FOOD:

Taqueria El Cometa: Tasty street-style Mexican food. Zeke loves their gringas with plenty of

lime.

Rudy's Country Store and Bar-BQ: Texas style BBQ. Brandon loves the brisket tacos for

breakfast.

Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey’s: Nationally recognized Tex-Mex food. We both love their

tortilla soup!

Café Central [Call & Reserve]: Fine dining in central El Paso. Zeke loves any seasonal seafood

pasta, and Brandon loves the mixed drinks options.

State Line: Texas style BBQ…technically in NM. Steak, am I right?

Kaedama: Ramen and Japanese food. Zeke swears their noodles healed his depression a while

back.

Grove Brunch Cafe: Chic brunch place. We both like their wide variety of brunch options.

The El Paso Wing Factory: Wings. Spicy or not. Brandon’s favorite wing place in El Paso.

Flautas y Plaeteria Tepalca: Imagine walking into a Mexican mercado – indulging “botanas” and

tacos await. Zeke loves their corn in a cup.

RECREATIONAL:

It will be a summer in the Southwest, so recreational activities are mostly encouraged during

early morning hours or late afternoon!! Long sleeves, plenty of water, and sunblock required.

Franklin Mountains State Park – Hike up and get a view of the mesilla or the hueco valleys.

Roadside turnouts on Transmountain drive recommended, for the less athletically inclined.

Chamizal National Memorial – Learn more about the history of the community that held

together despite geographical and geopolitical divisions.

BEER AND DRINKS:

Keg and Brew Craft House – Local brewery.

Sun Brewing Co. – A brewery as New Mexican as it gets.

Hoppy Monk – Large beer and liquor selection, vegan/vegetarian food options.

Hope and Anchor – Eclectic modern atmosphere and mixed drinks.

Little Bit of Texas – Country Line dancing, cheap drinks!

D. H. Lescombes Winery (40 min drive) [Call & Reserve] – Upscale winery and locally inspired

dishes, with stunning views of Organ Mtns.

Hacienda de Mesilla Winery (40 min drive) – Relaxed, family friendly winery with local ice cream

too!

WITHIN A 2-HR DRIVE:

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (40 mins) – Sharp peaks are great

background for your hiking photos! Witness the local flora change from grasses and bushes to

pinon and other conifers. Several paths on the east and west side of the mountains.

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site (40 mins) [Call &Reserve] – Petroglyphs showcasing

thousands of years of human history! These pools, now hold dormant aquatic species that

reawake with the monsoon. Bring water and prepare for hike!

Old Mesilla, New Mexico (40 mins) – Witness Pueblo Revival architecture in this adobe-building

surrounded plaza, with great selection of restaurants. There are plenty of wineries to stop by on

the way.

White Sands National Park (1.5 hrs) – Gypsum Sand dunes. Beautiful sunsets/sunrises, play in

the sand, camping available. CHECK THE WEATHER! Not recommended on a hot (+90°F) or windy

(+20 mph wind) day.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (2 hrs) – One of the best and largest open-room caverns we have

both seen in the country!

Ruidoso, New Mexico (2 hrs) – An alpine forest island in the middle of the desert. Get a break

from the heat in a picturesque town, and don’t forget to stop by the Mescalero Apache tribal

casino – Inn of the Mountain Gods. The casino also holds the best views of the tallest peak in the

area, Sierra Blanca Peak, with an elevation of upwards of 12,000 ft above sea level!

Additional recommended stop – Pistachio Land – Pistachio ice cream? Yes. Ice cream

flavored pistachios? Maybe. Pistachio wine? Of course.