western nm tourism

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Destinations

18 Best Places to Visit in New Mexico, According to Locals

Come to see historic small towns, scenic hiking trails, the "Grand Canyon of New Mexico," and more.

For a true taste of the American Southwest, consider a trip to New Mexico. Spanning approximately 121,000 square miles, the state is famous for its rich Indigenous history, vast landscapes (from towering dunes to subterranean caves), amazing archaeological sites, national landmarks (cliff dwellings, well-preserved adobe buildings, and centuries-old churches, to name a few), and an incredible arts and culture scene. It’s no surprise, then, that New Mexico is nicknamed the Land of Enchantment.

To narrow down the state’s best attractions, we reached out to local experts for their top recommendations. Without further ado, here are the best places to visit in New Mexico, from sprawling national parks to tiny towns and everything in between.

White Sands National Park

Mary Robnett/Travel + Leisure

Spanning 275 square miles, White Sands National Park is the world’s largest gypsum dune field, and it looks and feels like an entirely different planet . The wave-like, powder-white sand dunes resemble mounds of snow, and visitors can hike or sled down them any time of year. It’s also worth noting the park is home to a handful of white-hued animals — which have changed to a lighter color over time to adapt to the environment — including mice, lizards, crickets, spiders, and moths. 

Couse-Sharp Historic Site

Visit New Mexico

Angelisa Murray, CEO of guided tour operator Heritage Inspirations in Taos, describes the Couse-Sharp Historic Site as a “true gem” and “one of [her] favorite museums.” Here, you’ll find the former homes and art studios of Taos Society of Artists (TSA) founding members Joseph Sharp and E.I. Couse. “Our guests can see the actual moccasins and pottery that Couse painted in his paintings ... and journey back in time to get a real feel of Taos in the early 1900s,” says Murray.

“ Abiquiú is one of my favorite small towns to take our guests,” says Murray. The town, which was settled by the Spanish in the mid-18th century, looks and feels like it was plucked out of a classic Western, and visitors may even recognize it from fan-favorite flicks like Indiana Jones . However, it’s also famous for being the home of renowned American artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Don’t leave without visiting the O’Keeffe Home and Studio and Ghost Ranch (the artist’s summer home, about 20 minutes northwest). Murray also recommends popping into the state’s first general store, Bodes , which “offers an otherworldly experience for the intrepid traveler,” according to Murray.

Bandelier National Monument

JHVEPhoto/Getty Images

Known for its magnificent mesas, canyons, and ancestral Pueblo dwellings, this national monument spans more than 33,000 acres of rugged landscape, making it a must-visit for history buffs and nature lovers alike. The 1.4-mile Pueblo Loop Trail winds through various archaeological sites and is a popular hike. If you’re looking for more thrills, hop on one of the ladders along the route to climb into small human-carved alcoves. Alternatively, experienced hikers may opt to tackle the challenging Frijoles Canyon and Rim Trail (eight miles one way). Keep in mind those who wish to visit Frijoles Canyon and the Pueblo Loop Trail will be required to take a shuttle, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily (mid-June through mid-October).

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

The Washington Post via Getty Images

For a first-hand look at Pueblo culture, head to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. Spanning more than 80 acres, the center is owned and operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. On-site offerings include a museum, exhibition galleries, murals from Pueblo artists, and the Indian Pueblo Kitchen , which serves freshly prepared Native American cuisine. Don’t leave without stocking up on some souvenirs, including Native American artwork and a wide selection of traditional and contemporary crafts, jewelry, pottery, rugs, and more. Pro tip: Check the events calendar for a schedule of the latest programming.

Santuario de Chimayo

Diana Robinson Photography/Getty Images

Marama Nengel, chef concierge at Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection , recommends taking an afternoon trip to Santuario de Chimayó , about 27 miles from Santa Fe. According to Nengel, thousands visit this picturesque adobe church — now a National Historic Landmark — each year. It’s best known for its holy dirt, which is believed to have healing properties. Per Nengel, no trip here is complete without a visit to the Centinela Traditional Arts gallery to see eight generations of Trujillo weavers. Finally, when hunger calls, tuck into some Southwestern fare at Rancho de Chimayó .

Puye Cliff Dwellings

CampPhoto/Getty Images

Located in Los Alamos, this National Historic Landmark was once home to 1,500 Pueblo Indians. It’s no surprise, then, that the site boasts some stunning Pueblo architecture and well-preserved cliff and cave dwellings. The panoramic valley views are an incredible added bonus. It’s worth noting that guided tours are available Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Santa Fe Plaza

benedek/Getty Images

Santa Fe Plaza is both a beloved tourist attraction and a popular gathering place for locals. This National Historic Landmark, established by the Spanish in the early 17th century, is renowned for its Spanish Pueblo architecture. The bustling location hosts a slew of events throughout the year, including the Traditional Spanish Market in the summer months. Come holiday season, the square gets decked out in twinkling lights, making it even more magical. In recent years, the area surrounding the Plaza has evolved into a buzzy hot spot with dozens of eclectic restaurants, shops, museums, and hotels.

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas

Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas (“The Ranch of the Swallows”) is a historic ranch-turned-living history museum near downtown Santa Fe, though its rural surroundings make it feel worlds away, What’s more, a visit to this 200-acre site, which is dotted with striking adobe buildings, feels like a step back in time to New Mexico in the 1800s. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the ranch served as an official rest stop for travelers on El Camino Real, which stretched from Mexico City to Santa Fe. Note the site is closed for general admission between November and March.

Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway

grandriver/Getty Images

The 65-mile Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway — named for the precious stone the Pueblo mined here centuries earlier — links Santa Fe and Albuquerque. As such, it makes for an excellent day trip from either city. The historic route winds through old mining and ghost towns such as Madrid , Golden , and Los Cerrillos . Carve out some time to stop at Casa Grande Trading Post , Cowgirl Red , and Tinkertown Museum , as well as Sandia Peak Tramway to soak up the postcard-worthy views from up high.

Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Daniela Duncan/Getty Images

According to Hans Loehr, adventure center architect at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe , the Sangre de Cristo Mountains offer something for everyone, including scenic trails for hikers of all experience levels. Additionally, he tells Travel + Leisure , "Guests can enjoy exploring forests of aspen, ponderosa, and pinyon-juniper and meadows filled with colorful wildflowers, relaxing near alpine lakes, bagging some high mountain peaks, and pausing to take in breathtaking views from ridgetops and mountain summits.”

Rio Grande Gorge

Stretching nearly 50 miles, the magnificent, 800-foot-deep Rio Grande Gorge is considered the Grand Canyon of New Mexico. Soak in sweeping views of the rugged landscape from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge , which, at 650 feet above the ground, is one of the country’s highest bridges. It’s also a popular spot for hiking.

Courtesy of Meow Wolf

Sontanna Sanchez, a concierge at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, recommends visiting Meow Wolf for a unique and immersive art experience. The kaleidoscopic “House of Eternal Return” features “more than 70 rooms, taking participants on a macrocosmic adventure only found in Santa Fe,” says Sanchez. All in all, the playful exhibit is sure to delight art lovers of all ages.

