Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in albuquerque, NM

Five New Mexico National Parks

by Alison

June 16, 2009

Looking for a quick getaway this summer? Look no further than one of New Mexico's National Parks. Here are five that you and your kids are sure to love.

• Bandelier National Monument: Bandelier is located about two hours northwest of Albuquerque, near Los Alamos. Here you'll find ancient dwellings that are thousands of years old. You can explore many of them and there's also opportunities for your little monkey to do some climbing (on ladders). If you'd like to make an overnight trip, there are campgrounds  available. Bandelier also offers a junior ranger program.

• If your little explorer can't get enough of ancient rock dwellings, head south to the Gila Cliff Dwellings where you'll find the seven hundred year old dwellings of the Mogollon people that you can walk around in. The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Park is located about five hours southwest of Albuquerque, near Silver City. Because of the long drive to get there, you'll probably want to combine this with a camping trip and there are plenty of opportunities in the surrounding forest. There is also a junior ranger program.

• White Sands National Monument: No here's something you don't see everyday, 275 square miles of nothing but white sand! Your preschooler will enjoy playing in the sand and even sledding down the hills! White Sands is located about four hours south of Albuquerque, near Alamogordo. If you visit be sure to bring a change of clothing for the drive home (you'll be sandy!) and some sunglasses because the sun reflects quite a bit off of the sand. White Sands offers a junior ranger program 

• If you have a spelunker on your hands, head to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, home of 113 caves and lots of bats! If you visit anytime between now and Mid-October, you can watch nearly 400,000 bats exit the caverns at sunset. Anyone can go on the self-guided tour, but there are age restrictions for the guided tours. Carlsbad Caverns is located about six hours southeast of Albuquerque. There is a junior ranger program as well as a special kids visitors center.

• Petroglyph National Monument:  If you want to stay close to home, then this is the monument for you! Located on the west of town. Enjoy an short hike and check out some of the 20,000 carved images that give this monument its name. There is a junior ranger program, but it is geared toward older kids. Petroglyph offers many events  throughout the year.

Don't forget about the three fee-free weekends coming up this summer! It's a great opportunity to take advantage of the parks that require entrance fees.      Read more...

The New Mexico History Museum

by Alison

May 18, 2009

This weekend, the New Mexico History Museum opens up in Santa Fe. The museum will serve as an anchor of a campus dedicated to the history of our state. The campus will also include the Palace of the Governors, The Frey Angelico Chavez History Library, and The Photo Archives. The History Museum will include many permanent and temporary exhibits that tell about all aspects of New Mexico's rich history. The Museum will include discovery drawers with touchable things for the kids.

The Museum officially opens on Sunday, May 24th, but If you want to check out the museum with your family, then Monday, May 25th is the day to do it. Monday is Family Day, so you'll find lots of great events and admission to the museum will be free. There will be dancers representing various periods and cultures of New Mexico.  The Santa Fe Vintage Car Club will be on hand to show off the old vehicles that once carried people across New Mexico. There will also be an ice cream social. For more information, see the Grand Opening Schedule.

The Museum is located on the Plaza in Santa Fe and while you could most certainly make the short drive up there from Albuquerque, why not consider taking the Rail Runner ? It will run on that Sunday (it normally doesn't run on Sundays) and you can ride it on Memorial Day as well. Take the train to the Santa Fe Depot (it will cost you $6 round trip) and then catch a free shuttle to the Plaza. See the Rail Runner's webpage for departure times.    

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History Lesson: Petroglyph National Monument

by Alison

October 07, 2008

It's estimated that Petroglyph National Monument may be home to over 25,000 petroglyph images. These old rock drawings are sure to be of interest to your preschooler. Start your day of exploration at the Riconada Canyon Trailhead (it's off of St. Joseph Ave.). The trail is a two and a half mile loop, but since you'll start to see some petroglyphs about 100 yards in, there's no need to do  Read more...