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El Paso, Texas, lies on the banks of the Rio Grande in the far western corner of Texas. It's a colorful and bustling city that features a rugged yet beautiful desert landscape, as well as a rich historical and cultural heritage. Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to interesting landmarks to visit in this city! Check out these options. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site If you enjoy hiking through beautiful natural scenery, a visit to Hueco Tanks State Park is the perfect way to spend a few hours. This natural historic site, which is located about 32 miles northeast of El Paso, consists of low mountains that contain many rock basins where rainwater is naturally stored. For thousands of years, people flocked here to collect this rainwater and one can get a glimpse of the rich history of this desert sanctuary through the many rock paintings in the area. more The park is an excellent spot for birdwatching, as it's home to several bird species, including the prairie falcon, lesser goldfinch,  and black-chinned hummingbird. The area is also one of the top spots in the world for bouldering and is visited by thousands of climbers from all over the world annually. In addition, the park offers multiple picnic spots with shade shelters and well-equipped camping sites. Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens Founded in 1936 to celebrate the centenary of Texas's independence, the Centennial Museum is the oldest museum in El Paso. It boasts permanent and rotating exhibits that focus on the cultural and natural heritage of the Chihuahuan Desert region, including archeological treasures like a collection of Casas Grandes pottery. The Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, which is on the museum's grounds, is home to over 800 plant species that are either native or have adapted well to the desert. These plants are grown and displayed in various "theme" gardens, where visitors can learn how to use them in their landscaping projects to conserve water. Annually, the museum hosts the FloraFEST, where patrons can chat with master gardeners and horticulturalists and buy native plants that are not commonly sold in nurseries. The Plaza Theatre The Plaza Theatre in El Paso was constructed in 1830 and is today a National Historic Building of Significance. The building was constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style and boasts beautiful mosaic-tiled floors, painted ceilings, and antique furniture. The main hall, which can seat up to 2,050 people, features a star-lit ceiling to provide the illusion that guests are seated in a Spanish courtyard. Apart from this hall, the theater also boasts the 200-seat Philanthropy Theater and the Alcantar Sky Garden, where patrons can host private receptions. Over the years, locals and visitors have been treated to a wide variety of live entertainment at the Plaza Theatre, including popular Broadway productions and live music shows by some of the greats in the country music scene. Whether you enjoy recreational activities in and around natural sites, are interested to learn about the area's cultural and natural history, or would like to view a Broadway production in a gorgeous historic building, El Paso is home to many intriguing and beautiful landmarks that are sure to be of interest! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

El Paso, Texas, is known for its up-and-coming culinary scene and boasts a long list of top-quality restaurants. If you're into tacos, nachos, and all things south of the border, you'll have no problem finding a restaurant in this city that serves fresh, authentic Mexican food! Here are a few Mexican joints that you definitely should give a try! L&J Cafe When Tony's Place opened its doors in El Paso way back in 1927,  locals weren't only provided with delicious home cooking but could also enjoy some homebrew during the dry prohibition years. Later on, the restaurant's name was changed to L&J Cafe, and today, a fourth generation of the family is serving the El Paso community delicious Mexican fare and tasty cocktails! more The venue of this El Paso mainstay is cozy and cheerful, and the service: friendly and efficient! However, it's the delicious food on offer at L&J Cafe that keeps locals coming back for more. For starters, you can opt for a Queso Con Chorizo, which is melted white cheese with chorizo; or the nachos with beans, jalapenos, and cheese. For mains, you can choose from a wide selection of fresh salads, sandwiches, burgers, and taco plates. If you feel like spoiling yourself, go for one of the house specialties: for instance, the Mexican Combination that consists of a ground beef taco, red cheese enchilada, chile relleno, and beef flauta. Julio's Mexican