San Miguel Chapel

Michael Warren/Getty Images

Located along the Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe’s Barrio de Analco Historic District , this Spanish colonial mission church is considered the oldest in the United States. While initially constructed in 1610, it has since been rebuilt twice (most recently in 1710). In terms of design, prepare to be dazzled by the adobe architecture; the interiors are equally spectacular with centuries-old wooden beams and the 750-plus-pound San Jose bell, which has its own fascinating history.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

milehightraveler/Getty Images

This national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the Chihuahuan Desert in the southern part of the state. The enchanting attraction is home to nearly 120 caves. Travelers can easily spend the entire day exploring these captivating caverns, admiring the mystical stalagmites and stalactites, and spotting wildlife like bats and cougars. Don’t miss the Big Room, North America’s largest single cave chamber by volume. The 1.25-mile trail is a relatively easy 90-minute trek.

Old Town Albuquerque

Alex Potemkin/Getty Images

With its narrow winding streets and adobe architecture, Old Town Albuquerque oozes small-town charm. While lots has changed since its 1706 establishment, this dynamic destination has remained the city's heart. Despite its tiny 10-block radius, Old Town is packed with more than 150 independent restaurants and boutiques. It also hosts more than 40 events annually, including a car show, live music performances, and the world-famous Balloon Fiesta Week .

Taos Downtown Historic District

Despite its small size, Taos packs in plenty of charm and character. What’s more, this storied mountain town is renowned for its many galleries , scenic hiking trails, and, in the winter, world-class skiing. At the center of town is the Downtown Historic District , where you’ll find the 1796-era Taos Plaza. Here, locals and visitors alike gather to listen to live music and attend farmers markets and other events, including dozens of art-forward programming. An abundance of shops and galleries can also be found within easy walking distance. When it's time to refuel, head to one of the nearby cafes and restaurants . 

Taos Pueblo

Kathleen Messmer/Travel + Leisure

About three miles northwest of Taos Plaza lies the Taos Pueblo , which is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. The Pueblo has been inhabited for more than a millennium, and many of the adobe structures appear the same as when the Spanish first arrived in New Mexico in the 1500s. Hlauuma (north house) and Hlaukwima (south house) are the location's most famous buildings, and they’re considered the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the country.

Related Articles

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Our Essential Guide to State Parks

Get stories straight to your inbox.

 Stay up-to-date with what's happening in New Mexico

Stay up-to-date with what's happening in New Mexico

Download the New Mexico Magazine App

Road Trip through Northwest New Mexico

Let the Trail of the Ancients set you on a path to experiencing Indigenous culture old and new.

Hike the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. Photograph by Jeremy Wade Shockley.

Explore Native culture past and present as you visit ancient sites, trading posts, and galleries, with a side trip down memory lane on Historic Route 66. Your 266-mile journey starts in Farmington, the gateway to the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, which your trip will largely follow. Day two takes you to the historic Toadlena Trading Post and on to Gallup, where the Mother Road leads to a historic hotel and Red Rock Park.

Hot-air balloons float above Gallup’s stunning landscape. Photograph by NMTD.

Soak up Native culture old and new in Farmington, the heart of the Four Corners region, which has been home to Pueblo, Navajo, Hopi, and other Native people for centuries. Orient yourself at the Museum of Navajo Art & Culture , in downtown’s New Mexico Arts and Cultural District. Antique and contemporary Navajo rugs and textiles star here. Head to nearby shops to find your own treasures, from vintage and contemporary Native jewelry and other works at Fifth Generation Trading Company  to contemporary pieces at Artifacts 302 , in a historic lumber-and-hardware building where you can sip coffee and find artists working in an open-studio setting.

Unwind with a walk beneath the shade of cottonwoods along the more than eight miles of Animas River Trails . (There’s great bird-watching here, too.) Fuel up at the Chile Pod , a popular spot with a menu that includes the award-winning New Mexican Mac & Cheese.

Adventure awaits about 40 miles south in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area , an other-weirdly wonder of weathered rock shapes. Photo ops abound as you traverse a landscape filled with hoodoos known by names such as Alien Throne and King of Wings. For a truly amazing adventure, pair up with Navajo Tours , where an interpretive Diné guide will share Indigenous history.

Head back to Farmington for bites at Three Rivers Brewery , which occupies a series of historic storefronts. Between the brewery, pizzeria, taproom, and “brewstillery” lounge—a social-club throwback where you can watch old movies and admire the die-cast car collection—there’s something for everyone. Play a round of shuffleboard or pool in the taproom to round out the evening.

Take a run at Farmington’s Animas River Trails. Photograph by Jeremy Wade Shockley.

Family Zone

Raft the Animas and San Juan rivers with Farmington’s Desert River Guides . “It’s a different way of seeing the Four Corners area,” says Cody Dudgeon, who launched the company with his wife, Ryan, last year. “From the river, people can see the bluffs and the wildlife.” Choose from an array of adventures, including a two-hour float with lunch, a full-day trip, and family fun with Class I and II rapids. “We are able to take kids as young as five,” Dudgeon says, “and our guides are friendly with all age groups.”

Grab a cinnamon roll or a hearty three-egg omelet at the landmark TJ’s Diner  before heading south to the historic Toadlena Trading Post , near Newcomb. It remains interwoven with the Diné community and talented artists who live on the Navajo Nation. The Two Grey Hills rugs and other works crafted by Navajo masters are exquisite. Be sure to visit the on-site Toadlena Weaving Museum , exhibiting detailed textiles inspired by the sacred practice of Navajo sandpainting.

Giddyup down the road to Gallup , famous as a center for Navajo and Zuni jewelry that draws buyers from throughout the world. Shop ’til you drop at a dizzying variety of stores. See fourth-generation silversmith Jude Candelaria at work in his Flux Tufa Works  studio gallery, which features a rotating lineup of contemporary Native artists. ART123 Gallery  offers abstract paintings, contemporary jewelry, and other pieces by Native and non-Native artists. When lunch calls, park yourself in Bombay Grill , where the saag paneer will astonish you, not least because you’re dining in a truck stop.

Get outside in nearby Red Rock Park , which draws its name from the colorful cliffs that date back more than two million years. Pyramid Rock and Church Rock, both three-mile trails, offer easy hiking with superb views.

Spend happy hour on the patio of El Rancho Hotel , a Route 66 landmark built in 1936 for the movie stars and film crews working on Westerns shot in the area. With newly updated rooms, it’s easy to feel like a celebrity.

The lobby of the El Rancho Hotel drips with history. Photograph by Kate Russell.

Event Central

The Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial  celebrates its 100th anniversary August 4–14 in Red Rock Park. New Mexico’s longest-running continuous event honors Native culture and art with a powwow, a juried art market, all-Native rodeo competitions, colorful parades of Native dancers down Route 66, and participants from throughout North America.

Spend the night at Kokopelli’s Cave. Photograph courtesy of Kokopelli’s Cave.

Where to stay

Perched high in a mesa overlooking La Plata Valley, near Farmington, Kokopelli’s Cave  bed-and-breakfast is a luxury lair. The multi-room space, carved into sandstone, is outfitted with creature comforts, including a Jacuzzi tub and replica kiva area with a wood-burning horno. Two porches provide extraordinary views.

The great outdoors is yours to enjoy at one of 21 campsites at Lake Farmington . Outside your tent flaps or RV door lies a sandy beach for swimming and fishing, plus trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Gallup’s historic El Rancho Hotel will transport you to Hollywood’s golden era. Built by pioneering director D.W. Griffith’s brother, R.E. Griffith, this unique hotel reflects the flavor of Old West Gallup.

