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These enjoyable issues to do in Albuquerque with youngsters will enchant your loved ones. New Mexico’s Official State Nickname is Land of Enchantment. After visiting Albuquerque, you will notice why! Travelers typically overlook this New Mexican metropolis in favor of fancier, and considerably smaller, Santa Fe. That’s a disgrace as a result of Albuquerque has a lot coronary heart and many attention-grabbing points of interest, too. If you are in search of a trip in a singular panorama with a pleasant vibe and memorable experiences, then check out these 30 enchanting household issues to do in Albuquerque!
1. Attend a sizzling air balloon competition.
One of the primary issues that involves thoughts whenever you consider Albuquerque might be sizzling air ballooning. The world’s largest sizzling air balloon competition takes place right here each October over the course of 9 days. Over 500 sizzling air balloons float above the town throughout Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, a lot to the awe of spectators beneath.
If your Albuquerque household trip takes place throughout this well-known fiesta, then remember to reserve your Albuquerque resort far prematurely as a result of they do ebook up!
2. Go sizzling air ballooning.
For those that wish to fly away in a sizzling air balloon basket like Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, there are a number of ballooning firms within the Albuquerque space. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to go hot-air ballooning and may attest that it’s concurrently an thrilling and peaceable journey.
With Albuquerque’s stunning pure panorama, it is probably the greatest locations for a sizzling air balloon journey. Intrigued? Book your sizzling air balloon flight in Albuquerque now!
3. Visit the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum.
Ballooning lovers could take pleasure in a go to to Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. Go right here to study the historical past of sizzling air ballooning. Even in case you do not embark on a balloon journey, you’ll be able to snap a photograph that appears such as you’ve floated above Albuquerque’s southwestern panorama at this museum.
4. Decide: Red or inexperienced chile?
Red or inexperienced? That’s New Mexico’s Official State Question. This refers to their beloved Hatch chiles, grown in Hatch, New Mexico. The inexperienced ones are picked earlier than they ripen. The crimson ones are roasted or hung to dry after which made into chile powder.
You’ll discover Hatch chiles on practically each menu in Albuquerque. If you wish to style a little bit of each, then order your enchiladas “Christmas-style,” which come topped with each crimson and inexperienced chile sauces.
5. Look for ristras.
See the dried chile peppers above? When hung collectively like this, they kind a ristra. You’ll discover ristras all throughout the state. They make a distinctly New Mexican ornament. Along with pinto beans, chiles share the designation of being New Mexico’s Official State Vegetables.
6. Experience flamenco on the National Institute of Flamenco.
New Mexico is taken into account the middle for flamenco within the U.S. In reality, the University of New Mexico is the one college within the nation to supply a minor in flamenco. This passionate Spanish artwork kind is made up of three components that work harmoniously collectively: guitar enjoying, music, and dance.
Every June the National Institute of Flamenco hosts the Flamenco Festival. It options performances by world-renowned flamenco artists. Festival-goers also can attend newbie, intermediate, and superior flamenco workshops. Kids get in on the enjoyable with flamenco youth camps for all ranges, too.
No matter whenever you go to Albuquerque, you’ll be able to expertise this fascinating artwork kind. The National Institute of Flamenco presents stage performances and lessons year-round.
7. Take a dance class at Casa Flamenca.
Participating in a flamenco class at Casa Flamenca was probably the most significant and memorable factor I did in New Mexico. I believed I went to this non-profit studio for a dance lesson, however I got here away with a lot extra.
The group’s director, Valeria Montes’ assured actions and phrases echo inside me nonetheless. “It’s about being present. That’s where you get your power. With flamenco and in life, when you make a mistake, forget about it, and move on.”
After our dance class, we requested Montes to carry out a flamenco dance for us. Watch the video beneath to see her spectacular impromptu efficiency.
8. Attend a flamenco tablao.
For an intimate expertise, take into account attending a category or tablao at Casa Flamenca. During a tablao, there is no such thing as a stage or separation from the viewers. Viewers sit in a circle surrounding the performers and really really feel part of the motion.
As Montes explains, “You become a part of the performance. You feel every note. Every heartbeat. You dance vicariously through the dancer.”
Children are welcome to attend lessons or early tablao performances at Casa Flamenca. It’s positively an expertise your loved ones will lengthy keep in mind.
If you have an interest in flamenco, then you’ll want to examine visiting the birthplace of this artform — Seville, Spain with youngsters.
9. Shop Old Town Albuquerque.
Old Town Albuquerque was based in 1706. This walkable space is made up of 10 sq. blocks of outdated adobe buildings. It encompasses over 100 retailers, quite a few eating places, and 5 museums. You’re positive to seek out attention-grabbing souvenirs right here together with Southwestern pottery and work, turquoise jewellery, and my youngsters’ favourite — dreamcatchers.
