A family vacation is an excellent way for your family to slow down and enjoy time together.
If you don’t want to deal with the crowds at popular tourist destinations in Florida and California, you should consider taking a family trip to Albuquerque.
There are plenty of family-friendly things to do, and Albuquerque is more affordable than other popular tourist spots, and your vacation budget will take you further.
Things to Do in Albuquerque With Kids
#1 Urban Air Adventure Park
Urban Air Adventure is the ultimate indoor park for kids of all ages.
There are many thrilling attractions for your family to enjoy, and because the venue is indoors, you can visit the adventure park any time of the year.
The park has many attractions that will take your family high off the ground and get their adrenaline pumping, including:
- Leap of Faith: This attraction starts with climbing up a large platform and then taking a leap off, and the landing is safe and soft.
- Trapeze: If your kids aren’t afraid of heights and have always wondered what it’s like for trapeze artists at the circus, they must try this attraction. Your kids will fly on a trapeze with a safety net beneath so nobody will get hurt.
- Spin Zone Bumper Cars: This is a popular attraction because kids love to drive and crash into each other. You can make it a family event by getting into a car yourself, making it something the whole family can enjoy.
- Wipeout: Wipeout is similar to the game show Wipeout, and you must get through the obstacle course and remain standing. Some obstacles can knock you down, and the last family member standing is the winner.
- Indoor Go-Kart Tracks: Your kids will love the indoor go-kart track because it allows them to get behind the wheel. Your kids can drive through the race track alone, or you can all race as a family to see who’s the fastest family member.
- DropZone: DropZone consists of a giant, inflatable airbag that allows your kids to jump, flip, and spin, showing off their acrobatic abilities.
- Ropes Course: The rope course is excellent for your kids’ self-esteem, and they’ll feel great when they reach the end of the course.
- Sky Rider: Sky Rider is a zip-line that allows you to fly through the air like superheroes.
- Climbing Walls: The park’s Climbing Walls will test your family’s strength and endurance, and your kids will feel great when they reach the top of the wall.
- ProZone Performance Trampolines: The whole family can jump on the trampolines and show off their acrobatic skills.
- Tubes Playground: Tubes Playground has many tube slides and balconies, providing hours of fun.
- Battle Beam: If you’re a competitive bunch, you’ll love the Battle Beam. Two family members will stand on the balance beam and try to knock each other down with huge foam bars. You don’t have to worry if someone falls because they’ll fall into a foam pit.
- Warrior Course: Your kids must jump, bounce, and hold on tight to reach the end of the course. They can also go head-to-head for some friendly competition.
- The Apex Trampolines: If your kids get bored with the ProZone Performance Trampoline, they will love the Apex Trampoline. They can jump on the trampoline or bounce off the wall trampolines, making the experience more exciting.
- Trampoline Dodgeball: Dodgeball is fun, and playing on a trampoline makes it even more fun.
- Slam Dunk Zone: Are your kids basketball fans? If so, they’ll love the Slam Dunk Zone. They will bounce on a trampoline to ensure they score on every slam dunk.
- Bowling and Mini Golf: The park has bowling and mini golf if you’re looking for a more traditional activity to keep your feet on the ground.
- Kids Area 7 and Younger: If you’re traveling with young children and worry about them getting hurt, there is a low-key area for kids seven and younger, allowing them to have fun safely.
- Urban Air Cafe: Your family will get hungry after jumping and flying through the air, and the Urban Air Cafe has food your whole family will enjoy.
You can get a MyFly wristband with your ticket and scan it at the beginning of each attraction.
Your kids can test their own speed and agility and compete with each other on the leaderboard.
#2 Rainbow Flyers, Inc. Hot Air Balloon Ride Co.
Have you always wanted to take a hot air balloon ride?
If so, Albuquerque is home to Rainbow Ryders, Inc. Hot Air Balloon Ride Co.
The company has been in business for over 37 years under the same ownership, and your family can take a ride you’ll never forget.
Rainbow Ryders has an excellent safety record, thanks to the years of piloting.
The pilots have flown over 100,000 hours across the Albuquerque skies and have served nearly a half million passengers over the years.
Also, the pilots are FAA-certified and have almost 200 years of combined experience, so you can feel safe when your family goes up.
You can take a sunrise balloon ride all year long or a sunset ride during the winter.
