Follow our 3-day itinerary to ABQ, an ideal destination for the toddler & preschool crowd.
I admit to having been a little skeptical at first: Albuquerque from families? Now, you’ll hear be singing its praises up and down Route 66 (which runs right through the city)! I think this destination is particularly well-suited to families with young children because of the array of attractions just for them. So pack the sunscreen and follow this road-tested itinerary for a long weekend in Albuquerque.
DAY ONE
What to do?
Start your morning at Cliff’s Amusement Park (4800 Osuna Rd. NE) located just 10 minutes from downtown Albuquerque. Little ones will enjoy rides just their size in Kiddyland. Or they can head over to WaterMania!, Cliff’s mini water park, to cool off from Albuquerque’s heat. The park does have a handful of rides for thrill seekers, but in general it’s better suited to younger families. Two hours here is just about the right amount of time. Cost: Youth (under 3) Free; Youth (3-7) $26; Other $29; save $2 per ticket by purchasing online in advance.
KidTripster Tip: Buy your tickets online in advance for Tuesday through Friday and pay just $20/person.
Where to eat lunch?
From Cliff’s drive to Golden Crown Panaderia (1103 Mountain Rd. NW), a family-owned Mexican bakery near Old Town. Try a sandwich on the specialty green chili bread. Or order a blue corn-crusted pizza; the blue corn comes from the Santa Ana Pueblo about 20 miles north of Albuquerque. The bakery has several local brews on tap. Sit on the outdoor patio and enjoy! And don’t forget to grab a fruit-filled empanada for dessert.
KidTripster Tip: Every customer gets a biscochito, the New Mexico state cookie, just for walking through the door.
What to do?
With your tummies full, head indoors to the Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum (701 Mountain Rd. NW) in Albuquerque’s Old Town. I’ve been to a lot of children’s museums, and honestly, this center is one of the best because of the quality and variety of the exhibits. It really does invite hands-on exploration. You’ll love the indoor bubble lab and outdoor water flow patio. The museum also has some amazing creator spaces for both art and construction. And don’t miss the alternating Sketch Aquarium or Sketch Town, where your kids can imagine, sketch, and then release their own animated characters onto a large digital screen. Plus anyone (between 4’ 8” and 6’ 5”) – even parents! – can try the balance bike on a high wire two stories above the exhibit floor. Museum cost: Youth (under 1) Free; Youth (1-11) $4; Other $8.
Where to stay?
It’s time to check into El Vado Motel (2500 Central Ave. SW). This Route 66 motel, originally opened 1937, was left abandoned for years. But after a complete restoration, the motel has reopened as the hippest, most happening place in town. The guest rooms – all named for vintage cars – are beautifully designed with incredible attention to detail. The motel has one room with two queen beds; however most of the other rooms have a king with a sleeper sofa to accommodate families, as well. Rates start at $149 during high season and drop to $140 in low season. After you throw down your luggage, head to the small pool which is only about 3 feet deep, perfect for young kids.
Where to eat dinner?
Tired? That’s ok, because you don’t even have to leave the motel for dinner and a drink. The motel has its own taproom with indoor and outdoor seating. In the public courtyard with umbrella tables and chairs, small local restaurants have moved in to offer guests a ton of family-friendly, counter-service options. It’s like having a pod of food carts right outside your door: Bosque Burgers, Sandia Crust Pizza, Happy Chickenzz, Rollin’ On In (Mexican), Buena Provecho (Costa Rican) and Zendo Art Espresso. On any given night, you’ll find families having dinner here under twinkling lights. Relax, no one minds if the kids run through the water fountain screaming at the top of their lungs. The music, sometimes a live band, will drown them out.
DAY TWO
Where to eat breakfast?
No need to drag them kids to a restaurant for breakfast. Just cross the courtyard at El Vado to Zendo Art Espresso for a morning pastry and latte.
What to do?