Santa Fe   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Getty Images |

26 Top-Rated Things to Do in Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the U.S. Even if you don't have a specific destination in mind, you could spend hours wandering the scenic streets lined with Pueblo-style adobe buildings, some dating to the city's 1610 founding. Any

• All Things To Do

Santa Fe Plaza Santa Fe Plaza free

Since the city's founding in 1610, the Santa Fe Plaza has been its cultural hub. Today, surrounded by numerous centuries-old buildings like the Palace of the Governors , the plaza continues to be the epicenter of Santa Fean affairs, from live music to September's Santa Fe Fiesta. The plaza, which is a National Historic Landmark, hosts Indian and Spanish markets yearly, in addition to concerts and community gatherings. Any night of the week, the plaza is buzzing with activity with people enjoying restaurants, perusing galleries and checking out souvenir shops. Save a little money to do some shopping while here: Santa Fe Plaza is full of vendors selling authentic Native American items like jewelry, textiles and pottery (just be wary of the plaza's inflated prices).

Visitors say you have to make a point to stop by the Santa Fe Plaza to experience the lively atmosphere, noting that there always seems to be something going on, whether it's a parade, a market or a festival. Recent travelers also suggested taking time to browse the various shops around the plaza, but do warn things seemed a little overpriced. Others said it serves as a great jumping-off point for exploring Santa Fe's top attractions, many of which spool out from the plaza.

Canyon Road Canyon Road free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Canyon Road hosts events throughout the year, including the Canyon Road Art Stroll on Fridays during the summer and the annual Canyon Road Farolito Walk, when the avenue is lined with paper bags glowing with candles on Christmas Eve. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel

If there's any doubt that Santa Fe is a prime destination for art lovers, Canyon Road quashes it. Situated less than a mile east of the Santa Fe Plaza , Canyon Road is home to more than 80 art galleries selling works from famed creatives, such as members of the Taos Society of Artists, and treasures like handmade Pueblo pottery and kinetic sculpture. Pop into the different galleries and boutiques along the street and you'll find everything from jewelry to paintings. The street itself is also a feast for the eyes: Many of the galleries found here are housed in historic adobe buildings laced with brightly colored flowers, art installations are often showcased outside and the enticing aromas emanate from the doorways of top-notch eateries like Geronimo Restaurant and The Compound Restaurant.

Museum of International Folk Art Museum of International Folk Art

U.S. News Insider Tip: Located 2.5 miles south of the Santa Fe Plaza on Museum Hill, the Museum of International Folk Art neighbors the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. In between visits, refuel at the Museum Hill Café. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel

Of all the museums run by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, this one is probably the most unconventional and diverse. The Museum of International Folk Art also showcases more than 130,000 pieces of folk and traditional art from societies all over the globe. At this museum, you'll encounter African, Asian, Middle Eastern, contemporary Hispanic and Latino, European, North American and Spanish Colonial pieces ranging from household objects, ceramics and paintings to puppets and costumes. Don't worry about boring your kids: the large collection of colorful toys from around the world is sure to spark their interest.

Popular Tours

Ultimate Santa Fe History Walking Tour

(347 reviews)

from $ 130.00

New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza

(344 reviews)

from $ 183.83

Small-Group E-Bike Adventure Tour through Hidden Santa Fe

(186 reviews)

from $ 179.50

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi free

If you're an architecture buff, take some time to check out the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, which was constructed beginning in 1869. Located a block east of the Santa Fe Plaza , this breathtaking French Romanesque Revival cathedral stands out among the city's adobe skyline. Adjoining to the cathedral is the small adobe chapel – all that remains of a previous church that was destroyed during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt – which contains the oldest representation of the Virgin Mary in the United States.

This historical church receives plenty of praise from travelers and Santa Fe residents alike. Visitors said you should stroll through the inside, take in the beautiful stained-glass windows and find a docent to help explain some of the history of the church. They also remind visitors that the church is active and to be respectful of services.

Attend a performance at the Santa Fe Opera House Attend a performance at the Santa Fe Opera House

The Santa Fe Opera House is a world-renowned venue that plays host to a variety of operas each summer. The company has presented operas – comedies, dramas, tragedies and more – every July and August since 1957 (in a succession of three structures). The current venue is an open-air theater surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountain ranges, which means it offers some gorgeous views, and it can accommodate around 2,100 spectators. Patrons can arrive up to three hours prior to the show and many often do, specifically to tailgate in the surrounding parking lots with picnics, gourmet meals and drinks. (The opera also offers special dining options like premade tailgate picnics and preview buffet dinners for a set price.)

Recent visitors offered plenty of praise for the Santa Fe Opera, saying the singers were impressive and that the setting is quite picturesque. They say it's a top Santa Fe experience — even if you're not a regular opera goer. Travelers and residents agree that tailgating is a must – people are dressed to the nines, sipping on sparkling wine and savoring "chic eats," so plan to bring some food and drinks to enjoy. Some warn that you may experience thunderstorms, but that the lightning makes for an even more dramatic backdrop during the show. They also suggest bringing a sweater or a wrap in case of an evening chill.

Palace of the Governors Palace of the Governors

Dating to 1610, the Palace of the Governors was the original capitol of New Mexico and has been in public use longer than any other building in the country. The adobe structure was connected to the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, when the Pueblo Indians successfully drove Spanish invaders out of Santa Fe (who then fled to El Paso ). Today, the National Historic Landmark showcases more than 400 years of the state's history (officially as part of the New Mexico History Museum ). Outside, Native American artists sell handmade pottery, jewelry and more.

Recent travelers said they gleaned a great deal of knowledge about New Mexico history from visiting this site. They also appreciated that the vendors educated them on the different wares for sale (and weren't too pushy, either). However, a few recent visitors were disappointed to find that many of the historical exhibits normally on display within the palace had been removed due to a building renovation that began in early 2023. Though the building is still accessible to visitors, the educational exhibits may be limited.

New Mexico State Capitol New Mexico State Capitol free

New Mexico's State Capitol, known familiarly as the Roundhouse, was designed by architect Robert E. McKee to resemble the shape of a Zia sun symbol, the image that adorns the state's flag. The 232,000-square-foot structure – the country's sole round capitol building – has a 60-foot-high central rotunda. Beyond its distinctive architecture, the capitol is worth visiting for art's sake. Its art collection, managed by the Capitol Art Foundation, has nearly 600 works, including paintings, sculpture, photography and more. Additionally, the Governor's Gallery on the fourth floor operates as an arm of the New Mexico Museum of Art and hosts several special exhibits annually. The building's 6 1/2-acre-grounds boast outdoor art as well as more than 100 types of local plants.

Recent visitors admired the art on display and report that the staff are very friendly. Reviewers also comment on the capitol's unique round style.

New Mexico History Museum New Mexico History Museum

U.S. News Insider Tip: Two historic restaurants surround the museum. Family-owned and operated since 1953, The Shed occupies an adobe hacienda dating to 1692. The Plaza Café has served diner favorites since 1905; the same family has operated it for more than 75 years. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel

The New Mexico History Museum has exhibits that recount the state's stories from a variety of perspectives. Its core "Telling New Mexico" exhibition offers an overview of more than five centuries of regional history. It also mounts various temporary exhibits that have concentrated on the legacy of the Fred Harvey Company, the state's role in World War I and how the museum amassed its collection of artifacts. Its collections include more than 1 million objects and documents, including rare 18th-century hide paintings, devotional art and photographs. There's also a working exhibit concerning New Mexico's printing and literary traditions. The museum also houses the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, which boasts an extensive catalog relating to state and regional history and culture. The Palace of Governors is part of the museum.

