El Paso suggestions (Mission, West, Franklin: ski resort, houses, neighborhood)

[dmlandissf]

We just booked flight from Northern California to El Paso and our ultimate destination is Big Bend. We will be staying 2 nights before and 1 night after Big Bend. Any recommendations for sightseeing? Also, we might want to walk across to Juarez. Any suggestions? This would be at end of April.

[Spottednikes]

I don't think they are letting tourists go back and forth the border due to covid.
Drive up to white sands national monument (if open). Gorgeous. Bring your camera.

[NeedWarm]

Of course US citizens can cross by land and back to Juarez. I do 3 or more times a week. It was never halted.

[frizlefrak]

You will need either a crossing card or passport to visit Juarez. Go in the day, stick to the main tourist areas and all will be well. Good time to visit Big Bend before it gets hot. I highly recommend visiting McDonald Observatory while you're in the Big Bend area.

https://mcdonaldobservatory.org/

[dmlandissf]

Yes, we have well used passports. We are staying at Terlingua Ranch - near Big Bend if anyone knows if this place - it has good reviews and a swimming pool. It will be good to get out of SF Bay Area for a few days on first flight on over a year.

[SW Desert Dweller]

You'll love Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park. The state park is right next to the national park and has some of the most breathtaking views.

[WildWestDude]

Given that you will have access to a car , drive on the scenic road on the south side of Franklin Mnts from the very beautiful Kern's Place neighborhood off UTEP. From near there, you can take the tram to the top of the mountain.
I would visit nearby southern NM and drive parallel to I-10 to Mesilla through Highway 28 where you drive through a canopy of pecan tree forest. Go to the old town square of Mesilla and have lunch. Drive around Las Cruces and if you got time go over the Organ Mountains to White Sands National Monument and if you even have more time up to the ski resort town of Ruidoso. Then loop down to El Paso. Also, instead of going east and over the Organ Mountains, you can head west on I-10 to the old mining town of Silver City which is also very pretty.

If you stick to El Paso, drive around downtown and the pretty UTEP area and up to the westside of El Paso which is the most beautiful IMO. You will be surprised how pretty and affordable the houses are. You can also check out the Old Spanish Missions down the lower valley of El Paso.

I would not bother with Juarez unless you have never been to a border city of which Juarez is probably the worst.

[Army_Guy]

Originally Posted by WildWestDude

Given that you will have access to a car , drive on the scenic road on the south side of Franklin Mnts from the very beautiful Kern's Place neighborhood off UTEP. From near there, you can take the tram to the top of the mountain.

Tram is closed the last I saw a few days ago.