Zacatecas is a landlocked state on Mexico's north-central high plains, built on more than four centuries of silver-mining wealth. Its capital, also named Zacatecas, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for pink cantera-stone Baroque and Churrigueresque architecture spilling down steep hillsides, the Cerro de la Bufa cable car, and the former Mina El Eden silver mine. Beyond the capital, the state offers the Pueblos Magicos of Jerez, Sombrerete, and Pinos, the pre-Hispanic ruins of La Quemada, and the mining hub of Fresnillo, the state's most populous municipality.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Cerro de la Bufa Teleferico (Cable Car)
A cable car crossing high above the historic center between Cerro del Grillo and Cerro de la Bufa, giving children and adults alike sweeping views of the pink-stone city below; the ride itself takes about five minutes each way, and the summit has a small museum, a chapel, and food stalls
Duration: 1-2 hours round trip
Mina El Eden Mine Tour
A former silver mine entered by a small train that travels roughly 320 meters into Cerro de la Bufa, with walkways past old tunnels, machinery, and mineral veins; the tour is well-lit and guided, though the enclosed, underground setting and train ride are better suited to children age 6 and up who are comfortable in confined spaces. Note that a nightclub operates in a separate section of the mine in the evenings and is an adults-only, nighttime activity entirely apart from the family-oriented daytime tour
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Plaza de Armas & Cathedral Basilica
The city's main square sits beside the ornately carved Cathedral Basilica, a landmark of Mexican Baroque stonework; the plaza's benches, shoeshine stands, and passing musicians make it an easy, low-key stop for children between other activities
Duration: 1-2 hours
Parque La Encantada
A large recreational park on the edge of Zacatecas city with open lawns, walking paths, playgrounds, and shaded picnic areas, offering a change of pace from the steep, stone-paved historic center and a place for younger children to run freely
Duration: Half day
Museo Rafael Coronel (Mask Museum)
Housed in the ruins of the former Ex-Convento de San Francisco, this museum displays one of Mexico's largest collections of traditional masks; older children with an interest in folk art and history tend to enjoy it more than very young children
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Sierra de Organos National Park
A national park near Sombrerete known for its dramatic organ-pipe rock formations, used as a filming location for numerous Western movies; easy, low-elevation-change trails suit older children and teens for hiking and photography, though the drive from Zacatecas city takes over an hour and the excursion is best done through an organized tour rather than a self-driven rental car
Duration: Half day to full day
Acueducto El Cubo & Alameda Garcia de la Cadena
The 18th-century stone aqueduct arches and the adjoining tree-lined Alameda park offer a shaded, flat walking area on the edge of the historic center, an easy break for families after climbing the city's steeper callejones
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Mercado Gonzalez Ortega
A restored 19th-century market building, now home to shops, cafes, and craft stalls, with an underground food court in some sections; an easy, weather-proof stop for snacks and souvenir browsing between sightseeing
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Quinta Real Zacatecas
A striking hotel built into and around a former 19th-century bullring, with rooms overlooking the Acueducto El Cubo; the unusual architecture and central location make it a memorable base for families exploring the historic center on foot
Family features: Spacious rooms, central location, on-site restaurant, easy walking access to major sights
Hotel Emporio Zacatecas
A colonial-building hotel directly on Avenida Hidalgo, a short walk from the Cathedral Basilica and Plaza de Armas, offering practical family rooms without a long walk from the main sights
Family features: Central location, family rooms, restaurant, easy access to teleferico and Mina El Eden
Fiesta Americana Hacienda de la Noria
A hacienda-style hotel on the edge of the city with more open grounds and parking than the densely packed historic center, useful for families arriving with a car and wanting pool access
Family features: Outdoor pool, garden grounds, family rooms, parking, restaurant
City Express Zacatecas
A reliable mid-range chain hotel with simple, clean family rooms at accessible prices, a practical choice for families prioritizing value over historic-center ambience
Family features: Family rooms, breakfast options, easy parking, budget-friendly
Hotel Mesón de Jobito
A converted 19th-century tenement building turned boutique hotel around a plant-filled courtyard, a short walk from the Cathedral Basilica, offering a quieter, more residential feel within the walkable historic core
Family features: Courtyard setting, central location, restaurant, cots on request
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Restaurants and mercados across Zacatecas city welcome children at any hour, and high chairs are commonly available in sit-down restaurants
Enchiladas zacatecanas and gorditas are mild, filling local staples that most children take to quickly - try them at Mercado Gonzalez Ortega or a neighborhood fonda
Aguas frescas (fruit-flavored waters) offer a lighter, less sugary alternative to soda for children
Asado de boda, a slow-cooked pork dish in red chile sauce, is a signature regional specialty worth trying as a family at a sit-down restaurant rather than a street stand aimed at adults
During the Feria Nacional de Zacatecas in September, food stalls and casual dining fill quickly at peak hours, so families with young children may prefer earlier meal times to avoid the busiest crowds
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.