Santa Fe, the Land of Enchantment and home to the Turquoise Trail, has long been on our bucket list. We were looking for someplace new to explore for spring break and decided it was the perfect excuse to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico.
We thoroughly enjoyed soaking in the history and culture as well as the numerous outdoor activities. There was so much we loved about our family vacation to New Mexico and we’re here to share 5 awesome things to do in Santa Fe with kids!
Awesome Things to Do in Santa Fe with Kids
Table of Contents
- 1. Take a Walking Tour of Historic Downtown
- 2. Hang out at the Railyard
- 3. Spend a Day on the Slopes at Pajarito Ski Resort
- 4. Visit Bandelier National Monument
- 5. Take a Hike at Tent Rocks
1. Take a Walking Tour of Historic Downtown
Santa Fe is the second oldest city in the United States. There is so much history and culture for your kids to experience.
They will be fascinated with sites like the oldest church and the oldest home in the US, as well as the history behind the floating staircase at the Loretto Chapel.
We have put together a self-guided walking tour of historic downtown Santa Fe that is great for kids and includes all the major landmarks.
2. Hang out at the Railyard
The Railyard is Santa Fe’s trendiest neighborhood. It is a central hub and gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
There is an electric energy in the air at the Railyard, especially during weekends.
We visited on a Saturday just as they were packing up the farmers market. The smell of Navajo fry bread was still thick in the air and I was sad that we missed it. Vendors were loading up crates of fresh local produce and packing up handmade gifts.
If you are visiting on a Saturday, be sure to stop by the Pavilion between 8 am and 1 pm for the farmers market, you’re not going to want to miss it!
You’ll also find a wide range of events going on in the area, from musical performances to summer outdoor movies in the park.
The Railyard also offers a variety of amazing restaurants. Tomasitos is one of the most popular choices. When asked if you want red or green enchilada sauce, respond like a local and ask for “Christmas” and you’ll get both!
For kids, be sure to visit the newly constructed park just down the tracks.
Across the street from the park, you’ll find Shake Foundation.
Their Voodoo Green Chile Cheeseburger boasts to be the best in all of Santa Fe.
It’s got just the right amount of kick and pairs perfectly with a chocolate shake and shoestring fries. We also loved the kid-friendly outdoor seating.
*Related Post: 7 Unique Things to Do in Gallup, NM
3. Spend a Day on the Slopes at Pajarito Ski Resort
*Disclaimer: We received complimentary ski passes in exchange for our honest review. All opinions are our own.
When you think of New Mexico, snowboarding is probably not the first thing you’ll think of. But it most definitely should not be the last!
We have boarded at many resorts and were pleasantly surprised at how much we loved Pajarito Ski Resort.
The history alone is fascinating. This resort had humble beginnings as a boys ranch. The boys would use horses and sleds to haul supplies up to make a tow rope.
The US Army later took over the site and used it as a secret research location while developing the atomic bomb.
Volunteers helped to slowly turn the mountain into a small ski resort. It soon became a place for world-renowned scientists to escape the daily stress while working on the Manhattan Project at the nearby Los Alamos National Laboratory.
To get to the resort today you still have to pass through the Laboratory’s security checkpoint. Pretty fascinating, huh?!
We also love that Pajarito is a smaller resort. Meaning less time waiting in line and more time on the slopes.
It also never feels crowded, we took many runs where we felt like we had the whole mountain to ourselves.
A smaller resort also means a smaller price tag. Pajarito makes skiing as a family affordable. Especially since 5th graders, as well as kids 10 and under, ski for free.
The snow is pretty decent as well. We visited in the springtime and lucked out with 11 inches of fresh powder.
The panoramic views from the top overlooking the Rio Grande Valley are spectacular.
We also love the casual laid back vibe, it made for a relaxed and low-stress day.
The bright and airy lodge is the perfect place to warm up and grab a bite to eat. With sunlight streaming through the large picture windows, it makes for the perfect backdrop while enjoying a legendary green chile cheeseburger (when in New Mexico!). Your kids will also love the giant cookies!
We just missed the Skiesta, but if you’re planning to visit next spring break be sure to check it out. This fun spring tradition celebrates skiing in Los Alamos with costume contests, themed ski events, and live music.
