For El Pasoans, quality of life encompasses not only the tangible, such as an affordable cost of living, but also a culture shaped by 400 years of history, and influenced by several diverse groups. From the Mission Trail to opera and rodeo, visitors and those who call the city home will tell you that there’s no place quite like El Paso. El Paso is the cultural center of the Southwest, enriched for more than four centuries by contributions from Native Americans, Spanish settlers, Europeans and Asians. The city’s international flavour is apparent in the variety of cultural facilities and events, 18 museums, more than 35 art galleries, and 28 resident visual artists of national acclaim. Ballet El Paso, Ballet Folklorico, El Paso Pro-Musica, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and the El Paso Museum of Art are just a few of the offerings in the cultural spectrum. The El Paso Planetarium, Insights Science Museum, community theatres, the El Paso Opera Company, Music Under the Stars and Viva! El Paso (one of the country’s largest outdoor theatre productions) are just a few of the many available entertainment and educational possibilities. A convenient way to sample El Paso’s international heritage is catching the Border Jumper Trolley, a service of the El Paso Trolley Company and unique transportation option into El Paso’s sister city, Juarez, Mexico. A busy, popular playground for locals, Juarez is also accessible by walking across the Santa Fe Street bridge, five minutes from downtown. Indulge in shopping old-Mexico style, city markets, museums and sight-seeing all in a colourful, sometimes romantic setting. Greyhound racing, golf, tennis, as well as an infinite variety of fine restaurants are all available in Mexico’s fourth largest city.