The Best of Santa Fe & The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum: Private Tour

(33 reviews)

from $ 210.00

Plaza Sip, Savor, & History Walking Tour in Santa Fe

(11 reviews)

from $ 119.00

A Walking Tour of Santa Fe's Most Beautiful and Historic Sites

(38 reviews)

from $ 217.46

Explore the city with Routes Bicycle Tours of Santa Fe Explore the city with Routes Bicycle Tours of Santa Fe

With more than 400 years of history to revisit, Santa Fe feels like a living museum. One of the best ways to experience this history – not to mention spotting its architectural gems and other landmarks – is on a bike tour. Outfitter Routes Bicycle Tours offers tours exploring the city's art and history, local cuisine and craft beer. Guides lead each tour and offer historical information and local insights.

Recent reviews said a bike tour was a great way to get introduced to the city. They raved about the guides' knowledge. They noted that bikes allowed them to cover more territory than walking tours.

Museum of Indian Arts and Culture Museum of Indian Arts and Culture

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, part of the Museum of New Mexico system, aims to tell the stories of the Southwest's native people from pre-history to the present day. Its collection includes more than 72,000 objects, including sculptures, baskets, pottery, jewelry, textiles and an ancient 151-foot-long hunting net made of human hair circa A.D. 1200. The museum also hosts various events, such as native pottery demonstrations and lectures, as well as educational programs. There's also an outdoor sculpture garden that features rotating exhibits by Native American sculptors.

Recent travelers said this museum is well worth a visit for its well-curated displays and educational exhibits. Several recommended stopping in the excellent gift shop.

Railyard Arts District Railyard Arts District free

U.S. News Insider Tip: While in the Railyard, check out Jean Cocteau Cinema, an indie movie house, and Beastly Books, a sci-fi and fantasy bookstore. "Game of Thrones" creator George R. R. Martin owns both. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel

Along with Canyon Road and the Santa Fe Plaza , the Railyard Arts District represents a top "City Different" (Santa Fe's nickname) artistic hub. Spread along rail tracks that terminate at the Santa Fe Depot, the district has transformed from a home of industry to one for galleries, museums, restaurants and shops. The neighborhood is home to the Santa Fe Farmers Market on the weekend, as well as galleries, such as Blue Rain Gallery, Charlotte Jackson Fine Art and LewAllen Galleries. SITE Santa Fe, a contemporary art museum, showcases exhibitions and artist talks with leading-edge creatives from around the globe. What's more, Railyard Park hosts summer music concerts and events, such as the International Folk Art Market.

San Miguel Chapel San Miguel Chapel free

San Miguel Chapel bills itself as the oldest church in the continental United States. Indeed, the structure, or at least the original part of it, long predates the founding of the country as it is believed to date back to around 1610. (Over its centuries of existence, portions of the building have been reconstructed as is typical and required of adobe structures.) Located in Santa Fe's historic El Barrio de Analco district, near Santa Fe Plaza , the church is dedicated to the archangel Michael, a statue of whom stands at the site, along with a carved wooden alter screen and other artworks. The adobe building is used for Mass, live musical performances and other events. Be sure to check its calendar of events before visiting.

Visitors acknowledge that the chapel is modest, but stress that it merits a short visit, especially for those with an interest in history and mission-style architecture. Others praised the informative and friendly docents.

Meow Wolf Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf started as an arts and entertainment collective in 2008, but many people use the same name to describe the group's major interactive installation in Santa Fe, the "House of Eternal Return." This otherworldly, over-the-top, impossible-to-describe immersive installation is located in a 20,000-square-foot space and spread across more than 70 rooms. Opened in 2016, the exhibit quickly became a major permanent attraction in the city and offers a trippy escape into a world filled with scenes and settings worthy of sci-fi movies. There are hidden doorways, portals to other worlds, mysterious hallways, strange music and fascinating artwork. If you feel like following the mysterious story arc about the "family" who supposedly lived there (and disappeared), you can, but you don't have to in order to enjoy the exhibit.

Recent visitors raved about the unusual experience, saying it's unlike anything they have ever seen, and advise others to leave plenty of time to explore. Other reviewers said it's great for all ages, though some said tickets can get pricey for a family. They further advised to be prepared for crowds, especially during peak times like spring break, and visual chaos when you enter the exhibit. Several reviewers warned those with limited mobility that you will need to crouch or crawl for certain elements.

Santa Fe Revisited

(253 reviews)

from $ 80.00

Wander New Mexico Food Tour - Downtown Plaza 'Sip & Savor'

(254 reviews)

from $ 209.00

Viator Exclusive: Alfresco Gourmet Brunch in Santa Fe with a chef

(61 reviews)

from $ 64.00

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

Famed artist Georgia O'Keeffe was inspired by Santa Fe's blazing landscape, and her portrayals of New Mexico earned her a reputation as one of the top southwestern artists. This namesake museum celebrates her career with its collection of 3,000 pieces, including 140 oil paintings, 700 drawings and hundreds of other works.

Fans of O'Keeffe generally enjoy the museum. Many recommend the free audio tour. (Be sure to bring your own earbuds.) However, some patrons warned that the museum is small and said they wished more of O'Keeffe's finished works were on display. The museum is in the process of planning an expansion and new building that is set to open in downtown Santa Fe in 2026.

Bandelier National Monument Bandelier National Monument

U.S. News Insider Tip: While in Los Alamos, don't miss the Bradbury Science Museum, which showcases the history and work of Los Alamos National Laboratory; and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which preserves locations associated with the development of the world's first atomic bomb. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel

For centuries before the Europeans invaded North America, Ancestral Puebloan peoples lived in permanent settlements across the Southwest. At the Bandelier National Monument, visitors can explore the remnants of one of these settlements. At the base of Frijoles Canyon are a collection of ancient cave dwellings and other stone structures belonging to ancestors of today's Pueblo peoples.

Santa Fe Farmers Market Santa Fe Farmers Market free

No matter your reason for visiting Santa Fe – whether it be to see the art along Canyon Road or ski the slopes – set aside some time to check out the Santa Fe Farmers Market. Open on Saturdays throughout the year, the market features dozens of vendors selling everything from locally grown produce, flowers and cheeses to baked goods, jams and honey. There is also a cafe selling coffee and other local treats. At the nearby  Railyard Artisan Market , crafters sell handmade items like jewelry and ceramics.

Recent visitors were supremely impressed by this farmers market, especially with the variety of fresh produce and the stimulation of the senses (from colorful veggies and fruits to the aromas of fresh flowers and spices). The only downside, according to some travelers, was that the venue was packed with people; many suggested getting there early to avoid the crowds. Others warned of difficulty finding a parking spot.

Explore the Santa Fe Margarita Trail Explore the Santa Fe Margarita Trail

Every region has its signature cocktail. The margarita is synonymous with Santa Fe. The Margarita Trail connects nearly 50 different restaurants and bars across Santa Fe County. Each restaurant has a specialty drink on the trail, such as the "Holy Margarita" at SkyFire Restaurant at Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection ; and the "Cowgirl Cadillac Margarita" at Cowgirl BBQ.

Of course, the trail's creators don't intend for people to drive all around town sampling. Rather, the trail is meant to be enjoyed over time, whether a few days during a weekend trip or over a longer span.  A "passport" where imbibers can track the trail locations they've visited is available in paper form from any of the Santa Fe visitor centers or via a digital app. If you present your passport at a participating location, you'll get a $1 discount on the specialty margarita. Plus, stamps can be redeemed for prizes, such as t-shirts and cocktail books. Opening times and prices vary for each margarita trail stop. For more information, visit the Tourism Santa Fe website .

