What would make El Paso a "destination" city?

[FeralFelidae]

Reading some of the comments in the "Sun Bowl" thread, I'm curious what the posters on this board think. Yes, visiting fans don't see El Paso as a destination city and aren't excited about coming here, and I doubt that helps the Sun Bowl in the pecking order, especially in the long run. Is there anything El Paso can do to improve this, or are we just hopelessly handicapped by being a relatively poor city in the middle of nowhere?

It seems like even when El Paso tries to do something special like the Twelve Travelers, people in the community are determined to trash it and ruin it for everybody.

Theme parks? El Paso's never going to be a theme park Mecca, but we can surely do better than Western Playland. Adventureland near Des Moines, Iowa (population 210,000) has five coasters, two with inversions. Not Six Flags, but why couldn't El Paso support something like that? Is Western Playland just complacent, facing no competition since Magic Landing faded into obscurity, or is there more to the business holding them back that I just don't understand?

Besides Mexican food, is there anything El Paso can really promote to visitors? (As for Mexican food, it would seem an easy sell to promote L&J's and then the short walk across the street to see John Wesley Hardin's grave.) The tourism literature I've seen really promotes the nature trails and hiking and mountain biking and the like, which is great, but I doubt that's what the average Sun Bowl visitor is looking for. Music scene? We're not Nashville, but we produced The Mars Volta... Ski packages at Inn of the Mountain Gods might appeal to a few, and White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns could be cool for those willing to do a short road trip after already making a trip to El Paso for a football game. What else is there closer to home?

 

[unihorn]

The Juarez violence, marketed by movies like Sicario, has taken away one of our biggest draws -- going to Mexico for a cheap and fun day/night of food, drink, shopping, bullfight, etc. What was a strength for us is now a liability. I'm not sure why we're not trying to recreate some of the Juarez experience downtown with a Mercado, etc.

I think building a first-class Wet and Wild or Great Wolf Lodge (water park resort) at Cohen Stadium would be a solid regional draw.

Our mild winter weather enables outdoor activities like golf, hiking, etc. when much of the country is shut in.

 

[STexMiner]

Brothels.

 

[EP Maximus]

A Cuba like experience in Juarez.

 

[EP Maximus]

Brothels.

I believe that is what UTEP05 calls the bathroom stalls at Miner games.

 

[DaMinerMan]

A Six Flags Amusement Park would be a perfect attraction for El Paso....

 

[jdubb66]

HJ Hill? We need a luxury resort with amenities like a spa and golf course, near shopping and dining facilities. We could call it...Oasis by the Dump.

 

[FeralFelidae]

I think it would be cool to install an Alpine coaster on the Franklins. It would be something unique that El Paso can do that the other cities in Texas can't, with great scenic views. And it's probably more realistic at this point than bringing a Six Flags to El Paso. (Talk to me when El Paso's population cracks a million.)

 

[kickballpro]

I think a major downtown revitalization and an investment into the Juarez strip and making the strip a safe zone somehow is the best bet.

Our city's biggest selling point is our culture and proximity to Mexico. People go on cruise ships to get a taste of foreign cultures.

If I were in charge, I would invest 20 billion dollars into the Juarez strip area and I would make Mexico pay for it. Then I would put a similar amount into our downtown and once again make Mexico pay for it. Finally, under the downtown international bridge I would build a riverboat casino complex with a hotel and an authentic Mexican/American experience. Of course the 'on the Rio' complex would have its challenges, but Mexico is paying for it.

 

[Cube Jack]

This is off topic, but the Six Flags thing comes up every so often and it's still a total pipedream. Six Flags CLOSED a Texas park in tiny little Houston just 11 years ago. No way will they open a park in the SAME STATE and smaller metropolitan area. The last time Six Flags BUILT a new park? That would be Six Flags St. Louis back in 1971. Six Flags pulled itself from bankruptcy just six years ago. No way would they fund the building of an entirely new park from the ground up. Give up the Six Flags dream

 

[UTEP05]

El Paso is the type of city where you really love it after you visit the first time. I have spoken to many people (visiting baseball players, college athletes, etc.) and the vast majority of them loved their time in El Paso. One even mentioned he would love to move here.

 

[alvinosports]

The Juarez violence, marketed by movies like Sicario, has taken away one of our biggest draws -- going to Mexico for a cheap and fun day/night of food, drink, shopping, bullfight, etc. What was a strength for us is now a liability. I'm not sure why we're not trying to recreate some of the Juarez experience downtown with a Mercado, etc.

I think building a first-class Wet and Wild or Great Wolf Lodge (water park resort) at Cohen Stadium would be a solid regional draw.

Our mild winter weather enables outdoor activities like golf, hiking, etc. when much of the country is shut in.

Oh don't worry, a big wall will now be built and Juarez will not be seen from anywhere, they will draw a paint in it with paradise desert in the distance.

 

[DaMinerMan]

I think it would be cool to install an Alpine coaster on the Franklins. It would be something unique that El Paso can do that the other cities in Texas can't, with great scenic views. And it's probably more realistic at this point than bringing a Six Flags to El Paso. (Talk to me when El Paso's population cracks a million.)

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Add Juarez, and Southern New Mexico and you have your million plus......