When families go on vacation to another state, it’s, often times, hard to find fun activities to do, especially if you don’t know the area, and New Mexico is no different. And while there are hundreds of amazing things that you can do as a family, here in New Mexico, it’s still hard to choose. That’s why, today, we are going to pick out our top 5 favorite things to do, that you and your family can do as well. So, read on, as we show you the top 5 family friendly activities to do in New Mexico! Enjoy!

1. Russell’s Truck and Travel Center.

As the first on our list, this is actually a free car museum from the Route 66 era. Apart from gorgeous vintage cars, trucks and all sorts of travel memorabilia, this truck and travel center even has a grocery store, a gift store a diner and even a chapel, for those of you wanting to get in a quick prayer before getting back on the 66. And as one of the better pit stops on Route 66, you’ll be able to get a bite to eat, stretch your legs and even get in a few photo ops while your at it. All-in-all, this is a great place to stop by with your family. Definitely a must see.

2. New Mexico Hot Springs.

If there is one thing New Mexico is famous for, that’s its hot springs. Not only do they have a crazy number of hot springs, but they also come in all manner of styles, shapes and sizes. So, whether you are an elder in retirement looking to kick back with a drink in hand, or you’re a youngster looking to explore the backcountry rock pools, there is a hot spring for everyone. For a list of the top 11 best hot springs New Mexico has to offer, check out this article.

3. Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum.

Are you a balloon enthusiast, as in a “hot-air balloon” enthusiast? If you are, this Museum is right up your alley. Don’t expect to see a building packed with big balloons, because this is much better than that. It’s as if the whole history of balloon flights was told in this Museum. Not just hot-air balloons mind you, but also airships such as the Graf Zeppelin and even some U.S. Navy airships. And whatever your age, whether young or old, there are exhibits and collections of pins, international events and even philatelic covers from the balloon flights themselves. So, you’ll find yourself staring for hours on end in this place. A true must-see for you and your family.

4. Tinkertown Museum.

Next on our list is the Tinkertown Museum. While this little attraction only takes up about an hour or so of your time, by the end, it will make the imagination of your kids run wild. Built out of concrete and well over 55,000 bottles, this museum holds over 20,000 handcrafted miniatures, houses, animals and little trinkets. The more time you spend here with the whole family, the more you will want to make your own Tinkertown.

5. Rio Grande Gorge Full Day Whitewater River Rafting.

Of course, what list would be complete without one of our amazing river adventures. As one of our favorites on this list, this the perfect place to start your adventure. This Rio Grande Gorge rafting trip is perfect for the whole family! You’ll be able to experience the thrill of the river and also be able to see all sorts of wildlife, and even get a chance to see the ancient Rio Grande style petroglyphs, or rock art, which makes this exciting adventure a fantastic full day for families, first-time rafters, and groups.

If you enjoyed this article and want to get updates on new ones, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get weekly updates on everything about New Mexico River Adventures.

Has it been your lifelong dream to become a river rafting king or queen? Do you just love the thrill and excitement of riding amazing rapids every summer day? If you answered yes to any of those questions, than have you ever considered becoming a guide? Well, in this article, we’ll attempt to answer a few common questions and try to show you exactly what you can expect as a New Mexico River Adventures guide.

“What are some things most People Don’t Understand About the Job?”

To start off with this not-so-glamorous question; the stress and risks of this job are actually really big when you think about it. In this day and age, risk management is a much more serious thing than it was in the past. Things like cold water-induced shock, allergies, and even cardiac arrest are things you must take into account when you are in this job. For example: if one of your passengers, an elderly gentleman, is thrown out of the raft and starts to panic when he hits the cold water, you could definitely have a problem.

“Do I really need a certification?”

This is a really common question, and the short answer is yes, yes you do need a certification. Part of the reason you need it is because it provides peace of mind for the passengers, and likewise, it ensures that all of our guides understand the river itself and are able to think on their feet and make quick judgement calls, no matter the situation. For example: let’s say the raft flips and the passengers fall out. Unless our guides have a certification, we won’t know how they will respond. And the lives of the passengers are in their hands, or oars.

“How old do I have to be to be a river rafting guide?

All river rafting guides must be at least 18 years or older to become a guide. However, the truth is that experience is the key to this job. Most of the river rafting trips require a lot of upper-body strength, and sadly, even some 20-30 year olds just don’t have that strength. And the farther up in rapid Class you go, the more strength and stamina you need. So, the key to longevity in this job is to stay fit and know your limitations.

“What is the most rewarding part of being a river rafting guide?”

A lot of mainstream rafting companies are all about the money and will tell you so. But, the truth is that at New Mexico River Adventures, we change lives and we believe that anyone can experience adventure. And that in itself is one of the most, if not the most, rewarding parts about this job. You can literally take someone who is scared of water, or someone who is depressed and sad and put a smile on their face within moments of being in one of our rafts. That is why we do this. That is the reward!

