Local Guide
The first things to know about El Paso.
A quick read before you go deeper. Everyday life, eating out, staying social, and the planning piece worth watching. Each one links to a source.
Everyday life
Franklin Mountains State Park, hiking inside the city
Few cities let you reach a real mountain trail in fifteen minutes, and mornings here are cool and quiet.
Source: Franklin Mountains State Park (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
Eating out and guests
L & J Cafe, the old reliable by Concordia Cemetery
It is the kind of unpretentious place where regulars have a usual order and the staff remembers them.
Source: L & J Cafe
Staying social
City recreation centers with indoor courts
City centers are inexpensive and steady, a reliable backup when the weather or your schedule shifts.
Source: City of El Paso Recreation Centers
Worth watching
City services and where to start
Knowing one trustworthy city site saves a lot of guessing in your first few months.
Source: City of El Paso Recreation Centers
Move tools
Thinking about moving to El Paso? Run the rough math first.
Use these quick checks to test El Paso as a retirement move. They are not the full map; they help you decide what deserves a deeper look.
Tax and Medicare
Check the El Paso income picture.
Estimate how Texas treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension
Not taxed
IRA / 401(k)
Not taxed
Mortgage
Test the payment or refi
Compare a current mortgage against a new rate, closing costs, and break-even timing.
Open mortgage checkWeather fit
Mixed-season comfort
El Paso has a weather profile that can support outdoor routines without making the best week the whole story.
Avg
68°
Sun
225
Rain
86
Snow
1
Things to do
Things to do in El Paso
Parks, trails, classes, and easy outings for an ordinary week.
Franklin Mountains State Park (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
Franklin Mountains State Park, hiking inside the city
This is one of the largest urban parks in the country, a whole desert mountain range right inside El Paso with more than 100 miles of trails. Easier walks like the Aztec Cave trail give you big views without a brutal climb.
Why it matters
Few cities let you reach a real mountain trail in fifteen minutes, and mornings here are cool and quiet.
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
Hueco Tanks and its ancient rock paintings
East of town, this state park holds thousands of pictographs painted on the rocks centuries ago, plus well-regarded climbing. You must reserve a spot before you go, so call ahead and plan a guided tour if you want to see the best art.
Why it matters
It is a quiet, otherworldly place, and the reservation system keeps the crowds small.
El Paso Streetcar Route (Sun Metro)
Ride the historic El Paso Streetcar
Restored 1950s streetcars run a 4.8-mile loop through uptown and downtown with 27 stops. It is a relaxed way to see the old neighborhoods, and rides have often been free, so check the current fare before you board.
Why it matters
Parking downtown can be a hassle, and hopping the streetcar turns an errand into a little outing.
El Paso Museum of Art
El Paso Museum of Art, always free
Right downtown, this art museum never charges admission. The collection spans two centuries and the galleries are calm and well kept, an easy way to spend a hot afternoon out of the sun.
Why it matters
A free, air-conditioned museum downtown is a gift on a 100-degree day, and it pairs well with the streetcar.
Visit El Paso (official tourism)
Scenic Drive and the Visit El Paso trip ideas
The official Visit El Paso site is the place to start for outings, from the famous Scenic Drive overlook above the city to gardens and missions. They keep an up-to-date list of trails, parks, and what is open.
Why it matters
It saves you from chasing dead links, the listings here tend to be current and local.
Browse by activity
Mapped places near El Paso. Tap a category to open the full list with directions.
Golf
Public, resort, and municipal courses near retirement towns.
8 places tracked
Fishing
Boat ramps, piers, lakes, and shore access.
68 places tracked
Hiking trails
Named trails, parks, and nature reserves for a real walk.
10 places tracked
Pickleball
Courts and public places to play.
3 places tracked
Gardening
Community gardens, botanical gardens, and places to dig in.
6 places tracked
Arts and culture
Museums, galleries, theaters, and cultural stops.
57 places tracked
Community
Senior centers, community centers, and places to meet people.
35 places tracked
Birding
Top-rated birding hotspots from the eBird community.
105 places tracked
Dog parks
Off-leash parks for the four-legged member of the household.
4 places tracked
Where to eat
Where to eat
Local spots for an easy dinner or a visit from family. Rough prices included.