Food Julio's Mexican Food is another restaurant that’s been serving delicious Mexican food in Texas for many decades. Although the doors of the original restaurant opened in Ciudad Juarez in 1944,  Julio's only came to El Paso in 1981. Today, El Paso is home to two Julio's restaurants, and the family is still serving top-quality authentic Mexican fare made from scratch. And, according to locals, they make the best margaritas in town! The extensive menu offers tantalizing appetizers, such as the Chile Con Queso, prepared with melted cheese, roasted green peppers, onions, and tomatoes, as well as fresh salads and soups. You can also choose from a long list of house specialties that offers mouthwatering options like the Chicken Tampiquena, grilled chicken breast served with guacamole, pepper strips, a red cheese enchilada, and refried beans. If seafood is your thing, the menu boasts fresh fish and shrimp dishes as well. Leo's Mexican Food Founded back in 1946, Leo's Mexican Food is another mainstay in the El Paso community. The Terrazas family has passed this restaurant down from generation to generation and takes pride in offering patrons flavorful Mexican dishes and exceptional service. Guests are treated to a lively and colorful venue with a welcoming atmosphere. The menu contains all your favorite Mexican dishes, prepared with care from fresh ingredients. You can start with Fiesta Nachos, served with beans, ground beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and jalapenos, before moving on to one of their scrumptious entrees, such as Leo's Super Combo, which consists of a ground beef taco, cheese enchilada, chile relleno, pork tamale, and chile verde con carne. These are just a few examples of what you can expect from the Mexican culinary scene in El Paso. Offering fresh, authentic Mexican dishes, pleasant venues, and attentive service, these restaurants will certainly not disappoint! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Although modern technology gives us more entertainment options than ever, there's still something magically unique about picking up and reading a good book. Luckily for those living in or near El Paso, Texas, there are many well-stocked bookstores around that will offer you hundreds of hours of fun, relaxation, and education! Literarity Book Shop Founders and owners Mary Ana and Bill Clark have been collecting books for decades and a few years ago they decided to share their vast collection with everyone else. This is how Literarity Book Shop was born - and it quickly became one of the most popular independent bookstores in town! It includes over 7,000 books on many topics, from history to fiction and from poetry books to photography books. They also have many collectible books and signed first editions. more Cactus Flower Bookery Located on Doniphan Drive, this little bookstore is the ideal place for book lovers that want to look for their next read in a cozy and intimate atmosphere. Aside from new and used books, visitors will also discover all sorts of gift ideas, art pieces, and book accessories. Although it may seem small, this bookstore is exactly the kind of place where a book lover can and will spend many hours – don’t be deceived by its cover! Barnes & Noble Small and intimate bookstores are definitely charming, but some of the needs of book lovers can only be fulfilled by a major book retailer. With two locations in El Paso, Barnes & Noble gives locals and visitors access to their enormous catalog featuring thousands of books, movies, music, and all sorts of gifts. If an independent bookstore is typically the place to visit when you don't know what your next book will be, then this is the place to go if your mind is already set on a particular book. Brave Books This independent bookstore was first opened only a year ago but quickly became popular with local book enthusiasts. Their goal from the beginning was to create a small cultural hub where people who are passionate about art, literature, design, and music could get together, exchange ideas, and enjoy each other's presence. In addition to an eclectic collection of new and used books, Brave Books also hosts occasional live music performances from local artists. University of Texas-El Paso Bookstore The local university library is a great place for students to find textbooks, but it also sells many other kinds of books, such as poetry, philosophy, fiction, autobiographies, and much more. It's the place where you can find all sorts of gift ideas, collectibles, electronics, music, games, and UTEP branded clothes. Their large collection makes it one of the most popular and well-stocked bookstores in town. Reading books is a habit that enriches anyone's life. It's much more than a form of entertainment, as it manages to expand our imaginations, increase our knowledge on various topics, and relax our minds. By visiting any of these bookstores you’ll not only expand your reading list but also enjoy a relaxing few hours in the company of like-minded people! Plan a visit once current guidelines have been relaxed – you won’t be disappointed! