4 Tips for the Perfect Weekend Getaway to El Paso, TX

El Paso may not be the first place you might think of for its fishing potential, as its high temperatures and desert setting make it better known for sand than water! However, if you're willing to explore a little, there are many excellent fishing spots all within a short drive of the city. 1. Ascarate Lake One of the more popular places to fish, Ascarate Lake, is an excellent place to start. Located close to the center of town, the lake is in Ascarate Park (which charges a small fee for parking) and is well stocked with crappie, trout, carp, catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegill. more The park is open all year round, but it’s worth mentioning that you’ll need a license to fish if you’re 17 or older, and only two rods per person are allowed. There’s also a catch limit of five fish per day. 2. Hideaway Lakes HideAway Lakes is a privately owned collection of lakes, home to lots of catfish. The lakes are just 45 minutes away from the city, in the small town of Tornillo. The site includes lakeside campsites, perfect for night fishing! There are no licenses required as the lakes are private property. Permit prices vary from $15 for a day permit, $20 for an overnight permit, and up to $60 for a four-day stay. Only one rod or hook is allowed per permit, and there’s a daily catch limit of three catfish per day per permit. The lakes are open 24hrs a day but are closed from 9 pm on Tuesday to 6 am on Thursday, every week. 3. Rio Bosque Wetlands Park Right within the city limits is this peaceful oasis of calm, a world away from some of the busier places to fish. The park is teeming with wildlife of all kinds and is especially well known for its birdlife, including ospreys and flocks of migratory waterbirds that throng the irrigation canals over winter. Catfish, white bass, carp, largemouth bass, crappie, and rainbow trout can all be found here, and throughout the many other man-made waterways, such as the reservoirs and canals which surround the city. As this is a public site, you will need a license to fish here as well. 4. Elephant Butte State Park This local favorite requires traveling some distance to New Mexico. Elephant Butte State Park is well known for its bass fishing with plenty of striped, white large, and smallmouth bass to find. The lake is an excellent fishing spot for both shore and boat fishing, with beautiful vistas to enjoy. Other New Mexico State parks such as Bottomless Lakes and Clayton Lake parks are also definitely worth checking out too if you're in the area. The area has a lot of very unexpected places to fish, including some real gems for anglers of all stripes. There are plenty of waterways to explore, and with a little perseverance, you will be sure to find your new favorite place to fish!

Located right across the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, the western tip of Texas is a mixture of cultures and a great base to explore the region. If you have a free day and want to get away from city life, there are several destinations you can reach in less than a couple of hours by car. Whether it’s with friends, family, or solo, check out these destinations for amazing day trips! 1. Lincoln National Forest, NM In the south of the state of New Mexico, the Lincoln National Forest is a popular destination for visitors from Albuquerque and other nearby cities both in the United States and across the border in Mexico. The forest was established in 1902, spanning more than one million acres and covering several mountain ranges, forests, grasslands, and deserts. From the San Jacinto Plaza, the entrance to the Lincoln National Forest is a little over two hours away by car. more This destination is perfect for those who want to see the typical landscapes of the Southeast, complete with impressive canyons, lookout towers, and hiking trails that are visited by thousands of travelers every year. Some of the most popular activities include horse riding, mountain biking, wild camping and even skiing in the winter months. There are several designated picnic areas with public toilets, water, and grills to cook your own meals. 2. White Sands National Park If you want to see one of the most impressive landscapes in the region, the White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico is a perfect day trip destination for inhabitants of the surrounding cities. It covers more than 140,000 acres of territory and several dunes of gypsum sand that reach heights of more than 60 feet and provide a landscape that seems to belong to a different planet. Apart from the impressive landscapes, the White Sands National Park is also home to hundreds of unique species of animals. Most of these species are invertebrates, including several spiders, insects, and the Maricopa harvester ant, which is believed to have the most toxic venom on the planet. Although most visitors come during the summer, this is a perfect destination year-round, with beautiful sunsets and incredible views. 3. Franklin Mountains State Park Located less than half an hour's drive away from the central San Jacinto Plaza, the Franklin Mountains State Park is the closest natural escape from the city and a perfect destination for recreational activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and scenic driving. For a short day trip with family or friends, this is perhaps the best option. In the park, there are several designated picnic areas and hiking trails that are particularly popular during the weekends. Now that you’ve got some suggestions, it should be a piece of cake to plan a day of outdoors adventuring after a short car ride to any of these awesome places. Maybe take turns visiting all – and then choose your favorite!

If you enjoy art and culture, you'll love the variety of places around El Paso, Texas, where you can appreciate displays of different art mediums or enjoy a live performance. When you're interested in experiencing some of the best art and culture that the city has to offer, be sure to head to a few of these top destinations! El Paso Museum of Art Located in downtown El Paso, the El Paso Museum of Art is an accredited art museum that offers free admission to help the community experience a new culture. While the collection ranges from European classics to contemporary American pieces, the museum has developed a major collection of modern Southwestern art from United States and Mexican artists. In addition to the permanent collection and rotating exhibits, the museum also offers lectures, art classes, storytelling sessions, concerts, film series, and other educational programs. more McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater If you're interested in enjoying a stunning view to go along with a live performance, you need to check out a show at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater. The outdoor amphitheater is perfectly positioned in the Franklin Mountains to showcase the beauty of the area during the performance. It's also known for hosting Cool Canyon Nights, which is a free summer concert series that offers live musical performances every week from local and regional acts. Hal Marcus Gallery The Hal Marcus Gallery is housed in a bright and charming blue house in the historic Sunset Heights District near the heart of El Paso. While the gallery features a fine collection of distinctively colored paintings by Hal Marcus himself, you'll also find a strong focus on pieces from other regional artists. Inside the gallery, you can view an eclectic collection that includes landscape art by Friar Vincent Petersen, photographs by Mark Paulda, and mixed media art by Teresa Fernandez. Abraham Chavez Theatre The Abraham Chavez Theatre is another great place in El Paso to see a live performance. On the outside, the theater resembles a sombrero that neatly ties in with the Southwest culture and design of the region. Inside, the 2,500-seat concert hall is designed to deliver unforgettable performances. Notable acts who have performed at the theater in the past include Gabriel Iglesias, Tim Black, and Hunter Downing. Today, popular events include Broadway shows, concerts, children's shows, and performances by the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts Located on the University of Texas at El Paso campus, the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts serves as a creative laboratory for art students and local emerging artists. The center works to bring renowned artists to the community to create one-of-a-kind installations. It also offers a variety of exhibitions that explore contemporary art and provides different education programs designed to deepen the appreciation of contemporary art. Whether you're looking to watch a live performance or view some beautiful works of art, you know you can experience some of the best art and culture that El Paso has to offer at these top destinations! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License