Albuquerque’s Old Town dwelling to the oldest still-standing constructing within the metropolis, San Felipe de Neri Church. It’s produced from adobe mud bricks..
10. Look for the Virgen de Guadalupe Tree.
While exploring Old Town Albuquerque, inform your youngsters to be looking out for the Virgen de Guadalupe Tree (also referred to as the Cottonwood Madonna). An picture of the Virgin Mary has been carved into the tree trunk and painted.
This distinctive sculpture is situated in entrance of San Felipe de Neri Church. If you are not paying shut consideration, then you might simply miss this considerably hidden determine.
11. Sign up for an Albuquerque strolling tour.
Get extra out of your Albuquerque household trip with a strolling tour of downtown. You’ll study in regards to the metropolis’s architectural treasures and iconic spots at a tempo appropriate for the entire household. Tours are supplied in English and Spanish.
Sound enjoyable? Sign up for a two-hour Gems of Albuquerque Guided Family Walking Tour with our trusted accomplice, GetYourGuide.
12. Go on an Albuquerque Scavenger hunt.
For a enjoyable and distinctive method to discover historic Old Town, ebook a three-hour Albuquerque Scavenger Hunt. You’ll discover sculpture gardens, museums, parks, church buildings, and different attention-grabbing sights.
Go at a leisurely tempo, or race one other crew to the end. It’s as much as you!
13. Take the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.
The Sandia Mountains present a surprising backdrop in Albuquerque. Sandia means watermelon in Spanish and this mountain vary was so-named as a result of the mountain turns a rosy hue at sundown.
You can entry the highest of Sandia Peak through the Sandia Peak Tramway for epic views of Albuquerque and past. The 15-minute journey delivers you to a ravishing new panorama full of limestone rock, pine bushes, and different evergreen crops. There’s additionally an attention-grabbing reward store on the prime that includes New Mexican jewellery, decor, and souvenirs.
14. Ski or snowboard on Sandia Peak.
Sandia Peak is only a 25-minute drive from Albuquerque. In winter, this snowy wonderland presents thrilling winter sports activities choices. Trails for all ranges will please skiers and snowboarders.
Group and personal classes can be found for ages 4+. Cubby Corner offers classes particularly for kids aged 4-6. Kids youthful than 4 can take part in personal classes. Plus, little ones simply may be greeted on the slopes by Cubby the Bear mascot.
15. Go snowshoeing with MST Adventures.
If snowshoeing is extra your pace, then hire gear or ebook a guided tour via MST Adventures. During my Albuquerque vacation, I launched into a difficult five-mile trek throughout which we climbed 1,000 toes over the course of 4 hours.
This sport is an effective way to get your coronary heart pumping on the slopes and burn off a few of these scrumptious chile dishes. Kids are welcome to take part and guides modify the tour size and issue as wanted.
16. Cool off on Sandia Peak in summer season.
In summer season, heading to Sandia Peak is likely one of the greatest methods escape the warmth of the town of Albuquerque. Temperatures will be 15 to 30 levels cooler than Albuquerque so costume accordingly. Hiking and mountain biking beckon New Mexicans and guests to discover the Cibola National Forest. Pack a picnic or take pleasure in lunch with an impressive view at Ten 3 Restaurant on the prime of Sandia Peak.
17. Pedal via Albuquerque by bike.
Ride via the town on two wheels with Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals. You’ll study Albuquerque whereas spending some fantastic time outdoor and getting train.
Bike riders of all ages and skills are welcome. They even have bike trailers for tiny tots.
Routes Bicycle Tours and Rentals Options
- Scenic (alongside the Rio Grande River or exploring Albuquerque’s city artwork scene)
- Gourmet (exploring breweries, wineries, tacos, or chiles)
- Specialty (Breaking Bad, Balloon Fiesta, Lights & Luminarias, or Haunted)
- Self-guided
18. Search for avenue artwork.
Albuquerque bursts with colourful avenue artwork. In reality, one % of the town’s development funds should be put into public artworks.
You’ll see loads of murals and different public artworks throughout an ABQ Trolley Tour. For a self-guided tour, MurosABQ.com offers an inventory of murals with their places.
19. Watch the animals on the ABQ BioPark Zoo.
The Albuquerque Biological Park (ABQ BioPark) contains 4 nice points of interest that households love: a zoo, an aquarium, a botanic backyard, and a sequence of ponds at Tingley Beach. There are two narrow-gauge trains on the BioPark, one in all which chugs via the zoo. Catch the Rio Line to journey between the zoo and aquarium/botanic backyard.