These are some of the things you can expect as a New Mexico River Adventures Guide. For more articles like this, or to get updates, subscribe to our newsletter, or like us on Facebook. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram.

While white water rafting is fun, rafting on the breathtaking rivers of New Mexico is even more so. However, if you’ve never gone white water rafting before, it’s time to educate yourself! Going on your first rafting trip can be hard and confusing, especially when there are so many adventures to choose from. That’s why, we want to show you how to choose between two of the most popular river adventures in New Mexico, the Taos Box and the Racecourse Run. So dive in, read on and learn how to choose your next New Mexico River Adventure! Enjoy!

Which River Adventure is Best?

For a lot of white water rafting beginners, knowing which trip is best can be hard. However, the truth of the matter is that there is no such thing as “best” when it comes to river adventures, because it honestly depends on you and what you are comfortable with doing.  Keep in mind, not all rivers are the same. Likewise, just because the river is calm one moment, doesn’t mean it will be calm for the rest of your ride. In a mere moment, those calm currents can easily turn into raging rapids without so much as a warning. So, it’s best to choose your adventure based on your experience level, your comfortability level and also, if you are bringing kids.

What is the Difference between the Taos Box & the Racecourse Run?

The names of each river adventure can be somewhat deceiving. So, the tip to knowing which is right for you, is by looking at their Class. Often times, while one portion of the river is Class II, which is perfect for beginners, if you go further downstream it may be a Class V, which is better suited for the more experienced white water rafters. That’s why you should always do your research first before going on a river adventure.
First, let’s go over the Taos Box. Located in a deep canyon, the Taos Box is considered one of the more dramatic river adventures. The reason for this is because it’s actually famous for its big Class IV rapids. Now, as a Class IV river adventure, this is one that you may want to sit out on if you are a beginner. While its rapids can be wild and exciting for some, if you’re just starting your river adventures, it may leave you feeling scared to go again. So, best to wait until you are more experienced.

Last is the Racecourse Run. As a Class III river adventure, the Racecourse Run is the perfect choice for first-time rafters and even for families. Running at about 5 miles long, this stretch of river gives you just as much excitement and fun as the Taos Box, but with less of the “wild” parts. So, if you are wanting an adventure that is still a little on the safe side, this is the perfect choice for you.

Conclusion:
While both the Taos Box and the Racecourse Run are wild and exciting river adventures, the choice is ultimately, in your raft. With that, do your research, choose wisely and happy rafting!

If you liked this article and want to be updated when we have more, subscribe to our newsletter in the sidebar, or like and follow us on our Facebook page here.

Taos, NM is just 20 miles up the road from our headquarters (so it’s a short drive after your river trip), with great food, fun activities, and unique things to see.

FOOD

If you’re in the mood for delicious local cuisine, you’re in luck if you find yourself in Taos! La Cueva is a small, Pueblo-style eatery with patio, located on Paseo Del Pueblo Sur close to the Taos Plaza, offering traditional Mexican dishes.  The Guadalajara Grill is a local favorite with 2 locations in Taos, specializing in Mexican dishes and offering an extensive menu- including American, Latin, and Mexican cuisine, with steak, chicken, and vegetarian dishes. Lambert’s of Taos is a sophisticated, upscale setting for contemporary American food with a lounge and shaded patio, serving locally sourced dishes for lunch and dinner, as well as handcrafted cocktails and a wine list with over 100 options. Another local favorite is Old Martina’s Hall, a historic, adobe music hall, that serves a New Mexican menu and has an events calendar loaded with dance nights and music acts. No matter whether you’re looking for a posh dining experience, or an intimate, casual meal with friends, these 4/4.5 star-rated eateries will fill your belly and delight your palate; they are just a few examples of the diverse dining experience of Taos!

MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT, & ART

Even though Taos seems like a sleepy little mountain town, it is rich in creativity; with an eclectic collection of concert halls, bars, historic buildings, and galleries. One of the most popular spots is the Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership, a micro-brewery/restaurant and music venue that hosts incredible local talent, smaller touring bands, and a bunch of fun events while featuring 12 distinct house beers on draught at all times. Taos’ world-famous solar radio station KTAO has a venue at the north end of town, aptly named the KTAO Solar Center, bringing in popular touring bands and big-name acts with an outdoor amphitheater setting as well as a Climate-controlled concert pavilion with live events & a dance floor, plus a bar & 2 radio stations. The Alley Cantina is a local hidden gem just off the Taos Plaza, with drinks, sports on TV, shuffleboard, pool & frequent live music. If you’re in search of fine art, local wares, handmade gifts, or a unique keepsake to remember your visit, Taos holds an abundance of fine art galleries, mercados, street vendors, and clothing shops. The Taos Plaza is a hub of shops and monuments within the Taos Downtown Historic District- a great place to explore!