El Rancho de las Golondrinas El Rancho de las Golondrinas

El Rancho de las Golondrinas, or the Ranch of the Swallows, is a living history museum that endeavors to show what life was like in the rural area south of Santa Fe in the 18th and 19th century. The 200-acre complex has buildings dating back to the early 1700s as well as reconstructed buildings from other areas of the state. Volunteer docents wear clothing reflecting the period and demonstrate lifeways from the era. The site stages various events, including the Santa Fe Harvest Festival each autumn and the Santa Fe Renaissance Faire in September.

Visitors recommend taking a tour as the guides are very knowledgeable and personable. Many also suggest wearing comfortable shoes because seeing all the exhibits requires a lot of walking.

Santa Fe Farmers Market & Railyard Food Tour

2 Hour Pottery Experience (Wheel or Hand-Building)

(25 reviews)

from $ 160.00

Canyon Road Art & History Walking Tour

(64 reviews)

from $ 70.00

New Mexico Museum of Art New Mexico Museum of Art

The oldest art museum in the state (it opened in 1917), the New Mexico Museum of Art is set in a traditional adobe building and home to more than 20,000 pieces of American and European art. Pieces range from drawings, paintings and photographs to more unique displays like prints and textiles. The museum has a permanent collection and welcomes rotating exhibits. Special exhibits have included presentations like "Con Cariño: Artists Inspired by Lowriders," which celebrated the influence of lowrider cars; "The Nature of Glass," which exhibited various techniques used with the medium; and "Picturing Passion: Artists Interpret the Penitente Brotherhood." Vladem Contemporary, the museum's annex for contemporary art, is slated to open in the Railyard District in 2023.

Recent visitors appreciated the variety of art on display (a few said they liked this museum better than the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum ). Many museumgoers loved the rotating exhibitions and said they often return to see what new pieces are on display. Others recommended exploring the outdoor sculpture gardens and courtyard.

Santa Fe Botanical Garden Santa Fe Botanical Garden

The high desert landscape surrounds the City Different (Santa Fe's nickname), but there are few better places to appreciate its intricacies than the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. The approximately 20-acre garden features a collection of fruit trees, a xeric garden (dry plants that rely solely on rainwater) and the Ojos y Manos: Eyes and Hands ethnobotanical garden, which explores plants tied to human history. Meanwhile, the meandering Art Trail showcases annual sculpture exhibitions. A 3.25-acre Piñon-Juniper Woodland protects the foothills ecosystem that's unique to Northern New Mexico. Approximately 8 acres of the garden is developed with walking paths.

Recent visitors recommend visiting the garden, even if, being situated in the Southwest, it may not be the lush landscape many people expect. They say the relatively small garden has a wide variety of native plants and recommend taking a docent tour to appreciate the displays further. Tours aren't offered on a set schedule; they're available when staff and volunteers are. Inquire at the visitor center for availability.

Take a class at Liquid Light Glass Take a class at Liquid Light Glass

Liquid Light Glass is a hub for glass-blown art, sculptures, ornaments, vases and more. The shop and studio is located in the Baca Street Arts District, a neighborhood forming the southern end of the area of Santa Fe that's home to retail shops, furniture showrooms and art boutiques. Travelers can visit the studio to take a class with founder and glass artist Elodie Holmes, or one of her colleagues, to create colorful glass art.

Past patrons said walking through the shop to see all the unique glass-blown art is a treat; many added that they loved the class, during which items like paperweights, vases and bowls are made, and that the instructor was very patient and helpful.

Paseo Pottery Classes Paseo Pottery Classes

Santa Fe is an arts town through and through. It's easy for visitors to get swept up in the creative flow at places like Paseo Pottery, a working studio that also offers clay classes. A trio of artists founded Paseo Pottery in 1991. Ceramicists still work in the studio today; the on-site gallery displays their work. Many of these artists also teach classes, from seven-week long intensives to two-hour long clay experiences. During these sessions travelers and newbies can "play in the mud" with hand-building techniques and using the potter's wheel. At the end of class, their work is recycled back into the clay mound.

Reviewers enjoyed the studio's fun, welcoming atmosphere, and said it was fitting for both novices and experienced artists. They noted that instructors provide easy-to-follow instructions and are supportive. 

Loretto Chapel Loretto Chapel

The Loretto Chapel is known for its so-called miraculous staircase, which creates two 360-degree turns as it climbs 22 feet to the choir loft. The stairway is said to have been built by a wandering carpenter after the chapel itself was completed in 1878. According to the chapel, the carpenter used wooden pegs (not nails) and the staircase itself has no visible means of support. Other features of the neo-Gothic church – which is just 25 feet by 75 feet – include trefoil arches, buttresses and stained-glass windows imported from France.

Though they note that the chapel is small, visitors enjoyed seeing and learning about the remarkable staircase. However, a few said a stop inside is not worth the $5 admission fee, noting that there are several interesting churches to visit nearby that do not charge an entrance fee. 

Stained Glass Class - Hidden Santa Fe Gem

(21 reviews)

from $ 190.00

Santa Fe Haunted Spirits Tour

(49 reviews)

from $ 250.00

Todos Santos Private Transportation to Airport in Sanjose del Cabo

(16 reviews)

from $ 109.97

Nedra Matteucci Galleries Nedra Matteucci Galleries

U.S. News Insider Tip: After browsing, head across the street to Kakawa Chocolate House, which specializes in handmade truffles (like chili chocolate) and drinking chocolates. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel

Set on the edge of Canyon Road , Nedra Matteucci Galleries has established a reputation for fine 19th- and 20th-century American art. Viewers will find bold-faced names from history, such as the members of the Taos Society of Artists, artists from the American West, and leading contemporary American impressionists and modernists. Founded in 1972, the gallery showcases painting, pottery and jewelry, and features an outdoor sculpture garden with a scenic pond.

Peruse the Santa Fe Indian Market Peruse the Santa Fe Indian Market free

Held each year since 1922, Santa Fe Indian Market lays claim to being one of the oldest and most celebrated Native American art markets in the country. It showcases the juried work of more than 800 Native American artists representing some 250 federally recognized tribes from the U.S. and Canada working in mediums from jewelry to sculpture, and from painting to beadwork. The open-air market, which centers on the Santa Fe Plaza and surrounding roads, includes several days of shopping, as well as an award ceremony honoring the best artworks, a Native American clothing contest, an haute couture fashion show and other events. There are also food vendors, selling fry bread, Navajo tacos and roasted corn, among other dishes.

Recent visitors enjoyed the variety of vendors and applauded the quality of the work. Some cautioned that it can be hot (the event takes place in August) and recommended planning accordingly – or ducking into the shops around the plaza to cool off.

Ski Santa Fe Ski Santa Fe

It may come as a surprise to some visitors, but New Mexico is home to some of the top ski spots in the Southwest. Ski season here usually spans from late fall, around Thanksgiving, into March, and Ski Santa Fe receives an average of 225 inches a year. Because Ski Santa Fe is located about 15 miles northeast of Santa Fe, it's easy to add to your itinerary. The ski area covers 660 acres of terrain with 86 runs. There are more intermediate and expert trails, but beginners will be able to get their turns in here, too. It offers a base elevation of 10,350 feet and 1,725 feet of vertical drop, which skiers can access through seven chairlifts.

