10 New Mexico trips to take this spring break

Feb. 3—Spring break for Albuquerque Public Schools kicks off March 27 and runs through April 5. We might not have Disneyland or Universal Studios here, but there are plenty of options for day and overnight trips.

From historic sites to interactive museums, here are 10 spring break ideas around the state.

1. Albuquerque

ABQ BioPark

Explore the zoo's new Asia exhibit, or the Botanic Garden, which features a butterfly pavilion and Bugarium as well as more than 30 acres of thoughtfully landscaped gardens. The gardens and aquarium are combined in the cost of one ticket. LOCATION: 903 10th SW, 505-248-8500

HOURS: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., closed Monday

COST: Admission varies by residency status. Tickets can be purchased online.Old TownOld Town predates the founding of the United States. It was formed as a village in 1706, before anyone had heard of Paul Revere or George Washington. It is a nationally designated historic site and hosts more than 150 restaurants, boutiques, museums and historic lodging. The famous San Felipe de Neri Church has been holding mass in Old Town for more than 300 years.CHURCH LOCATION: 2005 N. Plaza NW, 505-243-4628HOURS: Open to the public 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mass: 7 a.m., 9 a.m. Spanish, 11 a.m. Sunday7 a.m. Monday7 a.m. Tuesday7 a.m. WednesdayTram

The tram will reopen just in time for Spring Break. It is closed for upgrades until March 14.

LOCATION: 30 Tramway NE, 505-856-1532

HOURS: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wendesday-Monday, Closed Tuesday

COST:

Round Trip:

$33 — Adults (21-61)

$23 — Children (2-12)

$28 — Young Adult (13-20)

$28 — Senior (62 and up)

$28 — Military

One Way: $22 for all

Museums

The Albuquerque Museum is free on the first Wednesday of every month and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Sunday.

Other days:

Adults out-of-state: $6

Adults in-state: $5

seniors 65+: $4

children ages 4-12: $3

children 3 and under: free

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

The museum recently welcomed a Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, cousin and subspecies to the better known Tyrannosaurus rex.

LOCATION: 1801 Mountain NW, 505-841-2800

HOURS: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day but Tuesday, closed on Thanksgiving

COST: $8 for adults, $7 for youth aged 13-17, $5 for children aged 3-12, and toddlers 2 and under are free.

Explora

This museum offers hands-on interactive sensory activities that the whole family can enjoy. The space has more than 250 exhibits an activities in science, technology, engineering, art and math.

LOCATION: 1701 Mountain Road NW, 505-600-6072

HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; Monday Toddler Time 9-11 a.m.

COST:

Adults: $11 (12-64)

Children: $7 (1-11)

Infants: Free

Explora Members: Free

2. Santa Fe

Museums

These museums have free entry for New Mexico residents on the first Sunday of every month and Fridays from 5-7 p.m. during extended hours May through October. From November through April, the free 5-7 p.m. Fridays are the first Friday of every month.

The Folk Art MuseumMuseum of Indian Arts & Culture New Mexico Museum of ArtNew Mexico Museum of Art Vladem ContemporaryHistory Museum

The Alley Bowling

Enjoy a good old-fashioned round of bowling. This establishment also has pool tables, darts and shuffle-board and alcohol for adults.

Bowling shoes are free.

LOCATION: 153 Paseo De Peralta, 505-557-6789

HOURS: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

COST: Standard rate 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Adults, ages 13 and up:

$7 per person per game

$14 per person per hour

Active and retired Military, special needs adults and caregivers, seniors 65+, kids 6 to 12:

$12 per bowler per hour

Kids 5 and under:

$6 bowler per hour

Prime rate 5 p.m.-close Monday-Friday; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-close:

Adults, ages 13 and up:

$9 per person, per game

$16 per person, per hour

Active and retired Military, special needs adults and caregivers, seniors 65+, kids 6 to 12:

$12 per bowler, per hour

Kids 5 & under:

$6 per bowler, per hour

Billiards, darts and shuffle board:

$15 an hour

Pecos National Historical Park

Just a 30-minute drive from Santa Fe, this historic park offers opportunities for kids to explore history and nature up close. The park offers a Junior Ranger program, giving participants a booklet to fill out, learning more about the park. Once the booklet is completed, it can be mailed in for a junior ranger badge or a patch.