CULTURE & POPULAR ATTRACTIONS

The Taos Pueblo is one of the oldest continually inhabited communities in the United States. It’s located just 1 mile North of the town of Taos, and is a UNESCO world Heritage site. The Pueblo is open to visitors every day until 4pm, and is a cornerstone of Northern New Mexico heritage and culture. Built in 1965, the High Gorge Bridge is 10 miles Northwest of Taos, and sits 565 feet above the beautiful Rio Grande as the 7^th highest bridge in the United states, and 82^nd highest in the world. It has made appearances in pop culture for decades, featured in many movies filmed in New Mexico. The Taos Earthships are a group of structures and homes on the Taos Mesa . The concept began in the 1970’s to build passive solar, off-grid homes with natural and upcycled materials. Tours are available, and lodging in some is offered as well.

During rafting seasons with lower water flows, river outfitters tend to get a lot of questions about boating on low water. Many folks are under the assumption that rafting isn’t as fun when the water drops, or even possible at all! We’re here to tell you that not only is it possible to raft the Rio Grande during its minimal water levels, it’s a blast!

WARM WATER!

-The water is so much warmer when it’s lower and moving slower. Higher cf/s (cubic feet per second) means that the water has only recently melted off the mountains, where it started as snow! Much of the water in the Rio Grande at lower levels comes from tributaries, monsoon run-off, and underground springs due to the geothermal activity in the Taos Plateau. There’s many fantastic swimming spots throughout the Orilla Verde and Racecourse sections of the Lower Rio Grande Gorge, and our guides know them all!

INTERESTING GEOLOGY

-The rocks in the river are more exposed in lower water, showing off the beautiful erosion and “fluting” caused by the hundreds, thousands, or millions of years of moving water that the basalt, schist and quartzite have been subjected to in the Rio Grande. Volcanic basalt turns black and smooth to the touch after years of exposure and submersion, being slowly filed away into delicate ripples and shapes. The softer, silvery schist is worn down by the current, causing the garnets and staurolite formations contained within it to surface. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock with beautiful pink or reddish colors, caused by iron oxide trapped inside when it was forming millions of years ago. It’s a wonderful opportunity to check out some of the river’s astounding geology, right from the raft!

TECHNICAL WHITEWATER

-The rapids on the Racecourse don’t change classification due to lower water levels! They hold a solid class II/III all the way down to minimum-level flows. The minimum age for this section of river at low and moderate water levels is 5 years old, so it’s a very family-friendly trip that still provides tons of fun for whitewater seekers. The navigation of the rapids becomes more technical, providing a fun and engaging paddle experience for guests.

KAYAKS!

–Inflatable kayaks are a blast! At lower water, they are the perfect vessel for whitewater enthusiasts and novices alike. Also referred to as “duckies” or “IKs,” they are a great way to get up close and personal with the river. Our experienced guides give the best tips, tricks, and pointers on-river, and educate our guests about river-reading skills throughout their trip. Inflatable kayaks are available to both single and tandem riders, and guests can request IKs for half-day, full-day, and even multi-day river excursions.

SURF’S UP

Surfing on the river is a great way to get a second look at a rapid, and get some extra splashes in! Whether in a raft or inflatable kayak, it’s a lot of fun to turn around and head back into the rapid or feature and play a bit in the waves. Surfing is an excellent way to add to a special memory to an already unforgettable river experience!

Our popular rock climbing and rappelling adventure is back! Spend 3-4 hours exploring Dead Cholla Wall, an established climbing wall with over two-dozen climbing routes located just below the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge, and overlooking the Wild and Scenic Rio Grande. No matter what your age, ability, or fitness level, your guide can plan the perfect climbing route for you. Our professional, knowledgeable guides will provide all of the safety equipment you need, and top-notch instruction to find the perfect balance between challenge and fun, tailored to you. After a comprehensive orientation at the climbing site, your guide will get you started on your first route; and through professional instruction, help you establish and achieve your climbing and rappelling goals. Our guides are at the top of their game, and have introduced rock climbing in New Mexico to countless outdoor enthusiasts. We offer this trip in the mornings, meeting at 8 am at our headquarters located along the Rio Grande. Your guide will pack a snack to keep your belly from distracting you while you experience the high-desert beauty of the Rio Grande Gorge, so you can concentrate on making memories and finding your inner rock-climber!

