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5 free places to visit in New Mexico this summer with your family
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The temperature is up and the kids are out of school, which means summer is in full swing in New Mexico.
If you’re looking for something to do as a family, here are five free ideas to get out and explore the state this summer.
1. Visit Animas Park in Farmington
Farmington is a little less than three hours away from Albuquerque and is the perfect outdoor excursion to take as a family this summer. Take the trail along the river in Animas Park to find beautiful views and fun opportunities to spot wildlife. Here’s some ideas for your day trip to Animas Park:
Explore the Riverside Nature center
Take the river walk trail through Animas
Bike along the river and stop at playgrounds in the park
2. Visit El Morro National Monument
El Morro National Monument is only two hours outside Albuquerque and is one of the things you should do in New Mexico. You can spend as much or as little time as you want in El Morro, it opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. during the summer. Here’s some tips and ideas for your adventure:
Walk the Inscription Rock Trail, which is about 0.75 miles long and takes you past hundreds of inscriptions and right to a natural pool
Walk the Headland Trail, it includes the Inscription Trail, is 2.0 miles and takes about 2 hours to walk
Watch the introduction to El Morro National Monument film and explore the exhibits at the visitor center
El Morro National Monument
El Morro National Monument
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El Morro National Monument
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3. Visit Downtown Gallup
About two hours outside Albuquerque, Gallup offers fun activities for families and is home to a diverse and culturally rich population with lots to share. Consider spending a day or evening in Gallup and check out some of these excursions:
Nightly Indian dance performances
Manuelito Visitor Center
Explore the Gallup Flea Market
Downtown Gallup
Gallup
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Gallup
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4. Explore Santa Fe
Santa Fe is just an hour away from Albuquerque and is filled with fun things to do for families. As the capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe has a rich history and is well known for its architecture and creative arts. Here’s a few ideas of things to do when you visit:
Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Take a walk through Canyon Road
Explore Santa Fe Plaza
Cathedral Basilica
Cathedral Basilica
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5. Visit Salinas Pueblo Missions
Less than two hours outside Albuquerque, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a fantastic spot to visit this summer with your family. This is a great opportunity to get outside while seeing a beautiful and historic monument. Here’s some ideas for your trip:
Take a self-guided walking tour, they range from 30-120 minutes and there’s lots to see including:
Abó has a 0.5 mile trail that takes you through the ruins
Quarai has a 1.0 mile trail that shows what is considered to be the most scenic of the ruins and there is a museum and picnic area
Gran Quivira has a 0.5 mile trail and a museum filled with Native artifacts
Visit the headquarters visitors center and explore the exhibits in the museum
Salinas Pueblo Missions
Quarai Salinas Pueblo
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Abo Salinas Pueblo
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Salinas Pueblo Missions
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