LOCATION: Ancestral Sites Trail, Pecos

HOURS: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

COST: Free

Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return

This interactive art exhibit is the work of hundreds of artists aimed at imagining and crafting new and immersive worlds to explore. The venue hosts musicians and open space community events such as craft days, kids' art and story time and even Slime Time — an exploration of play, art and science — inviting the whole family to participate.

LOCATION: 1352 Rufina

HOURS: Days and hours vary, check Meow Wolf's calendar

COST:

$36 — general admission

Starting at $26 — New Mexico residents

$43.50 — Time warp tickets, a flexible ticket for any time on the decided day

A fun way to get to Santa Fe is to ride the Rail Runner. The train travels from Belen all the way to the Capitol.

Many stations along the route have connections to park-and-ride lots, bus services and shuttles.

COST: The cost is determined by how many zones the rider passes through

Reduced fares are available for seniors 60+, students, youth 10 to 17-years-old, medicare cardholders and people with disabilities.

3. Taos Pueblo

The Pueblo is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. It has been perpetually inhabited for more than 1,000 years. Many of the buildings were likely built between A.D. 1000 and 1450, and are continuously maintained.

When the Spaniards first came to the area in 1540, they believed the Pueblo was one of the famed golden cities of Cibola.

Taos also offers a Ski Valley and the town offers shopping, museums, art galleries and workshops throughout the year.

HOURS: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. daily; Closed for tribal rituals

COST: Adults: $25

Seniors (65 and up): $22

Students: $22

Military: $22

Children (10 and under): Free

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

The American Institute of Steel Construction has named this bridge the Most Beautiful Steel Bridge in the Long Span category. The bridge sits 650 feet above the Rio Grande and is the fifth-highest bridge in the U.S. It has also been featured in several movies including "Paul," "Terminator Salvation," "Natural Born Killers," "Wild Hogs" and "White Sands."

DIRECTIONS: Follow U.S. 64/ New Mexico State Road 522 north for approximately 3.5 miles to the last 4 way intersection of town. Turn left to get onto U.S. 64 West. Travel about 8 miles. Cross the bridge and the parking area is on the left.

4. Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns is an underground system of more than 119 caves that formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone, leaving behind the caverns. The park recommends wearing closed-toed shoes with good traction, as some areas of the cave are wet from natural water drips and steep. Each evening from late-May through October, there is a ranger program about the Brazilian free-tailed bats living in the caverns that fly out at night. To protect the bats, electronic devices are not allowed, this includes cameras, laptop, cellphones, iPads, iPods, tablets and MP3 players.

LOCATION: 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad

The park's website recommends reserving tickets online before arriving at the park.

Tickets are based on a timed entry reservation.

COST: $15 — ages 16 and up

Free — 15 and under

Free with National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park

5. Ruidoso

Head to Ruidoso to experience the state's first mountain coaster, which recently opened at Winter Park.

Known as the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster, the attraction is 5,100 feet long and winds down the mountain with waves, dips and even a 360-degree helix, according to the park's website.

Each cart holds two people — up to 300 pounds total — one rider and one driver. Passengers can control the speed of their cart going up to 25 mph.

What to know before you go:

Phones and other handheld devices are not allowed on the ride as drivers need both hands to operate the car.When purchasing the ticket, you are not making a reservation for a specific time slot, and there are a limited number of rides per day. Shoes must have a back, no flip flops or Crocs.Children must be at least 36 inches to ride the coaster. Participants must sign a waiver to be eligible to ride.The park also offers summer tubing and zip-lining, a combo packages of all three attractions is available.