Visitors who tried Ski Santa Fe appreciated its proximity to downtown and said there's even a free shuttle (the RTD Mountain Trail Bus ) that runs from downtown Santa Fe to the mountain making it easier to access. Skiers said the quality of the snow was great, the views are impressive and there were rarely lift lines.

Things to Do in Santa Fe FAQs

Explore more of santa fe.

Best Hotels

When To Visit

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 28 Best Water Parks in the U.S. for 2024

Holly Johnson|Timothy J. Forster May 8, 2024

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

These 9 New Mexico destinations capture the best of the Land of Enchantment

Dec 5, 2021 • 6 min read

A woman stands at the entrance to New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns © Westend61 / Getty Images

New Mexico earns its "Land of Enchantment" nickname with unsurpassed vistas, history-soaked towns and multi-faceted culture. Often underestimated, the state rewards travelers with family-friendly getaways and bucket-list-worthy adventures around every turn.     

The most famous area is northern New Mexico, with Santa Fe's desertscapes and storied buildings as its centerpiece. However, the southern part of the state has a few marvels stashed in its back pocket, too.

The sovereign lands of 19 Pueblo tribes, two Apache reservations, and the Navajo Nation dot every corner of New Mexico, where the elevation climbs from the banks of the sinuous Rio Grande to the forested peaks of the southernmost ranges of the Rocky Mountains.

Here are the best places to go.

Best for art

It’s hard not to feel like you’re time-traveling in Santa Fe , where 400-year-old burro trails became streets around The Plaza and a grand European-style cathedral towers over low-slung adobe inheritances from the 1600s.

Pull up a barstool in this town and you could be doing so next to an artist who fills local venues rivaling those in New York and Los Angeles. Collectors can spend days perusing the highbrow galleries bookending Canyon Road and the assemblage in the Railyard Arts District . The city also offers a quartet of museums at Museum Hil, including the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and Museum of International Folk Art , as well as the neon glow of  Meow Wolf ’s House of Eternal Return , a mindbending interactive art installation.

Best for outdoor recreation 

Summiting the tallest peak in the state, rambling with llamas and kayaking the wild and scenic Rio Grande are all in a day’s travel in Taos . Taos Ski Valley offers steep-and-deep skiing and North America’s tallest lift-served run in winter and high-alpine trekking terrain in summer. Outdoorsy folks will revel in the Rio Grande Gorge ’s triple threat of recreation: climbing, rafting, and hiking.  

San Francisco’s counterculture has nothing on Taos, where the local radio station is solar-powered and communes are a contemporary way of life. Sustainable homes known as Earthships sail on the sagebrush mesa northwest of town and curious visitors can bunk inside the packed-tire and glass bottle walls for the night.

Albuquerque

Best for nightlife and culture.

A third of the state’s population lives in the greater Albuquerque area and is supplied with superb bars, concert venues and restaurants. New Mexico overflows with suds, but the Duke City has a corner on the craft beer scene with more than 40 breweries including award-winners such as  Marble Brewery and trendsetters  Bow & Arrow Brewing Co . Oenophiles will find plenty to sip in the city's numerous tasting rooms — don’t miss Gruet Winery ’s sparkling wines.

You might also like: Finding sanctuary in one of America’s few Native-owned breweries

Revelry turns upscale at the KiMo Theatre , where live music and indie flicks get equal billing on the marquees. Meanwhile, two nationally acclaimed cultural attractions tout the state’s founding cultures. Within a tortilla’s toss from downtown, the National Hispanic Culture Center raises the curtain on flamenco, opera, and symphony performances. Meanwhile, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center unfurls the story of the region’s Indigenous peoples through exhibitions, traditional dance performances and a pre-contact–meets–contemporary menu at Indian Pueblo Kitchen .  

Best for families

This mountain hamlet is a perennial vacation spot for families who return each year for its quaint downtown, hearty restaurants, and laidback outdoors scene. Ruidoso is ensconced in the 1.1 million-acre Lincoln National Forest . Two hundred miles of trails carve Sacramento Mountain peaks and wildflower meadows. Be sure to pay your respects at the grave of Smokey Bear , the real-life inspiration for the anti-forest fire mascot, who hails from these hills and is buried in them.

Truth or Consequences

Best for space travel.

This humble haven, aka T or C, was previously best known as an affordable getaway for soaking in geothermal hot springs . Today it’s a billionaire hotspot thanks to two destinations. Spaceport America , the world’s first purpose-built spaceport, is home to Virgin Galactic’s headquarters and was the launch point for Richard Branson’s historic spaceflight in 2021. People who can’t afford a ticket into orbit can stay on the ground with a tour that includes views of the Virgin Galactic fleet and riding a G-force simulator. Travelers also line up for tours of media mogul-turned-conservationist Ted Turner’s reserves . His national-park-sized Ladder and Armendaris Ranches protect majestic landscapes, bison herds and endangered species.  

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Best for spelunking.

Cathedral-sized rooms, double-decker pillars and cascading rock curtains all lie below the surface of the Chihuahuan Desert in southeastern New Mexico. With 119 caves and counting, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is home to one of the world’s most extensive cave systems, which earned the karst landscape a nod as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Most visitors stay on the main trail, riding the elevator down to the Big Room to wander a football field’s worth of stalagmites and stalactites. The 1.25-mile Natural Entrance trail is well worth taking to see named formations like Devil’s Spring and Whale’s Mouth, even if the return trip requires a thigh-burning 75-story ascent. Intrepid and claustrophobia-immune travelers can venture into remote caves on ranger-guided spelunks.

White Sands National Park

Best for natural splendor.

One of New Mexico’s iconic national parks, the glistening dunes of White Sands National Park sprawl across 275 square miles of deserts. Get started by following Dunes Drive on a 16-mile round trip into the heart of the sugary drifts. But don’t stay in the car. Pack a plastic saucer or buy one from the visitor’s center to sled the 60ft-tall banks. The Alkali Flat Trail travels five miles into the backcountry to the dunes’ birthplace at Lake Otero, a sandy slog that rewards hikers with unspoiled views of the otherworldly gypsum expanse that’s played backdrop to films and music videos.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Best for heritage.

An often-overlooked center of the ancient world, the great houses at Chaco sheltered thousands of people 1200 years ago. The stacked-stone buildings stand as proof of the Ancestral Puebloans’ ancient feats of engineering. Most travelers follow the 9-mile Canyon Loop Drive to sites like Pueblo Bonito , where visitors stoop through doorways and follow age-old passages. Four backcountry trails pass petroglyph sites to reveal vistas of outlying great houses and roads that still carve the mesas of what is now western New Mexico. Come nighttime, the International Dark Sky Park reveals clear views of the Milky Way and sparkling constellations spilling through the midnight sky.

Best for eating chile

No trip to New Mexico is complete without tasting – or gorging yourself on – the state’s signature chile-laden cuisine. You’ll be tripping over chile in Las Cruces as it’s served in everything from enchiladas, beer, wine to waffles. But there are two can’t-miss spots to appreciate the pepper. In town, the New Mexico State University Chile Pepper Institute is the only place in the world dedicated solely to researching capsicum, or chile pepper. Many of the state’s favorite peppers were cultivated here and are grown in the teaching garden. A tour will give you encyclopedic knowledge of the spicy fruit.

Forty miles north, Hatch , the self-proclaimed chile capital of the world, grows so much chile that the town’s name has become synonymous with it. Stop in Sparkys Burgers & BBQ for a green-chile cheeseburger or chile milkshake with enough heat that you’ll remember the meal long after you’ve left.