Originally often called the Rio Grande Zoo, the 64-acre ABQ BioPark Zoo options creatures from world wide. View such animals as giraffes, lions, polar bears, koalas, and Mexican grey wolves. An onsite carousel will please younger youngsters, too.
If you’ve got a neighborhood zoo membership, then remember to ask about their reciprocity coverage for a possible low cost on the already reasonably priced entrance charge.
20. Explore the ocean on the ABQ BioPark Aquarium.
Highlights of the Albuquerque Aquarium embody shark tanks, a stingray pool, and my favourite — a river otter exhibit. Of course, you will see all types of different fish and marine life like sea turtles on the ABQ BioPark Aquarium, too. Check the Aquarium Theater marquee to study which academic film is displaying on the day of your go to.
21. Stop to odor the flowers on the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden.
The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden is replete with crops and flowers. Also often called the Rio Grande Botanic Garden for its location subsequent to the Rio Grande River, these fairly gardens unfold throughout 36 acres. Look for a duck-filled pond, a butterfly and bee exhibit, two greenhouses, and a playful youngsters’s backyard. During my winter go to, the outside botanical gardens had been slightly sparse-looking, however two indoor greenhouses are full of flowers year-round.
Young youngsters particularly love the Railroad Garden at this botanical backyard. It options all types of miniature choo choos driving the rails via tiny cities and scenic shows. Ask youngsters to seek out Thomas the Tank Engine!
22. Connect with the pure world at Tingley Beach.
Head to Tingley Beach for strolling and biking paths, pedal boat leases, and fishing enjoyable. Entrance to Tingley Beach is free to the general public. It could look refreshing however there is no such thing as a swimming at Tingley Beach.
Tingley Beach is a good spot for fishing collectively as a household. Children’s Pond is only for anglers aged 12 and youthful. Be positive to buy a fishing license prematurely!
Kids will certainly wish to sail a model-sized yacht on Model Boat Pond. You can deliver your personal boat or purchase tokens inside Tingley Beach Station to borrow one.
Families will see all types of geese and different wild birds at Tingley Beach. You are welcome to feed them, however it is best to achieve this away from the water to keep away from polluting the ponds. It’s additionally essential to notice that bread shouldn’t be wholesome for birds. Instead, strive feeding them oats, frozen peas or corn, chopped lettuce, or halved grapes.
23. Visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
Looking for the perfect issues to do in Albuquerque with youngsters on a sizzling or wet day? Parents shall be happy to seek out a number of kid-friendly museums.
Dinosaur lovers and would-be astronauts will love the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Explore interactive reveals in paleontology, geoscience and the volcanoes of New Mexico, bioscience, and house science in addition to particular non permanent reveals at this Albuquerque establishment. A full-dome planetarium is to not be missed.
24. Learn via play at Explora Center and Children’s Museum.
Through interactive experiments and play, Explora Science Center is the place to go to study STEAM (science, expertise, engineering, artwork, and math). Find over 250 hands-on everlasting reveals and enjoyable actions for your complete household. All ages will take pleasure in studying via play about such phenomena as gravity, water, electrical energy, and bubbles!
25. See rattlesnakes on the American National Rattlesnake Museum.
Do your youngsters love all issues scaly and slithery? Take them to the American National Rattlesnake Museum, the place they will see the world’s largest assortment of dwell rattlesnakes. In reality, this small museum situated in Old Town Albuquerque is dwelling to greater than 30 completely different sorts of rattlers plus different creatures like scorpions, turtles, and lizards.
26. Discover Hispanic folklore on the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Families taken with Hispanic artwork, tradition, and humanities ought to head to the National Hispanic Cultural Center. The everlasting assortment contains over 3,000 items of artwork from world wide. The heart’s 20-acre campus options three theaters, a geneology heart, a library, and extra targeted on presenting the works of Hispanic, Chicano and Latinx communities.
Even in case you do not wish to discover the entire heart, swing by to check out Mundos de Mestizaje. This dramatic 4,000-foot concave fresco is painted throughout the Torreón (a round constructing). Entrance is free on Saturdays and Sundays to see the fresco that depicts 1000’s of years of Hispanic historical past.
27. Enjoy rides and video games at Cliff’s Amusement Park.
Please the youngsters with a day at Cliff’s Amusement Park. It’s open April via September with various hours. This theme park options thrill rides, a Kiddyland for younger youngsters, and carnival video games.
For adrenaline junkies, Cliff’s New Mexico Rattler curler coaster is nearly 3,000 toes lengthy and features a 100-foot underground tunnel. The spinning Falling Star is one other favourite amongst thrill seekers. Classic rides like bumper vehicles, a Tilt-A-Whirl, and The Big Flush log journey additionally please parkgoers. In complete, there are greater than 50 rides at Cliff’s Amusement Park.