L & J Cafe
L & J Cafe, the old reliable by Concordia Cemetery
This central spot has been pouring margaritas and plating enchiladas for generations, right next to the historic Concordia Cemetery. Breakfast plates with eggs, beans, and a tortilla run under ten dollars, and the green chile is the reason people keep coming back.
Approx. price
$$
Why it matters
It is the kind of unpretentious place where regulars have a usual order and the staff remembers them.
Chico's Tacos (Wikipedia overview)
Chico's Tacos, the rolled tacos in red broth
You either grew up on these or you have to try them once. Rolled tacos sit in a tomato broth under a pile of melty cheese, it is a delicious mess, and an order costs just a few dollars. There are several locations around town.
Approx. price
$
Why it matters
This is pure El Paso, a cheap hometown dish that locals defend and visitors puzzle over.
Elemi Restaurant
Elemi, fresh masa and modern Mexican downtown
Chef Emiliano grinds heirloom corn into fresh masa here, and the tacos and plates have earned national attention. It is a sit-down dinner that feels special without being stuffy, with plates in the higher range for El Paso.
Approx. price
$$$
Why it matters
When the kids visit and you want to show off how good the food has gotten here, this is the table to book.
Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch
Cattleman's Steakhouse on a working ranch
Drive about 20 minutes east to Fabens and you eat steak on a real 32,000-acre ranch with desert views, a small zoo, and an old movie set out back. It is a big family steakhouse, hearty and Western, with steaks in the steakhouse price range.
Approx. price
$$$
Why it matters
It doubles as an afternoon outing, you can wander the grounds before dinner and watch the sun set over the desert.
Best Mexican Restaurants in El Paso (Tasting Table)
Kiki's and the other longtime Mexican kitchens
For everyday Mexican food, locals send you to Kiki's, Avila's, and Carlos & Mickey's. These are the comfortable, mid-priced sit-down places where the chile relleno and the enchiladas are done right and the portions are generous.
Approx. price
$$
Why it matters
Every neighborhood has its champion here, and trying a few is the fastest way to find your own regular spot.
Pickleball and rec
Pickleball in El Paso
Where to play, drop in, and meet people. Court times, fees, and how busy it gets.
City of El Paso Recreation Centers
City recreation centers with indoor courts
The City of El Paso runs recreation centers with pickleball and basketball courts and fitness equipment. Centers like Galatzan and the Westside Community Rec Center give you an indoor option and structured programs at low cost.
Why it matters
City centers are inexpensive and steady, a reliable backup when the weather or your schedule shifts.
Pickleball El Paso, Where to Play
Grandview Park courts with the local group
The Pickleball El Paso group plays at Grandview Park by the Wayne Thornton Rec Center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Afternoon sessions start around 3 p.m., and newcomers are welcome to come find a game.
Why it matters
Showing up to an organized group is the easiest way to meet people fast when you are new in town.
Serve, El Paso Pickleball & Padel
Serve, a pickleball and padel hangout with food
Serve is an all-ages spot built around pickleball and padel courts with a kitchen and bar attached. You can book a court, grab a bite, and make an evening of it without leaving.
Why it matters
It is the social version of the sport, good for a night out with friends rather than a serious match.
FiveSet Net Sports
FiveSet Net Sports, indoor courts when it is hot
Just over the line in Sunland Park, a few minutes from El Paso's west side, FiveSet is an indoor facility for pickleball and volleyball. When summer afternoons hit triple digits, this is where play moves inside.
Why it matters
Air-conditioned courts matter here, the outdoor game gets rough from June through August.
Pickleball El Paso, A Year of Courts and Community
Neighborhood park courts across the city
The local group has helped paint courts in parks all over town, including Mary Frances Keisling Park in the Upper Valley, Argal and Ralph T. Cloud Parks on the Eastside, and Mesquite Hills in the Northeast. There is likely one near wherever you land.
Why it matters
Free outdoor courts close to home make it easy to play a couple of mornings a week without a membership.
Pickleball El Paso, Where to Play
Lighted courts at Ascarate and Barnes Park
For evening play, local players point to the lighted courts at Ascarate Park and Barnes Park. Once the sun drops and the heat breaks, these are popular spots to get a game in after dinner.
Why it matters
Lights let you play in the cool of the evening, which in El Paso summers is really the only comfortable time.
