🎡 State Fair Weekend Is Here + 15 More Things To Do (Sept 11-13)

Between the rides, animals, the exhibits, and the kind of fair food you only eat once a year there's enough to keep the kids entertained for hours. If you want the fair's full daily schedule check out their website.

One thing to know before you go: the Mega Pass, which gets you through the gate plus unlimited rides for one day, is only sold through Friday, September 11. After that you will have to pay for gate admission and ride tickets separately, which in some cases might make sense for your family!

There are also a handful of discounts worth knowing about depending on which day you go:

Military and first responders

Public servant discounts

Everyday savings

When: Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 10 am–10 pm | Sunday, September 13, 10 am–9 pm
Where: Expo NM, 300 San Pedro Dr NE
Cost: $15 adults online ($20 at the gate), $10 kids 6–12 online ($15 at the gate), free for kids 5 and under, $35 Mega Pass (one day, sold through 9/11 only)

MORE THIS WEEKEND

Friday, September 11

Saturday, September 12

Sunday, September 13

Heads up: Explora is closed for maintenance through Monday, September 14, so save the children's museum for next weekend.

Worth the drive

Honestly it's hard to say if this one is more for you or for your kids. This Saturday while you make your way through the market your kids can get involved with a special scavenger hunt.

Grab a Route 66 passport at the market info booth or the Sunward Federal Credit Union booth, then let the kids work their way through a lineup of featured vendors around Robinson Park. Once they complete the passport, they'll be entered for a chance to win Route 66-themed prizes.

One of the best Saturday-morning traditions (especially in Albuquerque). There will be 200+ local vendors throughout the market season, with fresh produce, food, art and plenty of things to test your impulse control. This Saturday also has live music from Mezcla Latina from 10am–noon, plus Local Locas Facepainting so the kids can go back to school on Monday showing off whatever face paint survives bath time.

The best part? If you don't want to spend any money you don't have to. But if you go and don't spend any money send us a message afterwards so you can host an impulse control training for us and anyone else in the community that wants it 😅

When: Saturday, September 12, 8am–12pm
Where: Robinson Park, 8th & Central
Cost: Free
Good to know: Pick up your passport at the info booth or Sunward Federal Credit Union booth #106.

There are few places where you walk in and the smell is so good that you immediately want to order one of everything.

So that's basically what we did.

We went with multiple street tacos, the chicken quesadilla, the steak quesadilla, the carne asada fries, and the churros, and there really is something for everyone. If your kids only like cheese, try a cheese quesadilla or the nachos!

Let's go back to the steak for a second. It's so juicy, and while you're waiting in line you can watch it hit the grill right in front of you. The quesadillas come loaded without falling apart, the tacos are packed with flavor, the carne asada fries are exactly the kind of shareable mess you want at the end of a long week, and the churros are worth saving room for.

Tap N Taco started in Rio Rancho in 2020 and has built a pretty loyal following around its street tacos, affordable prices, and laid-back atmosphere. It has become more than just a quick taco stop, too. The restaurant has a bar, outdoor seating, and karaoke and DJ nights, and the owners say those events regularly bring people over from Albuquerque.

And if you've been hesitant to make the drive, that's about to get a whole lot easier. They're finally opening a second Albuquerque location, which means soon they'll be on both sides of the river.

The new location is going into the old Bank of America building at Wyoming and Montgomery as part of the La Mirada development, right near 7 Brew and Freddy's. It will have a drive-thru, patios, and a bar area.

Where: 1120 Pat D'Arco Hwy, Rio Rancho, with the Albuquerque location coming soon at 4301 Wyoming NE
Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm, Sun 11am–8pm
Cost: $8–20 per person

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