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Get Outside at These 5 Amazing El Paso Parks

Park | Fox Toyota of El Paso in El Paso, TX
The City of El Paso is blessed with no less than 287 parks. These parks include everything from small neighborhood parks, large city parks, green spaces, splash parks, and playgrounds to huge state parks. They all offer green spaces to relax, partake in exercise and sports, and spend time in nature. Enjoy the outdoors at one of these El Paso parks.

1. Franklin Mountains State Park

Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest state park located in an urban setting. The high desert mountains boast 37 square miles of open space and desert wilderness. Hikers and bikers can make use of the 125 miles of multi-use trails. The park's highest peak reaches 7,192 feet and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. There are designated rock-climbing areas and campsites. Other popular activities include bird watching, geocaching, and joining in with the many ranger-led programs.

2. Tom Lea Upper Park

This small, quiet park is located on the hillside at Rim Road. The park offers beautiful sweeping views of downtown, Mexico, and the neighboring mountains. It's the perfect place to watch the sunset over the city, or if you don't mind an early start, catch the sunrise! There are some beautiful plants and flowers to admire. Facilities at the park include walking trails, sports courts and fields, a running track, and parking.

3. Ascarate Park and Lake

Ascarate Park is El Paso's largest public park, spanning over 400 acres. The 48-acres Ascarate Lake has a lakeside boardwalk, perfect for lakeside strolls or jogs. Water enthusiasts can explore the lake via canoe or pedal boat, both of which can be rented in the park. Fishing is also permitted here. The 280-acre golf course features an 18-hole, 72 par golf course, and a nine-hole executive course. The park includes playgrounds, softball fields, soccer fields, a baseball field, and an Aquatic Centre with an Olympic-sized pool. The park also has facilities for picnicking, basketball, tennis, and handball.

4. Marty Robbins Park

Marty Robbins Park is a large community park located on Vista Del Sol Drive. The park has a wealth of facilities, including picnic shelters, playgrounds, multipurpose sports fields, baseball fields, basketball courts, a swimming pool, a recreation center, restrooms, and a spray park. The indoor pool is open year-round and offers community swim lessons, fitness classes, and general swimming for just $3 a session. The recreation center also hosts fitness classes and organized sports.

5. El Paso Museum of Archaeology Wilderness Park

The Wilderness park offers fifteen acres of trails that display over 250 native Chihuahuan Desert plants. Visitors can view the scenic vistas of the Franklin Mountains, see the Indian Garden during the summer, and the poppy fields in the spring. The museum and park offer visitors the opportunity to learn and discover all about the natural and cultural history and geology of the El Paso area. There are literally hundreds of public parks spread across the city. To discover and visit them all, it may take you a while – but that just gives you plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the natural wonders around El Paso! Start your explorations today!   Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License
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5 Favorite Coffee Shops in and Around El Paso, TX

