Pecos National Historical Park and Historic Santa Fe

Pecos National Historical Park is a great stop for kids.

The carful of kids are our way to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a Winter Break Ski Trip when we stop off at the Pecos National Historical Park for a look around. This park is 25 miles east of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Interstate 25 outside of the town of Pecos, and a great place to stretch your legs and minds.

Pecos National Historical Park is open everyday except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, during the winter it's open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The admission is $ 7. per person, 16 years old and older or you can use your America the Beautiful annual pass ( $ 80 ).

Pecos NHP features a self-guided 1.25 mile easy hike that winds you around the pueblo and mission ruins. There is also a small museum exhibit and movie to watch about the native people.

After running around, she loses her boot.

The carful of kids love national parks but today the kids are really in love with all the snow on the ground at the park. They are running around like goons and my crazy kids from Texas don't realize that they can lose their boots in the snow.

We take the hike, tour the museum, watch the movie and earn our Junior Ranger Badges all under an hour and a half. The carful of kids learn about the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass and the Santa Fe Trail.

Shh! Don't tell the kids they are learning during Winter Break.

Next stop historic Santa Fe. We take a walk around the square and see the sights--it's especially festive at Christmas. There is plenty of shopping to enjoy with boutiques and galleries.

Downtown Santa Fe is especially festive at Christmas.

The carful of kids really just like looking at all the holiday lights and luminarias that dot the downtown area. Santa Fe Plaza is dripping with them, there are food carts with hot drinks if you need something to warm you up.


We walk by the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and take a picture.  Unfortunately, it is not open but they feature special services during the holiday season.

It is getting a little chilly and we still have to rent our ski gear so the carful of kids load up and head to Alpine Sports at 121 Sandoval St.

I like to rent our ski and snowboard equipment at an independent rental store. I have found over the years that the prices are cheaper and the equipment is nicer than at the resort.

My daughter and I got brand new ski boots this time--no smelly ski boots for us this year. With our ski and snowboard equipment in the back of the SUV, we are ready to hit the mountain in the morning.

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