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Although recent world events showed us the power of staying indoors, in the long run we are all healthier and happier if we spend time in nature. Those living in or around El Paso, Texas, are blessed with many wonderful opportunities to spend time outdoors with friends and family. Franklin Mountains State Park Located right in El Paso, this national park is the largest urban park in the whole nation. This means that the people living in El Paso have something no other town has: their very own natural oasis right inside their town! The park is three miles wide and stretches for 23 miles into New Mexico, with altitudes sometimes exceeding 7,000 feet. more The park is open to the public throughout the whole year and there are plenty of recreational opportunities for those who enjoy spending their time in nature. Although the park administrators decided to keep the location as natural as possible and limit the number of paved roads and access areas, there are still two major hiking trails that visitors can use to discover the breathtaking local landscapes. There are five camping areas with picnic facilities available; it’s also a well-known gathering spot for rock climbers! Scenic Drive - Overlook If you're looking to get a view of the entire city, Scenic Drive will definitely not disappoint you! This curvy mountain road gives visitors absolutely spectacular views of both El Paso and Juarez, making it a highly popular outdoor destination. People who get there by car often find a spot to park and spend hours just enjoying the view. It's also a great spot for cyclists, as the 30-mile bike ride is both demanding and rewarding. Red Sands This place looks like it belongs in a Sci-Fi movie and was formed 34 million years ago. Nowadays it's a great place for those who love spending time outdoors and also love off-roading, as the desert dunes provide the perfect setting for it. Most visitors rent ATVs and spend an entire day driving across the dunes and taking in the views. If your idea of spending time outdoors involves a large dose of adrenaline, you will definitely enjoy a visit to the Red Sands! El Paso Zoo Stretching over 35 acres, the local zoo is probably the best outdoor location for kids. It's a great occasion for them to learn and have fun by seeing and interacting with a wide variety of animals. In-house attractions include the African Star Train that takes the kids on a ride across Africa, with zebras and giraffes along the way, and showcases the Foster Tree House playground, a series of five connected treehouses featuring slides, tunnels, and more. Kids will also have the chance to play with giraffes and learn about how to protect endangered species! Spending time outdoor is not only fun but also a healthy thing to do for both body and mind. El Paso and the area around it have so many different outdoor attractions that you're sure to find something you and your loved ones will enjoy. Check hours of availability, then plan a fun excursion! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

If you're in the mood for Italian fare, be sure to check out some of the top-rated restaurants located in El Paso, Texas. Each offers a welcoming atmosphere, along with an extensive menu of tasty options to enjoy. Grab some take-out and enjoy a tasty Italian meal at home! Trattoria Bella Serra Trattoria Bella Serra is owned and operated by Guliana Leardini, who was born and raised in Verona, Italy. She opened this restaurant in 2007, allowing her to prepare the recipes that have been passed through generations within her family. The entrees feature Italian spices and flavorings, offering an enjoyable dining experience for all who visit. Start your meal with something from the antipasti menu, such as a zucchini fritti or polenta topped with your choice of Bolognese or gorgonzola sauce. more The menu also includes soup options, salads, and specialty pasta, such as cheese-stuffed tortellini, homemade gnocchi, and freshly prepared spaghetti topped with house-made sausage and classic marinara. Additional choices include those prepared with fresh seafood, calzones, pizzas, and poultry. A three-course meal is also available, featuring the chef's specialty items. Cafe Italia Cafe Italia has two locations on both the east and west sides of El Paso. This friendly, casual joint features delicious menu items cooked in the handmade brick oven. The dough used to prepare the pizza, rustic bread, and other menu items is made in-house