{"id":7067827,"date":"2026-09-27T00:21:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T00:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/santa-fe-with-kids-for-artisans-and-adventurers\/"},"modified":"2026-09-27T00:21:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T00:21:01","slug":"santa-fe-with-kids-for-artisans-and-adventurers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7067827","title":{"rendered":"Santa Fe with Kids: For Artisans and Adventurers"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Ever think of visiting Santa Fe with your kids? Though it may not seem so at first glance, Santa Fe is a wonderfully vibrant place to visit for families with children. With a mild climate all year round and tons of sunshine, Santa Fe is a city steeped in cultural history. It\u2019s a place that speaks to the artisan and the adventurer in all of us.<\/p>\n

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\n Santa Fe \u2014 Quick Facts\n <\/p>\n

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Location<\/p>\n

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Founded<\/p>\n

1607 \u2014 oldest U.S. state capital<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Art Market Rank<\/p>\n

#3 in the United States<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Galleries<\/p>\n

Nearly 240 in the city<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Best For<\/p>\n

Art, adventure, cultural history<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Nearest Airports<\/p>\n

SAF (Santa Fe) or ABQ (~1 hr drive)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

I spoke to various artisans, locals, and shopkeepers, and found that everyone had a story to tell. A story of how they came to Santa Fe. Perhaps they arrived in the \u201860\u2019s in a VW microbus, or via a cross-country bicycle trip, or just fell in love with it when visiting one of the local ancient cliff dwellings.<\/p>\n

\"Santa\"Santa
Photo: Trekaroo \/ Brennan Pang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Santa Fe can inspire creative aspirations in little ones. It\u2019s for the future artisan and the budding adventurer. Santa Fe is a beautiful blend of pueblo revival architecture, a mix of the Native American and early Spanish influence amidst a vibrant green and brown high desert landscape. It was founded in 1607 and was once the capital of Spain\u2019s and Mexico\u2019s territories north of the Rio Grande. Santa Fe is home to the third largest art market in the United States. It also has the benefit of being an extremely walkable city.<\/p>\n

Check out some of the activities in Sante Fe for families<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n Did you know?<\/strong> Santa Fe was founded in 1607<\/strong>, making it the oldest state capital in the United States. Today it is home to the third largest art market in the country<\/strong>, with nearly 240 galleries<\/strong> across the city.\n<\/p>\n

Inspire the Artisan<\/h2>\n

Taking a stroll down Canyon Road is like taking a stroll through an art gallery. There are nearly 240 galleries located in Santa Fe. All manner of sculpture and art with varying styles from Southwest to contemporary modern can be seen from the road. Even if you\u2019ve got toddlers that you don\u2019t want to take into the galleries, there is plenty of colorful outdoor whimsy to keep short attention spans at bay.<\/p>\n

\"Santa\"Santa
Photo: Trekaroo \/ Brennan Pang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What not to miss:<\/strong> Giant horse head sculpture<\/p>\n

The Georgia O\u2019Keefe Museum<\/a>\u00a0is the only museum in the United States that is dedicated to an internationally-known female\u00a0artist. The museum showcases O\u2019Keefe\u2019s paintings, drawings, and sculptures. As art museums go, it is accessible and kid friendly. O\u2019Keefe\u2019s art runs the gamut from her trademark large paintings of flowers, to abstractions, and landscapes. The museum regularly houses rotating exhibitions such as, \u201cGeorgia O\u2019Keeffe and Ansel Adams: The Hawai\u2019i Pictures.\u201d Volunteer docents are on-hand to give in-depth tours, though if you\u2019ve got kids in tow, know that they can potentially run 1.5 hours.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Trekaroo \/ Brennan Pang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What not to miss:<\/strong> Discovery guides and sketchbooks that your kids can carry around the museum. Check the website for youth and family programs such as \u201cDramatic Play and Art\u201d and early openings just for families with children.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got kids who are budding photographers, photographic opportunities abound in Santa Fe. Popular spots include the Loretto Chapel<\/a> with it\u2019s miraculous free standing staircase, the nearby San Miguel Mission (1610) which is the oldest church in the U.S., and the various galleries along Canyon Road. The 1800\u2019s era St. Francis Cathedral is hard to miss at the end of Cathedral Place and is filled with beautiful stained glass.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Trekaroo \/ Brennan Pang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meet a craftsperson<\/h2>\n

Walk the downtown Santa Fe plaza, a traditional Spanish-American colonial town center. Surrounded by boutiques, shops, and galleries, you\u2019ll find locals and tourists alike milling about the town\u2019s central green space.<\/p>\n

