Let me start by saying that I am NOT a fan of road trips. Like, just airplane me, please. HAHA! Despite my annual objections, we end up doing one every other summer. This year we headed out to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Read all about our time in Santa Fe here. To my surprise, I have to admit that our adventure by automobile was actually very fun this year! I think I’ve found the magic in making road trips bearable. I’ll give you a hint…it starts by choosing a route (even if longer than necessary) that will yield the most fun! We turned a 9 and half hour journey into a 14 hour trip, which sounds brutal, but all of the stops really broke up the monotony of the drive. And best of all, the kids never had an opportunity to get antsy. We hope you enjoy this itinerary!
And The Journey Begins
Now that I finally have an enjoyable road trip under my belt, I can confidently say that embarking on a family road trip can be an exciting adventure that creates lasting memories. When it comes to planning an unforgettable journey from Dallas, Texas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, you’ll find an abundance of scenic routes, iconic landmarks, and captivating destinations along the way. In this post, I will guide you through a family-friendly itinerary, kid and parent approved, that you’ll be talking about for months afterward! Let’s jump right in…
If you’re like us, we like to start our road trips in the dark of morning. The kids are still a bit sleepy, so you’ll have a few quiet hours before the backseat arguments and incessant “I’m hungry” cries begin. When the kids finally wake up, be prepared to make a stop for food, potty breaks, and an opportunity to get the wiggles out, which leads to our first destination…
Texas Best Smokehouse and Gas Station (Henrietta, TX) – I discovered this place in my research and thought it would be the perfect first stop. We were able to top of the gas, explore the Dinosaur parade display, and have a true Texas barbeque breakfast. Can someone say brisket breakfast burritos? They were delicious. We only spent about 30 minutes here, but it was plenty of time to hit all of our needs.
After our little pit stop, we fired up the kids’ tablets, turned our 90s R&B up full blast and set back out on the road! After driving for another 3 and half hours, it was time for our next stop…
Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, TX) – This quirky roadside attraction features ten half-buried Cadillac cars, covered in graffiti. Encourage your kids’ creativity by bringing along some spray paint cans (water-based, eco-friendly) and let them leave their mark on the cars. Even my 1 year old got in on the fun! It’s a unique experience that will also make for fantastic family photos.
Don’t worry if you forget your spray paint…can are sold on the property, or you’ll see a box full laying around near the cars. We all had way more fun that we expected. There is something riveting about creating graffiti on beautiful classic cars on the side of highway, surrounding by nothing else at all. Definitely add this to your itinerary.
Entering New Mexico (Glenrio, NM) – After leaving Amarillo, our next stop wouldn’t be for another 50 miles as we crossed the New Mexico border! And, what is now state #17 in the kids’ #50statechallenge!
Whenever we enter a state by car, we pull over to get a picture with the welcome sign. Sometimes this is a harder feat than you may think. Luckily, the New Mexico sign is easily accessible from the rest stop parking lot. As soon as you cross the border, take the very next exit to park safely. Beware, there are some dinosaur-sized ants on the walk up to the sign…ok, a bit of an exaggeration, but be careful nonetheless.
Explore Route 66 (Tucumcari, NM) – Continue your journey towards Santa Fe, taking a detour to experience a section of the historic Route 66. This legendary highway offers a glimpse into the golden era of American road trips. Enjoy the picturesque landscapes, roadside diners, and vintage motels along the way. We chose to stop in Tucumcari to check out a cool souvenir shop (TeePee Curios) I found while researching our trip. It was definitely a cute little shop with all kinds of New Mexican and Native American inspired goodies. Of all the cool things, we got a hat and some worry dolls. Sidebar – Worry dolls (also called trouble dolls; in Spanish, Muñeca quitapena) are small, hand-made dolls that originate from Guatemala. According to legend, Guatemalan children tell their worries to the Worry Dolls, placing them under their pillow when they go to bed at night. By morning the dolls have gifted them with the wisdom and knowledge to eliminate their worries. My kids thought this was such a cool backstory that we couldn’t leave without our own little box of them. We’re all looking forward to using them.
Oh, and a stop at TeePee Curious also means a chance to get photo opps with the cool Route 66 murals that are painted both sides of the building- each is a little different.
Refreshing Oasis: Blue Hole Cenote (Santa Rosa, NM) – Our next stop was about an hour away, and oh what a stop it was! Escape the Texas and New Mexico heat and treat your family to a refreshing dip at the Blue Hole Cenote in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. This natural swimming hole is a hidden gem, known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters. I’ve been aware of the plethora of cenotes in Mexico, in fact it’s on my bucket list, but we were not aware that there was one in New Mexico. I was so excited about this stop that we didn’t even mention it to the kids in advance. We knew it would make an amazing surprise for them. And, we love surprising our babies. It was such a hit! Some of us (Mommy, Brunson and Zoe) climbed to the top of the cliff and jumped into the freezing cold (61 degrees) natural watering hole. It was exhilarating. Ava jumped from a lower point and Daddy acted as our videographer on the sidelines with the baby.
We love a good adventure, and Blue Hole did not disappoint! Take a break from driving to take in this natural wonder…you will not regret it. Note: This little excursion is free, but you will have to pay $10 for parking.
Santa Rose Aqua Park Obstacle Course (Santa Rosa, NM) – On our way to the cenote, we passed an Aqua Park Obstacle course in the middle of small lake. The kids thought that was the surprise, but we hadn’t known about it in advance. So, after spending an hour at the cenote, we headed back to the Aqua park for another 2 hours of fun. Let me just warn you now, it’s much harder than it looks to keep your balance, or maybe that’s just for us 40-somethings, since the kids were pros.
So, all in all, I highly recommend a family road trip from Dallas, Texas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was a fantastic opportunity to bond, explore new places, and create cherished memories. From the artistic allure of Cadillac Ranch and the historic charm of Route 66 to the refreshing Blue Hole Cenote and the cultural richness of Santa Fe, I hope this itinerary offers a diverse range of experiences for everyone in your family. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure that will leave you all with big smiles! Note: There is a $15 day pass to receive a wristband that grants access to all the Water Park fun.
To read about all of our cool adventures once we made it to Santa Fe, click here.
Happy Travels!
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