every day, as is the fresh mozzarella. Wood-fired entrees include roasted vegetables served with cheese and salami, pizzas with a range of topping choices, and calzones. If you have a sweet tooth, try the house specialty – fresh dough stuffed with hazelnut cocoa spread. Monteleone's Monteleone's is an Italian restaurant located in a historic building within El Paso. The structure has stood in the city for over a century and once served as a spiritualist church. It's believed by some to be haunted, so you may get a unique experience, especially if you visit during a “Dining with the Dead” experience, hosted monthly. Even if you don't believe in the paranormal, you can still enjoy a tasty meal at this unique location. On the menu, options include fresh pizza, pasta dishes, calzones, soup, and salad. If you're up for something different, try the Italian nachos, which feature chips made from pizza dough topped with marinara, red onions, jalapeno, Italian sausage, and mozzarella cheese. Locals also claim that Monteleone's serves some of the city's best tiramisu. Mi Piaci Restaurant Mi Piaci is a locally owned Italian restaurant that specializes in seafood, steak, and pasta dishes. All pasta is made from scratch, while the seafood is flown in fresh from Seattle. The head chef hails from Calabria and has been preparing Italian dishes for over two decades. A few of the most popular entrees include grilled ribeye steak, beef ragu, and chicken piccata. This restaurant also offers a wide range of wine pairing options, as well as decadent desserts. When the craving strikes for authentic pizza, pasta, and other Italy-inspired dishes, you don't have to travel too far to enjoy your tasty favorites. Instead of cooking tonight, head out for a meal at one of these El Paso Italian eateries. Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

You don't need to travel to Paris to savor delicious French food. El Paso offers plenty of restaurants and cafes to satisfy those who desire to eat filet mignon and crepes. Learn more about where to order take-out to experience the best French food in El Paso, TX! La Madeleine La Madeleine has two locations in El Paso: 6801 N. Mesa St. and inside the promenade at The Fountains at Farah. The menu offers numerous tasty options. For breakfast, you can have a quiche Florentine or croque madame with ham, swiss cheese, and a fried egg.  For dinner, try beef crepe au vin rouge cooked in red wine, or try the roasted vegetable penne with zucchini, kale, and sauteed mushrooms. more Entrecote & Co. This restaurant, situated at 5825 N. Mesa St., makes an excellent choice for planning a future romantic dinner with its stylish French decor and cozy ambiance. You can also sit on the patio to eat under the stars. Seafood lovers can savor the scallops au gratin and Atlantic oysters. Those who prefer steak may try the entrecote ribeye or chateaubriand filet mignon. The restaurant also boasts a vast selection of fine wine to accompany your meal. A worthwhile experience once our lives have returned to a more normal state! Bella Cora Bakery If you're craving pastries, you should stop by Bella Cora Bakery. With two locations, you can visit the one in the Promenade shopping center on North Mesa Street or the other in El Paseo Marketplace on Joe Battle Boulevard. Families can order cakes to share, and you can taste delicious treats such as cinnamon croissants, chocolate eclairs, and macarons. The bakery also provides fresh French loaves and baguettes every Friday and Saturday. Anson 11 You'll find this restaurant inside the historic Anson Mills Building in downtown El Paso. Anson 11 distinguishes itself with a casual bistro on the first floor and a fine-dining establishment on the second floor. Reservations are strongly recommended for the fine-dining option. You can choose to eat a simple paillard salad or go with the more elegant seared duck breast with blueberry and carrot purees. Plan a special night for when the current situation calms down! Cafe Central Cafe Central is another popular option for fine dining downtown at 109 N. Oregon St. As with Anson 11, you are encouraged to reserve a table ahead of time. You can start with the baked escargots and enjoy delectable entrees including Colorado lamb that is marinated in cabernet and basil. This establishment also creates root vegetable vol-au-vent and other non-meat dishes to appeal to vegetarians. Fahrenheit 180 If you're looking for a place with a laid-back atmosphere where you can drink coffee with friends, check out Fahrenheit 180. Here, you can relax with a warm latte and a plate full of sweet pastries. This charming coffee shop occasionally hosts musical performances and poetry readings. Drop by Fahrenheit 180 at 2900 N. Mesa St for a to-go order! Whether you are looking for a casual meal or high-end cuisine, you'll relish the sumptuous French food available in El Paso - prepare yourself for an amazing dining experience in the future! