El Paso Umbrella

Take a fascinating walk through the long and glorious history of Fort Bliss which can trace its history back to the Mexican-American War when it was first garrisoned in 1846. In 1916, it was the headquarters of the Punitive Expedition to capture the Pancho Villa. Today, Fort Bliss is one of the largest army installations in the country, at approximately 1,700 total square miles in size – bigger than the state of Rhode Island and has a prototype V2 Rocket on display. Fort Bliss is an active military base and access is limited. Call the First Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum for detailed visitation instructions. Visitors typically gain access same day.  

Carved oak doors prepare you for an exquisite dining venture and then quickly validate your choice to visit Mystic Grape Wine Bar and Suds, a veritable portal to the vineyards of the world. There you will find a cool, rock wall-style bar which anchors your experience at Mystic Grape, a family-owned and operated wine bar in El Paso whose original design came from the owners' years of world travel. The amazing result of learning everything there is to know about wines and spirits around the world is all yours at this unique true gem spectacle which also sponsors wine tastings, craft beers and a satisfying array of mixed drinks. Their menu boasts of excellent tapas, salads, burgers, pastas and entrees making it a perfect locale for great times and timeless moments. In vino veritas!

Explore the otherworldly history at the Concordia Cemetery. This historic graveyard dates to 1856 and is the final resting place for gunfighter John Wesley Hardin, Buffalo Soldiers, Texas Rangers, Civil War Veterans, early Mormon pioneers, and other civic leaders. Ghost tours and history reenactments are scheduled regularly here.

Enjoy an evening of Music Under the Stars, a free, annual music series at Chamizal National Memorial Park. Every Thursday from mid-June to August, you'll find families, couples and friends gathering to enjoy a picnic while listening to the sounds of jazz, salsa, Latin romantic, big band, swing, mariachi, oldies and Texas Swing.