MD4

We will be in Santa Fe next week- my daughter is two, so I'm looking for suggestions for kid-friendly things to do and restaurants. Any suggestions for parks, playgrounds, open areas good for exploring, kids museum?

Restaurants- I've read back through many threads and came up with a list of those that seem to be fairly casual and hopefully kid friendly- any comments or other ideas? We would still like to have good food and margaritas:
- Cowgirl Hall of Fame
- Cafe Pasqual's
- The Shed
- Coyote Cafe
- El Farrol
- La Choza

We are staying at the Old Santa Fe Inn. Thanks for your help!

travel_addict

Hi MD4,

I don't have kids so I don't have a whole lot of ideas... but here are a few:

- go to Jackelope and check out the animals. It's a huge store with items from all over the world, but they also have prairie dogs and other animals there - very fun place. It's on Cerrillos Rd.

- Santa Fe Children's Museum - never been there but I think it's on Old Pecos Trail

- Santa Fe Southern Railway - maybe go for a train ride? Do a search for their web site - they're located near the guadalupe area.

- The Farmer's Market is worth visiting too, especially this time of year with all the roasted chiles. It's by the Railyard area too.

Here are some thoughts on the restaurants you mentioned:

- Cowgirl is fine during the day, but skip it at night as it can get a little rowdy.

- Cafe Pasqual's is overrated in my opinion, but everyone else seems to love it so go for it.

- The Shed - nice place but I'm not sure it's totally kid friendly. Its sister restaurant, La Choza, which you also have on your list, is more casual and would probably be better suited for kids. Both have really good food.

- Coyote Cafe - expensive and overrated in my opinion, and probably not too kid friendly.

- El Farol - also expensive (excellent food though) and not really kid friendly

My recommendations:
- Blue Corn Cafe (near the plaza)
- Tomasita's (Guadalupe/Railyard area)
- Tortilla Flats (Cerrillos Rd.)
- Bagelmania (near the Plaza)
- Diego's (In the DeVargas Mall by Guadalupe & Paseo de Peralta)

Having said all that, you may have a perfectly well-behaved child that can go anywhere and be fine. I've never had a bad meal in Santa Fe so I don't think you can go wrong. Have a wonderful trip!

DebitNM

The International Folk Museum may be okay for your daughter. It's on Museum Hill.

Try Il Vicino for great pizza, salads and micrbrews.

Debi

laurieb_nyny

I second the recommendation for Tortilla Flats. Good food & margaritas! When we were there they even had musicians performing.

MD4

Thank you so much for all the recommendations- these are great! Lots of fun ideas you have, travel addict. Il Vicino sounds yummy for when we need a break from Mexican. And any place with music would be entertaining.

I've never been to Santa Fe- it's been on my list for quite a while- so I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'll have to do a trip report when we return.

Thanks again!

DebitNM

Have a great time! Please post a trip report when you return.

I hope you will take your daughter to see Balloon Fiesta in ABQ as it is spectacular!

Debi

ElendilPickle

Google "New Mexico Kids" magazine and you should find a bunch of good suggestions.

The children's museum in Santa Fe isn't huge, but is very nice. You and your daughter should have fun there. They're closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so keep that in mind.

Lee Ann