Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe's indoor-outdoor nature, casual dining, and the fact that the museums have all gone to extra effort to provide activities for kids make it a child friendly destination.

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Activities

El Rancho de las Golondrinas

Address 334 Los Pinos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 Map, Website

El Rancho de las Golondrinas is about 25 minutes outside of Santa Fe, and well worth a stop on the road to Albuquerque or a day trip from Santa Fe

Georgia O'Keefe Museum

Address 217 Johnson Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Map, Tel 505.946.1000, Hours 10am-5pm daily; Thursdays until 8pm, Cost Adults $8; Under 18 Free Website

Even if you are only going to see a few museums with your children, the Georgia O'Keefe museum is a good choice. The artwork is engaging, but perhaps more importantly, it is small and easy to navigate, making a quick exit easy. After you pay for your admission, the ...

Museum of Spanish Colonial Art

Address 750 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87502 Map, Hours Tues-Sun 10am-5pm, Cost $6.00 Adult; kids under 16 free Website

Dedicated to housing high-quality examples of Spanish colonial art, this small museum is just the type of place where my kids do well. Instead of rooms full of dreary paintings, you'll see santos, silver, furniture, tools, tinwork and textiles. I found it easy to strike up a conversation with ...

Palace of the Governors

Address 105 W Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM Map, Hours Tues-Sun 10am-5pm, Cost $8 adult; 16 and under are free, Free Friday evenings 5-8pm Website

This history museum, inside the old Palace of the Governors does a great job of blending a history lesson in with some interesting old artifacts. Our kids were particularly interested in the small windows cut out of the thick walls and the "trap doors" in the floor. Hobby horses were ...

Saint Francis Cathedral Basilica

Address 213 Cathedral Pl, Santa Fe, NM Map, Tel 505-982-5619,

This beautiful cathedral has stained glass windows that most kids will enjoy, but the real treasure (for kids) is the tile labyrinth outside the entrance. Set into the church's courtyard, kids will enjoy tracing following the tiles from the starting point to the center while you sit on one ...

San Miguel Mission

Address 403 El Camino Real, Socorro, NM 8701 Map, Tel 505-835-2891, Website

This adobe Mission, the oldest church in the US, must have provided a cool respite from the heat of Santa Fe summers back in the days before air conditioning, and the cozy space must have felt huge back in the 1600's. Something about the whitewashed adobe interior and the ...

Santa Fe Children's Museum

Address 1050 Old Pecos Trail Santa Fe, NM 87505 Map, Tel (505) 989-8359, Hours Wed-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 12-5; Closed Mon-Tues, Cost All visitors $8 Website

A welcoming and shaded outdoor play space makes this smallish childrens museum shine. Both indoor and outdoor activities are varied and well maintained, with plenty of things for all ages to do. Activities include water play areas, a climbing zone, attended crafts and a face painting area. There is also ...

Santa Fe Farmer's Market

Address 1607 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Map, Hours Generally Saturday and Tuesday from 7am-noon, but check the website for details Website

Every item in this lovely farmer's market is made from local ingredients, whether it is fresh produce, jelly, or "kitchen art" (like dried chilies). We found a good mix of fresh and ready-made items that could be eaten on the spot as well as prepared items to take home ...

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Hotels

Santa Fe Suites

Address 3007 S ST FRANCIS DR, Santa Fe, NM 87505 Map, Website

This is a great choice for families who need a little bit more room than a standard hotel room provides. Each suite has a kitchen, a queen bed and a sofa sleeper (or two double beds). Breakfast is also included. High speed internet is available only in the business center.

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Restaurants

Bumble Bee's Baja Grill

Address 301 Jefferson Street, Santa Fe, NM Map, Tel 505.820.2862, Cost Most entrees about $9. Kids meals available, Hours 11am-9pm daily Website

This efficient, order at the counter, Mexican restaurant has exactly the mix of good food and casual atmosphere that we look for when we dine with the kids. A lamb taco melted in my mouth, while my daughter devoured a mahi-mahi fish taco with fresh avocado and cilantro-lime rice. Fresh ...

India Palace

Address 227 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Map, Tel (505) 986-5859, Hours 11:30am-2:30pm & 5pm-10pm daily Website

Excellent Indian dishes, like saag paneer (sauteed spinach with homemade cheese) and tandoori chicken (chicken cooked in a traditional tandoor oven) are delicately spiced and flavorful without being hot. We loved the subtly flavored curries too. What really makes India Palace a winner for families, though, is the excellent lunch ...

The Shed

Address 113 1/2 E Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Map, Tel (505) 982-9030, Hours 11am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-9pm daily, Reservations Recommended for dinner Website

This crowded restaurant is busy for a reason. The Shed serves local New Mexican food prepared in the traditional way. From blue corn enchiladas to fresh Guacamole, everything is simply prepared and delicious. On our visit, Carne Adovada, a dish made of slow roasted pork pieces, was tender and flavorful ...

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