The kids would find Mesa Verde NP interesting. Maybe Great Sand Dunes NP.

I was going to say that we have a great zoo and children's museum here in Albuquerque. It's nice sometimes to have an indoor/shady option in the summer.

Capulin Volcano isn't exactly in the Santa Fe area, but you could stop there on your way to Santa Fe.

With three young kids, I would consider taking two days to get to Santa Fe. It's a long drive!

Lee Ann

Whoops - I meant spend two nights on the way.

Lee Ann

Glad you meant two nights as one was going to be a lot of driving. Besides Bandelier, the cliff dwellings at Puye Cliffs are great and you get a member of the Pueblo as a guide. There's not much for the kids to do in Madrid. The age range of the kids is challenging. There's a lot for the 7 and 9 year olds, 4, not so much. A rafting float trip would be great if the 4 year old can sit still for a few hours. Albuquerque's Explora Science Center and the Botanic Gardens at the Bio Park might be fun for the entire family and Petroglyph National Park of the 4 year old can hike a bit. Also, the tramway, Capulin is a long car ride from Santa Fe, there are closer places that might be better. Tent Rocks is wonderful, again, the 4 year old may not be up to the canyon hike there. If you do go to Capulin, stop at Fort Union on the way. it's an old Civil War era fort out on the prarie- many of the exterior adobe walls are still standing and it might fascinate the kids.

Oops! Forgot the part about after Durango. You're probably planning to go to Mesa Verde- if not, it's a great spot and I think the kids will love it. Take a look at Breckenridge, about 11/2 hours west of Denver. Peak 8 Fun Park would be loads of fun for the kids and there's a gold mine where you can pan for gold and great bike trails. If you stay a few days, there are float trips on the Colorado River south of Kremling that the family would enjoy. Denver is a great place for kids- Botanic Garden, Butterfly Pavilion, dinosaur sites and more. Nebraska has Fort Kearney and they have Sandhill cranes who summer therea. Iowa has the Amana Colonies. We've driven from Denver through Nebraska and Iowa a number of times and I can't wait to get where I'm going.

After Durango, you might consider Glenwood Springs--huge hot springs pool--the kids would love it. http://www.ci.glenwood-springs.co.us/

Wow, thanks so much for all the replies already! Soo many great suggestions! I love the idea of the hot springs. I saw that northern New Mexico has some hot springs too. Just not sure if we can make it up to the Denver area after all. After Durango and Mesa Verde, I was thinking of driving east to the Great Sand Dunes. I think we need two days in Mesa Verde and 1 1/2 days in Durango. So that only leaves one day at the dunes. Not sure how much time we need there? After the dunes we would be heading home through Colorado Springs, Kansas, and Missouri. Mapquest has us going that direction due to the sand dunes. If we head towards Denver then we would head home through Nebraska.

After Durango how about Moab Utah and Arches & Canyonlands NP. Lots of things to do and it is only a short trip to I70 for the return trip home.

That sounds really tempting! I was thinking of a calm rafting adventure on the Rio maybe. Maybe swimming too! I would love that with the kids! any suggestions on companies? I see that there are many choices.

With all these beautiful National Parks in New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah it's hard to decide which ones to pick!

OK, this is what I'm thinking:

Day 1: July, 1, Check in at the Inn of the Governors and hang out in town. ( arriving after a long drive)
Day 2: Bandalier hike, and look at a cave, then stop at El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Day 3: Head down to Albequerque by way of the Turquoise Trail for the day
Day 4: Fourth of July celebrations on the Santa Fe square and spend the day relaxing
Day 5: Tent Rocks and maybe Ghost Ranch
Day 6: Take a river raft ride with Kokopelli, clean up, and head over to Taos for the pueblo
Day 7: Saturday, go to the Santa Fe Wine Fest!!
Day 8: Check out of hotel and head up to Durango
Day 9: Durango train ride with bus back, spend the night
Day 10: Mesa Verde
Day 11: Mesa Verde for the morning, then drive up to Moab, UT for Canyonland and the Arches
Day 12: Moab area again
Day 13: Moab in the morning and then start our drive back to Peoria , IL ( Drive 1/2 way)
Day 14: Saturday, Drive the rest of the way home

Am I missing anything worth seeing? It's a pretty full schedule I know!!