After you check out of El Vado, head to ABQ BioPark, an attraction comprised of the zoo, aquarium, botanic garden and a lake area called Tingley Beach, which is primarily used by locals for fishing. Even though the botanic garden is just across the street from El Vado, I’d recommend starting at the zoo (903 10th St. SW). Arrive when it opens at 9 a.m. and spend about two hours visiting the apes, elephants, Mexican gray wolves, and polar bears, just to name a few. Then hop the BioPark train and ride the 1-1/2 miles to the aquarium. It’s small, air-conditioned, and easily seen in less than an hour. Favorites here include the river otters, named Chaos and Mayhem, and the mesmerizing jellyfish.
Next head to the botanic garden right next to the aquarium. Grab some lunch at the Wildflower Cafe. Then make a beeline to the whimsical Children’s Garden, so the kids can run off some energy. While you’re there, don’t miss the BUGarium with all sorts of interesting arthropods.
Cost for discounted combo ticket which is only available Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon: Youth (2 and under) Free; Youth (3-12) $8; Adult $22; discount for New Mexico residents. The combo ticket includes the train ride. If you decide not to do all three, you can purchase separate tickets.
Where to stay?
I’m not exaggerating when I say that a stay Los Poblanos Inn & Organic Farm (4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW) is alone worth the trip to Albuquerque. This historic inn was originally the home of Senator Albert Simms from New Mexico and his wife, Congresswoman Ruth Hanna McCormick from Illinois. In 1934, the adobe casita was transformed and enlarged by John Gaw Meem, New Mexico’s most influential architect and father of the Santa Fe style. Today this sprawling estate has a ballroom (used frequently for weddings), greenhouse, restaurant, farm store, and multiple lodgings – all surrounded by lush gardens and fields of lavender. Los Poblanos is a working lavender farm, so high season here coincides with the purple blooms in mid-June and the harvest in mid-July. Rates during peak season run $230 to $250/night; during low season (November through February minus holidays) rates run about $205/night.
KidTripster Tip: Grab the self-guided tour and map when you check in. It makes for a fun scavenger hunt for the kids.
While you’ll find rooms in the historic inn, I’d actually recommend staying in the South or North Field rooms. They’re larger and beautifully decorated in cheery yellows and subtle grays. A two queen bed room is equipped with a wet bar, mini refrigerator, French press coffee maker, large closets, and fireplace. The bathrooms are spacious with both a walk-in shower and tub plus an assortment of Los Poblanos toiletries.
Grab your swimsuits and head to the saltwater pool. Also be on the lookout for the resident llamas.
Where to eat dinner?
While Los Poblanos’ has a fabulous on-site restaurant for dinner, Campos, it’s probably not the best choice for young families. Instead make the 10-minute drive to Farm & Table (8917 4th St. NW). The outdoor patio area with its flowers and fountain is definitely in the running for my “best in Albuquerque” list (no small feat considering nearly every restaurant in this city has an outdoor space), but do make reservations if you want to sit there. You’ll also find a greenhouse and farm, tended by the restaurant’s farmer-in-residence Ric Murphy of Sol Harvest. Many of the ingredients come from the farm and are used in the scratch-made dishes; the rest are sourced from the local area. And I can’t neglect to mention the shaded play area. Well done, Farm & Table!
DAY THREE
Where to eat breakfast?
A complimentary continental breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, and house-made granola is served at the property’s restaurant, Campo, in addition to a made-to-order menu. Sit outside on the patio. A roaming peacock may just join you for breakfast!
KidTripster Tip: You’re encouraged to feed the birds on the farm. Look for bird food just outside the lobby.
What do to?
Before you check out, borrow bikes from the shed near the lobby. You’ll find bikes of all sizes, including kids’ bikes and bike trailers. Take a ride around the property. You even can bike down the rows of lavender! Take a deep breath. Your weekend in Albuquerque is coming to a close.
Getting to Albuquerque
Albuquerque is serviced by Albuquerque International Sunport (yes, that’s the name of the airport). I’d recommend renting a car while visiting. It’s very easy to drive and park in the city and surrounding area. You’ll find that nearly everything is within a 20-minute drive of everything else.
Want more? Read KidTripster’s Top 10 Plays, Top 10 Stays, and Top 10 Eats for Albuquerque.
This writer received a complimentary stay and activities for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
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