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Many people like eating Mediterranean food, especially Greek food, for its health benefits and zesty flavoring. While Texas might be best-known for barbecue and Southwestern cooking, some local eateries feature other ethnic cuisines to broaden your horizons and enliven your taste buds! Check out the following restaurants for the best Greek food in El Paso when ordering a meal to-go! Zino's Greek & Mediterranean Cuisine This restaurant remains popular with those who enjoy authentic Greek food. If you like lamb, you can choose from the lamb burger or tender lamb osso buco marinated in demi-glace sauce. Children will delight in the kid's menu with delicious offerings that include mac 'n cheese and a junior gyro pita and fries. Zino's can be found in two locations: at Colony Cove I on North Mesa Street and at 6590 Montana Ave, both of which accept orders for pick-up placed over the phone. more Salma Farah's Mediterranean This small, family-owned restaurant promotes a cozy atmosphere inside with traditional Middle Eastern decor and a brightly colored patterned ceiling. You can order a huge gyro stuffed with beef and lettuce and easily get two servings out of it. Pizza lovers can savor the Mediterranean pizza with feta cheese, black olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Salma Farrah's Mediterranean is situated at 4126 N. Mesa St. Nour Mediterranean Cafe You'll find this restaurant at 3800 N. Mesa St. in University Hill Plaza, as well as a recently opened express version at 1830 George Dieter Drive. Try a light Greek salad for lunch or a hearty beef shish kebab marinated with tahini sauce for dinner. Be sure to leave room for tasty baklava for dessert. Call either location to place a take-out order! Ali Baba Mediterranean Kitchen Once you're done patronizing the shops at West Ten Center, stop by Ali Baba Mediterranean Kitchen to grab a satisfying meal to-go! The eatery offers a diverse selection of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes to whet your appetite, with food ranging from dolmas filled with rice and yogurt to falafel. Santorini Mediterranean Cuisine If you ever visit nearby Las Cruces, New Mexico, you can enjoy excellent Greek take-out from Santorini Mediterranean Cuisine. The restaurant is located at 1001 E. University Ave., next to New Mexico State University. You may consider spanakopita as an appetizer and keftedes with a side of pita bread as your main dish. To enhance your dining experience, Santorini provides numerous domestic and imported beers. Tiffany's Pizza & Deli Coffee Shop This restaurant is another popular food destination in Las Cruces. The Greek salad and chicken gyro sandwiches come in generous portions. If you prefer options other than Greek, you can order chicken wings or pizza with your choice of toppings. Stop by Tiffany's Pizza & Deli Coffee Shop at 755 S. Telshor Blvd for your curbside pickup. Offering a combination of meat, vegetables, and rich spices, Greek food remains a wonderful culinary experience! El Paso and the neighboring cities have plentiful eateries that serve delicious Greek food - heck them out to discover your new favorite delicacy! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

A fresh-baked pastry, be it a doughnut, cake, or pie, is a scrumptious treat; and the best place to get these delights is at a good local bakery! Fortunately, most cities are blessed with several and El Paso, Texas, is no different! Check out a list of some of the very best bakeries in El Paso, where they are, and what you can get there here! El Paso's Bakery It seems reasonable that the first entry in our list of the best El Paso bakeries should be one that's named for the city. El Paso's Bakery is located downtown on Fort Boulevard and is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Their specialty is traditional Pan Dulce and everything they do is made from family recipes and from scratch. If you're looking to experience Pan Dulce, a trip to El Paso's is sure to provide a culinary delight! more Bowie Bakery Bowie Bakery offers a different take on traditional Pan Dulce, as well as a range of other exciting culinary treats including everything from Tres Leches to wedding cakes, from coconut cookies to chocolate-covered strawberries, tamales, tarts, and even bread. Bowie Bakery can be found on South Park in the heart of El Paso and is open every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Marina's German Bakery Where most bakeries in El Paso focus on Mexican desserts, Marina's German Bakery provides a completely different experience. The specialization here is on a German-style