Kelli Johansen
Ragle Park
Best Children’s Store
1. Doodlet's
Unique toys, gifts and collectibles make this whimsical downtown spot and repeat SFR Best of Santa Fe winner a go-to for child-friendly shopping. Filled to the brim with fascinating items that invoke childlike wonder, whether you're shopping for the kids in your life, a friend's or just the kids-at-heart you know, it's nearly impossible to step inside and not feel the enchantment take you over.
120 Don Gaspar Ave., 983-3771
Nestled in a cozy bungalow, Bee Hive offers books for kids of all ages as well as adults. With weekly story times and a helpful staff, you'll find everything you need to get kids buzzing about reading.
328 Montezuma Ave.,780-8051
3. Indigo Baby
Find an array of natural and organic products for babies and parents-to-be. The store also hosts events, support groups for parents and classes.
DeVargas Center, 185 Paseo de Peralta, 945-4000
Best Elementary School
1. Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences
A winner across three categories, Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences uniquely combines the sciences, math, humanities and arts into its curriculum. At the elementary age, students receive individualized support based on their unique learning styles and take a variety of daily core classes as well as weekly classes focused on drama and the arts.
5912 Jaguar Drive, 438-8585
2. Turquoise Trail Charter Elementary
Home of the Coyotes, Turquoise Trail Charter Elementary is New Mexico's oldest charter school and enrolls children statewide through a lottery, although Santa Fe kids get priority.
13A San Marcos Loop, 986-4000
Santa Feans praise principal Janis Devoti and staff over their concern for their students' safety.
2921 Camino de los Caballos, 467-1600
Best High School
Founded in 1899, Santa Fe High School is one of the oldest schools in the state and the one our voters named the best. For nearly 100 years, it was the city's only public high school, until Capital High School's 1988 opening. Home of the Demons and the Demon Tattler, SFHS offers career and technical education programs in computer sciences, culinary arts and engineering, and had a 75% graduation rate in 2018.
2100 Yucca St., 467-2400
2. New Mexico School for the Arts
The competitive public school admits students from around the state through an audition process, and helps young artists cultivate their artistic voices through a rigorous, award-winning arts and academics program.
275 E Alameda St., 310-4194
New Mexico's first high school authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School boasts test scores above the national average and describes the unique quality of the private school community of being "friendly, generous, supportive, resourceful and open-minded."
7300 Old Santa Fe Trail, 992-8284
Best Kid Friendly Restaurant
1. Cowgirl BBQ
What was originally started in New York by a Texan and a Coloradoan has become a Santa Fe staple. Grown-up Santa Feans can enjoy the food, craft beer and pool hall, and with an enclosed patio play area and an expanded kids' menu that goes beyond the usual chicken fingers and corn dogs—but includes both—Cowgirl is perfect for the minis. Better than a trip to Mickey D's, because you won't have to regret the food afterwards.
319 S Guadalupe St., 982-2565
No stranger to SFR's "Best of Santa Fe" list, the Plaza Café Southside is a Santa Fe go-to for kid-friendly dining. Kiddos love menu items like Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes and bakery treats served up daily.
3466 Zafarano Drive, 424-0755
3. Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery
It might seem crazy that a brewery would be named a top kid-friendly spot, but with outdoor and indoor play areas, Tumbleroot has ample space to let kids work up an appetite while parents sit back with a cold one.
2791 Agua Fría St., 780-5730
Kelli Johansen
Best Kids Dentist
1. Dentistry for Kids – Kris Hendricks, DDS
Most of us probably have memories of being traumatized by the dentist as children (or at least made pretty uncomfortable), but at Dentistry for Kids, your own brood won't have to repeat their parents' experience. Dr. Hendricks does his best to make himself available to patients when they need him, and goes out of his way to make the kids sitting in his chair feel at ease during their visits. Play areas keep kiddos busy while they wait.
1439 S St. Francis Drive, 473-5437
2. Just For Grins Pediatric Dentistry
Just For Grins offers unique care adapted to each specific patient, and parents praise the staff for making their kids feel at home.
490 B W Zia Road, 428-7878
3. Pueblo de Niños Dental – Daniel Borrero, DDS
Dr. Borrero follows a philosophy of gentle dental care for children, and he personally examines each patient himself.