\"Santa\"Santa
Photo: Trekaroo \/ Brennan Pang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Native American Vendors Program is the place to stroll through to find one of a kind handmade wares made and sold directly by Native American artists. Located in the portal of the Palace of the Governors (1610), the building is the oldest continuously occupied structure in the United States. It is adjacent to the plaza and the New Mexico History Museum.<\/p>\n

Looking for something that is heirloom quality? Check out the John Rippel U.S.A. shop just off the main plaza on Old Santa Fe Trail. The shop sells hand-engraved and hammered sterling belt buckles made by John himself, as well as unique jewelry such as the reversible flip ring crafted by local artisans such as Gloria Sawin.<\/p>\n

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What not to miss:<\/strong> Stop and take the time to have a conversation with the local artisans. Get a sense of place and learn about their craft.<\/p>\n

Stoke your sense of adventure<\/h2>\n

Got kids with a sense of adventure and a love for the outdoors? Santa Fe has a myriad of outdoor activities for the hiker, skier, mountain biker, fisherman, or white water rafter. Start with a walk along the river, or walk up to the Cross of the Martyrs to get an expansive view of the city. If you want to head further afield, Bandelier National Monument<\/a> is about an hour outside town and has a number of cliff dwellings that are fun for kids to explore. If you\u2019re looking for some guided adventures for the entire family, check out Santa Fe Mountain Adventures<\/a>. They offer hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and scenic cultural tours.<\/p>\n

\n Day Trip Pick:<\/strong> Bandelier National Monument<\/strong> is approximately 45\u201360 minutes<\/strong> from downtown Santa Fe. It features ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings that kids can actively climb into \u2014 one of the most interactive archaeological sites in the American Southwest for families.\n<\/p>\n

One highlight of my trip was the off road adventure in the six-wheeled Pinzgauer vehicle along the old Route 66. The Pinzgauer is a unique all-terrain vehicle which is named after an Austrian breed of horse.<\/p>\n

\"Santa\"Santa
Photo: Trekaroo \/ Brennan Pang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views of the high desert are expansive and stunningly beautiful. You\u2019ll get a chance to marvel at the old unpaved route 66, the remains of the original El Camino Real, and various petroglyphs from the early inhabitants of the area.<\/p>\n

The friendly and knowledgeable owners and guides Georges and Sue make the trip engaging and educational. You\u2019ll learn about the different periods of history, including the Native American and Spanish cultures.<\/p>\n

What not to miss:<\/strong> Any of the guided adventures at Santa Fe Mountain Adventures<\/p>\n

Play and learn<\/h2>\n

Kids need play and exploration time. The Santa Fe Children\u2019s Museum<\/a> is an engaging place and a great stop to do something that is entirely kid-centric. Do your kids like creepy crawlie bugs? The vast insect collection is remarkable. Let them play in the huge outdoor sand pit, build some creations at the LEGO station, play with magnets, splash at the water area, all while having fun learning about science via the interactive exhibits. Located one mile south of the Plaza.<\/p>\n

Eat well<\/h2>\n

Santa Fe has plenty of family-friendly restaurants, many with outdoor seating. First on your list should be the casual Cowgirl BBQ Santa Fe<\/a>. Why? It\u2019s got \u201cThe Mother of All Green Chile Burgers,\u201d a great selection of craft beer, AND an outdoor playspace for the kids! The menu has a wide variety of items, including some vegetarian options.<\/p>\n

\"Santa\"Santa
Photo: Trekaroo \/ Brennan Pang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a quick, fun, and not so healthy lunch, check out the Five and Dime<\/a> at the edge of the plaza. It may look like a general store, but head to the back and it\u2019s got a snack bar that sells frito pies. What\u2019s a frito pie you ask? Hot steaming chili and cheese thrown into a fritos chip bag! Anthony Bourdain ate it, and so did I.<\/p>\n

Looking for a romantic dinner or a fantastic breakfast? Check out Luminaria<\/a>, located at the Inn and Spa at Loretto. The patio and veranda also lend a great outdoors atmosphere on warm nights. I recommend trying the blue corn pancakes with pi\u00f1on syrup. Luminaria is a Conde\u2019 Nast Traveler\u2019s World\u2019s Best, Gold List award recipient.<\/p>\n

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Restaurant<\/th>\nBest For<\/th>\nMust-Order<\/th>\nKid Feature<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Cowgirl BBQ<\/td>\nCasual lunch or dinner<\/td>\nGreen Chile Burger, craft beer<\/td>\nOutdoor kids\u2019 playspace<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Five and Dime General Store<\/td>\nQuick snack on the plaza<\/td>\nFrito Pie<\/td>\nIconic plaza location, counter service<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Luminaria (Inn at Loretto)<\/td>\nBreakfast or special dinner<\/td>\nBlue corn pancakes with pi\u00f1on syrup<\/td>\nBeautiful patio & veranda seating<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Find more family-friendly restaurants<\/a> in Santa Fe.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sleep soundly<\/h2>\n

