Having grandparents visit is always such a treat! I have to be careful with how early I tell my daughter someone is coming because then she asks every day until they arrive how soon they’ll be here. She loves spending time with them!
We have often found that the simple things can create the greatest moments for connection. A trip to the park or the library, hanging out at home and watching a show, or playing a game are simply the best! My daughter was very concerned recently that her grandpa had never been to a Costco and decided he needs a visit and get samples. He lives just a few minutes from a Costco and has been there many times. But that’s some of the fun of having grandparents visit: even the ordinary, daily activities have some extra magic!
I personally love showing off ABQ when people come to town. It’s very fulfilling to take people to places I enjoy, especially when it helps them experience some of what makes our city special! Here are some of my favorite places to go with grandparents when they’re in town:
Balloon Fiesta & Museum
Balloon Fiesta is one of my favorite weeks of the year! There’s something so magical to me about getting up earlier than normal, checking the weather report and flag status, and letting everyone know it’s go-time. Doing a morning or evening session at Fiesta itself is vital for family who have never been. We also enjoy going to northern parks to watch the balloons land. This can be a little lower key if grandparents have mobility challenges (or more exciting if they want to jump in and help bring balloons in!). The Balloon Museum is also a fun outing for the whole family during the off-season for Fiesta.
ABQ Biopark
The zoo, the aquarium, and the botanical gardens can all make for a lovely day! The last time my mom was in town, my daughter was so excited to show her the new coatis at the zoo. It was so special for her to show her grandma around! If your child is familiar with the zoo, letting them take the lead here can be a blast for everyone. You can spend as much time as you’d like at either location, making it a great place to take grandparents, whether they are hoping for a shorter excursion or a multi-hour outing. All locations are overall fairly mobility-friendly, though there are some paths that may be limiting at the botanical gardens.
Old Town
Few places show off Albuquerque better than Old Town, so I love taking grandparents here. I feel like every time I go, I discover something new, which makes it all the more fun to share! Whether they want a treat or a bite to eat, to see rattlesnakes, souvenir shop, or just browse some local art, it’s a great place to take them with over 100 shops. Recently with grandparents, we enjoyed trying out some olive oils and balsamic vinegars, looking at Christmas decorations, and taking some cute pictures (there are great hidden spots all over!).
Hiking
This depends a lot on your kids and their grandparents. We have enjoyed getting out in the foothills and Petroglyph National Monument with grandparents for some short trails. This was easier when our daughter would just hang out in a baby carrier. (At four, she’s a little big for a hiking backpack but also refuses to hike for too long). This may be harder with older grandparents, but it can be a great way to get outdoors and experience Albuquerque if everyone is up for it!
Restaurants
I keep a running list of places I want to take the grandparents when they come to Albuquerque. They often have places they enjoy and want to go back to, but I like having a couple of new ideas for them each time. I especially love sharing New Mexican food! It has been helpful to make sure I try a variety of places between visits, though, so I can always present some options based on what kind of food everyone’s feeling (maybe no spice, maybe someone wants burgers, maybe we want to go out for breakfast, etc.). This is another way I love sharing Albuquerque with guests!
Here’s some restaurant inspiration:
- 10 Tried and True Albuquerque Restaurants
- Local, Kid-Friendly Restaurants
- 5 Off-the-Beaten-Path Resturants
Other Tips and Ideas
- Pay attention to the season and what specific activities you could do together. Would green chile roasting or River of Lights be fun? Is a swimming pool an option? Are there special library programs or city events they might enjoy?
- Check out locations/do research in advance if grandparents have mobility limitations. Make sure you leave time for breaks or a slower pace than you may be used to.
- Make a plan with grandparents in advance! Consider giving them some options and allowing them to share their ideas for an enjoyable trip, while also keeping kids in mind. If they enjoy history, maybe a visit to the Nuclear History Museum is right up their alley, and you can let them enjoy the museum while you take younger kids outside to run around the planes. Discussing plans in advance can help everyone be on the same page and have proper expectations about the activities!
- Find ways to make it special! Build in opportunities to connect and talk, make sure to take some photos, and create quality time. Sometimes life happens, and you have to make some last-minute changes to your plans when grandparents are in town. That’s okay! At the end of the day, they want to be with their children and grandchildren, and they don’t need to be constantly entertained.
- If there are other things you enjoy doing in (and around) the city, consider taking grandparents along! We’ve enjoyed having grandparents with us for the Turquoise Trail, Wildlife West Nature Park, Santa Fe, riding the Rail Runner, the Natural History Museum, and more!
No matter what you do, grandparent time is so important for you and your kids! The itinerary doesn’t have to be super busy; what matters is the time together. When grandparents don’t live nearby, these visits become some of the best ways for your children to know them. Even if it is just a trip to Costco, this builds relationships and memories that will last a lifetime. We love when grandparents come to stay with us and are looking forward to the next visit soon.
