El Paso is synonymous with the craft of master boot making. In fact, El Paso is home to a dozen or more high-quality boot manufacturers and outlets. It’s earned the official moniker of the “Boot Capital of Texas” and some say "the world."
Visit El Paso
El Paso Street
The city’s world-renowned boot makers include Lucchese, Black Jack Boots, Stallion Boot Co., Rocketbuster, CABOOTS, and Tony Lama, among others. Some of these companies have been in operation for over a century, employing time-honored techniques that have been passed down through generations. Together, these artisans and manufacturers have established El Paso as the premier destination for high-quality, handmade Western boots.
Of course, you can buy boots off the shelf just about anywhere, but if it’s a pair of custom kickers you seek, a visit to El Paso just may be in order. And if you want to take a deeper dive into the boot making process, take a factory tour at a company like Lucchese or Rocketbuster to view the artisans in action.
But the city’s rich history of the art of boot making and the quest for a new pair of boots aren’t the only reasons people visit El Paso. Begin with a visit to El Paso’s beating heart, San Jacinto Plaza, a recently reimagined urban open space downtown that celebrates El Paso’s history and culture. Grab a bite at the café, stroll the park’s paths and perhaps enjoy one of the outdoor games like ping pong or chess.
Visit El Paso
Franklin Mountain Trail Run
For a look at the Chihuahuan Desert region’s natural history and culture, visit the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. The gardens are dedicated to the flora of the largest desert in North America. Another must for fans of history is the El Paso Museum of History.
Art lovers should not miss two of the city’s treasures, the El Paso Art Museum and the International Museum of Art. The former houses works by European Renaissance masters, American and Mexican art and contemporary art. Among the collection in the latter are paintings and drawings by top artists from El Paso and the Southwest, as well as international collections.
These attractions just scratch the surface of El Paso’s diverse museum scene, but now the outdoors surrounding the city beckon. El Paso is famous for its sunsets, and locals say the best place for viewing is on Transmountain Road, which crosses the protected Franklin Mountain State Park, about 20 minutes from downtown. For a more active adventure, explore the rugged desert landscape on one of the trails in Franklin Mountain State Park, located on the edge of the city. The park’s canyons and desert wildlands are rich in birdlife, making the park a haven for birders.
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ve come to the right city. El Paso has earned a reputation as a foodie city with a dizzying choice of distinctive restaurants and bars. You can’t throw a taco in El Paso without hitting a good eatery dishing up authentic Mexican and Southwestern fare.
A few recommendations are: L & J Café (family run since 1927), Chico’s Tacos (try the rolled tacos bathed in a rich tomato sauce), Elemi (for its modern interpretation of Mexican classics), Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant (try the mole), and La Tapatia (tamales, anyone?). For a classic diner breakfast or brunch with a few unexpected twists on the menu (like menudo), head to Good Luck Café, located in a former gas station. And, of course, there is fine dining in El Paso at Café Central, 1700° Steak House and Taft-Diaz.
To plan your trip to El Paso, go to visitelpaso.com.