LOCATION: 121 Ski Run Road

HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Monday

COST: Varies by age group and rides can be purchased individually, or in groups of three, five or 10 rides.

The park's summer season runs through late September, and the winter season begins Thanksgiving Day.

For information, or to purchase tickets visit ruidosowinterpark.com.

Ruidoso is in the mountains of south-central New Mexico, about a three-hour drive from Albuquerque. The tourist town has several other family fun parks as well as hiking and biking trails.

Other parks:

Pillow's Funtrackers

Attractions here include go carts, miniature golf, bumper cars, virtual reality, a mountain maze and seasonal bumper boats and panning for gemstones.

LOCATION: 101 Carrizo Canyon Road

HOURS: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday through July 31

COST: Starting at $7 per attraction

Adventure Mountain

This family entertainment center features a ropes course, batting cages, bazooka ball and a laser maze.

LOCATION: 1056 Mechem Drive

HOURS: Closed Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

COST: Varies by attraction

Inn of the Mountain Gods

This resort offers zip-lining, batting cages, lake activities horseback riding and bike rentals. Most activities require reservations.

LOCATION: 287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero

HOURS: Varies by activity and weather permitting

COST: Varies by activity

6. White Sands National Park

Located in southern New Mexico in the Tularosa Basin, this gypsum dune field is the largest in the world, covering 275 square miles of desert. The park has been the backdrop to many movies over the years. While snow is rare in the area, many children bring their sleds to White Sands and slide down the dunes for an experience similar to snow sledding. The park also has walking tours, exhibits in the visitor center and a junior ranger program. On the dunes, there are restrooms, but no running water, so pack accordingly. Pets are welcome in the park.

The White Sands environs are also home to a missile range and the Trinity Site, where the atomic bomb was tested, which is only open twice a year.

LOCATION: The park is located off U.S. 70 between at mile markers 199 and 200. The closest cities are Alamogordo, which is roughly 15 minutes away, and Las Cruces, which is about an hour away.

HOURS: Gates open at 7 a.m., closing hours change with the seasons, closed on Christmas

COST: $25 — private vehicle (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)

$15 — per person, individuals who enter the park walking or cycling (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)

$20 — motorcycle (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)

$45 — Annual entrance pass. This pass admits the pass holder plus three more people in a private vehicle for the period of one year from the month of purchase.

FREE DAYS: Monday Jan. 16, Martin Luther King Jr's birthday; Saturday, April 22, First Day of National Park Week; Friday, Aug. 4, The Great American Outdoors Act; Saturday, Sept. 23, National Public Lands Day; Saturday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

7. Gila Cliff Dwellings

This hike is a moderately strenuous one-mile-round-trip that leads through the ancient dwellings. The Mogollon culture made it its home in the late 1200s, but by about 1300, the southern ancestral people had moved on. The surrounding forest is 3.3 million acres, the largest outside of Alaska, and features three federally designated wilderness areas. The landscape varies from mesas to mountains and canyons formed by volcanic activity in the area over millions of years.

The forest is home to a variety of animals with 84 different species of mammals, more than 300 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles, 11 species of amphibians and 30 species of fish.

LOCATION: Gila National Forest

HOURS: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily; Closed for New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas

COST: Free

8. Chaco Culture

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a certified International Dark Sky Park, only the fourth national park to earn this distinction. The park has an online exhibit of the historic artifacts discovered at the historic site, which was continuously occupied for 10,000 years.

Chaco has several campgrounds for tent camping and RVs; however, there are no hookups for RVs and generators may only be used during certain hours.

GETTING THERE: The canyon sits in northwestern New Mexico and can only be accessed by driving on dirt roads, through private tribal lands. The NPS website recommends following its directions rather than maps or GPS services, which sometimes direct drivers to unsafe or private roads.

