Festive Getaway

Fall + winter in El Paso is a Southwest adventure for Houstonians

If your idea of a perfect getaway includes rich culture, vibrant festivals, and a dose of desert sunshine, El Paso should top your fall and winter travel list. Just a short flight — or road trip — from Houston, this borderland city feels worlds away from H-Town.

Kick off the season with color
Start your adventure on November 1 with El Paso’s Día de los Muertos Parade, a spectacular celebration downtown that honors Hispanic heritage with bright altars, whimsical floats, live performers, and community-made artwork. It’s one of those can’t-miss events that sets the tone for the holidays.

El Paso Winterfest Photo courtesy of Visit El Paso

Photo courtesy of Visit El Paso

WinterFest transforms the heart of downtown into a winter wonderland.

Winter magic in the desert
From November 22 through January 4, WinterFest transforms the heart of downtown into a winter wonderland.

Glide across the ice rink at Convention Center Plaza, shop at the holiday markets brimming with local artisan gifts, watch live musical performances, and catch a classic movie at the historic Plaza Theatre. The dazzling lights and seasonal decorations create a postcard-perfect backdrop for selfies and family photos.

Football, fiestas, and fanfare
El Paso keeps the energy high as the year winds down with the much-anticipated Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 31.

College football fans from around the country descend on the city for pep rallies, live entertainment, and family-friendly festivities that extend well beyond the stadium. Even if you’re not a die-hard sports fan, the buzz around town is contagious.

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl El Paso Photo courtesy of Visit El Paso

Make it a road trip or a quick flight
Houstonians can reach El Paso in about 11 hours by car or hop on a quick flight to dive straight into the fun. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking mountain sunsets, incredible regional cuisine (green chile everything!), and the warm hospitality that makes El Paso unforgettable.

Plan your Southwest holiday escape
Whether you’re chasing culture, winter cheer, or just a new Texas adventure, El Paso’s fall and winter festivities promise a one-of-a-kind experience. Start planning now at VisitElPaso.com and make this season one for the memory books.

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At the Rickhouse

Favorite Texas brewery opens on-site restaurant at new distillery

K. Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery

A rickhouse is a building for aging distilled spirits like whiskey.

Just over a year after K. Spoetzl Brewery opened its distillery, it's debuting a new onsite restaurant and tasting room. The maker of Shiner Beer recently opened Rickhouse at 603 E Brewery St., in Shiner — about two hours from downtown Houston.

The new restaurant will focus on Texas-inspired cuisine using local ingredients. That's on-brand for K. Spoetzl, which is known for its Texas pride and earthy nostalgia. Naturally, it will also show off the distillery's work in craft cocktails and it'll cater to visitors coming off a distillery tours.

The team is hitting the ground running, offering Sunday brunch, weekend lunch, and daily dinner.

Diners can expect to see common brewery dishes in a range of styles: a jumbo Bavarian pretzel and Spoetzl Sliders; pizzas, including a seasonal "street corn" pie with cotija cheese, roasted corn, Shiner Bock barbecue chicken, and elote seasonings; chicken fried steak; and old-fashioned meatloaf. For dessert, much has a boozy element, such as Famous CinnaShine Cobbler and a vanilla custard bourbon bread pudding.

On the beverage side, Rickhouse will serve up a French martini with Shiner Texas Vodka and its own in-house coffee liqueur; the Big Buck Hunter with Shiner Texas Gin; and the Liquid Peach Cobbler with Shiner Cinnamon ‘Shine.

K. Spoetzl Distillery spirits These spirits will get to shine in cocktails at Rickhouse.Photo courtesy of K. Spoetzl Brewery & Distillery

The restaurant is part of a venue that spans 10,000 square feet, some of which will be used for live music and other events. The rest of the space contains a bar, a private dining room, and a 1,500-square-foot patio area.

“We’re incredibly proud to take this next step in Shiner’s story with the launch of our new restaurant and tasting room, Rickhouse,” said director of brewery and distillery operations Tom Fiorenzi in a press release. “Whether you’re here for a handcrafted spirit, a delicious meal, or just good conversation, we’re creating a space where tradition meets innovation in every pour and plate.”

Rickhouse will be open Mondays through Fridays from 4-10 pm, Saturdays from noon to 11 pm, and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm. Cocktails and light bites will be available weekdays from noon to 4 pm for people visiting to tour the distillery.

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