Thanks for your input

Days 3 and 7 don't have much for the kids, are you planning on doing something kid oriented on those days. It seems like you will be spending a lot of time in the car, is there something you really want to do with the kids in Albuquerque?

I think you are selling Bandelier short. North of Santa Fe headed that way is Camel Rock. That is a great picture op and fun stop. Loop around through White Rock to Bandolier. Take a picnic lunch with you. In the park itself there is an excellent overlook and fire tower. Then in the main valley there are several sets of ruins. The visitor center has a nice (brief) history of the valley and how the people lived. It would be a good primer for visiting Mesa Verde too.

If they have one of the nature or lore walks starting when you get there they are quite interesting and fun.

Have a nice picnic there or at the little cafe try the Indian fry bread either with honey or as a Navajo taco.

There is a second hike down to the upper falls which is nice too. Will give everyone a good stretch.

From Bandolier head north to Jemez Springs. You'll go through the Via Cauldera - the largest extinct volcano in North America - it might be the world, but my old memory is going a bit on this point - you'll have to read the marker)The hot springs are various degrees of hot, but you can park and walk to them. It is a very small town, but you'll see the signs.

Turn around and head back down through Los Alamos. Depending on the day they have an amazing interactive Science museum and for such a small town a good historical museum. The first Atomic Bomb was built there and it continues to have a great science tradition. If you can stop at Ashely Pond's Pond and get the story of how the city came to be.

Continue back to Santa Fe down "Main Hill Road" It is one of the prettiest drives in the central valley.

All of this would be one very long day. You'd never make it back to El Rancho de las Golondrinas befor it closes.

For Albuquerque the tram to the top of Sandia Crest is fun for all ages. There are several trails at the top as well as a restaurant (a bit over priced, but the view is what you are paying for). On the west side is Petroglyph park. You'll have seen old town Santa Fe so Albuquerque isn't too much different.

A side note make sure you bring at least light jackets. Santa Fe is at 7000 feet and cools off at night to where if you are watching fireworks it will be uncomfortably cold.

You need to make sure to check the schedule for the Pueblo and make sure it is open when you want to go. They close it for various religious festivals and ceremonies. Also the hours. I'm not sure how late the are open. It is at least a 90 minute drive from Santa Fe to Taos.

Other things: Chili is a vegetable not a stew with beef and beans. Enjoy a green chili cheese burger at Blakes-lot-a-Burger. If someone asks you red or green they are asking what chili you want on your plate (unless you have a tollerance for spicy ask which is mild or get it on the side).

Enjoy the differences between the southwest and central Illinois.

Hi, well we plan to do the atomic museum, visit a Rt. 66 Diner, and Rattlesnake museum in Albuquerque, and maybe the Petroglyph Nat. Monument on the way back to Santa Fe.
The website for the Wine Fest list kids activities and I thought it would be neat to do something that is annual for the Santa Fe area. Also we are planning to take the kids to Twirl in Taos. They love hiking and being outside instead of museums. The car time does concern me, but I don't see any way around it.

Thank you Diane60030 for all of your suggestions! I will have to look at a map to figure out where these places are located. We can't wait to experience the SW and all the food it has to offer!! I will also look into the tram.

We were also thinking of trying to see Nambe Falls and checking out the Jackalope store in Santa Fe. I should just skip going up into Utah and spend our time in NM and Colorado. I'll have to see for now. Too many great spots to see!!

Day 3 - The Turquoise Trail is a nice drive, but it doesn't have a lot to offer your kids. I'd just head down I-25 instead.

