Albuquerque is a fantastically fun and wildly underrated city to visit with kids. There is so much to do, at most of it is pretty affordable too!
We lived in Albuquerque for two years and had a blast exploring everything the city and nearby mountains have to offer.
Here are my favorite things to do in Albuquerque with kids!
Marvel at Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is arguably the number one thing to do in Albuquerque, for kids or adults. And with good reason!
It’s a truly enchanting week in October when hundreds of vibrant hot air balloons take to the sky.
I’ve been to Balloon Fiesta seven times and could honestly go every day — it’s that magical!
Attending Balloon Fiesta with kids does require some prep and planning, so I have a full post on Balloon Fiesta with kids here!
Cost: $22.24 per person. Kids 12 and under are free.
Play at Explora
Explora is arguably my favorite children’s museum/science center in the country, and we’re lucky to have been to a lot of them!
It explores science, technology, engineering, and math through play and creativity, with great outdoor and indoor spaces.
There’s a room to play with bubbles, several water areas, a toddler space, buildings spots, music areas, and much, much more.
Our favorite stops are the big blue foam blocks on the upstairs patio, the Lego dam-building water space outside, and the ball ramps upstairs (which is often a quieter and less busy spot, fyi).
Be sure to ride the elevator — it has a piano inside!
We typically pack a picnic and eat outside by the playground, but the cafe by the lobby is great too!
Cost: $11 for ages 12-64, $8 for seniors or military, $7 for children ages 1-11, free for babies under 1
Wander Old Town Albuquerque with kids
You can’t visit Albuquerque without strolling through historic Old Town, the charming heart of the city with shops and restaurants in 300-year-old adobe buildings.
Wander under the papel picado. Eat great New Mexican food at Church Street Cafe. Shop for treats, coffee, souvenirs, and wine in the various shops.
Old Town also has great *free* festivals, performances, and events throughout the year. The Día de Los Muertos celebrations and holiday luminarias are our favorite times to visit.
Cost: Free!
Check out the zoo, aquarium & garden
Albuquerque’s zoo, aquarium and garden make up the ABQ BioPark.
The garden is my favorite place to take kids in Albuquerque and our favorite place to take visiting friends and family!
We love saying hello to the garden’s farm animals, hopping across stepping stones in the Japanese garden, eating a picnic lunch near the koi, and watching the miniature trains. Bring a change of clothes to splash in the mud at the Heritage Farm!
(The whimsical Children’s Fantasy Garden is currently being renovated, and will be closed from September 2026 to summer 2028. I can’t wait to see how it will transform!)
The BioPark garden and aquarium are located in the same spot and are great to visit in one trip. On warm days, we start at the garden, then head to the aquarium as the temperatures rise.
The zoo isn’t far from the other two nor particularly large (it’s a great morning trip), but with littles I don’t visit all three parts of the BioPark in one day.
At the zoo, we especially love the polar bear, penguins, elephants, orangutans, and gorillas. My 3-year-old’s favorite is Wilson the snapping turtle. Wilson holds so still; we love trying to spot her moving!
Cost: Up to $13 for kids and $27 for adults if you’re visiting all three spots and aren’t a New Mexico resident. Cheaper for military, seniors SNAP recipients, and if you’re only visiting the zoo or garden/aquarium.
Visit Petroglyph National Monument
On the westside of Albuquerque, is Petroglyph National Monument, a free National Parks Service site dedicated to protecting one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America!
Petroglyph has no shade, so I recommend visiting in cooler months.
It’s like a giant scavenger hunts, and my kids love trying to spy as many petroglyphs as they can!
We love all of the hikes here.
Riconada Canyon is about 2-mile loop on dirt and sand past dozens of petroglyphs. It’s probably my favorite trail for the good mix of solitude and petroglyphs.
Boca Negra Canyon is the most popular section of Petroglyph, and known for its famous macaw petroglyph. The paths are paved but they are not accessible — they’re steep!
If you’re looking for a great winter hike with beautiful city views, but no petroglyphs, check out The Volcanoes Trail past several extinct volcanoes.
The Volcanoes Trail is the most traditional hike of the three, and we loved getting some easy trail miles in right in town. We saw a coyote on our winter morning hike too!
Cost: Free!
Ride the tram up the Sandia Mountains
The view from the top of the Sandia Mountains is absolutely stunning. As of 2026, the road to the top of the peak is closed for trail and road work. So the best way up is the Sandia Peak Tramway!
Once you’re at the top, enjoy the beautiful views or a fancy meal at Ten 3.
The weather is much colder on the mountain. We rode the tram up one fall afternoon and were surprised to find more than a foot of snow at the top! The kids loved playing in the snow when the valley down below was dry.
Cost: $25-35 per person. Military & senior discounts available. Kids 2 and under are free.
Stroll the Rail Yards Market
Albuquerque has more than a dozen great farmers markets. My favorite is the Rail Yard Market.
The market is held on Sundays from May to October in Albuquerque’s historic Barelas neighborhood.
The market is so much more than a farmers market. In addition to fresh, local produce, the Rail Yards offers dozens of food vendors, artisans, and entertainment! Check the calendar for weekly themes.
Cost: Free
Learn about flight at the Balloon Museum
If you don’t get your fill of hot air balloons at Balloon Fiesta, check out the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum!
The Balloon Museum has all kinds of interactive exhibits about the science and history of hot air balloons. It has an amazing kids area too!
Cost: $3-6 per person. Free for kids 5 and under, and on Sunday mornings and the first Friday of the month (except during Balloon Fiesta). Free for SNAP recipients and for military from May through September through Blue Star Museums.
Learn about atomic history at the Nuclear Museum
New Mexico is the nucleus of atomic history, and the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is a great place to learn about that legacy.
The museum’s outdoor Heritage Park showcases several planes, missiles, and a small playground.
Inside, check out the hands-on kid’s area (called “Little Albert’s Lab”). Older kids will appreciate the museum’s other displays on nuclear history.
Cost: $22-24 per person. Kids 5 and under are free. Military and veterans (dependents too!) are $12.
Say hi to dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History is a great Albuquerque spot for dinosaur-loving kids.
We love the animatronic “Bisti Beast” in the lobby and the quirky “Evolator,” an “elevator” ride through evolutionary history!
The museum isn’t just dinosaurs either. There are exhibits about the volcanoes and caves of New Mexico too!
Cost: $15-14 per person. Free for tots 2 and under, and for military from May through September through Blue Star Museums.
Visit free playgrounds
The City of Albuquerque has been redoing playgrounds across the valley over the past few years, and they’re truly amazing!
I suggest reading my full guide to Albuquerque parks on ABQ Mom, but our favorites are Singing Arrow, Phil Chacon, Juan Tabo Hills (100-foot slides!), Wells, and Academy Hills parks.
Cost: Free!
Eat delicious food
Albuquerque has so many amazing food options, from New Mexican fare and breakfast burritos to pizza and ice cream shops.
Check out my full list of best Albuquerque spots to eat with kids!
Ride the train to Santa Fe
For another unique adventure, ride the Rail Runner train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe!
Park at several of the lots in Albuquerque, then ride to the end of the line in Santa Fe.
From there, walk to the Santa Fe Plaza, check out the Santa Fe Farmers Market, and eat at Tomasita’s. Then, hop back on the Rail Runner to head back to Albuquerque.
Cost: Up to $11, but free for military, veterans, and kids ages 9 and under. Free for seniors 60+ on Wednesdays.
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