El Paso's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Landmarks

Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1

Distance: 0.00mi

303 N Oregon St, El Paso, TX 79901, USA

Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park

Welcome to El Paso!

On your right is the Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park — one of El Paso’s most iconic landmarks. Built in 1930 and once owned by Conrad Hilton himself, it was the tallest building in the city for decades. The hotel’s elegant art deco style and its rooftop bar still offer some of the best views of downtown and across the border into Mexico.

Place #2

Distance: 0.05mi , Attraction : Park (Recommended selfie spot).

303 N Oregon St, El Paso, TX 79901, USA

San Jacinto Plaza

Welcome to San Jacinto Plaza, right in the heart of downtown.

This beautiful square has been the city’s gathering place since the late 1800s, when it was just a dusty patch of land where stagecoaches stopped and locals met to trade stories. Today, it’s a shady, palm-lined oasis surrounded by shops, cafés, and historic buildings that tell the story of El Paso’s rise from a frontier town to a vibrant international city.

If you look near the center of the plaza, you’ll see a statue of alligator sculptures lounging in the fountain. They’re a playful nod to the live alligators that actually lived here in the pond from the 1880s until the 1960s — yes, real ones! They became a quirky El Paso tradition and a symbol of local pride.

Around the plaza, you’ll spot elegant architecture from the early 20th century — including the Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, once owned by Conrad Hilton, and the Mills Building, designed by Henry Trost, the man behind much of downtown’s distinctive Southwestern look.

This plaza is where El Paso gathers — for festivals, music, food trucks, or just to relax under the desert sun. It’s the perfect place to kick off our drive through a city that bridges cultures, histories, and landscapes like nowhere else in America.

  https://visitelpaso.com/explore/attractions/san-jacinto-plaza

Place #3

Distance: 0.33mi , Attraction : Theater (Recommended selfie spot).

303 N Oregon St, El Paso, TX 79901, USA

The Plaza Theatre

On your right is one of El Paso’s proudest landmarks — the Plaza Theatre.

Built in 1930, this grand movie palace was designed to bring a touch of Hollywood glamour to the desert. Step inside, and you’re transported to a lavish Spanish Colonial courtyard — the ceiling painted deep blue with twinkling stars, the walls lined with ornate balconies, and soft light glowing from faux windows as if you’re sitting outdoors on a summer night in Old Spain.

When it opened, the Plaza was one of the largest theaters between Dallas and Los Angeles, hosting vaudeville acts, silent films, and traveling performers. It quickly became the cultural heartbeat of El Paso, drawing crowds from both sides of the border.

After decades of decline, the theatre was nearly lost to demolition — but the people of El Paso rallied to save it. A massive restoration in the early 2000s returned every tile, column, and mural to its former glory. Today, the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center shines again, hosting concerts, plays, film festivals, and Broadway tours.

If you pass by at night, you’ll see the marquee lit up in brilliant neon, just as it looked in 1930 — a beacon of art and culture in downtown El Paso.

  https://www.theplazatheatre.org/

Place #4

Distance: 0.09mi , Attraction : Museum

135-171 Henry Trost Ct, El Paso, TX 79901, USA

El Paso Museum of Art & Convention Center

On your right, is the El Paso Museum of Art, and on your left is the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center — two cornerstones of downtown’s cultural district.

The El Paso Museum of Art, founded in 1959, is one of the premier art museums in the Southwest. Its collection spans centuries — from European masters like Canaletto and Van Dyck to bold works by modern Mexican and borderland artists. The building’s glass-and-stone design mirrors El Paso’s identity — a meeting point of light, culture, and creativity. Admission is always free, and it’s a favorite spot for exhibits, family programs, and community art events.

Across the street, the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center hosts everything from concerts and ballets to trade shows and citywide celebrations. It’s home to the Abraham Chavez Theatre, recognizable by its distinctive curved architecture that almost looks like a desert shell. Together, these two landmarks show how El Paso embraces both its artistic heritage and its modern, international energy.

As you continue driving, you’ll notice how seamlessly this area blends art, architecture, and performance — it’s a living reflection of El Paso’s creative spirit.

  https://epma.art/

Place #5

Distance: 0.12mi

510 N Santa Fe St, El Paso, TX 79901, USA

El Paso Museum of History

On your right is the El Paso Museum of History, a place dedicated to telling the story of this region and the people who shaped it.