Senior help and discounts
Help and discounts for El Paso seniors
Programs, classes, free city services, seasonal help, and useful local deals.
City of El Paso Senior Centers
City of El Paso senior centers for the 55-plus crowd
The Parks and Recreation department runs senior centers with themed dances, holiday parties, fitness and health classes, arts, and educational programs Monday through Friday. It is a ready-made social calendar for anyone 55 and up.
Why it matters
For a parent moving here alone, a center like this is often the difference between a quiet week and a full one.
El Paso Streetcar Route (Sun Metro)
Getting around on Sun Metro and the streetcar
Sun Metro runs the city buses and the historic streetcar, and the streetcar loop through uptown and downtown has often been free to ride. If you would rather not drive everywhere, ask about reduced senior fares on the buses.
Why it matters
El Paso is spread out and car-centered, so knowing the transit options helps if driving gets harder later.
What’s coming up
What’s coming up in El Paso
Local events worth putting on the calendar. Check the host page for dates and parking before you go.
Plaza Classic Film Festival
July 16 to 26, 2026
Plaza Classic Film Festival downtown
When
For eleven days the El Paso Community Foundation fills the gorgeous Plaza Theatre and nearby venues with classic films, many of them free. It is one of the biggest classic movie festivals in the country and a beloved summer tradition.
Why it matters
Cheap or free movies in a 1930s theater, in the air conditioning, is about the best July afternoon there is here.
Viva! El Paso (McKelligon Canyon)
Fridays and Saturdays, mid-June through August
8:00 p.m.
Viva! El Paso at McKelligon Canyon
When
This outdoor musical tells the region's history with music and dance in a canyon amphitheater under the stars. Shows run Friday and Saturday nights through the summer with an 8 p.m. start.
Why it matters
Sitting in the cool canyon at night with a live show is one of those things you bring every visitor to see.
Amigo Airsho
October 24 to 25, 2026
Amigo Airsho at Biggs Army Airfield
When
This long-running air show returns to Biggs Army Airfield on Fort Bliss with military jets, aerobatics, and aircraft on display. It is a full-family weekend and a signature El Paso event.
Why it matters
Fort Bliss is a huge part of life here, and the air show is the most fun way to feel that connection.
El Paso WinterFest
Late November through December (annual)
El Paso WinterFest and the lights parade
When
Each winter downtown San Jacinto Plaza becomes a holiday village with an outdoor ice rink, a lights parade, photos with Santa, and movies. It runs from late November through the holidays.
Why it matters
It is a warm, walkable downtown holiday tradition, gentle and easy for grandkids of any age.
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Concert season, fall through spring
7:30 p.m.
El Paso Symphony at the Plaza Theatre
When
The symphony plays a season of classical concerts at the historic Plaza Theatre, with most performances starting at 7:30 p.m. There are six classical programs plus holiday concerts each season.
Why it matters
A dressed-up night at the symphony in a restored 1930s theater is an easy, civilized evening out.
El Paso Chihuahuas 2026 Schedule (MiLB)
Home opener April 7, 2026, season runs into September
Most games 6:35 p.m.
El Paso Chihuahuas baseball downtown
When
The Chihuahuas play Triple-A baseball at Southwest University Park right downtown, and the 2026 season opens on April 7. Games are affordable, the ballpark is lively, and there are theme nights all summer.
Why it matters
A cheap evening at the ballpark with a good beer and a sunset is a reliable summer pleasure here.
Annual Events & Festivals (Visit El Paso)
May 8, June 19, July 17, and August 21, 2026
El Fresco outdoor music series
When
On a handful of evenings from spring into late summer, the El Fresco series brings free outdoor concerts to town. The 2026 dates fall on May 8, June 19, July 17, and August 21.
Why it matters
Free live music on a warm evening is an easy yes, no tickets and no fuss.
El Paso Art & Farmers Market (MCAD)
Select Saturdays (2026 season posted)
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday Art & Farmers Market downtown
When
On select Saturdays the area around San Jacinto Plaza fills with farmers, artists, and food vendors from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market keeps a posted 2026 schedule so you know which weekends it runs.
Why it matters
A morning market is a friendly low-cost ritual and a good way to meet your new neighbors.
