Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
60
gypsum dune field supplies plenty of fun
hiking and sand sliding for the kids and
panoramic beauty for adults. Be sure to
take the 16-mile
Dunes Drive.
In the
afternoon, head up to Cloudcroft, where
you can cool down in the forest and enjoy
a lavish night at the
Lodge at Cloudcroft
(p. 304).
Day
5
: Carlsbad Caverns
National Park
Another kids' play land,
Carlsbad Cav-
erns National Park
(p. 319) is especially
appealing if you hike down into the caves
from the Natural Entrance, the route the
original spelunkers took. The late after-
noon offers an opportunity to see Gila
monsters and bobcats at the
Living Des-
ert Zoo & Gardens State Park
(p. 316).
After dinner, take a stroll along or swim in
the
Pecos River
(p. 175). Spend the night
in Carlsbad.
Days
6
-
8
: Santa Fe
Head north, stopping to stretch your legs
at the
International UFO Museum
(p. 313) in Roswell, which will challenge—
or confirm—your belief in what's “out
there.” In the gift shop, your kids can stock
up on the latest alien kitsch. Then head to
Santa Fe, passing through the lovely Galis-
teo Basin. Wander the
Plaza
and explore
the
Palace of the Governors
(p. 164) and
St. Francis Cathedral
(p. 166).
Begin your seventh day at the
Museum
of International Folk Art
(p. 168), which
displays works from over 100 countries.
Kids enjoy the hundreds of toys on display.
A morsel for the parents, the
Museum of
Indian Arts & Culture
(p. 167) is like a
journey into another world, with vivid dis-
plays of ancient Native American life. Alter-
natively, head to the
Santa Fe Children's
Museum
(p. 172), where kids can rock
climb and visit a horticulture garden. Spend
the late afternoon wandering
Canyon Road
(p. 178), where parents will find world-class
art and kids will find fun works such as
mobiles and rocking horses.
Take your last Santa Fe day to explore
New Mexico's outdoors. If it's winter, head
up to
Ski Santa Fe
(p. 176). In spring or
early summer, take a white-water (or flat-
water if you have small children) raft trip
down the
Rio Grande
(p. 77) in Pilar. If
it's summer or fall, hike in the Santa Fe
National Forest. You can enjoy a
chairlift
ride
(p. 175) to the Ski Santa Fe summit
(panoramic views!) and then hike down.
Day
9
: Chaco Culture National
Historical Park
There's plenty of space for kids to stretch
their legs after the long drive to
Chaco
Culture National Historic Park
(p. 135).
With its stunning desert setting and awe-
some ruins, the site offers opportunities to
peek into dwellings and climb down into
kivas. Be sure to hike up the
Pueblo Alto
Trail
to see the ruins from above and get a
view of the entire canyon. Spend the night
in Farmington or Aztec.
Day
0
: Monument Valley Navajo
Tribal Park
From Farmington, head to
Monument
Valley Navajo Tribal Park
(p. 115). On
the way, be sure to stop at
Four Corners
Monument Navajo Tribal Park
(p. 91),
the only place in the country where four
states meet. Because you can stand simul-
taneously in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and
New Mexico, this is one of the Southwest's
premier family photo ops. Just be sure you
reach Monument Valley early enough to
go for a horseback ride. We recommend
Dineh Trail Rides
(p. 117), which leads
its rides from a point deep within the val-
ley. Alternatively, do a
Jeep tour
(p. 116).
Be sure to try some fry bread or a Navajo
taco while you're here.
Days
!
&
@
: Grand Canyon
National Park
From Monument Valley, head for the east
entrance of
Grand Canyon National Park
(p. 528). En route, be sure to check out
the cool
dinosaur footprints
(p. 105) just
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