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New Mexico is a fantastic state for cheap family activities. Whether the kids love museums, exotic animals, space, or caves, you can amuse them on a budget. Whether planning a day trip or organizing a longer visit, these activities will fit your budget.
1. International Balloon Museum
Learn about the science and history behind balloon aviation at this Albuquerque museum. The kids can explore the weather lab, see colorful hot air balloons, and watch videos. The annual International Balloon Hot Air Balloon Festival, also held in Albuquerque in October, attracts visitors from across the globe.
2. Tinkertown Museum
Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park opens daily from April to November. Kids love the displays of the automated, animated, and highly detailed handmade dioramas that depict scenes of the Old West.
3. Toy Train Depot
The Toy Train Depot is a railway museum and toy store in Alamogordo. Visitors can take a scenic ride around Alameda Parks on a small-scale train. Inside, the Toy Train Depot has small-scale passenger and freight train cars, locomotives, and the smallest working train in the world.
4. Alameda Park Zoo
The Alameda Park Zoo in Alamogordo is the oldest in the southwest region of the United States and has more than 300 animals. The zoo offers many multimedia experiences, including visual, audio, interactive, and tactile displays and exhibits. If your kid has a favorite animal, head to the shop where you can choose the toy version.
5. Carlsbad Caverns
Visit the Carlsbad Caverns and take a self-guided tour or one accompanied by a ranger. There are more than 100 caves, and everyone is welcome to visit. However, due to the steep, uneven floors, it’s not suitable for strollers. Wheelchairs have modified access to some caves.
6. Billy the Kid Museum
Located in Fort Sumner, the museum is dedicated to the history of the American West. Your kids may not have heard of Billy the Kid, but they’ll enjoy seeing the outlaw’s personal possessions, such as his spurs, chaps, and rifles. The museum even has the famous door Billy the Kid backed through on the night when Sheriff Pat Garrett shot him. There’s also a gift shop.
7. Carson National Forest
Carson National Forest, in northern New Mexico, covers over 1.5 million acres and features many stunning natural sights, such as Mount Wheeler, the tallest peak in New Mexico. Families who love the outdoors can hike, bike, picnic, or camp in this glorious forest.
8. National Solar Observatory
The National Solar Observatory in, appropriately enough, Sunspot, N.M., is a federally funded research and development center that studies the sun and how it affects planets in the solar system. Visitors can wander around the facilities or take a guided tour.
9. Bradbury Science Museum
The Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos has a variety of unique exhibits. Visitors can discover the history behind the Manhattan Project, the research and development program that produced the first nuclear weapons during World War II. The exhibits and displays are interactive, making the museum an engaging visit for your kids.
10. Spring River Park and Zoo
One of the best features of the Spring River Park and Zoo in Roswell is the children’s area, where your kids can meet unique and exotic animals like pygmy goats, lemurs, and large birds. An attending zookeeper helps children engage safely with the animals, most of which are friendly. The zoo has a section for New Mexico animals, such as raccoons, bison, foxes, and prairie dogs. For the adventurous, kids can ride on a Texas Longhorn steer or a mini horse.
11. Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum
The Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque is a child-friendly environment famous for its attractive, colorful dome. Here, children can learn about art, math, science, engineering, and more. The center encourages youngsters to explore new things and ask questions. Many displays are interactive, such as an area with ramps and balls where your kids can learn how gravity works.
12. International UFO Museum
The International UFO Museum in Roswell is famous for documenting the 1947 Roswell UFO incident. The museum became a popular tourist destination as stories and legends grew from that event. The museum highlights worldwide UFO sightings and speculates on the origins of unexplained events. It has an alien-themed museum and gift shop.
13. White Sands National Monument
The White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo is a great wonder of the world. It has 275 miles of white sand that gets its color from gypsum. It’s like standing on hot snow. Families can bring a sled and ride it to the bottom or visit the snow-white dunes.
14. Santa Fe Children’s Museum
If your kids love getting messy, they’ll enjoy finger and face painting and creating enormous soap bubbles at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum. The museum offers many interactive classes, a puppet stage where kids can perform, a garden, and a climbing wall.
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