Upper Valley Market
Sundays (in season)
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Upper Valley Market on Sundays
When
Over on the west side, the Upper Valley Market sets up at Mesa Plaza on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shop local food and goods, eat, and linger, it has a relaxed neighborhood feel.
Why it matters
If you settle on the west side, this is the closer, quieter market to make your weekly stop.
Fiesta de las Flores (organizer page)
Labor Day weekend (early September)
Fiesta de las Flores over Labor Day
When
One of the oldest Hispanic festivals in the country, Fiesta de las Flores brings music, food, and dancing to El Paso, traditionally over Labor Day weekend. Check the organizer's page for the exact dates and venue each year.
Why it matters
It is a deep-rooted local tradition, the kind of event that tells you what the city values.
Worth knowing
Worth knowing about the area
City services, neighborhood updates, seasonal notes, and the everyday details that matter.
City of El Paso Recreation Centers
City services and where to start
The City of El Paso runs the parks, rec centers, senior centers, and Sun Metro transit, and its site is the single place to find hours, programs, and registration. Bookmark it early when you arrive.
Why it matters
Knowing one trustworthy city site saves a lot of guessing in your first few months.
Franklin Mountains State Park (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
Plan your year around the summer heat
El Paso is sunny and dry almost year round, which is wonderful, but June through August routinely hits triple digits. Locals run errands and exercise in the morning, rest in the afternoon, and come back out in the evening.
Why it matters
The heat is dry rather than sticky, but it is real, and adjusting your daily rhythm makes summer comfortable.
City decisions
City decisions to watch
Council agendas, hearings, and public meetings that can change access, housing, services, or costs.
El Paso Central Appraisal District
How property taxes work here, with the over-65 break
Texas has no state income tax, so local governments lean on property taxes, and the El Paso Central Appraisal District sets your home's value. Once you turn 65 you can claim an over-65 homestead exemption that lowers the bill and freezes your school district taxes, so file with the district as soon as you qualify.
Why it matters
The over-65 freeze can steady your housing cost for years, but only after you actually file for it.
Over 65 Property Tax Exemptions (Texas Law Help)
The Texas over-65 exemption and tax freeze, explained
Texas Law Help lays out in plain English how the over-65 homestead exemption stacks on top of the standard one and freezes your school taxes at the first-year amount. It is a clear read before you file with the appraisal district.
Why it matters
Reading the rules yourself first means you walk into the county office knowing exactly what to ask for.
Health and Medicare
Health and Medicare
Care, Medicare counseling, caregiver help, transportation, and the local senior support to line up.
Texas HICAP / SHIP Medicare counseling
Free Medicare help from the Texas HICAP line
Texas runs a free Medicare counseling program called HICAP, the state's version of SHIP, reachable at 1-800-252-9240. Trained counselors walk you through enrollment, plan choices, and costs without trying to sell you anything.
Why it matters
This is unbiased help with confusing Medicare choices, and it costs you nothing.
University Medical Center of El Paso
University Medical Center and Las Palmas Del Sol hospitals
University Medical Center is El Paso's public teaching hospital and the region's Level I trauma center, and the Las Palmas Del Sol network runs Las Palmas Medical Center and Del Sol Medical Center across town. Between them you have full hospital coverage with several emergency rooms.
Why it matters
Knowing where the trauma center and nearest ER are before you need them is worth a few minutes now.
Upcoming events in El Paso
See all eventsTheater & film
7:30 PM
PHILANTHROPY THEATRE · Paso, TX
Plaza Classic Film Festival: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
PHILANTHROPY THEATRE
Plaza Classic Film Festival: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Theater & film
3:30 PM
The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center · Paso, TX
Plaza Classic Film Festival: An American in Paris
The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center
Plaza Classic Film Festival: An American in Paris
Music & concerts
8 PM
Abraham Chavez Theatre · Paso, TX
Air Supply - A Matter of Time Tour
Abraham Chavez Theatre
Air Supply - A Matter Of Time Tour
Theater & film
7 PM
The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center · Paso, TX
Plaza Classic Film Festival: Bye Bye Birdie
The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center
Plaza Classic Film Festival: Bye Bye Birdie
Theater & film
1 PM
The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center · Paso, TX
Plaza Classic Film Festival: Bus Stop
The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center
Plaza Classic Film Festival: Bus Stop
Music & concerts
8 PM
Abraham Chavez Theatre · Paso, TX
Air Supply - A Matter of Time Tour
Abraham Chavez Theatre
Air Supply - A Matter Of Time Tour
Common questions
What people ask before retiring in El Paso
Short answers to the questions most people ask first. The full source trail sits in the guide above and the sources panel below.