You might also like: The best day trips from Albuquerque See the Southwest USA's most iconic landscapes on this epic road trip The Southwest USA's 7 best hiking trails

Explore related stories

May 15, 2024 • 7 min read

Memorial Day Weekend sneaks up on you. Suddenly, it's less than two weeks away, but it's not too late to plan a fabulous last-minute trip.

May 9, 2024 • 6 min read

Apr 29, 2024 • 11 min read

Apr 14, 2024 • 8 min read

Mar 15, 2024 • 10 min read

Mar 1, 2024 • 6 min read

Feb 23, 2024 • 6 min read

Jan 29, 2024 • 7 min read

Jan 25, 2024 • 10 min read

Nov 15, 2023 • 5 min read

41 Best Things To Do & Places To Visit In New Mexico

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: October 15, 2020  - Last updated: October 16, 2023

With more than 35 million visitors per year, New Mexico is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.

It has a little bit of everything, so whether you’re interested in sweeping desert landscapes or crowded marketplaces in lively tourist towns, you can have the experience of a lifetime here.

Here are just a few of the coolest things to do in New Mexico!

Table of Contents

1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Doug Meek / Shutterstock

Best known for its twisting, winding passages of underground caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the most fun things to do in New Mexico.

The caves are filled with dark tunnels that stretch for miles.

You can explore on your own or take a ranger-led tour through bat holes, mud pits, calcite formations, limestone chambers and outlandish displays of stalactites.

If you visit at the right time of the year, you can even watch bat migrations with thousands and thousands of the critters taking flight in the night sky at the same moment.

Above ground, you can go hiking, biking or driving through the beautiful scenery of New Mexico.

The most challenging trails have steep climbs through rocky terrain; the most relaxing spots have picnic areas surrounded by flowers and fresh springs.

There’s a reason why Carlsbad Caverns National Park always tops the list of must see attractions in New Mexico.

With so many activities to choose from, you could easily spend your entire vacation here!

Address:  727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM 88220, United States

2. International UFO Museum and Research Center

turtix / Shutterstock

Roswell , New Mexico is one of the country’s most popular tourist spots for aliens, spaceships and other crazy things from the skies above.

Not only was it ground zero for the infamous Roswell UFO Incident of 1947, but it’s also been used as a shooting location for everything from Roswell to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine .

The International UFO Museum and Research Center is a fun and kitschy place that celebrates the unique calling card of the city.

There are displays for alien dissections and meteorites stuck in the sand; there are little green men on mugs, posters and t-shirts.

For people who are more serious about their UFOs, you’ll have fun stuff to do, too.

The museum is pretty much the best place on Earth for records, archives, photos, videos, artifacts and eyewitness accounts of unexplained phenomenon in the night sky.

Some tales have been debunked; others are ongoing mysteries.

If you’re looking for unique vacation ideas in New Mexico, consider the International UFO Museum and Research Center.

It’s so cool that you could even say it’s… out of this world.

Address:  114 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88203, United States

3. White Sands National Monument

Galyna Andrushko / Shutterstock

What colors come to mind when you think about New Mexico?

Since it’s a desert state, most people would probably answer with variations of brown, red, orange and beige.

However, one of the biggest points of interest in the state is actually white : the White Sands National Monument .

Comprised of a rare form of white gypsum sand, this stunning landscape stretches both tall and wide.

It covers about 275 miles in total, and since the wind is constantly shifting it, dunes can range from 6 – 60 feet high.

Trees and bushes are dotted here and there.

Wildlife includes everything from small, quick-moving scorpions to gigantic horned antelopes.

There were dire wolves and saber-toothed cats once upon a time, and their fossils are still being uncovered today.

Only part of the White Sands National Monument is open to tourists for conservation reasons, but you’ll have plenty to things to see and do while you’re there.

You can walk, hike, backpack, horseback ride and even camp on the sands under the stars.

You should definitely give it a visit if you’re looking for the best things to do in New Mexico!

Address: U.S. Route 70, Alamogordo, NM 88310, United States

4. Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

Dennis W Donohue / Shutterstock

If you’ve always wanted to take a scenic train ride through rolling hills and gentle, mist-filled mountains, hop aboard the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad .

Its track stretches from New Mexico to Colorado, so not only will you enjoy sweeping views of some of the best, most beautiful places in the southwest, but you’ll also be able to utilize it for the next leg of your cross-country trip!

The train itself is cute and cozy.

It’s one of the oldest steam locomotives in the world, and it runs along a “heritage” railroad with lots of vintage charm.

Food and drink is sold from concession carts.

VIP coaches are available for high rollers who want to ride in luxury, but there are also discount coaches for backpackers and budgeters.

Additionally, there are several glass gondolas that serve as observation decks for travelers of every ticket type.

For amazing views of New Mexico, grab your bags and stow away on the Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway.

It offers a cool and unusual method of travel, and it’ll make for some incredible photos for your vacation scrapbook!

Address:  500 Terrace Ave, Chama, NM 87520, United States

5. High Noon Restaurant and Saloon

High Noon Restaurant & Saloon

The corn is served with red peppers.

The crispy onions are piled high on the plate with salsa and guacamole.

The meat comes from wild game that’s been seasoned and sizzled to perfection.

Welcome to the cuisine of New Mexico!

The High Noon Restaurant and Saloon isn’t the only restaurant within the state that specializes in southwestern staples, but it’s one of the best.

It offers a wide range of dishes with Spanish, Mexican and Native American influences, and they’re as diverse as they’re delicious.

Another fun thing about the restaurant is that it embraces an Old West theme.

From the vine-covered walls to the statues of old Catholic saints posed along the ledges and inset alcoves, it’ll give you a taste of turn-of-the-century New Mexico as you chow down.

Is your stomach rumbling during your vacation?

Stop by the High Noon Restaurant and Saloon.

Your belt might not fit afterwards, but your spurs will be right at home.

Address:  425 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, United States

6. TinkerTown

txkimmers / flickr

If you’re looking for places of interest in New Mexico that aren’t on your everyday travel guide, you’ll want to swing by the little-known city of Sandia Park and visit TinkerTown .

Built by a single man over the course of four decades, TinkerTown is part museum and part art installation.

Its walls are made of glass bottles; its hedges are guarded by gnomes, totem poles and taxidermy animals.

Wooden wheels act like wind catchers whenever a breeze floats by.

Every shelf is crowded with bits and baubles, and some spill onto the floor below, creating a maze-like labyrinth for visitors to pick their way through.

Would it surprise you to learn that the builder used to design sets for the circus?

TinkerTown is one of the more unusual places to go in New Mexico, but if you’re a fan of the strange and funky, it’ll certainly make for some interesting photos to take back home.

You can also tell your friends that you visited a genuine roadside attraction!

Address:  121 Sandia Crest Rd, Sandia Park, NM 87047, United States

7. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

Located in Albuquerque, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science offers a fun and interactive experience that takes everything you thought you knew about museums and throws it out of the window.

For starters, there are no dry and boring exhibits.

If the life-sized dinosaur skeletons don’t excite you, try the fossil displays, volcano replicas, gemstone collections or paper mache bird models.

Other cool places in the museum include a “learning garden” where you can play in the dirt and a “hallway of stars” where the constellations are mapped on long, glowing walls.

For animal lovers, there are places where you can touch and feed wildlife.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is a must do when you’re near Albuquerque.