of baking and they offer such delicious delectables as strawberry delight, black forest cake, German chocolate, chocolate mousse cake and more. You can find them on Trawood Drive and they've served the area since 1956. Their hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. They're closed on Sundays. Cox's Bakery Cox's Bakery provides a traditional, fresh-baked, general bakery experience where you'll find everything from birthday and wedding cakes to doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and cupcakes. There are some unique and interesting confections here, like chocolate cake with banana filling. One thing is certain - if there's a baked good you want, you will probably be able to find it here and it will be delicious! You'll find it on McCombs Street in central El Paso, and it's open from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Bella Cora Bakery Bella Cora Bakery has a focus on breads of all different varieties and French-style pastries like croissants and macarons. Their main location is on North Mesa Street downtown. A few of the highlights of their offerings include challah, French loaves, focaccia, cranberry walnut bread, scones, chocolate chunk cookies, cream puffs, and others. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; they're closed on Sunday and Monday. These are just a few of the best bakeries in the El Paso area. Of course, you'll need a great and reliable vehicle to get around to try their wares. For that, check out the inventory at Fox Toyota of El Paso and find your next new vehicle today! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Although commonly eaten during the holiday season, tamales are a classic Mexican dish fit for all sorts of occasions. They can have different fillings and unique twists on their basic cooking method. Plenty of restaurants in the El Paso area serve unique tamale recipes from different parts of the Latin American world. So, which of them should you try? Take a look at these El Paso restaurants famed for excellent authentic tamales. El Sarape Del Valle El Sarape Del Valle, a family-style Latin American restaurant, offers popular breakfast specials such as tamales and eggs, along with other common fare seen in Mexican restaurants. The food is fresh, and the restaurant is the right mix of well-known but not overcrowded. Each tamale is generously packed, well-sauced, and cooked to perfection. more Gussie's Tamales & Bakery That's right, there's a bakery selling tamales. Gussie's is a fascinating combination of lovely, colorful pan dulces and other sweet baked goods with Mexican items that blend right in. You can get tamales, empanadas, or other sumptuous and savory items and then finish things off with sweet rolls, cookies, or a custom cake. If you have a passion for sweet, dessert-style tamales in particular, you owe it to yourself to try Gussie's. Dona Lupita Tamales Don't be fooled by the quaint building and location, because Dona Lupita Tamales is one of the busiest Mexican restaurants during the holidays. The menu includes green chicken, red pork, chili cheese, and sweet-style tamales, plus several varieties of burritos and other filling Mexican classics. Each tamale has that perfect mix of soft-yet-firm corn masa, and the fillings are generous, moist, and made from high-quality ingredients. Mama Tamales Loved for its green chile chicken tamales, Mama Tamales also serves other tasty home-style dishes from its Mexican-American menu, such as soupy tacos and several styles of enchiladas. The restaurant's popularity leads to big lunch rushes sometimes, but anyone interested in great Mexican food should find a time to sit down and try Mama Tamales. Pepe's Tamales Although there's strong competition all throughout El Paso, this restaurant might stand at the top. Don't expect a good spot for a date or lunch with friends, however, as Pepe's is take-out only and has a rather simple, unassuming decor, and a building tucked away in a McRae Boulevard shopping center. Although anyone visiting this eatery won't be disappointed with the tamales, don't expect other Mexican or Latin American items on the menu. Pepe's has one specialization and sticks to it, using the freshest ingredients and perfect ratios for mouthwatering flavor combinations such as red chile pork, raisin, and green chile chicken. Each tamale is hot, fresh, perfectly cooked, and generously stuffed with filling. El Paso has a great food scene, with plenty of great restaurants in almost any category, from impressive burger joints and steakhouses to authentic restaurants serving Asian, French, and other tastes from around the world. This is even more true for tamales and general Latin American cuisine, so be sure to give one of these places a try the next time you're craving authentic Mexican comfort food. Image via iotae | Licensed under CC BY 2.0

