Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico, the oldest capital city in the United States, and the oldest city in New Mexico.
Today, Santa Fe is a testament to the preservation of rich history and an awesome place to learn about New Mexico’s past with the whole family.
When we talk about the past, we can’t leave dinosaurs behind, so there are a few spots that the dinosaur-loving little ones will enjoy as well!
Where: 22 South 2nd Street, Clayton, NM, USA
Hours: 10 AM- 4 PM Tuesday-Saturday
Herzstein Memorial Museum keeps history alive by providing an opportunity to experience a bit of the Old West.
This place will take you back in time as you discover dinosaurs, the adventures, and tribulations of the Santa Fe Trail, and justice revealed with the capture of the notorious Black Jack Ketchum. This is a kid-friendly environment, and they will have lots of exploring to do too!
Where: 710 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM, USA
Hours: 10 AM– 5 PM Tuesday to Sunday
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture tells the stories of the people of the Southwest from pre-history through contemporary art.
You will find many changing exhibitions, public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and many other educational programs!
Where: 113 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM, USA
Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM, Daily.
The New Mexico History Museum features exhibitions and public programs that teach about historical events and New Mexico’s historical experiences.
This is the place to come if you are looking to understand and appreciate New Mexico’s diverse cultures. You will find exciting lectures, hands-on workshops and performances, photos, maps, artifacts, and more to learn about New Mexico’s story.
Dinosaur Trail at Clayton Lake State Park
Where: Dinosaur TrailNew Mexico 87508
At Clayton Lake State Park you can encounter more than 500 tracks made by a variety of dinosaurs and boasts the largest single collection of dinosaur tracks in the area.
This is a great place to enjoy boating, picnicking, camping, fishing, and hiking. You’ll get a unique glimpse of the past when you explore one of the most extensive dinosaur trackways in North America!
Where: 84 Rd 2900, Aztec, NM, USA
Hours: Daily, 8 AM- 5 PM
Aztec Ruins National Monument is the keeper of an amazing community of archeological sites along the Animas River in northwest New Mexico.
These ancient structures of the early Pueblo tell their stories so that people today as well as future generations can understand and appreciate that multifaceted culture.
The Brontosaurus Family
Where: Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508
The Brontosaurus family trio is still on display along the Dinosaur Trail and was created by Larry Wilson in the 1980s.
The dinosaurs are made from metal wire covered in polyurethane foam, and there is even a T-Rex busting through the wall of the warehouse across the street from the Brontosaurus trio.
Where: 704 Camino Lejo Santa Fe
Hours: Daily, 10 AM- 5 PM
The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian offers exhibitions of contemporary and historic Native American art.
They focus on little-known genres and for solo shows by living Native American artists! Here, you will find the most comprehensive collection of Navajo and Pueblo jewelry in the entire world as it is home to the Jim and Lauris Phillips Center for the Study of Southwestern Jewelry.
Where: 3115 NM-161, Watrous, NM 87753, USA
Hours: Winter Hours: Labor Day to Memorial Day, 8 AM- 4 PM | Summer Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day 8 AM- 5 PM
Fort Union functioned as an agent of political and cultural change in New Mexico and throughout the Southwest for forty years (1851-1891) It is the largest 19th-century military fort in the region.
There are many things to do, including a self-guided tour of 1.25 walk on the interpretive trail that will take you through the entire fort.