Is El Paso, TX a good place to retire?
Plenty of people do retire here, so it is a real option worth a look. What matters is whether the home costs, the health and senior support, the things to do, and the family side all fit your life. Not just how it ranks on a list somewhere.
Source: L & J CafeWhat costs should you check before moving to El Paso?
Price the month, not the postcard. Keep separate lines for home, property taxes, insurance, utilities, getting around, health, and everyday spending. A low-tax headline can quietly hide a high insurance bill, or the other way around.
Source: El Paso Central Appraisal DistrictWhere do you find things to do in El Paso?
Start with parks and rec, the local event calendar, the visitor bureau, the senior center, and the restaurants people actually go to. The real question is whether they are close enough, and happen often enough, that you would use them all year. Not just visit once.
Source: L & J CafeWhat health and senior support matters in El Paso?
Look at Medicare counseling, the nearby hospitals, pharmacies, ways to get around, caregiver help, and one emergency contact. These can decide whether the move works, even when the rest of life looks great on paper.
Source: El Paso Museum of ArtWhat should your family ask before you move to El Paso?
Talk through driving, airport access, local services, who to call in an emergency, care backup, home upkeep, and how often someone would be needed. The point is to see the move as a real support plan, not just a nice address.
Source: El Paso Central Appraisal DistrictRetirement Life Score
A quick read on the life you would actually live.
El Paso scored across eight things that decide whether a move feels good: monthly affordability, home costs, restaurants and outings, activities, parks, health and senior support, weather, and getting around. The full numbers are below.
El Paso Retirement Life Score
76
Strong fit with tradeoffs / 75-84
Activities is the strongest daily-life fit. Weather is the piece to verify before treating the move as settled.
A city looks livable and useful for many retirees, but one or two planning areas need a closer look.
Strongest fit: Activities & social calendar
Verify first: Weather comfort
Everyday affordability
Counts a lot77/100
How the ordinary monthly life could feel once taxes, insurance, fees, utilities, meals, and errands are in view.
What’s good: Lower-tax signals, visible discounts or free programs, ordinary-cost dining and errands, and practical transportation backup.
What to check: High housing pressure, insurance or storm costs, HOA or assessment friction, resort pricing, and thin cost evidence.
Price the month, not the postcard.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: El Paso Museum of Art, always free · Watch: El Paso Museum of Art · TX has no state income tax
Evidence weighed: Tax, housing, insurance, senior-service, transportation, and local deal sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Home, taxes & insurance
Counts a lot64/100
Property taxes, assessments, homeowners insurance, storm exposure, maintenance, and local housing friction.
What’s good: Clear assessor or property-appraiser sources, homestead or senior relief signals, and plain-language housing-cost context.
What to check: Coastal or wildfire exposure, insurance pressure, high home prices, amenity fees, HOA or district assessments, and missing local tax sources.
Separate the house from the lifestyle.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: City services and where to start · Watch: El Paso Central Appraisal District
Evidence weighed: County assessor, property appraiser, tax collector, insurance, emergency management, and housing sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Restaurants & outings
72/100
Restaurants, coffee, arts, downtown meals, family visits, and low-friction places to go without over-planning.
What’s good: Specific restaurants, coffee shops, arts districts, downtown routines, visitor-hosting ideas, and source links that feel repeatable.
What to check: Only generic visitor copy, heavy seasonal crowds, hard parking, expensive dining signals, or no specific local outing ideas.
Look for repeatable evenings, not only famous spots.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: L & J Cafe, the old reliable by Concordia Cemetery · Watch: L & J Cafe
Evidence weighed: Restaurant sites, tourism boards, chambers, downtown groups, event venues, and local dining guides.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Activities & social calendar
88/100
Events, clubs, classes, pickleball, senior programs, volunteer options, and the weekly social rhythm.