The museum opened in 1974 and focuses on life along the U.S.–Mexico border — a story that spans centuries, cultures, and countless personal journeys. Inside, you’ll find exhibits that trace El Paso’s evolution from a small frontier settlement to a vibrant modern city — covering everything from early ranching and railroads to civil rights, military history, and cross-border trade.

One of its most unique features is right outside — the DIGIE Wall, a massive interactive digital display that lets visitors explore thousands of historic photos and stories with just a touch. It’s one of only a few installations like it in the world, and it turns El Paso’s history into something living, visual, and deeply personal.

The museum captures what makes this city special — a blend of cultures, resilience, and creativity that’s been thriving here for generations.

Place #6

Distance: 0.77mi , Attraction : Historic Building (Recommended selfie spot).

100 N Kansas St, El Paso, TX 79901, USA

Historic El Paso County Courthouse

Coming on your left is the historic El Paso County Courthouse — one of downtown’s most elegant and enduring landmarks.

Completed in 1917, this Beaux-Arts–style building was designed by architect Edward Kneezell and stands as a testament to El Paso’s early prosperity and civic pride. Its grand columns, detailed stonework, and copper dome make it one of the most beautiful courthouses in Texas.

For more than half a century, this courthouse was the center of justice and local government — a place where some of the most significant trials in West Texas history were held. Inside, its marble staircases and decorative plaster ceilings reflected both the craftsmanship and the ambition of the time.

Though county offices later moved to a newer complex, the historic courthouse remains a cherished piece of El Paso’s architectural legacy. It symbolizes the city’s transition from a rugged frontier town into a thriving border metropolis.

Take a moment to appreciate its classic design — it’s one of those rare buildings that still carries the quiet authority and beauty of another era.

  https://www.epcounty.com/countyjudge/courthouse.htm

Place #7

Distance: 0.56mi , Attraction : Historic Site (Recommended selfie spot).

1101 Magoffin Ave, El Paso, TX 79901, USA

The Magoffin Home - 19th Century Historic Home

Coming up on your right is the Magoffin Home State Historic Site, one of El Paso’s oldest and most beautiful landmarks.

Built in 1875, this large adobe home belonged to the Magoffin family, one of the area’s most influential pioneer families. The Magoffins played major roles in business, politics, and military life on the Southwestern frontier — and their home reflects that history. It’s a blend of Territorial, Mexican, and Victorian styles, with thick adobe walls, high ceilings, and deep porches designed to stay cool in the desert heat.

Step inside, and you’ll find original furnishings, photographs, and personal items that bring 19th-century El Paso to life. The home sits on its original one-acre site, surrounded by gardens that recreate what the family would have enjoyed nearly 150 years ago.

Today, the Magoffin Home is operated by the Texas Historical Commission, offering tours and special events that highlight the city’s multicultural roots — a reminder that El Paso has always been a crossroads of cultures, trade, and stories.

This peaceful stop offers a glimpse into how families built lives — and legacies — in one of the most unique corners of the American Southwest.

  https://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/magoffin-home-state-historic-site

Place #8

Distance: 1.92mi , Attraction : National Memorial (Recommended selfie spot).

QG8W+92 El Paso, TX, USA

Chamizal National Memorial - US-Mexico Border Memorial

Welcome to Chamizal National Memorial, a unique site that celebrates friendship, diplomacy, and the peaceful resolution of international conflict.

This 55-acre park marks the settlement of a century-long border dispute between the United States and Mexico. For years, the shifting course of the Rio Grande caused confusion over which nation owned this stretch of land. In 1963, both countries finally reached an agreement, and the Chamizal Treaty was signed — not with armies or force, but through diplomacy and mutual respect.

Today, the memorial stands as a symbol of that cooperation. It includes beautiful walking trails, shaded picnic areas, and a cultural center that hosts art exhibits, concerts, and bilingual performances celebrating the shared heritage of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez.

The park’s museum tells the story of how the border — and the people who live along it — have evolved together. Standing here, you can literally see two nations separated by a river but connected by history, family, and culture.

Chamizal isn’t just a park — it’s a reminder of how understanding and respect can bridge even the deepest divides.

  https://www.nps.gov/cham/index.htm

Place #9

Distance: 1.38mi

609 N Stevens St, El Paso, TX 79903, USA

Concordia Cemetery

On your right is Concordia Cemetery, one of El Paso’s most historic and atmospheric landmarks.