NPS Directions:

From the north, turn off U.S. 550 at CR 7900 — three miles southeast of Nageezi and approximately 50 miles west of Cuba (at mile 112.5). This route is signed from U.S. 550 to the park boundary. The route includes eight miles of paved road (CR 7900 & CR7950) and 13 miles of rough dirt road (CR7950). The 4 1/2 miles before entering the park are very rough.

From the south, two routes access Chaco from Highway 9, which runs between Crownpoint, Pueblo Pintado and Cuba. Both routes can vary from very rough to impassable. Not recommended for RVs. If you are traveling from the south, call ahead for the latest conditions.

Via Hwy 57(Hwy 14 on some maps): This turnoff is located on Highway 9, 13 miles east of Highway 371, at the former Seven Lakes Trading Post. (20 miles of dirt). Note that the signs directing you to turn off of Highway 371 onto Highway 9 are missing.

Via Pueblo Pintado: At the community of Pueblo Pintado, turn north on Navajo 46 for 10 miles (rough dirt). Turn left on County Road 7900 for seven miles (some rough dirt). Turn left on County Road 7950, and follow the signs 16 miles to the park entrance (three miles paved and 13 of rough dirt road).

The northern and southern routes include 13, 20 and 33 miles of dirt roads, respectively. These sections of road are infrequently maintained, and they can become impassable during inclement weather. If you have an RV and are not planning on camping in the park, you may want to leave the RV and drive a car into the park. Call the park at 505-786-7014 for current road conditions.

COST: Camping: $20 per night. Interagency, Senior and Access pass holders pay $10 per site, per night.

Entrance Fee: Cashless entry — only credit and debit cards will be accepted for payment.

$25 — Private vehicle (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)

$15 — Per person, individuals who enter the park walking or cycling (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)

$20 — Motorcycle (Entry fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from date of purchase)

FREE DAYS: Monday, Jan. 16, Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday; Saturday, April 22, First Day of National Park Week; Friday, Aug. 4, The Great American Outdoors Act; Saturday, Sept. 23, National Public Lands Day; Saturday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

9. Las Cruces

Old Mesilla

Mesilla was founded in the mid-1800s when early settlers came after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Today the town is home to dozens of shops and restaurants such as La Posta de Mesilla, an 18th century stagecoach station turned into a restaurant known for its piranha tank and brightly colored birds. There is also a weekly Farmers and Crafts Market in the plaza where local farmers and artisans sell their wares.

LOCATION: Calle Principal, Las Cruces

MARKET HOURS: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum

Explore the history of farming and ranching in New Mexico. The museum hosts exhibitions and programs and is home to a variety of livestock, such as cows, sheep and goats. Educational events and programs are held throughout the year.

LOCATION: 4100 Dripping Springs, Las Cruces, 575-522-4100

HOURS: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; Closed Sunday

COST:

$7 — Adults

$6 — Senior citizens (60 and over)

$5 — Children (4-17)

$4 — Active U.S. military & veterans

Free Children 3 and under, Museum Friends members, and New Mexico senior citizens on Wednesdays

Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces

This local market features scores of vendors selling locally grown produce, handmade crafts and homemade food. The market takes place year-round along Main Street in Downtown Las Cruces.

LOCATION:221 N. Main, Las Cruces, 575-201-3853

HOURS: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Every Wednesday and Saturday

10. Roswell

Roswell is best known for its connection with aliens. UFOs abound; even the McDonald's here is shaped like a flying saucer.

The UFO Museum and Research Center in the southeastern New Mexico city is well-known for providing the public with information on all aspects of the phenomena, including the Roswell Incident, crop circles, UFO sightings, Area 51, ancient astronauts and abductions.

In addition to extraterrestrial celebrations, the city has a vibrant art scene with several art museums and galleries and is close to nearby parks such as Bottomless Lakes, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and J. Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary & Nature Center to name a few.

MUSEUM LOCATION:114 N Main, Roswell

HOURS: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with early closures at 2 p.m. the day before each holiday

COST:

$7 — Adults

$4 — Children (5-15)

$5 — Seniors, military and first responders