Down in the West Texas Town of El Paso

A trip to El Paso is not complete without a shopping trip across the border into the Mexican city of Cuidad Juarez. You can take a taxi across the border, or walk across one of the downtown bridges. Having a good Mexican dinner should be on your list of things to do also - you won't find any better or more authentic. There are outlets for western boots and clothing, art galleries displaying great Southwestern sculpture, pottery, and paintings, and a zoo that has undergone a huge number of improvements. A visit to the Chamizal National Memorial, where a final border dispute with Mexico was resolved in 1963, is a winner. They have a wonderful museum about the area's history, beautiful grounds, and many times excellent performances in the theater or the outside amphitheatre (weather permitting).

Quick Tips:

If you plan to drive your own vehicle across the border, check your car insurance for coverage outside the US. Be wise when in Mexico - they have a different set of laws than the US. DO NOT enter Mexico with a firearm in your posession (in you car or on your person)because if you are caught, it is a straight trip to jail and HUGE legal ramifications. On a lighter note, be sure to wheel and deal when buying in Mexico - you will be surprised at the bargains you can get if your bold enough to haggle.

Best Way To Get Around:

I recommend taking a taxi across the border or walking. There are a number of services available, and if you don't have time to do your own shopping, some independent taxis will pick up your selections for a nominal fee.

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! This has been my experience at the El Paso Marriott. Absolutely impeccable service with genuine care and consideration. The people that work at this hotel have shown me a new level of service that I only wish could spread throughout the industry. The Marriott is a very well appointed hotel with a whole list of creature comforts including an indoor/outdoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, exercise room, gift shop, a fine restaurant, and a sports bar. The rooms are just as well equipped with data ports and work desks for the business traveller, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, comfortable firm beds, and nice furniture. The rate includes a delicious breakfast buffet with freshly prepared omelettes, fruit, sweet rolls, breakfast breads, breakfast meats, new red potatoes with onions, waffles and french toast. Juice, coffee or milk finish it out. For dinner, try the delectible Pecan-encrusted Salmon, served with fresh steamed veggies, rice pilaf, and crusty dinner roll. It was a hit for me. Convenient to the airport, this Marriott is my base when in El Paso.

When you say Hilton, you think to yourself - great service, nice rooms, a good restaurant - a reputation of quality. At least that''s what was on my mind when I made the reservation online for my stay. What greeted me when I got there was quite a different tale. First, let me say that I did not just let the internet tell me about the place. I called the hotel to confirm the information on the rate and room I booked. That said, I arrived and was given a room that was a mess. The ceiling was water-stained, all the lamps, etc. were unplugged from the wall sockets, and the commode had a cracked seat. The hotel was full, so there were no other rooms to be had. When I went to the front desk to ask about the breakfast included with the rate, I was first given the run around about it, then the personnel argued with me about it, then finally,(like it was a big favor that I wasn''t supposed to get) they comp'ed the breakfast for me. On the way back to the room, I tried to get a soda from 4 different vending machines only to find them all broken. I was supposed to have stayed 2 nights, but as you might have figured out, I checked out the next morning. As a sort of 'in your face' move, I had the El Paso Marriott shuttle pick me up and take me to their wonderful accomodations. Oh yes, by the way - I''m even a Hilton HHonors member - gee, that sure didn''t help any.

The Camino Real El Paso is an elegant, older hotel in the downtown area of El Paso that has all the amenities you would look for in a hotel of its caliber. Valet parking, impeccable service, nicely-appointed décor, and an array of fine room accommodations are a part of what I found during my stay there. The lobby is impressive with its crystal chandeliers, grand staircase, and handcrafted Italian marble. The Dome Bar is an elegant, yet comfortable, place for drinks with friends and associates under the 25-feet diameter, Tiffany-cut, glass dome and surrounding original stained-glass windows.

The rooms were large and comfortable, offering high-speed internet, in-room movies, and a view of the city from the upper floors. There are both casual and fine dining restaurants available in the hotel, and room service if you wish to stay in.

If upscale accommodations are what you're looking for, I believe the Camino Real would be a nice fit. I know I enjoyed my stay, and it looks like the Marriot now has some competition for overnight business stays in El Paso. Only one note of caution - since the hotel is downtown, be careful walking around at night, just like in any other city across the globe.