#3 ABQ Biopark Zoo
The zoo is usually a big hit with kids because they love to see animals up close.
The ABQ Biopark Zoo spans over 64 acres and has been open since 1927.
The zoo houses various species of birds, large cats, primates, and mammals such as giraffes, warthogs, hyenas, rhinos, polar bears, zebras, kangaroos, and more.
There is also a reptile enclosure where various species of reptiles live.
You can also visit the animals during feeding time, which your kids will love.
Before you leave, you can take your kids for a ride on the pedal boats or take a spin on the Endangered Species Carousel.
If you’re traveling with younger children, you can go to the Story Time at the Zoo and the Tortoise Keeper Talks.
The zoo is an attraction your whole family can enjoy, and you’ll create memories that last a lifetime.
#4 Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque
If you’re looking for educational things to do during your trip to Albuquerque, you have to see the Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque.
There are over 250 interactive exhibits and activities in technology, science, art, math, and engineering.
The activities are so fun that your kids may not realize this is an educational attraction.
There are too many activities to list here, but your kids can learn about:
- Gravity
- Water
- Math
- Electricity
- Water flow
- Light and shadow
- Bubbles
- Air
Your younger kids will love the Knee-Hi Sci, with hands-on activities for your little ones.
Your older kids can build things at the Rotary Pavillion, use real tools to design and create something in the Studio Intentivo., or explore puzzles and optical illusions at the Paradox Cafe.
There are so many things to do at the museum that you should dedicate a whole day to this attraction.
#5 Cliffs Amusement Park
No family vacation is complete without a visit to an amusement park, and Albuquerque is home to Cliffs Amusement Park.
Your family will have more fun here than at parks in Florida or California because it will be less crowded, and the lines to get on the rides will be shorter.
There are rides for all members of the family, and the family attractions include:
- The Carousel
- Demolition Disco
- Falling Star
- Galaxy
- Sea Dragon
- Rocky Mountain Rapid
- And more…
If you have adrenaline junkies in your family, there are plenty of thrill rides, including:
- Downdraft that brings you up and down while spinning in a circle while your feet dangle.
- Cliff Hanger takes up 120 feet in the air before a free fall drop.
- The New Mexico Rattler roller coaster is amazing and was voted one of the Top 25 Wooden Roller Coasters in the world.
- Musik Express spins around quickly, changing directions halfway through while blaring your family’s favorite songs.
- Fireball is a lopping roller coaster that whips you upside down and back around 13 times per minute.
- And more…
The park has a kiddie land for young kids, a water park, and games.
You don’t have to leave the park when your family gets hungry because there are plenty of places in the park to get food, drinks, and snacks, including:
- Cabana Grill
- All American Cafe
- Dippin Dots
- Kiddyland Cafe
- The Screamin’ Slice
- Rocky Mountain Munchies
- Cliff’s Funnel Cake Factory
The amusement park has something for everyone, and you should plan to spend a whole day at the park if you want to experience everything.
#6 Sandia Peak Tramway
Your kids will love taking a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway.
It’s the longest aerial tram in North America, allowing your family to enjoy the gorgeous views.
The tram takes you 2.7 miles up the Sandia Mountains, and your kids can breathe in the fresh mountain air.
If your kids like taking photos, they can capture great images from 10,378 feet in the air.
Albuquerque Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Albuquerque Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albuquerque a safe place for a family vacation?
Certain neighborhoods have high crime rates, but as long as you stay in a safe, reputable hotel and don’t go exploring various neighborhoods, your family will be safe during your vacation.
How can I get around in Albuquerque?
The best way to get around the city is by car, so you should consider renting a car for the trip.
If you want to avoid renting a car, The Alvarado Transportation Center is located downtown and offers train and bus travel.
You can also use ABQ Ride, which is the city’s public transportation service and provides rapid transit buses around the city.
Finally, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express runs through the metro area and Santa Fe most days.
What is the best time of year to visit Albuquerque?
The best time to plan your family vacation is between September and November.
The weather isn’t extremely hot during this time of the year, with temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s.
There are also exciting festivals during these months, including the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
The tram takes you to the High Finance Restaurant and Tavern, where your family can enjoy a meal with an incredible view.
You can also go hiking in the mountains or have a picnic if you want to spend more time there.
The Urban Air Adventure Park is a year-round indoor thrill for kids, while the Rainbow Flyers hot air balloon ride offers an unforgettable family experience.