Known as the “Boot Hill of the Southwest,” this cemetery dates back to the 1850s and holds the stories of more than 60,000 people — pioneers, soldiers, ranchers, Buffalo Soldiers, and outlaws who helped shape the region’s wild frontier past.

Its most famous resident is John Wesley Hardin, one of the Old West’s most notorious gunfighters, who met his end right here in El Paso in 1895. But beyond the legends, Concordia reflects the city’s diversity — with sections for Catholic, Jewish, Chinese, military, and Buffalo Soldier burials, all side by side.

Wandering through Concordia is like walking through a living timeline of El Paso’s history. The hand-carved headstones, desert flora, and mountain backdrop give it an atmosphere that’s both solemn and uniquely beautiful.

Every October, the Concordia Ghost Tour and Día de los Muertos events bring the cemetery to life again — honoring those who built this community and keeping their stories alive for new generations.

Place #10

Distance: 0.92mi

3251 Copper Ave, El Paso, TX 79930, USA

Memorial Park

Welcome to Memorial Park, one of El Paso’s oldest and most cherished green spaces.

Established in the 1920s, the park was created to honor local soldiers who served in World War I, and over time it’s grown into both a place of remembrance and recreation for the entire city.

At its heart is the Veterans Memorial, a peaceful plaza surrounded by flags and monuments dedicated to those who served in America’s armed forces. But just steps away, you’ll find a very different kind of landmark — the Memorial Park Rose Garden, a four-acre oasis bursting with color from early spring through fall. With more than 1,500 rose bushes representing hundreds of varieties, it’s one of only a handful of formal rose gardens in the entire Southwest.

Beyond that, the park stretches out with shady walking paths, tennis courts, and picnic areas that make it a favorite local escape — especially on warm El Paso afternoons.

It’s a wonderful example of what this city does best — combining respect for history with everyday community life. Whether you come here to reflect, play, or simply breathe in the scent of those roses, Memorial Park captures a quieter, more graceful side of the Sun City.

Place #11

Distance: 1.14mi

2301 Wheeling Ave, El Paso, TX 79930, USA

El Paso Fun Facts – The City of the Sun

Welcome to the beautiful Scenic Drive! Feel free to stop at the viewpoints while we mention a few fun facts about El Paso — a city full of surprises that go way beyond what most visitors expect.

First off, El Paso gets more than 300 days of sunshine a year — making it one of the sunniest cities in the United States. That’s why it’s nicknamed the Sun City — though locals will tell you the sunsets here are just as famous as the sunshine.

El Paso is also home to one of the oldest missions in the country — the Ysleta Mission, built in 1682, decades before the U.S. even existed. And speaking of history, this city’s unique location means it shares a metro area with Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, forming one of the largest binational communities in the world, with more than 2.5 million people living on both sides of the river.

If you’re a movie fan, you might be surprised to know that scenes from films like “The Day After Tomorrow” and “Glory Road” were shot right here. And if you love hot food — welcome to the birthplace of the enchilada platter, first served at the Paso del Norte Hotel in the early 1900s.

From sunshine to culture to spice, El Paso’s blend of Mexican warmth and Texan pride makes it one of the most vibrant and welcoming cities in the Southwest.

Place #12

Distance: 0.73mi , Attraction : Viewpoint (Recommended selfie spot).

2354 Scenic Dr, El Paso, TX 79902, USA

Scenic Drive Overlook – Murchison Rogers Park

As you continue west along Scenic Drive, the view opens up on your left — and up ahead, you’ll reach the Murchison Rogers Park Lookout, one of the most breathtaking spots in El Paso.

From this elevation, roughly 4,200 feet above the city, you can see the full sweep of the Rio Grande Valley — downtown El Paso in front of you, the Franklin Mountains rising behind, and across the river, the city of Ciudad Juárez, Mexico stretching toward the horizon. It’s one of the few places in America where you can take in two nations, two cultures, and one connected community all in a single view.

The lookout was named after Murchison Rogers, a civic leader who helped preserve El Paso’s natural beauty and public spaces. Locals come here at sunset to watch the desert sky turn gold and rose before the valley lights come alive below — it’s a favorite spot for reflection, photos, and quiet appreciation of the city’s incredible setting.

As you continue west, stay along Scenic Drive — the road hugs the mountain’s edge, revealing new perspectives of the city with every curve.

  https://visitelpaso.com/explore/attractions/scenic-drive

Place #13

Distance: 2.24mi , Attraction : University Campus (Recommended selfie spot).

