The best trip within about five hours of Albuquerque for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on. After the weekends there are 3 day trips that work any weekend.
6 weekends
1 cityLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Each ring is one hour of driving from Albuquerque. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.
Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.
We don't post event listings for these places, so check the official page for hours and what's on. The numbers match the map.
A mountain town near the Rio Grande Gorge and its bridge, and home to Taos Pueblo.
Home of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, still running the line much as it was in 1882.
Sled down the white sand dunes. The park gift shop rents and sells waxed saucers.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Albuquerque that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Albuquerque has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Albuquerque that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Albuquerque has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Albuquerque that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Albuquerque has the local list.
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Albuquerque that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Albuquerque has the local list.
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Nothing within a few hours beats what's already on in Albuquerque this weekend.
Opening weekend of the BioPark’s holiday light show.
Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · 5–10pmABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
Timed tickets; see BioPark site
We couldn't verify a dated event within a few hours of Albuquerque that's worth the trip this weekend. The day trips below work any weekend, and this week in Albuquerque has the local list.
Places outside the city that are worth the drive on any weekend. Hours and prices are what the official pages showed when we checked.
Walk through the front door of an ordinary-looking house into more than 85 rooms of art to climb through and explore. Timed tickets bought ahead are the cheapest.
about 1 hr from Albuquerque · Santa Fe
Timed entry; hours vary by date on the ticket calendarTimed tickets from $33 for adults and $26 for kids; discounts with a New Mexico IDA single-level hands-on museum where strollers are welcome, with weekly programs included in admission. Snacks go in the family snack room, and parking is free on site.
about 1 hr 15 min from Albuquerque · Santa FeWed–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun noon–5pm; closed Mon–Tue and ThanksgivingOut-of-state kids $11 and adults $15 (New Mexico residents $9 and $13); under 1 free; free for everyone Thursdays 4–6pmA 12-mile scenic drive where wildlife is often close enough to see from the car. Dawn and dusk are best, and there's no food for sale, so pack snacks and water.
about 1 hr 45 min from Albuquerque · San AntonioScenic drive one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset daily; visitor center 9am–4pm. Construction may close parts of the loop, so call ahead.$5 per vehicle; free on Veterans Day (Nov 11)
Car snacksPack more than you think you’ll need.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.None of our other cities are close enough for a weekend pick yet, so start with a day trip: Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe (about 1 hr), Santa Fe Children's Museum in Santa Fe (about 1 hr 15 min), Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio (about 1 hr 45 min).
El Paso (about 4 hr 30 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.
Taos (about 2 hr 45 min), Durango (about 4 hr 15 min), White Sands National Park (about 4 hr 15 min). We don't post event listings for these, so check the official page for what's open before you go.
Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.