What’s good: Dated events, parks and rec classes, senior-center programming, clubs, pickleball options, volunteer leads, and repeatable weekly activities.
What to check: Undated or stale calendars, few senior-friendly programs, heat or traffic timing issues, and no clear way to register or show up.
Make sure the week has more than errands.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Franklin Mountains State Park, hiking inside the city · Watch: Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch
Evidence weighed: City calendars, recreation departments, senior centers, libraries, clubs, parks districts, and community event pages.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Parks & outdoor life
73/100
Parks, trails, beaches, gardens, preserves, water access, golf, and everyday outdoor routines.
What’s good: Specific parks, trails, beaches, gardens, water access, golf, outdoor classes, and low-friction places to be outside often.
What to check: Extreme heat, smoke, flooding, storm seasons, winter driving, crowding, parking friction, or thin park-level detail.
Check whether outdoor life works in the season you will actually live there.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Franklin Mountains State Park, hiking inside the city · Watch: Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch
Evidence weighed: Parks departments, park districts, conservancies, recreation sources, tourism sources, and trail or beach authorities.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Health & support access
Counts a lot83/100
Medicare help, aging agencies, caregiver backup, transportation support, pharmacies, and local service depth.
What’s good: Area Agency on Aging, SHIP or SHINE counseling, senior services, caregiver support, transportation help, and credible health-resource depth.
What to check: Weak care-radius evidence, no benefits counseling source, unclear transportation backup, or hints that specialist access requires long drives.
Do not let a fun town hide a weak care radius.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Neighborhood park courts across the city · Watch: El Paso Museum of Art
Evidence weighed: Area Agencies on Aging, county health and human services, senior services, Medicare counseling, transit, and hospital or clinic sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Weather comfort
58/100
Heat, storms, flooding, smoke, winter, seasonal swings, and how much resilience planning the move demands.
What’s good: Evidence that outdoor life works in ordinary seasons, plus clear planning sources for heat, storms, winter, smoke, or emergency readiness.
What to check: Sustained heat, hurricane or flood exposure, wildfire or smoke risk, winter driving, evacuation complexity, and missing resilience sources.
Plan the hard season, not the best week.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Cattleman's Steakhouse on a working ranch · Watch: Franklin Mountains State Park (Texas Parks & Wildlife) · 68F annual average, 225 sunny days
Evidence weighed: Emergency management, weather-resilience, utility, health, parks, insurance, and local government sources.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Getting around & family visits
69/100
Driving, parking, airport access, golf-cart life, visitor logistics, medical trips, and family backup.
What’s good: Airport or transit access, shuttle or senior transportation, walkable routines, golf-cart usefulness, and simple family-visit logistics.
What to check: Traffic, parking scarcity, seasonal congestion, night-driving issues, long medical trips, or no car-light backup.
Test the drive on an ordinary Tuesday.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Hueco Tanks and its ancient rock paintings · Watch: El Paso Museum of Art
Evidence weighed: Transit agencies, airports, city transportation pages, senior services, tourism access pages, and guide items with location detail.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
How we keep this current
Sources for El Paso
A mix of city pages, community calendars, senior services, council agendas, official tourism, restaurant sites, and registration pages. Every claim above links to where it came from.
See the 32 sources behind this guideEvery claim above links to where it came from.ShowHide
community / weekly
L & J Cafe
Historic central El Paso Mexican cafe, a longtime local favorite by the old Concordia Cemetery.
community / weekly
Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch
Family steakhouse on a working ranch about 20 miles east of El Paso, with a small zoo and movie set.
community / weekly
Chico's Tacos (Wikipedia overview)
El Paso institution known for rolled tacos in a tomato broth, cheap and beloved.
community / weekly
Elemi Restaurant
Downtown spot making fresh heirloom masa and modern Mexican plates, nationally praised.
community / weekly
Best Mexican Restaurants in El Paso (Tasting Table)
Roundup naming Kiki's, Avila's, and other longtime El Paso Mexican kitchens.
community / weekly
Best Local Eats in El Paso (Tripadvisor)
Ranked list of well-reviewed local El Paso restaurants including Carlos & Mickey's.
official / weekly
Franklin Mountains State Park (Texas Parks & Wildlife)
Large desert mountain park inside El Paso city limits with 100-plus miles of trails.