The National Atomic Museum is interesting, but I think your kids would enjoy Explora more - it has tons of fun hands-on activities. It's on the north side of Old Town, so since you're planning to visit the Rattlesnake Museum it's close by.

We like Rt. 66 Diner on Central - good food, great shakes. You might also consider the Frontier Restaurant on Central for a slice of kitschy Albuquerque fun and tasty food.

Day 5 - Tent Rocks is partway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, while Ghost Ranch is northwest of Santa Fe near Abiquiu. It would make more sense to visit Tent Rocks on the way to Albuquerque on your day 3, then head to Explora. Visit the Rattlesnake Museum if you have time, have dinner, and go back to Santa Fe.

The visitor center at Bandelier is currently closed due to fires and flooding there last year. Check www.nps.gov/band for visitor information and be sure to check the park alerts.

Be sure to use sunscreen, wear hats, and drink a lot of water. It's really dry here, and some people struggle with the higher altitude.

Lee Ann

It's Chile here in NM and refers to the red and green peppers.

Chama, NM, on the way to Durango is headquarters for the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (or was last time I looked). It has most of the rest of the narrow gauge equipment that is not on the Durango line, and you can get close to it, even if you don't take a ride. Also several places for a lunch break.

Oh great, thanks Ackislander! I will have to stop off and take a look. What a trip this is to plan! I think I'm in over my head. I am going to have to leave some wiggle room on our destination stops. Soo much to see. The most important thing is for my family to have fun and enjoy each other no matter where we are

Chama is not really on the way to Durango, but you can sidetrack to get there.

General comments: you bring back memories of our family with three kids going on camping vacations West...from Peoria and Carbondale. Much to see out West and seems you already know where you are headed...but that first day travel is much too long.

With your small kids you need to think a lot about being in the car for long days, i.e., some games and stops and treats and playgrounds. Trains, swimming, river raft OK but do think "kids" not sightseeing with too much hiking in the hot summer. Hence some hesitation about Mesa Verde, Canyonland, also wine fest sounds pretty adult oriented to me. Isn't Ghost Ranch a church related conference center not a tourist site?

We've been out West various times and would see Rocky Mountain Nat'l Pk and Black Hills as more likely destinations. Just my two bits worth.

Bill in Boston (for last two years coming from Middle West)

Added note: having avoided "Billy" growing up now my wife of 58 years only calls me that when joking )-:

Osarksbill,
Glad to inspire some good memories for you! We might not see Ghost Ranch after all. It is out of the way and although it may be a beautiful area, not sure if we can get it in. You are right about all the hiking, but if its becomes too much for the kiddies then we will just head back to Santa Fe to our pool!! Thanks so much for your two bits

Aso, are the Black Hills you are referring to in South Dakota. If so we went their 4 years ago with our kids, (youngest was 6mo.) and loved it!! Best vacation ever!!

>>Isn't Ghost Ranch a church related conference center not a tourist site?<<

Yes, but they offer some walking tours and have hiking trails.

Lee Ann

<Am I missing anything worth seeing?> Uh yeah! Like MOST of Colorado!! LOL!! But it sounds like you really want to concentrate on New Mexico for this trip, which I think is a good idea.

If you do come thru Denver, you should make a stop at Dinosaur Ridge - it is right off of 470 on the western side of town. It has real dinosaur prints and a kid friendly Visitors Center.

Ok, last question.
Two nights at Mesa Verde or two nights in Moab, UT? Getting to Mesa on Tuesday morning and need to start driving home by Friday, finishing up on Saturday.
Thanks so much again everyones help

I would do Tuesday and night at MV and head to Moab by noon Wednesday, do Canyonlands, Island in the Sky Wed afternoon/early evening and Arches Thursday and as much of Friday as possible.

This would allow you do perhaps do a ranger led tour at Mesa Verde and maybe one at Arches too.

Oh. I forgot about Chama. That is a pretty neat place too. In addition to the raliroad it has an old west feel.

thanks! getting ready for the trip and can't wait!!