NEW MEXICO
Please be sure to call and verify times and rates as they are subject to change

ACTIVITIES:

ALBUQUERQUE-  AQUARIUM AND THE RIO GRANDE BOTANIC GARDEN
2601 N.W. Central Ave, Albuquerque    505.768.2000
http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/aquarium
COST:  $7 adults (age 13 - 64), $3 Seniors (age 65+), $3 children (3 - 12).
HOURS:  Sept 2, 2008 - May 24, 2009: Daily 9 am - 5 pm;  May 25, 2009 - Sept 7, 2009:  Weekdays 9 am - 5 pm and Weekends 9 am -  6pm
Explore marine habitats then walk through the botanic garden for a great variety of exhibits. The touch pool allows a chance to touch invertebrates. If you are there in the afternoon, you might catch divers doing chores in the shark tank.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  The shark tank and touch pool were favorites They seemed to really keep the kids' interest. The children's Fantasy garden was lots of fun.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- The aquarium is a little small, but is reasonably priced. 

ALBUQUERQUE-  PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT
6001 Unser Blvd NW, Albuquerque    505.899.0205
www.nps.gov/petr
COST:  Mon - Fri $1 / Sat & Sun $2    Extra fee for parking
HOURS:  Daily 8a - 5p
Home to over 20,000 rock carvings made by early Spanish settlers and Native Americans.  So amazing to see!  There is a visitor center with maps;  a great place to start your visit.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  The kids had a lot of fun trying to figure out what the petroglyphs meant.  Kept them interested for much longer than I thought it would!


ALBUQUERQUE-  RIO GRANDE NATURE CENTER STATE PARK
2901 Candelaria Rd. N.W., Albuquerque    505.344.7240
http://www.newmexico.org/explore/state_parks/rio_grande.php
COST:  $3 per private vehicle (exact change required)
HOURS:  Daily - 8a - 5p (park) and 10a - 5p (visitor center)
Winter refuge for migrating species. Walk trails along the river or see the exhibits in the visitor center.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  Peaceful. Plenty of room for little ones to get energy out.


CAPULIN-  CAPULIN VOLCANO NATIONAL MONUMENT
3 miles north of Capulin on SR 325, Capulin    505.278.2201
http://www.nps.gov/cavo
COST:  $5 per private vehicle (valid for 7 days)
HOURS:  Daily - Labor Day to Memorial Day 8a - 4p, Memorial Day and Labor Day 7:30a - 6:30p
Explore this cinder cone volcano by traveling up to 2 mile road (it's paved) then walk one of the paved trails around the crater. Interesting, educational, and beautiful!
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  Informative information center.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- Young children lost interest quickly.

DEMING-  DEMING LUNA MIMBRES MUSEUM
301 S. Silver Street, Deming    505.546.2382
http://www.cityofdeming.org/museum.html
COST:  Free, but donations appreciated
HOURS:  Mon - Sat  9a - 4p  Sun  1:30p - 4p
Shows highlights of history in the Deming area through an interesting variety of exhibits. Wander through the old customs house and armory building, see indian pottery, railroad memorabilia, and cowboy artifacts.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  Great variety of exhibits.

LAS CRUCES-  FARM AND RANCH HERITAGE MUSEUM
4100 Dripping Springs Rd., Las Cruces    505.522.4100
http://www.frhm.org
COST:  $5 adults, $3 (age 60+), and $2 (child age 5 - 17)
HOURS:  Mon - Sat  9a - 5p  Sun  Noon - 5p
Learn about the history of farming in New Mexico as you tour this interactive museum. Besides numerous displays, there are demonstrations and livestock to see.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  Educational and fun! The kids especially liked learning about milking cows.

ROSEWELL-  BITTER LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
8 miles east on Pine Lodge Rd., Rosewell    505.622.6755
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/REFUGES/newmex/bitterlake
COST:  Free
HOURS:  Daily - 30 minutes before dawn to 30 minutes after dusk
Drive 7 mile road through the refuge to see many wintering species (best time to visit is between Oct and Feb).
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  It's fun to try and spot different species.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- Younger children (and the older ones too) lost interest about half way through the drive.