Energy Conservation Project, 170 Glory Rd, El Paso, TX 79902, USA

University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) - Bhutanese Architecture Campus

Welcome to the University of Texas at El Paso, or UTEP — one of the most distinctive and beautiful campuses in the country.

Founded in 1914 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, UTEP started with just 27 students and a focus on mining engineering. But after a fire destroyed the original building, the university rebuilt on this hillside — and here’s the remarkable part: its design was inspired by the Dzong architecture of Bhutan in the Himalayas. The result? A campus unlike any other in the world, where desert landscapes meet ornate, golden-roofed buildings that look straight out of Asia.

Today, UTEP is a major research university with over 24,000 students, and it’s recognized nationally for serving a largely Hispanic student population while maintaining top-tier academic standards. The campus is also home to the Sun Bowl Stadium, carved directly into the mountainside — host to college football, concerts, and the annual Sun Bowl Game, one of the oldest bowl games in the U.S.

From its unique architecture to its mountain views, UTEP is a symbol of El Paso’s spirit — diverse, determined, and always proud of its roots.

  https://www.utep.edu/

Place #14

Distance: 0.29mi

Graham Hall, 2400 Randolph Dr, El Paso, TX 79902, USA

Graham Hall – University of Texas at El Paso

Coming up on your left is Graham Hall, part of the University of Texas at El Paso, or UTEP for short.

As mentioned, UTEP is famous for its distinctive Bhutanese-style architecture — inspired by the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan — and Graham Hall fits right in with its sloping roofs and intricate details. The design was chosen decades ago to give the campus a unique identity that stands out from any other university in the U.S.

Graham Hall serves as one of the campus’s main academic buildings, hosting classrooms and faculty offices for several departments. But what really makes it memorable is its setting — perched high above the Rio Grande with sweeping views toward Mexico, just across the border.

It’s a great example of how UTEP blends culture, design, and landscape into one of the most beautiful and distinctive campuses in Texas.

Place #15

Distance: 0.97mi , Attraction : Religious Site (Recommended selfie spot).

1014 N Mesa St, El Paso, TX 79902, USA

St. Patrick Cathedral

On your right is St. Patrick Cathedral, one of El Paso’s most beautiful and historically significant churches.

Completed in 1917, this Roman Catholic cathedral was built to serve the growing number of Irish Catholic families who settled here in the early 1900s. Its Italian Renaissance Revival design features tall arched windows, ornate columns, and a striking bell tower that rises gracefully above the neighborhood.

Inside, the cathedral is filled with stunning stained-glass windows imported from Italy, a handcrafted marble altar, and intricate ceiling murals — all of which reflect the craftsmanship and devotion of the time.

St. Patrick Cathedral is more than a house of worship; it’s a cornerstone of El Paso’s faith community. It has hosted countless weddings, festivals, and ceremonies for more than a century and remains the spiritual heart of the city’s Catholic heritage.

  https://www.cathedralofstpatrick.org/

Place #16

Distance: 0.27mi , Attraction : Museum

Oregon St/Yandell Dr, El Paso, TX 79902, USA

El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center

Coming up on your right is the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center, a place of remembrance and education founded by Henry Kellen, a Holocaust survivor who made El Paso his home.

The museum tells stories of survival, courage, and the power of standing up for what’s right.

The museum also serves as a hub for cultural events and school programs that promote understanding, compassion, and unity — values that reflect the very heart of El Paso itself.

  https://elpasoholocaustmuseum.org/

Place #17

Distance: 0.24mi

303 N Oregon St, El Paso, TX 79901, USA

Return to San Jacinto Plaza – Downtown El Paso’s Heartbeat

As we make our way back toward San Jacinto Plaza, the energy of downtown El Paso comes back into view — lively streets, café patios, and that warm desert light bouncing off historic buildings.

This is the perfect place to end your drive — or start your next adventure. Around the plaza, you’ll find some of the city’s best coffee shops, restaurants, and local art spots. Grab a latte from Coffee Box, enjoy brunch at Salt + Honey, or unwind with dinner at Anson 11 or Taft Díaz — each one reflecting El Paso’s signature blend of Southwestern charm and cross-border creativity.

It’s easy to see why locals love this plaza — it’s where the city comes together to relax, eat, laugh, and celebrate.

Thanks for joining this UCPlaces tour of El Paso — a city where cultures meet, stories intertwine, and the sunshine never quits.