Absorbing the fun facts of local New Mexico history enriched Sophie’s mini yet mighty mind. At the Sante Fe Railyard, she learned more about her home state’s roots and nearby communities through play-based education.
From scenic train rides to sensory-filling sandboxes and Native American shops, Sophie explored beyond her imagination during this family travel road trip without going far.
Arriving at The Santa Fe Railyard
Upon entering, a massive Sante Fe Railyard water tower greeted Sophie, signaling this is where the fun was about to start. Sophie saw adults traveling with kids of all ages walking around, exploring different things at the railyard, which built her excitement up so much that she didn’t know where to start!
There were rotating public art installations that she didn’t even know existed and 28 gardens with floral scents that awakened her senses. Sophie knew immediately that the best was yet to come on this family travel adventure.
All The Pretty Colors at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market
A memorable part of this road trip was seeing all the pretty colors at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. The vibrant red strawberries, deep blue blackberries, and bright oranges made her mouth water when she daydreamed of their yummy, sweet flavors.
As a French fry enthusiast, she was proud to pick the best potatoes of the bunch, knowing the deliciously crunchy meal they’d become. Sophie even got to roast her own green chiles outdoors—she is from New Mexico, after all!
The next stop was the Sante Fe Railyard Artisan Market, where she observed each vendor offering unique paintings, wooden toy carpentry, handmade soaps, and more. She visited a local crochet maker for crafting. Sophie glided her fingers through the many soft, colorful, and long-hanging fiber strings just within reach that made her feel like she was inside a rainbow.
One of her favorite spots was the traditional Native American jewelry stand, where she picked a beautiful turquoise stone ring that matched the nail polish on her fingernails. She felt this ring was made just for her at that moment, even from afar.
Movie Date and Pizza Time
The rows of fresh and local produce built up an appetite for Sophie and anyone, naturally. She clinked water glasses with Mom and indulged in the cheesiest Classic Cheese pizza at Restoration Pizza.
Then, Sophie watched a movie at the Violet Crown Cinema to relax afterward and build up more energy for the rest of the day’s family travel adventures. She noticed Mom loved the movie too, with a big smile and squinty eyes from laughing loudly together.
Taking the Train Ride and Rocking Out
Even Sophie knew you couldn’t visit the Sante Fe Railyard without riding on the Sky Railway Adventure Train, especially if you were traveling with family. This entertaining train ride gave her stunning views of New Mexico’s landscape while rocking out to the live music onboard.
The tour guide taught the history of Sante Fe’s railroad tracks while keeping Sophie and her fellow passengers engaged with animated storytelling. She also learned about telescopes and the night sky, stretching her neck as far back as possible, looking up to see if she could view the entire universe from her seat. Family travels like these sure do inspire Sophie to see more of the world!
Things Learned and Memories Made
Sophie thinks the Sante Fe Railyard is one of the best places to travel with kids in New Mexico. She met new friends at the Pop-Up Playground (PUP) and sang with them at the free Kids Sing Along, which was perfect for budget family travel.
Sophie loves capturing core memories with her parents as they travel all around New Mexico and the world. That way, she can always remember the fun times they shared as she grows up, forever and ever.
She thinks this might just be the best road trip yet!
