Several museums here offer STEM activities for toddlers, as well as more advanced concept projects about ancient cultures for teens. 

Planning a day out with your family, or a road trip? Check out the nurturing, road‑ready support of Kiddie Kamp Daycare’s flexible schedules and their parent tips on the Kiddie Kamp blog.

Northwest New Mexico Museums for Kids & Families

Farmington is the largest city in San Juan County, NM, and Aztec is the county seat. Both are home to several museums with hands-on science labs, nature viewing, living‑history streets, and local art. 

Check ahead for museum hours. The times listed below are general and can change seasonally.

E3 Children’s Museum & Science Center

Address: 302 N Orchard Ave, Farmington, NM 87401
Hours: Tue – Sat, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This family-friendly Farmington children’s museum has bright galleries and interactive exhibits which put kids at ease as they engage in fun and educational STEM activities. Little learners can tinker around and play with hands-on learning activities in Tots’ Turf, a dedicated space for ages 5 and under. 

Also, the E3 children’s technology and science museum in Farmington rotates themed day programming to make their offerings fresh and engaging for all members of the family.

Farmington Museum at Gateway Park

Address: 3041 E Main St, Farmington, NM 87402
Hours: Mon – Sat, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (check the calendar for occasional Sunday or special‑exhibit hours)

This spacious convention center, visitor’s bureau, and history museum in Farmington rotates art exhibits and cultural events on regional history, wildlife, and art. Its community arts programming includes free family-friendly summer concert series, lecture series, performances, and workshops year-round. It’s a great first stop for a big‑picture view of Farmington’s heritage.

Museum of Navajo Art & Culture

Address: 301 W Main St, Farmington, NM 87401
Hours: Wed – Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Experience Diné (Navajo) weaving with a large collection of exquisite textiles, as well as jewelry, and fine arts. The museum’s contemporary Indigenous and traditional arts exhibits show how everyday life is reflected in masterful craftsmanship, highlighting Native American art and Navajo heritage.

The newest facility in the Farmington Museum System, the Museum of Navajo Art & Culture encourages families to absorb the traditions that continue to shape the Four Corners region. 

Bolack Museums at B-Square Ranch

Address: 3901 Bloomfield Hwy, Farmington, NM 87401
Hours: Call in advance to check hours or arrange a visit (call 505-325-4275 or 505-325-7873)

The Bolack B-Square working ranch in Farmington offers two museums showcasing larger than life and one-of-a-kind collections.

The Bolack Electromechanical Museum displays rare artifacts of vintage electrical, medical communications, gas, and oil field technology innovations, as well as visitor favorites — a train, an airplane, a tank, and an Elvis Presley Cadillac.

In contrast, the adjoining Bolack Museum of Fish & Wildlife features animal exhibits with over 2,500 mounted animals from five continents. Its intention is to promote habitat and animal conservation, showcasing the incredible diversity of animal life across the world that many people have not had the opportunity to see firsthand.

Salmon Ruins Museum & Heritage Park

Address: 6131 US‑64, Bloomfield, NM 87413 (minutes from Aztec)
Hours: Open daily; hours may vary seasonally (call 505‑632‑2013)

Step into ancient history with your kids by visiting the archaeological sites of massive Puebloan ruins in New Mexico, with Chacoan‑era great houses and architecture, dating back to the early 1000s C.E. 

Explore museum galleries and take guided tours along the archaeological site. Visit Heritage Park’s reconstructed dwellings for a hands-on look at Chacoan culture centuries ago . . . was this site a part of the ancient Aztec history here in New Mexico, or something different? 

This heritage site encourages your kids to question and learn.

Riverside Nature Center

Address: Animas Park (off Browning Pkwy), Farmington, NM 87402
Hours: Seasonal; typically Tue – Sat, 9 a.m. – 5 or 6 p.m.; Sun, 1–4 or 5 p.m.; closed Mon. Call ahead to verify hours.

Bird blinds and riverside trails make this a perfect birdwatching excursion for budding naturalists, plus a great basecamp for outdoor learning for kids.

Watch for eagles and herons along the Animas River and then check out the interactive nature displays inside the Center, along with environmental education programs. Plus, it’s really close to downtown amenities for ice cream, shopping, or treats after a couple of hours along the trail.

Sherman Dugan Museum of Geology

Address: San Juan College School of Energy, 5301 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402
Hours: Mon – Fri, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This Farmington geology museum, located at the San Juan College, presents New Mexico rock collections with dazzling mineral displays and fossil exhibits from Farmington — science exhibits that bring geology education to life. Admission is free.

Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village

Address: 125 N Main Ave, Aztec, NM 87410
Hours: Tue – Sat, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (late Apr – Oct; it is closed in winter)

Stroll along a street of historic buildings, including the reconstructed sheriff’s office and a blacksmith shop, and then tour two floors of exhibits in this living history museum where kids can learn more about early settlers and pioneer life.

Plan Your Farmington & Aztec Museum Tours for Family Fun

Most museums are clustered within an easy drive across Farmington, Aztec, and Bloomfield.
Confirm hours before you go (several venues are seasonal or close on Mondays). Build in time for outdoor stops along the Animas River trail in Aztec or Farmington, or to nearby Salmon Ruins, less than 20 minutes away.

Make it a full family day with these nearby guides:

• Kid‑Friendly Things to Do in Aztec
• Best Things to Do in Farmington, New Mexico
• Family‑Friendly Things to Do in Downtown Farmington
• Family‑Friendly Events in the Four Corners

Frequently Asked Questions: Farmington & Aztec NM Museums

If you have more specific questions about a particular venue, each museum’s website will have contact information and detailed visitor guides.

Enjoy History, Science & Culture in Farmington & Aztec

San Juan County’s museums in Farmington and Aztec turn curiosity into discovery. If you’re visiting the Four Corners with kids, stop by one of these museums. You’ll be surprised by the wealth of experience and learning opportunities, unavailable or rare in other areas of the country. 
Plan your next family adventure around these kid‑friendly stops and must-see attractions, and enrich your visit with the child-caring team at Kiddie Kamp Daycare.