What’s FREE & Fun for Families in Farmington, New Mexico (2024)

Farmington, NM - Anyone on the lookout for easy and affordable family fun should put Farmington, N.M. on a list of stops for vacation getaways. Farmington, lying in view of the San Juan Mountains, is known for its bright summer days and cool nights. It is a city with many 50+ shady parks and playgrounds, a stunning system of walking trails along the Animas River and miles of biking trails in the rolling hills and mesas around the city’s edge.Kid-oriented attractions, both indoor and outdoor are easy to find in Farmington and most of them are FREE, for example:

• The E3 Children’s Museum and Science Center with many hands-on activities for children five and under is on Orchard Avenue in a quaint historic area near the downtown center.
• The ,is must stop for any visitor. The Visitor Center can help you plan activitites and offers information on local and regional attractions. The Farmington Museum features a variety of exhibits from regional art shows to traveling exhibits. The facility also has a gift shop with local souvenirs.
• The Riverside Nature Centerin Animas Park has a beautiful wetlands area with abundant wildlife on view. Stop in for a bag of free bird seed and get to know the local flora and fauna.
• The is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This new museum features an astonishing collection of Navajo textiles from the early 1900's to todayand is located in historic downtown Farmington.
• Berg Park on Scott Avenue runs along the Animas River and has a playground, water pad, picnic area and trails with overlooks along the riverside.
• B-Square Ranch is a 12,000 acre private wildlife refuge, working farm and ranch, and home to two museums: The Electromechanical Museum and . It is open for free tours by appointment. Groups, small and large, are welcome. The ranch lies south of the San Juan River on the Bloomfield Highway (US-64).
• Brookside Park is a local favorite with a skateboard park, multiple play grounds, basketball and tennis courts. This park is located at the corner of Dustin and 20th Street in Farmington and will be home to a brand new waterpark in 2019.

And there’s more: bring your fishing gear to fish along the San Juan River, the Animas River, Lake Farmington, Navajo Lake or Morgan Lake. Bring mountain bikes and ATV’s to cruse through the miles of rugged trails in Glade Run Recreational Area in north Farmington off Pinon Hills Blvd. Bring kayaks or canoes to paddle along the Animas and San Juan Rivers.

Maps, directions and guides for many other fun, free or very affordable things to do are available at Farmington Museum & Visitors Center, 3041 E Main Street. The Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau operates this visitor center and has an informative website with FREE information at www.farmingtonnm.organd offers a free vacation guide.