Organizers are gearing up for the 2019 El Paso Corn Festival. We've put together this handy guide to the festival so you can easily make plans for these three days of fun, food, and festivities! 'National Lampoon's El Paso Vacation' This year's El Paso Corn Festival, which runs from Sept. 5-7, has the theme of "National Lampoon's El Paso Vacation." So if you're going to have a tent in Library Park during the festivities as a vendor or for a community group, business, or church, now's the time to start brainstorming how you want to decorate your tent. Christmas decorations? An old beat-up station wagon parked nearby? How about Cousin Eddie's grill? Whatever you decide, have fun with it! more Three Days of Fun The festival features the Wilson Family Shows carnival, entertainment in Library Park, and the big parade at noon on Saturday. Everyone always wants to know about armbands for the carnival because it's the only way to go. You can get armbands for your kids all three days. Presale armbands for Thursday and Friday nights from 6-10 p.m. will be for sale for $20 before the festival at both Heartland Bank locations, Flanagan Bank, City Hall, Bushert's General Store, and Nails by Karen. Armbands for Saturday rides from 3-8 p.m. will be $25, available only at the carnival. Festivities Entertainment for the festival will include several bands: She Said So and Recycle the Day will perform Friday at 5:30 and 7 p.m., and the Saturday bands will be the Captain Ron Band at 4 p.m. and Billy Blackjack at 7 p.m. Also, big community events are the Mini King & Queen Contest at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, the El Paso-Gridley Show Choirs at 7 p.m. on Thursday, and a fun community game show at 2 p.m. on Saturday. You'll also want to dine at the Community Well Fried Chicken Dinner from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday. Other festival events are the Library Book Sale all three days, the Big Wheel Races and the Firemen Pork Tenderloin Meal on Thursday, the Kiddie Tractor Pull and the Kiwanis Spaghetti Supper on Friday, and breakfast at the Masonic Lodge and the Dupont Walk Saturday morning. Corn Festival Parade The Corn Festival Parade is always a great event, with more than 100 entries every year. We see local businesses, school groups, bands, and churches out there, along with antique vehicles, tractors, and more. Floats line up for the noon parade at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Unit 11 District Office. The parade will begin at noon at the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets, turning south on Sycamore Street, east on First Street, north on Cherry Street, and finally, west on Fifth Street to end at El Paso-Gridley High School. Parade organizers have asked that people on floats save enough candy to last for the entire parade route so kids at the end don't get shorted. Sunday is being planned as a festive cleanup day, and residents have been invited to show up at 7:30 a.m. to compete to see who can clean up the most (or heaviest) trash. Keep up with the El Paso Corn Festival website for additional event details and updates. Vendors are not yet listed, but we hope there will be corn! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

If you like hiking and mountain biking on rugged terrain, you'll love to explore Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso. Largest Urban Park in the U.S. Franklin Mountains State Park is completely within the El Paso City limits and is the largest urban park in the United States. The park boasts a diverse ecosystem of birds, reptiles, and mammals. Birders find the park an excellent bird-watching area with more than 100 species of birds that live or visit the area. Native Americans lived in the area for nearly 12,000 years, hunting animals and harvesting plants for food and medicine. Their stories are illustrated in the pictographs and petroglyphs on rock walls and boulders. more Concerned citizens formed the Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition after developers started building roads in the mountains in the 1970s. The organization's advocacy led to the passage of a bill that gave the Franklin Mountains to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which acquired the property in 1981 and opened the park in 1987. Only limited development has been done within the park, which has few paved roads. The headquarters are in McKelligon Canyon. With elevations from around 4,000 feet to over 7,000 feet, you'll find habitats that house diverse plants and animals. Desert grassland and creosote bush are common in the lowlands, while in the peaks you'll see dense shrubs and trees. Chihuahuan Desert vegetation is the most prolific in the park. Hiking, Biking, and Rock