Visit El Paso’s Revitalized Downtown

14 must-go (& walkable) stops

I moved away from my hometown of El Paso, TX when I was 18. Other than quick weekend trips home and madly going from family party to family party while home for the holidays, I haven’t spent much unplanned down time back in my old stomping grounds.

That’s all to say I have never lived in the city as an adult and don’t know where to send people who are driving through and staying downtown.

However, being home for a dear childhood friend’s wedding weekend this September showed me a sliver of the revitalization going on in the downtown historical district. What I remember as being pretty slow and abandoned streets all growing up are now filled with chic restaurants, gorgeous vintage-y apartment buildings, rooftop bars, boutique hotels, updated museums, and buzzing sidewalks filled with lights and live music.

I stuck around in town after the wedding and had a friend who works at the El Paso Community Foundation give me a walking tour. Watch the IG Story highlight here to come along with us (and some fun El Paso rumors about what’s on deck next down there!)

Below are 11 places you should absolutely stop into. They’re all walking distance from each other and where I recommend you park (at the public parking garage near Cafe Central –– map to 110 S. El Paso St. El Paso, TX 79901).

Walk the tour with me on IG stories!

1. The Plaza Hotel Pioneer park

(Ambar restaurant + la Pearla rooftop bar)

Unreal restoration to it’s 1930s Trost & Trost architectural glory that is somehow a step back in time but chic and contemporary vibe all at the same time. This was one of Hilton’s first hotels and was home to Elizabeth Taylor while she was filming “Giant.”

The rooftop bar is the EVERYTHING. You can see 3 states and 2 counties all while standing on 1 deck.

The bar on the ground floor has over 700 types of tequilas (and will soon have the largest tequila library IN THE WORLD).

106 W Mills Ave, El Paso, TX 79901

2. INTL Bar

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When Ambar closes, head across the street to INTL. Their rooftop is tangy and their DJ spins bops – everything from 80s bangers to Chuco Town cumbias.

114 E Mills Ave A, El Paso, TX 79901

3. Kress Building

The building between The Plaza Hotel and INTL is a gorgeous historical building by Trost & Trost. It was purchased by the same developer who restored The Plaza Hotel and whisper on the street is it will be turned into an event space and conference center (as the ballroom in The Plaza Hotel only holds 200ish guests)

110 E Mills Ave, El Paso, TX 79901

4. Ria Market

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Locally owned little market that is notorious for lines going out the door at lunch time. Order the tortas!

204 N Oregon St, El Paso, TX 79901

5. Stanton House Hotel

(home of Blush Spa & Taft Diaz restaurant)

So so so cute!

Very modern boutique hotel with a restaurant inside that is known for it’s floating lighting fixtures (think papery floral pieces that move like giant jelly fish) and their private chef table.

I’ve heard their seaweed wrap and massages inside Blush Spa are everything you’d dream they’d be (and well-priced as well!)

209 N Stanton St, El Paso, TX 79901

6. Bassett Building

Trost & Trost apartment building with the most gorgeous entry chandelier EVER! Swing into their foyer for major Gatsby vibes.

303 Texas Avenue

7. El Paso Brewing

Cutie tap room near Bassett Building

810 Texas Ave Suite B, El Paso, TX 79901

8. Elemi

As seen on the Hulu’s “Taste The Nation.” They are known for their homemade blue corn tortillas!

313 N Kansas St, El Paso, TX 79901

9. Mamacitas

So freaking CUTE and at the base of Hotel Indigo. Their brunch looks as dreamy as their fun boho interior design.

325 N Kansas St, El Paso, TX 79901

10. Coffee Box

Cute train car coffee shack and perfect little stop for a warm beverage before strolling around the twinkly lights in San Jacinto Plaza across the street.

401 N Mesa St, El Paso, TX 79901

11. Rocketbuster

Colorful custom cowyboy boot store where it is rumored Arnold Schwarzenegger gets his boots!

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12. DeadBeach Brewery

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El Paso’s brewery darling. Really cute (read Instagram-able) patio.

406 Durango St, El Paso, TX 79901

13. Paso Del Norte Hotel

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Formerly the Camino Real Hotel.

They just reopened after a multi-million dollar renovation. V v v interested to see what the new owners changed and what they left be.

10 Sheldon Ct, El Paso, TX 79901

14. Locomotive Game

The city’s soccer league is known to have the most fun crowd for hundreds of miles around. Think European soccer games where the attendees are as involved as the athletes on the field.