SANTA FE-  LORETTO CHAPEL
207 Old Santa Fe Tr., Santa Fe    505.982.0092
http://www.lorettochapel.com
COST:  $3 adults, $2.50 (over age of 64), $2 (children age 7 - 12)
HOURS:  Mid - May to Mid - Oct: Mon - Sat  9a - 6p, Sun  10:30a - 5 p.  Remainder of the year: Mon - Sat  9a - 5p, Sun  10:30a - 5p (chapel may close for special events)
The Loretto Chapel is home to the "Miraculous Staircase". The staircase twists through two 360 degree turns with no apparent support. There is a wonderful story about the mysterious carpenter who designed and built the staircase.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  Even the kids thought the staircase was really amazing.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- They lost interest quickly. However, considering the reasonable price, it is still worth a quick visit.

SANTA FE-  RANDALL DAVEY AUDUBON CENTER
At the end of Upper Canyon RD., Santa Fe    505. 983.4609
http://www.nm.audubon.org/audubon_center/center.html
COST:  $2 Adult, $1 Child (under age 13). Additional fee for house tour (on Monday at 2pm only).
HOURS:  Daily  9a - 5p
This nature preserve is home to over 130 bird species, as well as many animals. There is an educational center as well as trails. The property also has the Historic Randall Davey House.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  The kids will enjoy seeing which species they spot.


SANTA TERESA-  WAR EAGLES AIR MUSEUM
Airport Road, Santa Teresa    505.589.2000
http://www.war-eagles-air-museum.com
COST:  $5 Adult, $4 Senior (over age 64), and military w/ ID, free (under age 12)
HOURS:  Tues - Sun  10a - 4p
Variety of military equipment, automobiles and aircraft. Most of the aircraft are WWII and Korean era.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  There was a lot to see. The kids especially liked the automobile exhibits.


TAOS-  HARWOOD MUSEUM OF ART
238 Ledoux St, Taos    505.758.9826
http://www.harwoodmuseum.org/index_ff.php
COST:  $7 adults (age 13 - 64), $3 Seniors (age 65+), $3 children (3 - 12).
HOURS:  Tues - Sat  10a - 5p,  Sun  12p - 5p
This museum features a variety of art from the 18th century to present. There are special, changing exhibits, primarily from local artists.
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  Great variety of art. So there were plenty of areas to move through.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- Young kids bored quickly. 

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE-  GERANIMO SPRINGS MUSEUM
211 Main St., Truth or Consequence    505.894.6600
http://www.oldwestcountry.com/tmpl1.php?CID=2C63N
COST:  $3 adult, $1.50 children (ages 6 - 18), free for children under 6 with adult.
HOURS:  Mon - Sat  9a - 5p, Sun  11a - 4p
Learn about the history of Sierra County through a variety of artifact displays. The museum is heated by the same geothermal springs source as Geranimo took his warriors to. One fun display is the tribute room to the host of the TV show "Truth or Consequence".
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  Good variety of displays. Reasonably priced.
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- Children moved through quickly.  

LODGING:

GRANTS-HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
1496 E. Santa Fe Ave., Grants  505.285.4676
http://www.holidayinnexpress.com
Hotel has a small indoor swimming pool with reasonable hours, free continental breakfast and complimentary cookies in the lobby. The hotel was clean and seemed in good repair. The rooms have refrigerators and microwaves (though one of our rooms was missing the microwave).
FAMILY FRIENDLY PROS-  Has adjoining rooms and suites. The breakfast area was well - stocked and clean. Most of the staff was friendly and helpful
FAMILY FRIENDLY CONS- Breakfast tables seated 2 people each, so several were required for a family to have breakfast together. Curtains on the windows didn't close, which was odd.