Climbing The park has more than 100 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking within nearly 27,000 acres in the high-desert mountains. If you head out on the trails, plan for rugged desert terrain. Park officials urge hikers and cyclists to carry plenty of water, bring cell phones, wear quality shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and travel with another person. GeoBetty Tours provides guided hiking and mountain biking tours in the park. The park also offers scheduled public hikes. You'll see some wildlife on your hike, such as mule deer, coyotes, and squirrels, as well as red-spotted toads, eastern collared lizards, and gopher snakes. You'll also view plenty of birds. Two Great Texas Wildlife Trails are the El Paso Uplands Loop, where scaled quail, mourning doves, and white-winged doves are often seen, and El Paso Rio, where more than 200 species of birds have been recorded. Rock climbers should climb in the designated areas in McKelligon Canyon or Sneed's Cory in the Tom Mays Unit. Photography If you want to take photos, you'll have stunning opportunities, especially if you take the trail to North Franklin Peak. It's a steep climb, but you'll be rewarded with the best views in the region from the highest peak in El Paso at over 7,000 feet above sea level. Camping You can camp in the Tom Mays Unit. Walk to one of the 14 tent sites or park your vehicle at one of the five RV sites. Group campsites are available. Campsites don't have water or electricity, so you'll need to bring water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning up. You don't have to leave El Paso to escape to the wilderness. Just head to Franklin Mountains State Park. Image via uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs | Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

El Paso, Texas, boasts more than 250 parks offering almost 3,000 acres of open space so, whether you want to exercise, relax, or have a cookout with family and friends, you have plenty of options. Here are five of El Paso's parks. Westside Community Park Westside Community Park offers something for everyone. A fenced dog park has separate areas for large and small dogs where they can run around off the leash, and there are water faucets for filling the dogs' bowls. For the kids, there is a playground which has equipment for different age groups. Scenic walking trails feature three loops with paths for beginner and intermediate levels of ability. You'll also find a skate park, a water spray park, and a recreation center. more Vista del Valle Park In Vista del Valle Park, you'll find extensive grassy areas with almost a mile of paths for jogging or walking. The playground will keep the kids entertained and, for the more active, there are basketball and volleyball courts. This park also has a multi-use recreation center which offers restrooms for park users. Tom Lea Park The Tom Lea Park has an obelisk marking its location as the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains. The park offers stunning panoramic views of El Paso and across the border to Mexico. The upper park is great for strolling, hiking, and dog walking, while the lower park features grassy areas with tree shade, baseball fields, and a children's playground. Madeline Park Located in the historic Kern Place neighborhood, Madeline Park is a small but beautiful spot featuring plenty of open grass spaces with large mature trees for shade. The park has separate playground areas for small kids and bigger kids with the little kids' area being covered. Benches enable you to sit and keep an eye on your children. You can go for a stroll, enjoy the basketball courts, or just relax and pass some time watching the world go by. In the center of the park is a photogenic gazebo which features occasional live music during special events. Franklin Mountains State Park To get close to nature, the Franklin Mountains State Park features almost 27,000 acres within the El Paso city limits making it the largest urban park in the country. More than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails will suit people of all ability levels. For the more adventurous, the park offers designated rock-climbing areas. For a longer adventure, you can camp at one of the 14 primitive tent camping sites or five RV sites. None of the sites offer water or electricity but you will find picnic tables and outdoor grills or fire rings. The park is a great place to view nature with small mammals, reptiles, and over 100 species of birds including golden eagles, flycatchers, and hummingbirds. Ranger-led programs include bike rides, hikes, arts in the park, and other activities. These are just a few of the many parks in El Paso for you to enjoy and spend some leisure time. Image via Ömer Ünlü | Licensed under CC BY 2.0