El Paso Gift Cards

El Paso is the Americanized version of this border town’s original name. Spanish conquistadors founded a settlement called El Paso del Norte on the south bank of the Rio Grande River, just across from the present city. This name means the northern pass. That settlement turned into the city now known as Ciudad Juarez in Mexico. El Paso grew up across the river over the course of the next century.

The city became part of the United States during the 19th century. It retains much of its Spanish and Mexican culture. English is the language of government but Spanish is the language most commonly spoken in the shops and restaurants among locals. Due to its location on the border, El Paso presents unique opportunities for visitors.

Things to See and Do in El Paso

1) The Bridges:  Bridges cross the border into Mexico at three different places over the Rio Grande. You can walk over or drive a car into Ciudad Juarez. It is quite a sight to see huge crowds of tourists and laborers passing back and forth over these bridges every day.

2) Shopping:  There are numerous shopping locations near the border with great low prices on imports from Mexico. Look along El Paso Street or Stanton Street as they near their respective bridges over the river. You can also check out the Cielo Vista mall as you head into the eastern part of El Paso along Interstate 10.

3) El Paso Dining:  This city is home to many fine restaurants with authentic Mexican cooking. In addition to the numerous hole-in-the-wall eateries found near the border, you can also find large national chains that have a diverse cultural background, such as Denny’s or the Olive Garden. Since El Paso is in Texas, you can also find some fantastic steak houses in this city.