife Festival, the Lhakhang Cultural Exhibit went through an interesting series of events to end up on the campus of UTEP. The interior of Lhakhang was constructed in Bhutan and sent to the States where it was assembled by a team of American and Bhutanese workers. After the festival ended, the plan was to throw the building away, but UTEP had other plans. In 1916, UTEP was known as the Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy. Looking to expand the campus, the dean wanted to build something memorable, and asked his wife Kathleen Worrell, for suggestions. Inspired by photos of Bhutanese architecture in National Geographic, Worrell suggested the Bhutanese theme, which can still be seen in buildings today. The Lhankang was purchased and assembled on campus a few years later and is officially listed as a gift from Bhutan to El Paso.

Casa de Azucar

The Casa de Azucar, or Sugar House, is the painstaking work of one of El Paso's residents. Started in 1973, Rufino Loya decided to make something to show his love for his wife that would last forever. To achieve this labor of love, he built small pillars of concrete inspired by traditional Mexican churches outside his home. Over the next 25 years, Loya spent thousands of hours sculpting the concrete masterpiece. The centerpiece of this sculpture is the altarpiece that marks the entrance to his home. Adorned with flowers, pineapples, vines, and other natural motifs, the altar took nearly 300 hours to complete. Few other cities can boast the architectural achievements of El Paso, and with many of the buildings in close proximity to one another, it's easy to form your own walking or driving tour. If you're in town for a visit, make sure to make this self-guided journey a part of your trip. Visit El Paso by VisitElPaso is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Posted in:

Related Posts

Hotels | FOX Acura of El Paso in El Paso, TX

Driving Through or Staying a While? 4 Favorite Hotels for Visiting El Paso, TX

When you visit El Paso, TX, you'll find many great attractions, including historic sites, national parks, theatres, museums, and local shops. It's the perfect city to enjoy a family vacation or weekend getaway with friends. To make your planning easier, we’ve gathered together a list of just a few of the excellent hotels and accommodation options for your trip – though there are certainly more options than simply these! 1. Stanton House This modern hotel is conveniently located downtown with an industrial-style decor in a historic building. Stanton House is close to several local attractions, including the San Jacinto Plaza, the city's international airport, and El Paso Museum. Every suite offers exceptional comfort, with on-call room service, scenic mountain views, free Wi-FI, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. You can upgrade your room to include a private balcony and separate living areas. more Stanton House offers an on-site bar with craft cocktails, a restaurant with local fare, a spa, a steam room, and free parking. Please do not drink and drive. 2. Suite Red Wolf Suite Red Wolf is an affordable, casual hotel that offers excellent access to local shopping and loads of attractions, including the El Paso Zoo, Cielo Vista Mall, and the Lone Star Golf Course. There is a 24-hour shuttle service to the airport, and self-parking is complimentary. Each room offers excellent features such as spacious balconies or patios, free Wi-Fi, kitchens, coffee and tea makers, and flat-screen TVs. 3. Hampton Inn & Suites If you're searching for a family-friendly hotel with excellent service and casual rooms, you'll want to book your next stay at Hampton Inn & Suites. This hotel offers comfortable rooms that include desks, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, free Wi-Fi, and custom-designed beds for a great night's rest. You can choose to upgrade your suite to include a kitchenette or living area, which is ideal for family or group travel. Hampton Inn & Suites is close to local shopping outlets, Interstate 10, and the El Paso International Airport. This hotel offers excellent amenities, including a fitness center, on-site convenience store, a meeting room, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour business center. You can enjoy a hot breakfast daily, and free parking and airport shuttle service are available. 4. Best Western Sunland Park Inn Best Western Sunland Park Inn is a fantastic place to relax for the weekend, with comfortable, spacious rooms that include minifridges, microwaves, free Wi-Fi, work desks, and flat-screen TVs. You'll find many fun attractions nearby, such as the Western Playland amusement park, Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, and the El Paso Museum of Art. There are excellent rates available for families, free parking, a buffet breakfast, and an outdoor pool. On your next trip to El Paso, you'll encounter lots of great places to explore. With plenty of accommodations available, you’ll be certain to have a comfortable rest area during your visit. Get started planning your visit today! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Wedding | FOX Acura of El Paso in El Paso, TX

