Coming from Las Cruces New Mexico, El Paso Texas is just a 45-minute away by car. I have visited some places in El Paso, but have not seen any of its well-known museums. So, one Saturday, I decided to get it all done and see all five museums in one day.
I first checked the visiting hours of each museum and found out that they all open at 9AM and close at 5PM. Second, I mapped their distances from my location, so I would know which one is closest to me and which one is the farthest. With this info in mind, I could create some kind of a loop route.
So here is best route if you visit the five museums in just one day coming from Las Cruces.
1. El Paso Museum of Archaeology
Address: 4301 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Dr, El Paso, TX 79924
Phone: (915) 755-4332
Free Admission
El Paso Museum of Archaeology is a small museum at the base of the Franklin Mountains. Archaeological artifacts include an 800-year-old agave fiber cloth, various trade items, pottery and jewelry.
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2. National Border Patrol Museum
Address: 4315 Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive, El Paso, Texas
Free Admission
The National Border Patrol Museum is just adjacent to the El Paso Museum of Archaeology. So there is no need to even drive far. In fact, you can just walk from one museum to another. This border museum is one of the most unique museums I have visited, showing the agency’s entire history. Exhibits inlcude weapons that were seized at the border and vehicles used by border patrol.
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3. El Paso Museum of Art
Address: 1 Arts Festival Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901
Phone: (915) 212-0300
Free Admission
The El Paso Museum of Art is housed in a big building downtown. The moment you entered the door, you’d be greeted by a friendly staff. Apart from its permanent art displays from a wide range of time periods, the museum also has exhibits that rotate frequently. This museum is worth the stop.
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4. El Paso Museum of History
Address: 510 N Santa Fe St, El Paso, TX 79901
Phone: (915) 212-0320
Free Admission
Amongst all the museums I have visited in El Paso, the Museum of History was the one I loved the most. I didn’t expect to see a lot of nteresting facts and pieces of history. It is a small two-floor museum but it is well-curated. Bring your children here, there is a place for them too!
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5. Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens
Address: Inside University of Texas at El Paso
This museum is inside the University of Texas at El Paso. I suggest that when you visit, do it on a Saturday so it’d be free to park anywhere. It was quiet hard to find this specific museum using a GPS, so just find UTEP and you’d find the museum. Unfortunately, this was the museum I liked the least among the five. Many of its exhibits were missing and some rooms were closed. And the garden? Never mind. It was not worth seeing at all.
[envira-gallery id=”10647″]If you have visited any of the five museums, tell me what you think by leaving your comments below.
Where to stay in El Paso, Texas
You can search for a hotel below.
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See also: My other travel adventures in the USA.
See also: List of National Parks.
