Note: Our family felt very safe traveling around El Paso, though we did not not voyage into Juarez, Mexico, its sister city located just across the Rio Grande.

Get ready for a hands-on adventure like no other at La Nube.

Top Attractions for Families in El Paso, Texas

1. La Nube

This downtown children's museum has many hands-on, STEAM-friendly exhibits and is so spacious (a 77,000-square-foot building with four stories). My kids played there all day, experimenting with hydro power on a giant water table, testing paper airplanes, and crawling their way through the 50-foot climber at the center of the museum that's part jungle gym and part art installation. The museum also has a soft-play area for those 3 and under and a robotics center with a 3-D printer.

2. Franklin Mountains State Park

Revel in the beauty of the wild-west Texas terrain at this state park just north of the city center, with sweeping mountain vistas and desert cacti. There are more than 100 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers. If you're lucky, you may spot wildlife like mountain lions, deer, or birds of prey. For families with small children, the .75-mile Tom Mays Nature Walk is an easy trail that takes about 30 minutes. The park offers a Junior Ranger program, too. Kids 12 and under are free.

3. El Paso Museum of History

This downtown museum, which is free to visit, has two floors of exhibits tracing El Paso's history, from the Spanish colonial period to its role in the Mexican-American War and beyond. The facility is also home to "Digie," the only interactive digital wall of its kind in the United States. It holds over 17,000 uploaded videos and photos. Be sure to pick up a scavenger hunt for your kids on the way in.—they can earn a small prize for completion.

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There are so many animals to meet at the El Paso Zoo. 

4. El Paso Zoo

This modestly priced zoo has a nice variety of animals including meerkats, Asian elephants, giraffes, spider monkeys, and zebras. We especially enjoyed seeing the creatures of the Chihuahuan Desert (which spans El Paso into Mexico) like pronghorns, coatis, and peccaries. The zoo also has a nice carousel, a splash pad, a ropes course, and my daughters' favorite—a large, tree house-themed playground. Expect to spend two to three hours at this easily walkable zoo.

5. National Border Patrol Museum

Check out this only-in-El Paso museum that focuses on America's border with Mexico and the officers who work to patrol it. Exhibits include Border Patrol vehicles, weapons, and uniforms. There's even a small airplane and helicopter on display, plus lots of interesting information. (Did you know that when the Border Patrol was founded in 1924, the primary mode of transportation was horses?) The museum is small, but also very unique, and admission is free.

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Cultural events abound at the Mexican American Cultural Center. 

More Free Museums for Families in El Paso, Texas 

6. Mexican American Cultural Center

This downtown art museum and event space next to the El Paso Museum of History opened in spring 2025. Its two galleries feature works by local artists. The MACC also plans to host classes including art demonstrations, dance performances, and cooking workshops, some of which will be geared toward kids.

7. El Paso Museum of Archaeology

Got a kid who's into history? This facility, located just across from the National Border Patrol Museum, has a collection of artifacts representing the civilizations that once inhabited the El Paso area (AD 700-1450). Displays include animal fossils, ancient pottery, and jewelry. There's also 15 acres of natural area surrounding the building, where families can hike and see native plants and flowers.

8.  El Paso Museum of Art

Walk through the nine galleries of the EPMA to check out its contemporary offerings, including the largest collection of West Texas artwork in the country. We really enjoyed the museum's Star Ceiling, a huge outdoor light installation with 13,500 LED bulbs. Part of that exhibit includes ergonomic benches where visitors can sit back, relax, and take in the artist's version of the El Paso night sky.   

9. El Paso Municipal Rose Garden

Though not exactly a museum, this four-acre garden is lovely, especially if you come in late spring. There are more than 300 varieties of vibrantly colored roses on display, as well as other native plants and water features. Walking paths are wide (perfect if you have a stroller in tow), and there are clean restrooms and benches on site.

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Bounce, slide, and swing at Jumbo Park Texas Adventure.

