Santa Fe

Santa Fe Children's Museum
Forget the city's high-end galleries and head to this much more kid-friendly hangout. There's a contraption containing 180,000 metal pins that molds its surface into your child's image, creating a surreal sculpture. Preschoolers won't want to leave the waterworks area, and the nearby gift shop sells T-shirts if your youngster gets soaking wet. The museum also has an array of animals--from giant cockroaches to snakes and spiders. If those species aren't appealing, there are birds and rabbits outside in the children's garden area. On most weekends, the museum offers arts-and-crafts activities. 1050 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe; (505) 989-8359; Santa Fe Children's Museum

Santa Fe Southern Railroad
This is a working railroad, but it offers rides just for fun, too, and is a great half-day adventure for young train buffs. The Santa Fe Southern Railroad's run goes south to Lamy, where riders get off to enjoy their picnic lunches. During busier times (summer and holiday weekends), a caterer typically meets passengers near the Lamy depot offering Frito pie, a favorite local concoction of chili topped with cheese, tomatoes, onions, and plenty of Fritos corn chips. On Saturday nights, the railroad runs a barbecue dinner special and around Halloween they add ghost stories. Make sure kids check out the funky Flintstones-inspired views en route. Don't bother paying more for the expensive luxury-car seats; most kids and families prefer the open air and basic benches of the lower-priced car. Santa Fe Depot, Santa Fe; (505) 989-8600; The Santa Fe Southern Railroad

The Plaza in Santa Fe
The plaza, arguably the heart and soul of Santa Fe, can be very difficult to get to given the winding streets, lack of parking, and ever-growing traffic. For older kids, it's worth the trouble to see what was once the center of this region; here you can stroll by the Native American women who sell their silver and turquoise trinkets on beautiful blankets spread on the sidewalk. Unless you get lucky and find parking on a nearby street, plan to walk several blocks--or try to find a parking garage.

Taos

The Rio Grande
This river doesn't look all that impressive, until you remember its water cut most of the Taos Canyon. Older children can ride the river's less advanced white-water sections with local river-rafting companies in Taos -- Los Rios River Runners operates daily excursions from March through October; (505) 770-8854 -- while younger ones seem content to cast stones in it for hours. Your best bet for great views of the river is to drive along Highway 68, also known as the Low Road, to Taos from Santa Fe. To see rafters take on the rocky chute called the Racehorse, pull off Highway 68 between the villages of Pilar and Rinconada.

Taos Pueblo
Just north of Taos at the base of a mountain lies this multistoried adobe pueblo, which has been in this spot for more than 1,000 years. A trip to this site is better for older children who can understand its history. Make sure they know they are touring someone's home and should be gracious guests. Much of the pueblo is off-limits to visitors, so kids shouldn't just wander inside any open doorways. Other than the structures and the beautiful setting, there's not a lot to see here. If possible, come on a ceremonial dance or feast day. Call for a schedule or look on the Web site. Visitors pay $10 per person for admission and $5 per camera (still and video). Photography during dances is prohibited. Two miles north of Taos on Hwy. 64; (505) 758-1028; Taos Pueblo

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated June 2005.