El Paso is a diverse city for top attractions, scrumptious cuisine, and some of the best locally roasted beans to savor on your next drive. When you visit El Paso, TX, and the surrounding area, you'll find fantastic coffee shops and cafes with delicious espressos, lattes, and iced brew drinks. We’ve gathered a list of some of our favorite spots – get more insider info below! 1. Global Coffee Roasters This local favorite boasts excellent hand-crafted coffees, espressos, and blended drinks for dine-in or takeout. Global Coffee Roasters offers great specialized hot and iced drinks, including Mazapan lattes, jasmine tea, Hawaiian lattes, iced beverages, and delicious, homemade baked goods. This cafe is open seven days a week and features a relaxing dining space with a friendly atmosphere and excellent service. more 2. Coffee Box Coffee Box is a creative spot that provides an interior space with murals, friendly service, and comfortable seating. This trendy place offers amazing lattes, coffees, teas, boba lattes, and smoothies with a fantastic selection of baked goods. You'll enjoy the Coffee Box's variety of muffins, bagels, pastries, and signature drinks, including nitro dragon fruit tea, taro lattes, horchata oat milk, and other tasty beverages. This locally owned and operated coffee house has several locations in the city and features a wide selection of herbal teas and coffees for dine-in and takeout. 3. Kinley's House Coffee & Tea Kinley's House Coffee & Tea offers an excellent menu of tasty sandwiches, salads, and light snacks to enjoy with your coffee or tea. You'll find that this cafe offers some of the best coffee in town, including signature frappes, iced lattes, cold brew, cafe mochas, boba tea, and more. This spot is conveniently located in the center of town and offers a drive-up window for takeout, dine-in, and delivery options. 4. Viejo Coffee Viejo Coffee is a great little shop that offers cozy indoor seating and an outside patio to indulge in your favorite coffee and pastry. This spot is where you'll find delicious pour-over coffee, iced drinks, lattes, and hot chocolate. It's the ideal place to order delicious espresso-based drinks, whether you place an order to go or to enjoy your favorite brew on the spacious outdoor deck. 5. Coffee Emporium This locally owned business offers excellent brews to the local community, including delicious coffees, teas, snacks, gourmet chocolates, and light fare. Coffee Emporium opened over 30 years ago, and today it's one of the best coffee houses in the area. It's a terrific place to visit with family or friends, or to find unique snacks for special occasions. There’s an impressive collection of gift ideas, including fine coffee and loose-leaf teas. There are plenty of exceptional coffee houses and cafes where you can indulge in your favorite latte, cappuccino, or pour-over coffee on your next visit to the El Paso region. Check out any of these delightful choices the next time you need a fix for your caffeine craving! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Hotel | FOX Toyota of El Paso in El Paso, TX

5 Great Hotels for Visiting El Paso, TX

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Popular Outdoor Activities in and Around El Paso, TX

As the largest city on the US-Mexican border, El Paso – otherwise known as the Sun City – deserves its nickname as it enjoys over 300 days of sun per year, mild winters, and low rainfall. So: with all this sunshine, you'll want to get outside! Check out these four popular outdoor activities in the local area! 1. Hike the Franklin Mountains State Park Located just a 15-minute drive from the center of town, the high-desert mountains of Franklin Mountains State Park offer 27,000 acres and over 100 miles of trails to explore. The highest peak, North Franklin Peak, sits high at 7,192 feet and offers incredible views of the surrounding area. Grab some water and get walking or join a guided hike led by park rangers. more Other activities offered at the park include mountain biking, rock climbing, geocaching, bird watching, camping, and a mix of ranger programs like group hikes and arts. 2. Shop Local Produce at the Farmers Market Every Saturday for the last 20 years, Ardovino's Farmers Market has supplied fresh, organic produce, baked goods, jams, honey, handmade crafts, art, and other goodies. Consumers can chat and gain knowledge from the real people who produce the goods they take home and serve on their own table. Other activities at the farmers' market include cooking demos, kids' activities, and gardening tips. Grab a coffee or freshly squeezed juice from the market's very own CoffeeStream and explore everything the local producers have to offer! Other city farmers' markets include the Upper Valley Artist & Farmers Market every Sunday and the Country Club Farmers Market every Saturday. 3. Go Rock Climbing and See Ancient Art 30 miles east of El Paso lies Hueco Tanks State Park. Composed mostly of heavily cracked and eroded syenite granite, this state park is a dream for those who love climbing, bouldering, and scrambling over the many crevices and eroded rock formations. The North Mountain is open for anyone to scramble up its 250 feet of elevation, with hundreds of recognized routes, and those that summit can enjoy views of the Hueco Mountains to the north and empty desert to the south. The historic site is home to thousands of pictographs, petroglyphs, and other historic artwork, all etched onto the ancient granite. However, in order to protect the delicate nature of this historic art, most of it can be viewed only by joining a guided tour. 4. Meet the Animals The El Paso Zoo offers 35 acres of fun and adventure. The zoo is home to exotic animals from all across the globe such as lions, giraffes, meerkats, wolves, alligators, elephants, and orangutans. Attractions include the African Star Train and the Foster Tree-house Playground. The El Paso Zoo is accredited by the AZA and is committed to providing excellent care for animals and creating opportunities for people to connect with nature. Now you've got some adventuring to do! Start making your plans to visit one – or all! – of these entertaining spots for a bit of fresh air and a change to your normal routine!