Things to Do with the Family in New Mexico

New Mexico brings families together through shared adventures, new discoveries and things to do in every season. Whether you're traveling with young children, teens or multiple generations, you'll find plenty of ways to experience the Land of Enchantment together.

Use this guide to explore family-friendly attractions, find seasonal trip ideas, plan your vacation, and see what experiences are offered across New Mexico's diverse regions.

Three people are browsing a market stall displaying various colorful decorative items. The individuals are focused on the items, with one reaching out to touch them. The scene takes place outdoors, under a tent, and the weather appears sunny.

What Family Attractions Can I Find in New Mexico?

One of the best parts of a vacation in New Mexico is how easily you can combine different experiences into a single trip. Spend the morning outdoors on a hike, paddle, wildlife-viewing excursion, or scenic train ride, then explore a museum or cultural center in the afternoon.

Families can discover ancient cliff dwellings and dinosaur tracks, wander vibrant plazas filled with shops and galleries, and experience immersive art, history and science attractions. Throughout the year, festivals, cultural celebrations and community events provide even more ways to connect with New Mexico's unique culture and traditions.

With Route 66, 26 scenic byways, and memorable destinations spread across the state, it's easy to build a vacation around one community or combine several stops into an unforgettable family road trip.

A vibrant scene of multicolored hot air balloons ascending over a lake, surrounded by several boats on the water. A mountainous landscape is visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Things to Do in as a Family in New Mexico by Season

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, every season brings its own ways to explore New Mexico.

Winter: Ski and snowboard, or try snow tubing, snowshoeing and ice skating. Warm up with hot chocolate, visit the shops and restaurants of a nearby mountain community, and take in holiday events and light displays. Museums, science centers, and children’s attractions offer even more ways to have fun this winter.
Spring: Make the most of spring break with mild, sunny days made for getting outside. Hit the trails, play in the sand, visit caverns and state parks, or take a scenic road trip. Ski areas extend the season, giving visitors a chance to enjoy winter activities in the spring sun. Along the way, discover museums, historic sites, cultural attractions, and hands-on experiences that bring New Mexico’s stories to life.
Summer: Longer days and school breaks make summer ideal for outdoor adventure. Hike mountain trails, cool off at lakes and rivers and camp under star-filled skies. Mix outdoor fun with interactive museums, science centers, and other indoor attractions, or join in the excitement at summer festivals and fairs statewide.
Fall: Crisp days and golden aspen groves set the stage for family adventures. Take a scenic drive through the mountains, ride a historic train, hit the mountain trails, or enjoy a chairlift ride surrounded by fall color. Ballooning also takes center stage, with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta filling the skies with color. Make the most of the season with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides, festivals, and community events.

Three individuals wearing ski gear are standing with skis on a snowy slope. They are looking into the distance under a clear sky, surrounded by tall trees.

How to Plan a Family Vacation in New Mexico

Choose the season, activities and pace that work best for your family, then decide where you want to stay and how you’d like to explore. Options range from hotels and resorts to cozy lodges, while guided tours and family-friendly excursions make it easy to discover more without planning every detail yourself.

Because elevations vary across the state, families can enjoy different experiences throughout the year, from snowy mountain adventures in winter to warm-weather exploration in southern New Mexico.

With 26 scenic byways and attractions spread throughout the state, you can settle into one destination, take a guided tour or explore more along the way.

Ready to narrow down your destination? See family-friendly attractions by region to discover the cities, communities, parks, museums, and outdoor adventures that best match your family's vacation style.

Street view of a rustic adobe building with a sign for "Historic Taos Inn" and "Cocktails, Rooms." Several people are walking along the sidewalk. Trees and distant mountains are in the background.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Gallup Art

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary

NORTHWEST

Gallup, Farmington, & Aztec

Northwest New Mexico is full of incredible history, culture, and, of course, adventure. These age-appropriate highlights will help you kickstart your planning across the region.

Kiddos (5 and Under)

Cool off at Bisti Bay

Enjoy some wildlife viewing at the Riverside Nature Center

Get hands-on at the E3 Children’s Museum & Science Center - younger kiddos will especially enjoy the Tots Turf

Get up close and personal with more than 2,500 mounted animals from five continents at the Bolack Museum of Fish and Wildlife

Big Kids (Ages 6-9)

Stand in four states at once at the Four Corners National Monument! Kids can stand in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado at the same time

Prepare for hours of fun at the Fly High Farmington indoor trampoline park

Become a Junior Ranger at Aztec Ruins National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, or El Morro National Monument

Tweens and Teens (10+)

Experience the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano, where they’ll make their way over an ancient lava trail before heading down into the perpetual Ice Cave

Lace up those sneakers and hit the Animas River Trails

Have a wild adventure at the Animas River White Water Park

Hike through the richly diverse volcanic landscapes at El Malpais National Monument near Grants

Fun Events for All Ages

Watch the Nightly Indian Dances for free in the heart of downtown Gallup from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Don’t miss the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial in August

Watch as more than 100 colorful hot air balloons fill the sky, backdropped by vibrant red cliffs during the Red Rock Balloon Rally in the winter

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary provides lifelong care for different canid species, from wolves to dingoes to the rare New Guinea singing dog! Open to the public Thursday - Sunday from 11am to 4pm with guided tours at noon and 3pm. During the summer season the sanctuary has a campground where volunteers and guests are permitted to stay to hear the wolves sing them to sleep.

Cerrillos

Man, Woman Boy And Girl Hiking In The Woods

Madrid House with Zebra

NORTH CENTRAL

Santa Fe, Taos, and Española

Spend your next family vacation backdropped by some of New Mexico’s most famous landscapes! While North Central New Mexico is perhaps most famous for its dramatic scenery, there’s no shortage of fun and adventure to be had here.