Whether you are an avid skier or a first-time learner, Pajarito is sure to be a fun time for the whole family!
4. Visit Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument is located about 30 minutes south of Los Alamos. It is worth a stop on your way home from Pajarito, or just take a day trip from Santa Fe.
These incredible ruins date back more than 10,000 years ago and were home to the Ancestral Pueblo people.
Frijoles Canyon was formed by volcanic eruptions whose ash compacted over time to create these canyon walls. The rock (or “tuff”) is very crumbly and prone to erosion.
The wind and rain have worn natural holes into the sides of the cliffs. The Pueblo people then used tools to carve out and enlarge the openings to form “cavates” in which they lived.
The housing units could be several stories tall and allowed extended families to live together.
What makes these ruins fun to explore is that visitors can actually climb up ladders to access these ancient homes.
Start your visit at the visitors center where you can watch a 14-minute educational video, walk through the exhibit room, and pick up a booklet for the self-guided tour.
The Main Loop Trail is a 1.2-mile loop that guides you past an underground kiva and the remains of a Pueblo village before heading up to view multiple cave dwellings.
At the beginning of the trail, you’ll also find some telescopes to get a closer view of the cliffside caves.
Look for markers along the trail that correspond with the guide book. It offers great insight into the history and made the hike more interesting for the kids (and adults too!).
Cave Kiva is the largest dwelling, it has been reconstructed to portray what the interior would have looked like back then.
About halfway up the loop, you’ll have the option to go the Alcove House. This trail continues .5 miles up Frijoles Canyon. The Alcove House is quite high and can be accessed by a tall ladder. It can be somewhat daunting, but I hear the view is incredible.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to make it that far, but I would love to go back!
The visitor center is open every day from 9-4:30, but we appreciated that the trail didn’t close until sundown, which allowed us to stay longer and explore after our day on the slopes.
Entrance is $25/vehicle and is good for 7 days. We were able to use our 4th grade National Parks Pass, be sure to get yours if you have a 4th grader!
5. Take a Hike at Tent Rocks
Exploring the slot canyon at Tent Rocks was at the top of my Santa Fe bucket list. Unfortunately, we packed too much into our day and by the time we got there the slot canyon trail was closed.
The park rangers start ushering guests out of the slot canyon and close the trail about 20 minutes before the park actually closes, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.
However, the Cave Loop Trail remains open until the park closes. This trail is an easy 1.2-mile loop trail that passes along the outskirts of the tent rocks.
There is a cave that can be viewed from the trail, along with some cool cone-shaped rock formations.
If you are lucky enough to do the Slot Canyon Trail, it is about 3 miles round trip. It will take you through a narrow maze of towering canyon walls and up a steep incline to an incredible view from the top of the mesa.
I am hoping we can make it back to complete the whole trail someday! The area is beautiful, though, and occasionally you may even spot buffalo roaming along the Rio Grande River.
Entrance is $5/vehicle. They also have a plant and bird guide available from the kiosk at the beginning of the trail. If you have little ones they may enjoy playing “I Spy” along the way with the different plants and birds.
And that was our weekend in Santa Fe! We loved exploring the city and spending time in the great outdoors. We hope this guide helps you find awesome things to do in Santa Fe with kids!
*Be sure to check out our El Paso Guide for more cool spots to check out in New Mexico!
Pin it for later:
Love that this area really has it all! What a unique place to visit! So pretty!
We were pleasantly surprised just how much there was to do! There is still so much we want to go back and experience!
Great guide! So much to do! That Oldest House Museum looks really cool and Bandalier National Monument looks amazing! Pinning this for later as we would love to go!
I’m so glad! I hope you get a chance to visit someday, the history is fascinating!
Love all tips! There’s heaps to do. I am amazed. That chapel looks so cute and odd to me, nice pic of the bell
It really was so fascinating! I hope you get a chance to visit someday!
What a fascinating and historical place, I never realised how old it was!
I had no idea either! It was such a cool place to explore and learn about the history!
So many things to do. Looks lovely too.
My kids would love everything you did here, especially the hikes. The Southwest is an area I have barely explored. Santa Fe looks like a great city to visit!
Yes, they would love it! I hope you get a chance to visit someday!