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Visit El Paso

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A Family Getaway Weekend in El Paso

When thinking of quick getaways, El Paso might not be the first place that comes to mind, but maybe it should be. Out on the westernmost edge of Texas, this city is just a few hours’ drive for those living in Albuquerque, Tucson and Phoenix (with an international airport for the rest), making it an easy weekend destination for families. No longer simply a small border town, El Paso has grown to become a destination packed with history, culture, nature and seriously good food. Whether you’re simply chasing that Texas sunshine or looking for a family-packed adventure, here are things to do to make for a great El Paso family vacation.

Where to Stay

After a long drive or flight, there’s nothing better than stretching your legs and flopping onto a clean hotel bed while you gaze out the window at city views that spark plans of the weekend ahead. That’s exactly what the Hotel Indigo offers, a hotel where modern design meets Southwest flair. Right in the heart of Downtown El Paso, this hotel serves as an ideal home base: stylish enough for parents to unwind with a cocktail, yet casual enough to welcome kids with a rooftop pool everyone will love. It’s the perfect stop for any El Paso family vacation.

What to Explore

El Paso’s arts scene is incredibly vibrant, one of the city’s more colorful surprises. You can take a self-guided mural tour downtown and rent bikes or just stroll the streets to spot large-scale works celebrating local culture. This is art that sparks conversation, perfect for families looking to mix fun with cultural connection.

As parents, we love a good learning moment that feels like play, and that’s why you’ll want to set aside a few hours to explore the La Nube STEAM Discovery Center. Just a short walk from the Hotel Indigo, this four-story space is a fully immersive world of science, technology, engineering, arts and math that’s entertaining for the whole family. Kids can climb a 50-foot vertical structure, design sustainable cities, learn how tornadoes form, or explore interactive exhibits built just for toddlers.

For families who love spending time in the water, El Paso is a water park haven. There are four main water parks here with options for the thrill seeker and the more leisurely type. Camp Cohen offers adrenaline-pumping slides, while Chapoteo offers splash zones and a mellow lazy river. At Lost Kingdom, guests can dive into a Mayan-themed world with towering slides, climbing walls and jungle play areas. The newest addition, Oasis Water Park, features a surf machine and high-speed slides. Each park includes zones for younger kids, winding rivers for floating, and high-energy attractions for older adventurers. You can get tickets for one park, or bundle and explore them all.

In the late afternoon, drive up the Franklin Mountains via the Scenic Drive-Overlook for panoramic views. The winding road takes you up the east side of the mountain. At the top, there’s a park to pull over and watch the sunset over both countries: both El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez in Mexico are visible below you.

Where to Eat

This is where El Paso really shines. Being both on the U.S.-Mexico border and in the state of Texas, the flavors here are rich, bold and authentic.

For authentic street style Mexican food, try Taconeta, where the presentation alone is enough to make your mouth water. Elote en vaso or grilled (in a cup or on the cob), blue corn tortillas ground daily using volcanic stone, al pastor and carnitas: This place is the real deal. If you’ve never tried Tres Leches cake before—a cake using three different types of milk for an incredibly soft texture and rich flavor—this is the place. To drink, there are aguas frescas, cocktails rimmed with Tajín for the grown-ups and the Coca-Cola from Mexico, meaning pure cane sugar and no corn syrups for a delicious flavor.

Near Taconeta is a bakery and breakfast-all-day place called Salt + Honey Bakery Café. You can make a quick stop here for a delicious espresso for the parents, pastries for the kids (and maybe parents), and a cheerful atmosphere. Or stay awhile and try the Baklava pancakes, French toast and Southwest-style options like tacos borrachas. There are also great café-style lunch options here if that’s more your speed.

Also in El Paso is that famous Texas-style BBQ. Satisfy your cravings at Desert Oak Barbecue, a local favorite that serves up juicy brisket, ribs and all the classic sides. It's casual and family-friendly with a great backstory. Run by his stepson, the original owner nicknamed “Rich” had lived all over, including a childhood spent in Sardinia, Italy. Although he was a great cook, there was one weakness: He could not make brisket his son wouldn’t spit out. It took moving to El Paso and experiencing BBQ there to help him truly perfect it, to the point that they opened this restaurant. Now, with a brisket tender enough to taste like butter, you’d never know this was once a struggle. The food here is delicious. Go for a traditional platter of BBQ food or order a bowl similar to Chipotle. Except these bowls come BBQ style with a protein and optional fixings, like mac and cheese, beans, creamed corn, pico de gallo and sour cream.

For a slower pace, spend the afternoon sipping local wine at Zin Valle Vineyards, just 15 minutes outside of town. While the adults enjoy a tasting flight, kids are welcome here. Bring a blanket and make a picnic in the field or enjoy the tables under shady umbrellas. There is often live music and food trucks on the weekends here, too, making it a great way to unwind and enjoy family time together.

A Wrap on an El Paso Family Vacation

El Paso is a city of contrasts—in the best way. It’s where deep history meets modern style, where tacos are elevated to an art form and water parks can end with a serene evening.

So, the next time you’re looking for a weekend road trip that’s more than just a change of scenery, consider El Paso. It might just become your family’s new go-to.

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