Some family vacations ask you to choose adventure or relaxation. Kid-friendly or grown-up approved. Educational or entertaining.

El Paso, Texas makes it easy to have it all.

With nearly 300 days of sunshine each year, a vibrant downtown, and easy access to outdoor adventure, El Paso offers plenty of opportunities for you to explore together. One morning might be spent riding a tram above the desert landscape. The next could involve interactive science exhibits, splash pads, and rooftop views stretching across Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.

At The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, families can experience the best of both worlds thanks to our central location: days filled with discovery and adventure, followed by evenings spent unwinding in one of El Paso’s most iconic hotels. 

Here are a few of our favorite family things to do in El Paso.

Explore the Franklin Mountains

Few places give families the chance to experience a state park without leaving the city, but there aren’t many places like El Paso.

The Franklin Mountains rise dramatically above the city, creating endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. You can choose from a variety of beginner-friendly trails that offer sweeping desert views without the time commitment (and the tantrum potential).

If it’s open during your visit, the Wyler Aerial Tramway provides an unforgettable perspective, carrying visitors high above the desert floor for panoramic views that stretch for miles. For younger adventurers, even a short hike through the park often feels like stepping into another world.

Best for: Active families, nature lovers, scenic views

Spend the Day at the Zoo & Botanical Gardens

The El Paso Zoo remains a family favorite for good reason. It’s easy to navigate with younger children while still offering enough variety to keep older kids engaged.

Discover animals from the Chihuahuan Desert, wander through botanic gardens, or catch a concert at the wildlife amphitheater. The interactive splash pad helps to cool down during warm summer afternoons. You’ll appreciate the manageable size while your kids decide which animal deserves a second visit. 

Best for: Younger children, animal lovers, summer afternoons

Discover the City’s Story at DIGIE

History feels a little different when you can touch it. Inside the El Paso Museum of History, DIGIE’s massive interactive digital wall invites visitors to explore the region through giant touchscreens, multimedia exhibits, and hands-on experiences. 

Kids love the technology. Parents appreciate the fascinating look at the cultures, communities, and stories that shaped the border region. It’s one of those rare attractions that manages to be both educational and genuinely fun.

Best for: Curious minds, rainy afternoons, all ages

Climb, Create, and Explore at La Nube

If you’re searching for fun family things to do in El Paso, TX, La Nube deserves a spot at the top of your itinerary. 

Located minutes from The Plaza, this state-of-the-art children’s museum transforms science, engineering, creativity, and play into an immersive experience that sparks curiosity. Interactive exhibits encourage kids to climb, build, experiment, and discover at their own pace. The result? Hours of learning disguised as entertainment.

La Nube also offers sensory-friendly hours, ideal for little ones who benefit from a quieter environment.

Best for: Elementary children, hands-on learning, escaping the afternoon heat

Stroll Through San Jacinto Plaza

Sometimes the simplest activities become the most memorable. Just steps from our hotel, the San Jacinto Plaza offers a welcoming place to slow down between adventures. 

Kids love spotting the plaza’s famous alligator sculpture, a nod to the real alligators that once lived here, while parents can enjoy the fountains, landscaping, and lively downtown atmosphere.

Grab a paleta, find a shady bench, and enjoy a slower side of El Paso.

Best for: Afternoon breaks, downtown exploring, family photos

Start Your Adventure at The Plaza

After a day spent gallivanting around, return to The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, where historic glamour meets modern comfort. Spacious guest rooms and suites offer plenty of room to spread out, while sweeping views of the Franklin Mountains provide a beautiful backdrop to your stay.

Traveling with the whole crew? The Plaza’s Supreme Suites are designed with families and small groups in mind, offering expansive living spaces, multiple bedrooms, and room for up to eight guests. Thoughtful touches like Le Labo bath amenities, Frette linens, and personalized Compadre service ensure parents can enjoy a little luxury, too.

Planning your itinerary is easy with kid-friendly packages like the Cloud Nine Family Escape and La Nube After Hours Escape, while Endless Summer at The Plaza adds even more value to your seasonal getaway.

Whether you’re introducing the kids to West Texas for the first time or planning a multigenerational adventure, The Plaza offers a sophisticated home base for discovering everything El Paso has to offer.