VISITING El Paso · The Sun City

Visiting El Paso with toddlers and little kids: the plan.

La Nube and the WinterFest lights are both downtown, and the zoo is a short drive east.

Top 2 can’t-miss spots

#1Downtown, 201 W. Main Drive
La Nube STEAM Children’s Museum
Closed Mondays and open only until 3pm on weekdays.
Indoor
See it in the guide
#2Central El Paso, 4001 E. Paisano
El Paso Zoo
Last entry is at 4pm.
See it in the guide
Nap breaks built in

One day or two in El Paso

A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.

If you have one day
MORNINGEl Paso ZooAnimals before the heat · Central El Paso, 4001 E. Paisano
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPLa Nube STEAM Children’s MuseumIndoor science play · Downtown, 201 W. Main Drive
If you have two days

Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:

MORNINGEl Paso Main LibraryFree storytime · Downtown, 501 N Oregon St · Free
NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPLa Nube STEAM Children’s MuseumClimbing at La Nube · Downtown, 201 W. Main Drive
Where to stay

Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions

Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.

DTDowntown El PasoNear La Nube and San Jacinto Plaza.Near La Nube STEAM Children’s Museum
Before you go

Practical tips

Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.

Driving
You’ll want a car. The zoo is about 10 minutes east of downtown.
Holidays
WinterFest starts Nov 21, 2026, with the Lights Parade downtown that night.
Visiting in November or December?

Santa and Christmas lights in El Paso

If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.

Santa in El PasoBreakfast with Santa, Santa photos and Santa trains, with 2026 pricesChristmas lights in El PasoDrive-thru and walk-through displays, start times and 2026 prices
Good questions

Visiting El Paso with toddlers: the FAQ

Is El Paso kid-friendly?

For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our El Paso guide lists 5 places we checked for little kids, plus 3 free places and 4 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds free storytimes at 1 library system. This week’s list has 9 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in El Paso and this weekend’s list.

Where should we stay with a toddler?

Downtown puts you near La Nube and the WinterFest lights.

What if it’s too hot or windy?

Go to La Nube or a library storytime.

Get the list every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the five things we’d leave the house for in El Paso.