This Exciting Southwest City On The Mexico Border Is An Affordable Travel Destination With Great Food And Outdoor Activities

The average per-night hotel rate in the U.S. hit $158.67 in 2024, according to CoStar's year-end analysis. But El Paso, Texas boasts average rates of just $90.95 per night — about 43% less than the national average — according to a 2022 report from Travel + Leisure. With such a good deal on hotel rooms, you are sure to have more money left over for food, activities, and whatever else you want to do while visiting this unique border city.

Hotels aren't the only bargain. Franklin Mountains State Park, just north of the city, costs just $5 for those 13 and up, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, where you can access over 100 miles of trails, spread across nearly 27,000 acres. Or, El Paso's downtown museums – El Paso Museum of Art, Museum of History, and the El Paso Museum of Archaeology – all offer year-round free admission. Even when an attraction does charge, the fees stay reasonable — such as the 1875 Magoffin Home, which costs $7, but the Texas Historical Commission offers discounts to seniors, veterans, teachers, and first responders.

If you're watching your spending, there's plenty to do in El Paso for cheap, or even for free. The city has an official walking tour through historic San Jacinto Plaza — and you can download the audio guide for free. For special historic views, the El Paso Mission Trail is a 9-mile stretch of 17th- and 18th-century churches open for self-guided tours with no admission fees. These wallet-friendly options can make budgeting for a vacation based on your earnings much simpler.

Getting around El Paso is also simple and cheap, with solid public transportation. The historic El Paso Streetcar runs along a 4.8-mile downtown loop, and is completely free. Outside of the streetcar, regular Sun Metro buses are $1.50 per ride in 2025, with seniors and those with disabilities paying just $0.50, and kids five and under riding for free. With most rides under $2, visitors can explore the entire city for less than a cup of coffee.

Downtown parking won't break your budget either. According to the City of El Paso's International Bridges Department, parking meters cost $1 per hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. After 6 p.m. — and all day Sunday — is free. You can plan evening museum visits or catch the sunset without worrying about extra costs.

Spring in El Paso has one of the best outdoor events around, the Celebration of Our Mountains. Visit El Paso's official event page shows this six-week festival is packed with free hikes, bird-watching, mountain biking clinics, and nature talks. Everything happens across the Franklin Mountains, and the surrounding desert. If you want to explore beyond the city, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department charges $70 in 2025 for a Texas State Parks Pass. This covers unlimited day visits to all 88 state parks, including Franklin Mountains and other scenic West Texas spots. You also get camping discounts and deals at park stores. This can be a pretty good deal if you're doing multi-day outdoor activities — especially during shoulder seasons when things are les expensive, and less crowded.

El Paso also has a serious food scene. El Paso County packs in over 2,700 licensed food establishments, showing just how much the local food industry adds to the local economy. Grab a $6 food truck meal or sit down for a proper restaurant experience — there are options that cover every budget. Or, on Saturdays you can check out the local food scene at the Downtown Artist and Farmers Market in Union Plaza. According to the City of El Paso's Museum and Cultural Affairs Department, the market operates year-round, every Saturday — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in summer or 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the winter.