The best trip within about five hours of El Paso for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
0 citiesLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from El Paso. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
We don't post event listings for these places, so check the official page for hours and what's on. The numbers match the map.
Sled down the white sand dunes. The park gift shop rents and sells waxed saucers.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of El Paso that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in El Paso has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of El Paso that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in El Paso has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of El Paso that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in El Paso has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of El Paso that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in El Paso has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of El Paso that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in El Paso has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of El Paso that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in El Paso has the local list.
Places outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
Rock formations and ancient rock art east of town. Everyone watches a short orientation video first, and daily visitor numbers are capped, so book ahead.
about 45 min from El Paso · El Paso
Daily 8am–6pm from October to April
$7 adults; kids 12 and under freeA free downtown museum with desert animals, a light and space gallery and fossil trackways, with labels in English and Spanish. Parking is at 500 N Water Street.
about 1 hr from El Paso · Las CrucesTue–Fri 10am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–4:30pm; first Friday open until 7pm; closed Nov 11FreeA free museum in the old Santa Fe Railroad depot, a few blocks from the Museum of Nature and Science, so the two fit in one morning.
about 1 hr from El Paso · Las CrucesTue–Fri 10am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–4:30pm; closed Nov 11Free
Car snacksPack more than you think you’ll need.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.None of our other cities are close enough for a weekend pick yet, so start with a day trip: Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site in El Paso (about 45 min), Museum of Nature and Science in Las Cruces (about 1 hr), Las Cruces Railroad Museum in Las Cruces (about 1 hr).
Albuquerque (about 4 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
White Sands National Park (about 1 hr 45 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.