For those who will not be traveling this spring break out of town, there are plenty of things to do in the borderland. From sitting at home and watching some entertaining college basketball, to listening to local bands across town, here are the best things to do during spring break in El Paso:

Franklin Mountains

There’s no doubt that March means the weather is becoming warmer and you may want to spend some quality time outdoors. El Paso is lucky enough to have some amazing hiking spots on the Franklin Mountains and Hueco Tanks.

If you haven’t taken advantage of this, now would be the perfect time. Franklin Mountains State Park offers trails for every type of hiker, from beginner to expert. 

Favorite trails for local hikers are the El Paso Tin Mine Trail and the Aztec Cave Trail. The Tin Mine Trail takes hikers to the only tin mines in the U.S. Hikers can also explore caves buried in the mountains. The Ron Coleman trail is another popular spot, although it is not suggested for beginners. Being in the mountains also provides a perfect photo opportunity, so tie up those laces and make sure to bring plenty of water for your hike.

At Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic and stargaze at night.

Museums

There are several museums located across the city, most of which are free. 

I’m sure you’ve heard of the El Paso Museum of Art and the El Paso Museum of History, but there are plenty more. Although, these two wouldn’t be a bad place to start if you’ve never visited them.

Currently, there are three new exhibits in the El Paso Museum of Art. “Ethics Excess Extinction” is the first presentation in which contemporary art speaks in creative and compelling ways to the timely issue of endangered animals.

“Papel Chicano Dos: Works on Paper from the Collection of Cheech Marin” is an exhibit featuring from major Chicano art collector and comedian Cheech Marin. The exhibit features 65 works on paper by 24 artists utilizing unique and traditional practices of portraiture and varied viewpoints integrating urban culture and images that are from a range of historical sources.

“The Empire of Texas” is an exhibit featuring photographs from local photographer Richard Baron. See the evolution of Texas through his lens.

The El Paso Museum of History is another great museum where you can see current exhibits of how El Paso came to be. Find out what people who migrated to El Paso brought with them, the history of Saint Patrick Cathedral and Cathedral High School, see pictures and personal keepsakes of residents past and present of Segundo Barrio and the Chihuahuita neighborhoods and experience a chronological journey through major events and influences that have shaped El Paso into the city we experience today.

Music Scene

El Paso has an amazing music scene that has emerged in the past few years. With the rise of music festivals and venues in the city, there is always a good show to look forward to.

The Showdown Fest on March 16-18 at the El Paso County Coliseum will feature recognized tattoo artists from around the world, but this isn’t just about the tattoos, it’s about the music as well. This all-age event will feature music from every genre, from rock to hip-hop and country to reggae. The headliners of the festival will be Vince Neil of Motley Crue on Friday, Long Beach Dub All Stars on Saturday and Jack Russel’s Great White on Sunday. Tickets range from $25-$60 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and the El Paso County Coliseum box office.

Tricky Falls will feature two shows during spring break. The first will be on March 13, when Hippie Sabotage will stop by on their Path of Righteousness Tour. On Friday, March 16, Jenny and the Mexicats will take the stage.  Tickets for each show can be found at trickyfalls.com

The Lowbrow Palace will have a show almost every night during spring break. Notable performances to look forward to include Blank Range, Gila Monster and Tennis System on Sunday, March 11. The Frights, Sadgirl, Shopping and Buttertones will also be performing during the week. For more information, check out the calendar on lowbrowpalace.com.

St. Patrick’s Day

This year spring break concludes with St. Patrick’s Day. It falls on a Saturday, which is a perfect time to day drink well into the night so you can recover the next day. There’s usually plenty of events happening around town from block parties to festivals.

This year, the annual St. Paddy’s Festival will take place at Fort Bliss. The two-day event is an all-age affair honoring the mighty Irish. You can find traditional Irish cuisine and music, bagpipes and free activities. This year’s music lineup features Empyre Pipes & Drums, The San Patricios, Aces & Eights, Soul ‘n Rhythm Crew, Sorry About Your Sister, Dusty Low, Wildflower and DJ RAMZEntry.

March Madness

The month of March can mean different things to different people. Spring break and warmer weather are what most college students look forward to, but March Madness really takes the spotlight, especially if you’re an avid sports lover.

If this is your thing, there are several spots around El Paso where you can catch the tournament action.

Brew Sports Pub West, Tortuga Sports Lounge, Ale House, Brass Monkey and Spirit of 66 are just a few of the places where you can watch the games depending on your scene. Each bar offers a menu with a selection of food and drinks and plenty of televisions for your viewing pleasure.