official / weekly
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
State park east of town with ancient pictographs; reservations required to enter.
institutional / weekly
El Paso Museum of Art
Downtown art museum with free admission, always.
institutional / weekly
Visit El Paso (official tourism)
Official El Paso visitors bureau, trails and attractions hub.
official / weekly
El Paso Streetcar Route (Sun Metro)
Historic 4.8-mile streetcar looping uptown and downtown El Paso.
community / weekly
Pickleball El Paso, Where to Play
Local pickleball group listing public courts, days, and times across the city.
community / weekly
Pickleball El Paso, A Year of Courts and Community
Local group post naming neighborhood park courts in the Upper Valley, Eastside, and Northeast.
community / weekly
Serve, El Paso Pickleball & Padel
All-ages dining and entertainment venue with pickleball and padel courts.
community / weekly
FiveSet Net Sports
Indoor pickleball and volleyball facility in Sunland Park, just over the line from El Paso's west side.
official / weekly
City of El Paso Recreation Centers
City rec centers with pickleball and basketball courts and fitness equipment.
official / weekly
City of El Paso Senior Centers
City-run senior centers with dances, fitness classes, arts, and educational programs.
institutional / weekly
Annual Events & Festivals (Visit El Paso)
Official annual events list with dates for El Fresco, the film festival, Amigo Airsho, and more.
institutional / weekly
Plaza Classic Film Festival
Eleven-day classic film festival downtown each July, run by the El Paso Community Foundation.
institutional / weekly
Viva! El Paso (McKelligon Canyon)
Outdoor summer musical drama at McKelligon Canyon Amphitheatre, Fridays and Saturdays.
institutional / weekly
Amigo Airsho
Annual air show at Biggs Army Airfield on Fort Bliss, October 24 to 25, 2026.
institutional / weekly
El Paso WinterFest
Downtown winter celebration with an outdoor ice rink and a lights parade at San Jacinto Plaza.
institutional / weekly
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Symphony season of classical concerts at the historic Plaza Theatre, 7:30 PM start times.
institutional / weekly
El Paso Chihuahuas 2026 Schedule (MiLB)
Triple-A baseball at Southwest University Park downtown, season opens April 7, 2026.
community / weekly
El Paso Art & Farmers Market (MCAD)
Saturday art and farmers market around San Jacinto Plaza downtown, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on select dates.
community / weekly
Upper Valley Market
Sunday local market at Mesa Plaza, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
community / weekly
Fiesta de las Flores (organizer page)
Long-running El Paso fiesta, traditionally held over Labor Day weekend.
official / weekly
El Paso Central Appraisal District
County office that appraises property and handles homestead and over-65 exemption filings.
official / weekly
Over 65 Property Tax Exemptions (Texas Law Help)
Plain-English explainer on the Texas over-65 homestead exemption and school tax freeze.
institutional / weekly
University Medical Center of El Paso
El Paso's public teaching hospital and Level I trauma center.
institutional / weekly
Las Palmas Del Sol Healthcare
Hospital network with Las Palmas Medical Center and Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso.
official / weekly
Texas HICAP / SHIP Medicare counseling
Free Texas Medicare counseling helpline, 1-800-252-9240.
Activities & recreation in El Paso
What there is to do here, with the sources.
The things people retire for, in El Paso. Each links to the full activity guide and the states that fit it.
The City of El Paso's 20 recreation centers, including the Eastside Regional Center (nicknamed The Beast) and Armijo, Chamizal, and Galatzan centers, each list pickleball courts among their amenities; the Pickleball El Paso Association (PEPA) coordinates free monthly clinics and competitive play across city courts. Outdoor courts opened at Skyline Optimist Youth Park in northeast El Paso in a 2022 ribbon-cutting covered by the city's parks department.
City of El Paso Parks and Recreation -- Recreation CentersEl Paso Parks and Recreation operates 11 dedicated senior centers citywide, including Hilos de Plata (4451 Delta Dr), Memorial Senior Center (1800 Byron St), and Eastside Senior Center (3200 Fierro Dr), open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free classes, fitness programs, and Senior Games registration support. The annual El Paso Senior Games, now in its 43rd season, draws over 350 participants age 50 and older in events spanning golf, swimming, track and field, and team sports.
