Being a border city, El Paso is extremely rich in history and culture. The city is split into five distince districts, each with its own feel and many existing as historic districts. Take a minute to become oriented with the different offerings of El Paso's city districts.
Overview
El Paso is a border city, well saturated with history and culture as well as a good lot of people. Almost every district is a historic district of some kind. Even taking a hike to the city limits will bring you to something else old. El Paso is split into Central El Paso, East El Paso, West (and Northwest) El Paso, and Northeast El Paso, as well as Mission Valley.
City Districts
Central El Paso
Central El Paso is old and proud of it. Not only is it full of historic sites, from 1875 on, but it's commercially dynamic and happily urban. The cafes and shops along the streets have an across-the-border atmosphere and this is the home of the landmark (as well as venue) Plaza Theatre. The historic Sunset Heights District is home to fancy mansions of the 1890s and on. It was also home to Pancho Villa and a fancy mansion of his own.
East El Paso
This is the largest area of town, and it just keeps growing. El Paso's live music is scattered throughout this district in significant numbers. If you're in less of a mood for music and more a mood for history, this is also the best access point in El Paso for the Hueco Tanks State Historic Site.
Mission Valley El Paso
While much of El Paso is old, this is the oldest part. In fact, some of the current residents have ancestors among those very first Spanish settlers. The three missions are nearly as old as the settlement and still hold church every Sunday (these missions are the Ysleta, the Socorro, and the San Elizario, connected by the El Paso Mission Trail). The Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, oldest community in Texas, is here.
Northwest El Paso / West Side and Kern Place
This is an affluent, fast-growing area that is home to Border Hospital and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP, as it's better known). College students often spend their nights in the entertainment district of Kern Place, El Paso's first suburb.
Northeast El Paso
The immense and historic Fort Bliss Military Base is here and open to tours if you're willing to make arrangements ahead of time. Biggs Airfield is here, so this is a fine disembark point to enter the rest of El Paso from.
Other Things to Know
If you're coming in by plane, the El Paso International Airport may well suit. By car, I-10 is the most common route. Within the city, cars are probably the best choice for transportation, but there is the Sun Metro bus system, and a lot of the city is well-suited for walking when it isn't too hot.