3252 Cerrillos Road, 954-1128
Best Middle School
1. Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences
At the middle-school age, students here acquire life skills and gain experience in community service and leadership, in addition to the core academic curriculum. A winner across three categories, Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences uniquely combines the sciences, math, humanities and arts into its curriculum.
5912 Jaguar Drive, 438-8585
2. Turquoise Trail Charter School
The sister school to Turquoise Trail Charter Elementary partners with New Mexico's growing film industry to help students develop skills in film, media and digital technologies.
6600 Valentine Way, 986-4000
Desert Academy's middle school focuses on helping students find a sense of belonging in the world at a critical age.
7300 Old Santa Fe Trail, 992-8284
Best Nonprofit for Youth
Along with inspiring Santa Fe's young girls to be "Strong, Smart and Bold," Girls Inc. works to create positive change and resolutions to the unique issues young girls often face. For over 60 years, the Santa Fe chapter of the national nonprofit has advocated for legislation and policies to increase the rights and opportunities available to those they serve.
301 Hillside Ave., 982-2042
2. Big Brothers Big Sisters Mountain Region
The country-wide, century-old nonprofit helps the children of Santa Fe to "realize their potential and build their futures," and kids experience a lasting, positive effect from the program.
1226 S St. Francis Drive, 983-8360
Following the philosophy that kids are more likely to eat and appreciate healthy food choices if they help prepare them, Cooking With Kids aims to influence eating habits through fun cooking classes.
1400 Maclovia St., 438-0098
Best Nursery School
1. Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences
The youngest pupils at this independent "expeditionary learning" school are ages 3 to 5 and are encouraged to play and explore the world around them in order to become "balanced, integrated and harmonious human beings." Following a whole-child approach to education, the school says it involves a child's "heart, hands and head" in its curriculum with a variety of activities that include storytelling, song, dance and arts.
5912 Jaguar Drive, 438-8585
Gentle Nudge provides a caring and cozy learning environment for kids ages 2 to 6. In its eastside location, the school says it provides an atmosphere of "love, care and guidance."
1341 Upper Canyon Road, 982-0879
Unlike any other school in Santa Fe, Waldorf serves children from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. Housed on a 13-acre campus at the edge of the mountains, it offers an educational experience that celebrates nature.
26 Puesta del Sol, 983-9727
Best Orthodontist
Santa Fe's favorite pediatric dentistry practice is also its favorite orthodontist. A one-stop shop for all things kids' teeth, Dentistry for Kids provides orthodontic treatments on top of its pediatric dentistry services. While people usually associate orthodontists with teenagers, Dentistry for Kids offers orthodontic services to children as young as 7 years old in order to catch problems before they become severe.
1439 S St. Francis Drive, 473-5437
Dr. Pick has been practicing orthodontics in Santa Fe for 30 years. Over that time she has built up a popular reputation for quality care.
125 Siringo Road, 982-0094
Offering a wide range of services including ceramic braces, invisible aligners and a state-of-the-art "speed" braces system, you're sure to achieve the smile you want.
539 Harkle Road, Suite D, 982-5531
Courtesy Christus Health
Best Pediatrician
Dr. Patterson has practiced pediatrics for over 20 years and currently works on the Southside at Christus St. Vincent Entrada Contenta Health Center. Parents say he is a standout among the state's pediatric community due to his ability to go above and beyond for their kids. He's also bilingual, so Spanish-speaking patients can feel at ease while seeking his care. At least one SFR saw this doc as a baby, and he came out just fine!
5501 Herrera Drive, 913-3233
2. Amy Williams, MD, and Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center
Readers named Albuquerque native Dr. Amy Williams their second-favorite on our list. After two years as a pediatrician with Presbyterian, she's moving this summer to work with neighboring providers at Christus as a hospitalist.
4801 Beckner Road, 772-2000
3. Arroyo Chamiso Pediatric Center
Now a part of the Christus St. Vincent Health System, Arroyo Chamiso Pediatric Center has been providing care for Santa Fe's children for over 30 years.