Santa Fe has a wide variety of accommodations. The Inn and Spa at Loretto<\/a> is a solid choice. Stay near the plaza in this distinctive pueblo revival style hotel modeled after the Taos Pueblo. This posh inn and spa is within walking distance to all of downtown, next to the historic Loretto Chapel, and made it on Travel + Leisure\u2019s 500 World\u2019s Best list. There is a refreshing outdoor pool, and some of the rooms have balconies, which offer views of the city and the sunrise. The spa is top notch, having earned a Reader\u2019s Choice award from Conde Nast Traveler.<\/p>\n

\"Santa\"Santa
Photo: Trekaroo \/ Brennan Pang<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What not to miss:<\/strong> The miraculous steps at the adjacent Loretto Chapel. The blue corn pancakes with pi\u00f1on syrup for breakfast at Luminaria restaurant.<\/p>\n

Tip: If you\u2019ve got light sleepers (kids or adults), request a room on the side opposite from the cathedral, as the bells can tend to ring loudly.<\/p>\n

Another great alternative which we recently reviewed is the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Check out other Santa Fe hotels<\/a> to book. <\/em><\/p>\n

Traveling to Santa Fe<\/h2>\n

Santa Fe is easily accessible via plane, train, or automobile. The Santa Fe Municipal Airport is accessible via flights from Dallas, Denver, and Los Angeles via American Eagle and United Airlines. Another option for the multi-modal traveler would be to fly into Albuquerque and take the one hour drive. Better yet, skip the car and grab a ride on the New Mexico Rail Runner train<\/a>, which runs 7 days a week between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
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Is Santa Fe a good destination for families with young children?<\/h3>\n
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Yes. Santa Fe is walkable, sunny, and full of interactive experiences for kids of all ages \u2013 from the Children\u2019s Museum\u2019s outdoor sand pit to the cliff dwellings at Bandelier. The mild year-round climate is a bonus for stroller-pushing parents.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What age group is Santa Fe best suited for?<\/h3>\n
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Santa Fe works for families with kids of all ages. Younger children (2-6) enjoy the Children\u2019s Museum, the plaza, and outdoor gallery art on Canyon Road. Older kids (7-14) tend to love the cliff dwelling climbs at Bandelier and adventure activities with Santa Fe Mountain Adventures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is the best time of year to visit Santa Fe with kids?<\/h3>\n
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Spring (April-May) and fall (September\u2013October) are generally ideal \u2013 comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and beautiful desert colors. Summer brings afternoon monsoons in July\u2013August. Winter offers ski access at Ski Santa Fe and festive holiday events.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How far is Bandelier National Monument from Santa Fe?<\/h3>\n
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Bandelier National Monument is approximately 45-60 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, near Los Alamos, NM. It is a top recommended day trip for families, with ancient cliff dwellings kids can climb into.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Are there free things to do in Santa Fe with kids?<\/h3>\n
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Yes. Walking Canyon Road to see outdoor sculptures is free. The Santa Fe Plaza is free. The Native American Vendors Program at the Palace of the Governors is free to browse. The Cross of the Martyrs hike is free and offers panoramic city views.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What food should families try in Santa Fe?<\/h3>\n
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Must-try Santa Fe foods include the Frito Pie at Five and Dime on the plaza, the green chile burger at Cowgirl BBQ, and blue corn pancakes with pi\u00f1on syrup at Luminaria. New Mexican cuisine features green and red chile prominently \u2013 kids love asking \u201cred or green?\u201d which is the state\u2019s unofficial question.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Brennan\"Brennan<\/a> <\/div>\n
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Brennan Pang is a Co-founder of Trekaroo. He is a father to 2 boys and a girl and loves exploring and adventure travel. A California kid who loves mountaineering, climbing, snowboarding, and riding his bike everywhere. He has lived in a hut at a chicken farm in Zimbabwe, gotten amoebic dysentery while paddling a dugout tree in Madagascar, hiked to Everest base camp in winter, chilled with the giant tortoises of the Galapagos, and witnessed a fair number of volcanic eruptions. He spent six months traveling through Central and South America with his family and has enjoyed swimming with sharks and stingrays in Tahiti. He holds a B.S. in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a Masters in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Follow him on instagram at @overdare<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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\"Brennan\"Brennan<\/a><\/div>\n
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Latest posts by Brennan Pang (see all<\/a>)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n