City of El Paso Parks and Recreation -- Senior CentersAscarate Lake, adjacent to the golf course within Ascarate County Park (6900 Delta Dr), is a stocked urban lake open for recreational fishing and is noted on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Great Texas Wildlife Trails as a birding and wildlife destination. A Texas freshwater fishing license is required and available at sporting goods retailers and the Texas Parks and Wildlife online licensing system.
Published local price
Texas resident freshwater fishing package (annual, valid to Aug 31); senior 65+ resident freshwater package $12; born before Jan 1, 1931 exempt
Published range: $12 to $40.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Fishing Licenses and Packages · as of 2025-08Franklin Mountains State Park (2900 Tom Mays Access Rd), the largest urban wilderness park in the U.S. at over 26,000 acres, offers more than 100 miles of trails ranging from an accessible 0.75-mile Nature Walk to the challenging 8-mile North Franklin Peak summit route. The park sits 15 minutes from downtown El Paso and charges a $5 daily entrance fee for adults.
Published local price
Texas State Parks Pass (individual, annual); covers unlimited free entry to 88 state parks for one year; senior 65+ partial passport gives 50% off per-entry fee at no charge to obtain
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Park Passes · as of 2026-01El Paso lacks major navigable waterways, so paddling is primarily limited to Ascarate Lake within Ascarate County Park where small non-motorized watercraft can be launched; the Rio Grande corridor is largely inaccessible for recreational boating given dam and flow conditions. The nearest consistent flatwater paddling is at Elephant Butte Lake State Park in New Mexico, about 90 miles north via I-25.
Published local price
Texas vessel registration (Class 1: 16 to less than 26 feet); Class A (under 16 ft) $32; Texas registration valid for 2 years; per-year equivalent shown
Published range: $32 to $150.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Fee Chart for Boats and Outboard Motors · as of 2026-02The Plaza Theatre (125 Pioneer Plaza) and the Abraham Chavez Theatre host touring Broadway productions, concerts, and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, with the two venues managed by SMG/El Paso under city oversight. The El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History, and the Insights Science Museum are all located near San Jacinto Plaza in the downtown cultural core.
City of El Paso Parks and RecreationAscarate Golf Course (6900 Delta Dr), a 27-hole facility designed in 1955 by George Hoffman and managed by El Paso County Parks, offers a 6,579-yard Main 18 and a shorter 9-hole Delta course; senior annual parking passes (age 60+) are available at a discounted rate of $30. The county's parks page lists the course as one of the oldest in El Paso with over 300 sunny days a year for year-round play.
El Paso County Parks and Recreation -- Ascarate Golf CourseEl Paso County Master Gardeners operate the Ascarate Teaching and Demonstration Garden at Ascarate Park (4451 Delta Dr) and run free public workshops including the summer Home Gardening in El Paso series at El Paso Community College. The group, affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, also maintains a Help Desk where residents can submit plant and landscape questions for a certified volunteer response.
El Paso County Master GardenersGolf
Golf near El Paso
Courses around El Paso worth a round, with how to book each one.
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 7,307 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Natural sand dunes and more than 55 feet of elevation change · Tom Fazio
This is the high-end round in town, a Tom Fazio design routed through real sand dunes near the airport. The carts come included, and the elevation changes keep things interesting hole after hole.
Opened 2007 · $$$$ · Slope 130
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 6,926 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Desert layout in the foothills of the Franklin Mountains · Ken Dye
A 27-hole desert course carved into the foothills of the Franklin Mountains, so you can mix and match nines and play a different round each time. It is a longtime favorite that stays friendly on the wallet.
Opened 1991 · $$ · Slope 131
- Par
- 71
- Back tees
- 6,411 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Traditional tree-lined fairways in a parkland setting · Marvin Ferguson
A traditional, tree-lined course that plays a little softer than the desert tracks around it. The lit driving range and practice greens make it easy to keep your game sharp.
Opened 1977 · $$ · Slope 128
- Par
- 71
- Back tees
- 6,887 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Flat, easygoing parkland course inside Ascarate Park · George Hoffman
The county course at Ascarate Park is one of the most affordable rounds in El Paso, with a gentle 18 plus a short nine. Its flatter terrain and low rates make it an easy regular stop.
Opened 1955 · $ · Slope 114