Kid Friendly Attractions in Santa Fe

Many kids will be just as enthralled with the sights and sounds of Santa Fe as adults. The building look cool and old, there's western themes everywhere–pick up a hat and stick horse at a Plaza tourist shop and littler tykes will play cowboy all afternoon long.

On the Plaza there's usually some form of family entertainment going on, even if it's just running around on the grass while parents take a break and maybe catch some live music.

But after awhile the City Different may become the City Boring for kids who have had their share of adobe and museums. Fortunately, there are plenty of things in Santa Fe for the younger family members. Our Top 10 list can't really be considered a ranking because activities depend on the kiddo's interest. Outdoor lovers will enjoy hiking the mountain forest of Hyde Park north of Santa Fe; snowboarding Ski Santa Fe; indoor rock climbing at the Santa Fe Climbing Center; and swimming, ice skating and other indoor sports at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center.

It's a bit of a drive to Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument to the south near Cochiti Pueblo, but the climbing, hiking, cool rock formations and ancient ruins will delight active kids and parents alike.

If your child is a train nut, a visit at least to the Santa Fe Southern Railway is in order. We've sandwiched our list with two museums; The Santa Fe Children's Museum leads because it caters specifically to kids with hands-on learning projects.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas as costumed actors, blacksmiths, and room to run around. The Museum of International Folk Art rounds us out because while the toys, displays and colorful costumes are sure to capture youngsters' attention, it's still a no-touch museum, although a very cool one.

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