Applebee's was a nice spot for dinner while I was visiting El Paso. The relaxed atmosphere, good food, and fine service was just what I needed after a long day. I walked to the restaurant from the Marriott, giving me a chance to stretch a little and get a little fresh air after being cooped up inside all day. I was able to be seated right away and the service was prompt and friendly. I had the grilled Lemon-pepper Whitefish with a baked potato, steamed fresh veggies, and a crisp green salad. It was delicious! The fish was perfectly grilled, moist and tender, nicely seasoned with the lemon pepper. The baked potato was loaded with bacon, chives, cheese, and sour cream - just the way I like it, and the veggies were a fresh combination of broccoli, sweet baby carrots, sliced zucchini and yellow squash sauteed in butter and lightly seasoned. I was able to take my time and enjoy dinner without the feeling that I was being rushed out, even though the place was packed. On subsequent visits I have also tried the tender riblets, the fajitas, and the burgers - all excellent choices depending on your craving. Applebee's even did a great job on a to go order I had on another visit. I have been to several chain grill & bar type restaurants and it seems that the team at the Airport Applebee's in El Paso has found a system that is efficient, yet doesn't sacrifice personal service.

Smitty's is a part of the landscape in El Paso, having served their delicious barbecue in the city since 1955. The exterior of the restaurant doesn't have the best curb appeal, nor is the interior decor very fancy, but once you sink your teeth into their smoked meats, all will be forgiven.

The menu selections include beef brisket, beef and pork ribs, turkey and chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, and sausage, all smoked to a juicy and tender perfection. They also have some jalapeno hot links that will make even the strongest fire-eaters in the crowd look for drink refills. You can order the barbecue in a basket with just bread and sauce, or try it with Smitty's German fried potatoes, coleslaw, and barbecue beans. Try both the mild and the spicy sauces--they're both tasty! Be careful, though, most of the plates are more than enough to eat. You can always do as I have done, take the homemade rum cake or flan to go. It makes a great midnight snack!

I recommend that if you're hungry for real authentic, lip-smacking Texas barbecue, head over to Smitty's while in El Paso--and bring your BIG appetite! You won't be disappointed.

If you like to haggle over prices and look through booths of merchandise from jewels to junk, get yourself to the market in Juarez. You will find a whole variety of selling techniques at the market: the barker out in front of his shop hawking his wares at the top of his voice, the fellow that grabs your arm and intimates only the best prices to new friends like you, the guy that follows on your heels while dropping the price on his goodies by the minute until you'll listen to him, and of course the more stern looking gentleman who hopes his gruff way will scare you out of price slashing tactics and pay more than 50% higher than what the stuff is worth. It's all there - leather vests and jackets, Mexican vanilla, boots, wool ponchos, ceremonial gold-braided sombreros, knock off Rolex watches ($30), luggage, jewelry, fruit and baked goods (like fresh flour and corn tortillas - YUMMY), liquor, belts and gun holsters, and ceramics. It's an on-going bazaar and if you look hard enough, you'll find something to buy. Need a chess set? They have them in wood, ivory, marble, and granite. Everyone takes US dollars, and actually get a little agitated when you offer pesos. A smart shopper will get to the market first thing because many believe that if they can sell to their first customer, they will have good luck selling the rest of the day. Don't be afraid to walk away from a deal, it may cause the price to drop one more notch. I will say this in warning: some of the goods are not always top quality so check them well before buying. And if you have your heart set on a pair of cowboy boots, go to the outlet stores for Tony Lama and others on the American side. You'll find they last longer and the price is still a bargain.

Chamizal National Memorial is a park located on land that Mexico and the US disputed over until 1963 when the Chamizal Treaty finally brought an end to the debate. On this 55 acre park, a venue to show off the local arts and cultural expression has been constructed in glorious fashion. The first thing that just grabbed my attention when I arrived was the enormous outdoor mural, Nuestra Herencia, that is a testament telling the history of the El Paso area, as well as depicting the vast cultural diversity that has shaped the place. It is a potrayal in a myriad of scenes and colors. Inside, you can view a short movie on the Memorial and check out some local artwork that is always on display. There is an outdoor amphitheatre that puts on 'Music Under the Stars' concerts that are a great diversion on Sunday nights during the summer. We were able to listen to a wonderful Mariachi band, as well as some awesome flamenco guitar music while visiting the park. There is a nature trail that winds around the urban park, with great mountain and city views, but if it's hot - take some water along on the 1.8 mile trek. The Memorial also has an indoor theatre that stages concerts, plays and other events, but it was not in use while we were there. Chamizal National Monument is effective in bringing the culture and flavor of El Paso to life.