Four Popular Wedding Venues in Driving Distance of El Paso, TX

El Paso is a beautiful city to live in, out in west Texas, and not only does it have some epic scenery – it also has some incredible wedding venues that will make for a picture-perfect day! If you're planning a wedding and are looking for the perfect venue, there are beautiful locations all throughout El Paso, TX, that can make your day unforgettable. 1. Magnolia House Event Venue Magnolia House Event Venue is located at 1540 Pendale Road. This wedding destination is a simple yet elegant party hall that you can customize to meet your needs. You can decorate it to your liking and create a memorable wedding that you, your spouse, and all of your guests will enjoy. If you're looking to plan a wedding on a budget so that you can spend money on a new home or a new vehicle ( perhaps the new Acura MDX?), then this is the perfect option. more 2. Eden Event Venue Eden Event Venue is located at 11985 Pellicano Drive, Suite H. This venue offers all-inclusive, affordable weddings. You can choose different packages for your event, and the experts here will take care of everything, down to the last detail for you, so that you can enjoy your wedding day without the added stress of making sure everything is ready. This event center has impressive decor and plenty of space, and it can be decorated beautifully to your preference. You can check the website for available dates. Their building can hold up to 300 guests and has a seating capacity of 200. 3. The Ranch on Vinton Road The Ranch on Vinton Road is located in the El Paso rural countryside in the historic district. They offer individual wedding packages and all-inclusive options to make your wedding stress-free. This is the perfect venue for those looking for an elegant yet rustic wedding or one that has Boho or a vintage feel. If you've been browsing Pinterest and love bohemian-style weddings, you can recreate your Pinterest board wedding dreams here at this venue with ease! Packages include location, ceremony, coordination, food, staff, cake, champagne toast, hair and makeup, photography options, floral, and entertainment. You can personalize your event with special details to create the perfect day. 4. Epic Railyard Event Center Located at 2201 East Mills Avenue, Epic Railyard Event Center is a perfect venue to host your wedding. It features industrial accents, classic brick walls, steel railings, and is decorated beautifully with chandeliers and table settings to transform the space into your dream event. You can choose from different event space areas, including the Star Room with a view of the Franklin Mountains, the West Wing, or the Courtyard. The venue has been featured on Zola and has won an editor's choice award from Wedding Rule. When it comes to your wedding, you should never settle for anything less than the best, and hopefully with this list you’ll be able to find the ideal location for your happy day! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Mexican food | FOX Acura of El Paso in El Paso, TX

Where to Find the Best Mexican Food in and Around El Paso, TX

El Paso, TX is a unique and entertaining town that is filled with things to do. Between the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the El Paso Museum of History, and the town's amazing assortment of shops and restaurants, you're sure to stay busy in El Paso! If you find yourself in the mood for some tacos or a burrito, be sure to also check out some of the restaurants with the best Mexican food located nearby! 1. L & J Cafe L & J Cafe has been open since 1927 and flavorfully links together El Paso's past and present. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Friday and for brunch, lunch, and dinner Saturday and Sunday. L & J Cafe's menu includes appetizers, soups, taco and flauta plates, enchilada plates, burritos, Mexican specialties, and more. Delicious Mexican specialties to try include pollo con mole, chile con queso steak, and pollo en salsa española. more 2. Taft-Diaz The creation of Taft-Diaz is fascinating and filled with history, as it was created in honor of the meeting that was held between President William H. Taft and President Porfirio Diaz to discuss territorial issues. Today, the restaurant serves an opulent mix of dishes filled with Mexican flavor and American influence. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, and its lunch menu includes dishes like al pastor tacos, corn and truffle soup, and New York tacos. 3. Kiki's Mexican Restaurant Kiki's Mexican Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily and has a set menu as well as daily specials. The restaurant's set menu includes appetizers, Mexican plates, specialty dishes, and desserts. Available appetizers include nachos supreme, a shrimp cocktail, chile con queso, queso fries, and quesadillas. If you're in the mood for something sweet, consider trying the restaurant's chocolate cake or cheesecake. 4. Leo's Mexican Leo's Mexican serves traditional family recipes that have been passed down through the generations and was founded in 1946. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday and has an expansive menu that includes appetizers, entrees, burgers and sandwiches, tacos, salads, and burritos. Available entrees include tostadas compuestas, three sour cream baked enchiladas, two beef chile rellenos, and Leo's famous baked cheese enchiladas. 5. Good Luck Cafe Good Luck Cafe is a family business that first opened in 1968 and is currently open Thursday-Tuesday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you're looking for some great breakfast food, the restaurant's breakfast menu includes dishes like a ham and cheese omelet, picadillo and eggs, and chilaquiles and eggs. If you're looking for a savory lunch or dinner dish, consider trying Good Luck Cafe's enchiladas montadas or its huevos con chorizo burrito. Now that you've gotten a list of some scrumptious suggestions, start making your plans to visit one – or all! – of these delightful places and who knows? You just might find a new favorite spot for some delicious Mexican cuisine! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License