If you’d like to make your experience last all day, you can combine your climbing excursion with one of our awesome half-day rafting trips down the Rio Grande! We offer two different half-day trips that pair perfectly with climbing, and help you beat the heat after you’ve worked your muscles on the climbing wall. Both the scenic Orilla Verde Float section and the exhilarating Racecourse Class II-III rapid section are available to combine with our climbing trip, and our widely popular fajita lunch is served riverside on our full-day adventures. Our helpful reservationists are standing by to take your call and help you book your dream trip! If you decide to book online through our award-winning website, you can add the climbing trip to your half-day rafting adventure.

New Mexico is a world-renowned destination for appreciating the arts, visiting cultural heritage sites and admiring the beauty of the high desert. This summer was the summer to discover that there is also a multitude of outdoor fun, interesting, and educational activities for families to enjoy in the Santa Fe, Taos, and Abiquiu areas. It’s amazing what you can find in your own state when you take the time to explore.

With that in mind here are a few recommendations to play tourist and explore what Northern New Mexico has to offer for locals and visitors alike.

The Nature Conservancy‘s Santa Fe Canyon Preserve and the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary is an easily accessible and scenic sanctuary for plants, animals and visitors that is worth visiting in all seasons. This 135-acre property at the top of Upper Canyon Road in Santa Fe is used as an educational, cultural and historical center. There are over 200 bird species that populate designated sites throughout the property. Visit the native plant and pollinator gardens where you can view native bee houses, or find your way to the wetland area home to an active beaver colony. The site is also a great place for a hike. You can easily access Santa Fe’s extensive Dale Ball Trail system from the center.

Head north from Santa Fe to the Taos area and you travel along the mighty Rio Grande River. Within the Rio Grande del Norte Monument and Taos Gorge not only will you find incredible views, but also abundant wildlife, and white water rafting. To experience the very best view of this majestic landscape and array of wildlife make it an adventure for your family and go rafting. New Mexico River Adventures is New Mexico’s top rated rafting outfitter and the headquarters is conveniently located between Santa Fe and Taos. With competitive rates, a retail shop that stocks all the little things you may have missed, like sun screen, and safety as a top priority, white water rafting is appropriate for all skill levels and fun for the whole family.

Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM is an education and retreat center surrounded by colorful and magnificent cliffs. Of the many offerings that the center has, the horseback trail rides through acres of artist landscape will create treasured memories for families.

These are just a few of the interesting, educational, and fun activities for families to enjoy in Northern New Mexico. So get out there and start exploring your own backyard.

The Fall in Northern New Mexico has been long and beautiful and the anticipation for snow and winter had been growing throughout the community.  With our most recent storm and temperatures falling to well below freezing most days, the wait is over.  Welcome to winter!  This is the time of year that brings much excitement to our communities as everyone is tuning their skis and getting ready for yet another  ski season at the many amazing resorts throughout Northern New Mexico.  Here at NMRA, we have many to chose from.  With some of our staff spread out between Sipapu, Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire, Red River and Ski Santa Fe.  All perfect destinations for the greatest of powder hounds.

Look forward to seeing you all out there on the slopes, soaking up all of the great snow that we plan on recycling throughout the summer, whitewater rafting  on the Rio Grande and Rio Chama!

If you love food, wine and wilderness, there are few trips available in the country that compare to this amazing adventure.  This trip combines them all with a level of comfort above and beyond the normal multi-day river trip.  You’ll be amazed at the gear we bring along on this adventure to transform each night’s camp into a dining room reserved for the finest of restaurants.  Not to mention the food and wine that fills the table each night.  Our good friends Chef Rocky Durham and Vivac Winery combine efforts to provide four amazing courses for each night’s dining experience.

Sit back and relive the days adventure while learning about the wine making process and the subtle notes each wine will leave on your palate while perfectly paired with Chef Rocky’s amazing creations.  The wines at Vivac are widely acclaimed as the best in New Mexico and in the west with a bold approach to some of your favorite varietals as well as some new selections you may be introduced to for the first time.  Chef Rocky Durham is certainly one of the largest names in a rock star community of chefs that comprise of multiple James Beard award winners and nationally known innovators which help to make Santa Fe, NM one of the world’s premier culinary destinations.  His focus is on seasonal, fresh ingredients that stand out and do the talking.  All of his courses are inspired by plants and animals that you will likely see on your journey through the Rio Chama Canyon.  Don’t be surprised if you see him and the Guides hunting for the perfect piece of driftwood on which your first course will be served.  Don’t be nervous though, we bring along all the china and fine wine glasses as well for this incredibly unique and amazing melting pot of fine food, wine and wilderness.  We have just announced 2018 dates for the Gourmet Wine Pairing Trip which will be July 20-22.  Don’t wait until the last minute to reserve your space at the table for a one of a kind adventure that will leave you with great memories of beautiful New Mexico for years to come.  Please fell free to reserve online or give one of our helpful reservation staff a call with any questions at all.