Aileen O'Catherine: Family

Aileen is the mother of a young son who is the real expert in the family. Thanks to her, he knows pretty much all there is to know about having fun with kids (and grown-ups) in Albuquerque. But luckily, Aileen is willing to share her secrets with you, too! As the former education manager at the Lodestar Astronomy Center at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Aileen is intimately familiar with what it takes to keep kids entertained, active and learning. She has broad and deep knowledge of the places, activities, events and things to do with kids in Albuquerque. Aileen writes for New Mexico Kids! family magazine and About.com, and she can help you plan a great New Mexico family vacation!

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Questions & Answers

Q: Hi! Looking for activities that are accessible and slightly quieter for two blind and autistic children aged six and three yrs! Quite a task I know!!! Willing to drive considerable distance!: A: Thanks so much for contacting us about places to visit in Albuquerque with your children. Albuquerque has a great number of places that would be fun for your kids.

A couple of places spring to mind. If you haven't made it to the Rio Grande Nature Center yet, give it a try. You'll enjoy watching (listening to) the pond from the large plate glass window indoors, where the birds and many other creatures are piped in over a mike system, and it's quite soothing. There is an interpretive center as well as a hands on activities room that will keep your kids busy. The activities room has puppets, and a lot of touching activities. Then if you care to take a walk outdoors, there is a calm nature trail that includes in a garden that smells wonderful when in season. On a nice day, it can't be beat. The center is accessible, and the pace shouldn't overwhelm the kids.

There is also a lot to be said for Explora, which is quiet when there aren't schoolgroups around, so call first to find out how busy it will be. Go early in the morning, and I suggest you call first and tell them your limitations, because the staff will have some great ideas for you. Ask for Ellen! The water labs are very fun for kids to explore and touch, and quite soothing. So are the bubbles, which are fascinating, and most kids can spend large amounts of time there; something that can be done by touch, and there is an area for cleanup. They also have a quiet room for young ones like yours, where the kids can roll balls down a bridge/hill, or sit and read a book. There is an expanded toddler area that the kids can explore to build structures or investigate natural phenomenon, such as blowing air.

And the Natural History Museum has a great interactive room that lets the kids explore hands on. It is not overwhelming as long as there aren't a lot of school groups there when you visit. The museum itself can also be soothing because the spaces are large and there are a number of hands on touching exhibits.

You also might want to try the aquarium, finding out ahead if there is a touchpool docent likely to be on hand. The creatures can be picked up and the docent explains what's going on, what creatures are there, etc. There are lots of sounds of swishing water and if you go with a docent to help guide you, you'll get a lot out of your visit.

Q: Can we make reservations for the Sandia Tramway? We (2 adults) are coming for Balloon Fiesta 2009 and wonder whether the Tramway will be too crowded during that time. Also, is the Botanic Garden pretty in October? Thanks.: A: How wonderful that you are visiting Albuquerque during Balloon Fiesta! You've picked a marvelous time of year when Albuquerque is cool and beautiful. Enjoy seeing the wonders of the International Balloon Fiesta, and everything else Albuquerque has to offer.

You wondered if the Sandia Tramway might be too crowded during the Fiesta. Don't let the crowds deter you. The Tramway stays open an extra hour during the Fiesta, and you might consider taking one of the late night "flights" and take in dinner at the top of the tram while you're at it, or at the base of the tram at Santiago's (just be sure and make dinner reservations beforehand). Another option is to get there in the morning before the balloon festivities are over; Sandia Peak unfortunately does not accept reservations for tram flights, so that may be your best bet. The early morning hours just after Balloon Fiesta launch are most likely to be crowded, and just around sunset, so you might avoid those times.

The Botanic Gardens are beautiful year round. Although the roses are no longer in bloom, there are the Japanese Gardens and the Heritage Farm, which is a living history farm, depicting Albuquerque's agricultural roots.

During October, the Botanic Gardens features a Harvest Festival October 3 and 4th if you happen to be in town during those dates. It's a wonderful festival where you can have hand pressed apple cider, and see the farm garden's harvest. There will be docents on hand to answer questions, and old-time musicians. And the gardens will feature a "Flowers of Fall" show while you're in town. See blooming fall flowers such as chrysanthemums, and other harvest season blooms from yellow to maroon.

Have fun during your visit!

Q: We are coming to Albuquerque for a wedding this summer. We are flying in from Oregon with our three kids and I’m wondering how transportation will work for the five of us. Can we rely on the public transportation? Or should we plan on renting a car?: A: I always recommend that people rent a car when they come to Albuquerque. However Albuquerque does have a variety of public transportation options—you can catch a ride on the buses that service most parts of the city (see http://www.cabq.gov/transit for detailed schedule information), call a cab or ride the Rail Runner, a commuter rail that runs south to Belen and north to Santa Fe (www.nmrailrunner.com). Especially with a family of five, renting a car will save you a lot of time and energy and will allow you to get the most out of your trip. Safe travels!

Q: My family is planning on visiting ABQ this summer. My kids are 15, 18 and 21, and are not too into the arts and cultural sight-seeing that my husband and I have planned. What else can I tell them there is to do when we come?

Teens! Oh boy, I can’t wait! My son Noah is only 11, so I’m not quite there yet. Don’t worry, though, Albuquerque is full of lots of great options for all ages. I recommend one or all of the following:

One of our amusement centers (see www.itsatrip.org/activities/recreation-leisure/amusement-centers for a list)
Shopping at any one of our indoor or outdoor malls (www.itsatrip.org/shopping/malls)
Get outside and enjoy one of our many outdoor adventures (www.itsatrip.org/activities/sports-outdoor)
Go see an Albuquerque Isotopes baseball game. (www.albuquerquebaseball.com)

Good luck and safe travels!

Q: What can we do to entertain three little ones under the age of five in Albuquerque?

Three under the age of 5?! You are my hero! There are plenty of things to do in Albuquerque to keep your little ones busy. I recommend going to:

Explora, a great hands-on science learning center for children of all ages (www.explora.us).
The Albuquerque BioPark (www.cabq.gov/biopark) which consist of the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Rio Grande Zoo and Tingley Beach. The park features one of the leading zoos in the nation, a 285-gallon shark tank, a 10,000 sq. ft. conservatory, a Japanese and children Fantasy Garden, a Heritage Farm, and much more. The kinds can ride a train through the park, try fishing at Tingley Beach, or explore a garden full of six-foot tall veggies!
Cliffs Amusement Park, a fantastic park that includes family rides, a kiddieland and water rides like the Water Monkeys Adventure—perfect for a hot summer day (www.cliffs.net).

Hopefully that works to tire them out—good luck!