More Kid-Friendly Fun in El Paso, Texas

10. Indoor Playgrounds

There are several indoor playgrounds in El Paso. My kids loved playing at Jumbo Park Texas Adventure, where there are several inflatable playgrounds. Jungle Jaks is a 12,000-square-foot amusement center with climbers, slides, and a cool animatronic dinosaur. And Tots and Play caters to the preschool-and-under crowd with its ball pit, toddler toys, and pretend restaurant and store.

11. Trampoline Parks

Bounce, flip, repeat at a local trampoline park! El Paso has a few of them. Both Sky Zone East and Sky Zone West boast a ninja warrior course, a dodgeball court, and a toddler zone. Urban Air El Paso has attractions that include climbing walls, bumper cars, and the Sky Rider zip line.

12. Family Fun Centers

Ah, the family fun center... a one-stop shop where kids can be entertained for hours with arcades, bowling, and small rides. Jump World has all of these features plus trampolines and a jungle gym. Locals also love playing laser tag and mini golf at Bob-O's Family Fun Center, and riding the bumper boats and go-karts at Adventure Zone on the north side of town.

13. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site

Though this state park is located 45 minutes outside the city center, I wanted to mention it because it's a really cool spot. Not only can you hike the rocky hills of this 860-acre park, but you can also see numerous pictographs and petroglyphs left by the ancient humans who once occupied the land. Kids under 13 are free. Note: The park only allows 70 people in at a time to its self-guided area. That limit is usually reached during the winter, so call ahead of time to reserve a pass.

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Nothing beats a Texas steak at 1700° Steakhouse.

Restaurants for Families in El Paso, Texas

14. 1700° Steakhouse

If you're looking for a fancier dinner out with the fam, I recommend this classic Texas steakhouse inside the Hotel Paso Del Norte. Not only is the restaurant itself stunning with high ceilings and crystal chandeliers, but the food is really tasty. And while there is no formal kids menu, the staff was more than willing to split a Caesar salad and steak for my daughters.

15. Ámbar

Located inside the Plaza Pioneer Park Hotel, Ámbar serves up Mexican dishes like carnitas, tacos, and enchiladas, but with a more modern spin. Everything we ate there was delicious, especially the "20-25 lunch special." It includes an appetizer, entree, side, guacamole, homemade tortillas, and dessert all served in a botanero tray (which is kind of like a Southwestern bento box).

16. Mamacitas

Locals love the colorful, vintage vibes at this Mexican eatery located inside Hotel Indigo. Mamacitas is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Menu highlights include matcha overnight oats and huevos rancheros to start the morning, while fish tacos and tandoori chicken make for a great casual dinner.

17. Bowie Bakery

Satisfy your sweet tooth at this bake shop known for its traditional Mexican pastries and desserts like pan dulce, tres leche cake, and donuts (they often sell out by 10am). An El Paso staple since 1951, Bowie Bakery now has three locations around the city.

Hotels for Families in El Paso, Texas

18. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel El Paso Downtown

Travelers love the recently renovated rooms and rooftop pool at this downtown DoubleTree. There's also a Starbucks in the lobby so parents (and tweens and teens) can fuel up in the morning, as well as those famous chocolate-chip cookies offered upon check-in.

19. Stanton House El Paso

This sleekly designed boutique hotel displays tons of modern art throughout its lobby and guest rooms (full disclosure: some works are quite provocative). Visitors like the Stanton House's uniqueness, cleanliness, and five-star restaurant, Taft-Diaz. Yes, the eatery is a bit posh, but I can attest that the food is truly wonderful!

20. The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park

Our family thoroughly enjoyed staying at this historic downtown hotel that first opened in the 1930s. The rooms are comfortable and the lobby is elegant, with a grand fireplace and cozy seating. The location is nice too, within walking distance of several museums including La Nube and the El Paso Museum of History.

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Photos by the author