Watermania
With excessive temperatures within the low 90’s Fahrenheit in summer season in Albuquerque, households love to chill off on the reasonably priced and enjoyable Watermania. Cliff Amusement Park’s on-site waterpark contains thrilling waterslides and fountains for giant youngsters and youngsters. Meanwhile, a mellow Lil’ Squirts splash pad with shallow waters entertains toddlers and younger youngsters.
28. Play at Hinkle Fun Center.
For a year-round nice time with youngsters and youths, head to Hinkle Fun Center. Attractions embody go-karts, miniature golf, bumper vehicles, laser tag, mountaineering, an XD Dark Ride, and a bungee trampoline. Arcade lovers will recognize over 125 video games together with basic and state-of-the-art video games in addition to redemption video games with carnival prizes. Bumper boats are a success within the summertime, too.
29. Eat farm-to-table delicacies.
Albuquerque’s farm-to-table meals and restaurant scene may shock you. From stylish eating places to craft breweries and natural chocolatiers — you will discover all of it on this New Mexican metropolis. Learn about freshly baked pastries, selfmade honey, pasture-raised eggs and different goodies in my article all about Albuquerque’s farm-to-table delicacies.
30. Spend the night time someplace distinctive in Albuquerque.
Sure, you might ebook a keep in a normal resort. But why not select an ideal place that is as distinctive as Albuquerque itself? Each of the next three attention-grabbing lodging choices presents its personal vibe, positive to please completely different households’ tastes.
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
The darling Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm is ready on 25 acres. This resort consists of fifty visitor rooms, two of that are “family” rooms with bunk beds for teenagers. Plus, the heated outside saltwater pool will please youngsters in summertime.
The farm is dwelling to chickens, peacocks, guinea hens, three alpacas, and a pleasant orange cat named Mouse. Plus, their farm-to-table restaurant attracts foodie vacationers and locals.
El Vado Motel
I’m not often a motel fan, however the historical past, convivial vibe, and hip decor at El Vado Motel make it the exception. Opened in 1937, El Vado was one of many first motels on the legendary Route 66. It was closed for 13 years however has been completely refurbished and reopened. El Vado Motel is situated proper throughout the road from the ABQ BioPark Aquarium and Zoo and presents an out of doors pool open throughout hotter months.
The on-site El Vado Tap Room boasts craft beers to entice vacationers and locals alike. There are a handful of independently owned informal eateries and boutique retailers right here that lure crowds, too, particularly on weekend evenings. For breakfast, head to the on-site Zendo Coffee for a sizzling beverage and baked deal with. (Their gluten-free Butter Beer Donut will delight any Harry Potter fan!)
Hotel Andaluz
The aesthetic at Hotel Andaluz is an intriguing mix of Southwestern and Moroccan. This Gold Leed Certified property was in-built 1939 in downtown Albuquerque and was Conrad Hilton’s fourth resort. In reality, he stayed right here together with his second spouse, Zsa Zsa Gabor, the night time earlier than their wedding ceremony.
Look for native art work held on the second degree, which is on the market and altered out quarterly. Two authentic everlasting murals stay as effectively — a map of New Mexico and a powerful portray of Native American dancers.
The location in downtown Albuquerque is tremendous handy for a household trip. And though there is no such thing as a pool onsite, visitor have entry to an indoor pool at a healthclub subsequent door.
Even in case you’re not staying at Hotel Andaluz, remember to cease by for drinks or a meal. Parents shall be impressed by views of the Sandia Mountains from the swanky rooftop bar, Ibiza. Meanwhile, MÁS – Tapas and Vino is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Every tapa I attempted (and I attempted many!) made my tastebuds do a contented dance.
Why Visit Albuquerque with Kids
Every time I go to a vacation spot, I take into account whether or not I might dwell there. Truly, I might see myself transferring to New Mexico’s largest metropolis. Albuquerque may be very reasonably priced and New Mexican delicacies is loopy scrumptious. There are clearly plenty of enjoyable issues to do in Albuquerque, too.
The excessive desert local weather fits my style. It’s not too sizzling and never too chilly. And it is easy to flee to the Sandia Mountains for a change of surroundings.
Most spectacular is the New Mexican sense of tradition and pleasure. Albuquerque positively doesn’t really feel like each different metropolis within the U.S. I would dare to say, it is enchanting.
Explore More of the American Southwest
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Adventurous households can even take pleasure in discovering America’s largest ghost city — Jerome, Arizona.
Learn what there may be to do in Park City, Utah with youngsters past the slopes.
Take off on a tremendous Southwest street journey to Las Vegas and nationwide parks in Utah and Arizona.
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A Note from The Travel Mama: Visit Albuquerque hosted my go to. I didn’t obtain any financial compensation associated to this weblog put up. All opinions are mine, as at all times.