465 St. Michael's Drive, Ste. 200, 913-4901
Kelli Johansen
Best Playground
1. Ragle Park
Santa Fe's favorite playground takes up more than 38 acres near the intersection of Yucca Street and Zia Road. Equipped with a play area, baseball fields, handball courts and lots of open space. Ragle is a great place to take the kids and spend the day outdoors. The ultra-popular giant slide is so fun, even grown-ups won't be able to resist a few trips down, and baseball and softball rec leagues make good use of the large parking lot and lights for nighttime play.
2530 W Zia Road, 955-2106
With its proximity to downtown, Fort Marcy Park is a great place to take the kids for a pitstop during a day of shopping. Find swings, jungle gyms, plenty of space to run around and picnic tables to sit a spell.
490 Bishops Lodge Road, 955-2105
Visit the 10-acre park on the edge of the city-owned Railyard community area for a playground that includes slides and faux boulders for climbing. Run through giant culvert-pipe tunnels, climb on ropes or participate in the weekly Sand Play Saturday during the summer.
Cerrillos Road and Guadaulpe Street, 982-3373
Best Pool
1. Genoveva Chavez Community Center
The Genoveva Chavez Community Center has not one but four pools. Complete with an Olympic-sized pool, leisure pool and water play area featuring the famous frog water slide, the all-indoor aquatic facility at the GC3 has everything you and the kiddos could possibly need for year-round water fun. Kids under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult, but that just gives grown-ups an excuse to have some fun in the water.
3221 Rodeo Road, 955-4000
Santa Fe's only outdoor public pool and a summertime favorite, the 25-yard pool features a water slide, and there's even a tot pool for little munchkins to play around in. Get there early, it fills up fast.
1121 Alto St., 955-4778
Since 2005, Santa Fe Community College has served as the home to some of the city's favorite pools. Find an eight-lane lap pool, wheelchair-accessible four-lane warm pool and a whirlpool. Classes are available for any age.
6401 Richards Ave., 428-1000
Best Summer Program
Girls Inc. has been inspiring and changing the lives of girls ages 5 to 18 in Santa Fe for over 60 years. Through Girls Inc.'s eight-week-long mentored day camp program, girls participate in field trips, community projects, sports, team building, arts and crafts—all working toward the goal of helping girls be "smart, bold and strong."
301 Hillside Ave., 982-2042
2. Genoveva Chavez Community Center
The city's biggest rec center offers a variety of summer camps for kids 6 to 12 years old that allow them the opportunity to experience a wide
range of activities like sports, swimming, ice skating, games, visual arts and golf.
3221 Rodeo Road, 955-4000
The 13 different week-long camps are open to kids ages 5 to 16, and each week features a different theme.
1513 Third St., 670-5019
Gabriella Marks
Best Youth Arts Program
What kid wouldn't love to join the circus? Thanks to Wise Fool New Mexico, Santa Fe's kiddos can train in the circus arts and puppetry. With classes and camps covering a variety of topics like trapeze skills, aerial fabric, juggling, unicycling, puppet-making and clowning, there's no shortage of entertainment and skill-building. Sessions vary from summer or winter break camps to after-school programs, so you can find the time and program that works best for you and your future circus performer.
1131 Siler Road, Ste. B, 992-2588
2. ARTsmart
ARTsmart offers a variety of art programs for children both in and out of school, aimed at giving kids important life skills that will help them to enjoy school more.
1201 Parkway Drive, 992-2787
With programs including summer camps, after-school classes and private art classes, kids have multiple opportunities to test out their creativity with different art mediums and materials.
1513 Third St., 670-5019
Best Youth Fitness Program
Originally founded in New York City in 1976, NDI (that stands for National Dance Institute) has been operating in Santa Fe since 1994. Through its "HIP to Be Fit" program, NDI New Mexico works to get kids healthy by getting them active through dance classes. Thanks to a grant from the US Department of Education, the organization has also been able to reach Santa Fe's kids with a popular outreach program in schools.
1140 Alto St., 983-7646
Wise Fool New Mexico sticks the landing in yet another category with its circus arts alternative to typical sports or running laps around a gym.
1131 Siler Road, Ste. B, 992-2588
3. Genoveva Chavez Community Center
Genoveva Chavez Community Center makes it easy to keep kids healthy with hoops, an ice rink and pool, track, machines and more.
3221 Rodeo Road, 955-4000