It offers family-friendly fun for visitors of all ages, and it’ll make you rethink what it means to visit a museum!

Address:  1801 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, United States

8. Bandelier National Monument

Traveller70 / Shutterstock

Dating back to 1150 CE, the Bandelier National Monument is another broad, beautiful landscape that showcases New Mexico’s rugged natural wilderness.

It’s also one of the best places to see historical relics from the ancestral Pueblo tribes that lived, hunted and built structures in the area for thousands of years.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, including hiking and camping.

An amphitheater hosts outdoor concerts; a museum offers tours, classes and nature walks.

There are also ample opportunities for sightseeing on high ridges and within rocky caverns.

If you’re interested in Native American history, check out the masonry dwellings with their petroglyphs etched into the walls.

You’ll never feel closer to the Pueblo people than when you’re standing on the same stones and touching the same carvings.

Consider a trip to Bandelier National Monument if you’re looking for fun things to do in New Mexico that will get you out of the hotel and into the fresh air.

It’s an absolutely gorgeous destination, and it has cultural and historical value to boot.

Address:  15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544, United States

9. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

FloridaStock / Shutterstock

With its beauty and history, Albuquerque is one of the best vacation spots in the state, and it’s definitely worth sticking around for awhile and checking out everything that the city has to offer.

If you only have time for one event, however, you won’t want to miss the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta .

Held every fall, it’s a large, lively gathering for hot air balloon enthusiasts, and events include everything from coordinated shows to amateur races and showmanship competitions.

Aside from the balloons, you can enjoy all kinds of food, drink, music, games and crafts.

There are even educational moments to be had when you visit stalls or watch performances dedicated to the state’s indigenous populations.

Drawing almost a million visitors every day, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the top things to do in New Mexico.

If you enjoy cheap eats, colorful balloons, festive atmospheres and unique travel ideas, you’ll definitely want to make some time in your schedule this October!

Address:  4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, United States

10. Trinity Atomic Bomb Site

vasakkohaline / Shutterstock

The Trinity Atomic Bomb Site offers a rare and fleeting glimpse into a darker part of New Mexico’s history.

It’s only open to the public once per year, so you’ll have to time your trip correctly if you want to see it, but it’s worth the effort.

As you might have guessed, the Trinity Atomic Bomb Site is the location of a nuclear test performed by the U.S. government in 1945.

In fact, it was the very first nuclear test.

New Mexico would go on to become one of their favorite places for these early, initial experiments since the deserts were so remote.

All of this and more is explained on the guided tour of the bomb site.

You’ll walk the grounds, marvel at the remnants of the atomic blast and have the chance to view other tools and artifacts from the time period.

Some things to see in New Mexico aren’t pretty.

However, they’re vitally important to remember, and they might be quite interesting to history buffs.

Try to catch a tour of the Trinity Atomic Bomb Site if you’ll be in the state at the right time.

Address: Albuquerque, NM, United States

11. Taos Ski Valley

Roschetzky Photography / Shutterstock

Though it’s best known for its dry, rugged deserts, there are fun places to visit in New Mexico every season of the year, and the winter belongs to the Taos Ski Valley .

Nestled deep in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Taos Ski Valley offers gleaming white slopes for skiing, snowboarding and more.

There are trails for every skill level, and its lift rises to record-breaking heights of almost 12,500 feet.

When you’re done with the outdoors, a cozy little village has everything from sauna rooms to gourmet restaurants with open fireplaces and wood tables.

There are also places for shopping, working out, getting a massage or grabbing a doughnut and a cup of coffee on a cold morning.

You can visit Taos Ski Valley at other times of the year, too.

There’s hiking, biking, fishing, rafting and rock climbing in the summer; there’s horseback riding and llama trekking in the fall.

You can even arrange for a hot air balloon ride over the mountains!

New Mexico has a lot more to offer than just deserts, so if you’re wondering what to do after you’ve already seen the tumbleweeds, book a room at the Taos Ski Valley this weekend.

Its views really are the best in the state.

Address: 116 Sutton Pl, Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525, United States

12. Eldora Craft Chocolate

Eldora Chocolate

Who needs Willy Wonka when you have Eldora Craft Chocolate ?

Its factory will take you behind the scenes of chocolate creation, and its shop will offer rows upon rows of sweet, smooth and sugary treats.

The facility is what’s known as a “bean to bar” location.

This means that it receives raw, unprocessed cocoa beans and turns them into decadent desserts with the power of their own machines.

Of course, imagination plays a role as well.

Eldora is known for its fun, colorful confections that include everything from “Kabow” energy bars to adults-only truffles that have been infused with various types of alcohol.

There are also nibs, drops, crunchers, creamers and chocolate balls as far as the eye can see.

For the yummiest of New Mexico attractions, take a trip to Eldora Craft Chocolate.

Your waistline will probably regret it, but your taste buds will rejoice!

Address:  8114 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, United States

13. House of Eternal Return

BrianPIrwin / Shutterstock

The House of Eternal Return is one of the most interesting places in New Mexico.

Combining elements of an escape room, scavenger hunt, haunted house and modern art gallery, it’s a thoroughly entertaining way to spend a few hours when you’re in Santa Fe.

The “premise” of the experience is that something unusual happened to the family that once lived in the house, and it’s your job to explore it and figure out their story.

It sounds simple, but since the house is a complex, eye-dazzling blend of art and architecture, it’s much harder than it sounds.

For example, one room has inter-dimensional portals with lasers and other space-age features.

One room has an Old West theme where a miniature ranch is powered by hamsters.

Other rooms boast creepy monsters, pastel plushies, luminescent caves, neon paintings, dogs speaking in prose and more.

You never know what you’re going to get when you round the next corner at the House of Eternal Return.

If you’re wondering what to do in Santa Fe after you’ve finished with the usual tourist traps, however, this is a great place to go off the beaten path!

Address: 1352 Rufina Circle, Santa Fe, NM 87507, United States

14. New Mexico Museum of Art

LizCoughlan / Shutterstock

New Mexico might be a desert, but it has its rainy days like anywhere else, and you won’t want to let them ruin your vacation.

One way to avoid the storms is to dash inside the New Mexico Museum of Art .

With more than 20,000 paintings, this museum is a great place to get a little culture when you’re in the southwest.

Famous artists include Georgia O’Keeffe, Ansel Adams, Gustave Baumann and Maria Martinez.

The museum is also home to a large library filled with books, periodicals and newspaper clippings.

You can research the topics from the exhibitions or even learn more about the museum itself.

An auditorium can seat up to 400 people for special events, so be sure to check the schedule for lectures and classical music performances.

Are you planning rainy day contingencies for a future trip?

Or maybe you’re already in New Mexico, and you’re scrolling through ideas and suggestions for where to visit when the weather is bad.

Whatever your reasons for needing relief from the downpour, the New Mexico Museum of Art will be warm, dry and thoroughly entertaining.

Address:  107 W Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States

15. ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden

en:User:Camerafiend / CC BY-SA

Covering more than 32 acres, the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden offers a mesmerizing collection of plant and animal life.

It isn’t just a rinky-dink greenhouse; it’s an entire biosphere filled with specimens from all around the world.

For example, one wing of the conservatory houses plants from tropical climates in Africa and South America.

Another wing has succulents that can thrive in deserts and other dry, arid landscapes in the Middle East.

New Mexico is represented as well, so if you want to see local flora and fauna, check out the glass greenhouses or butterfly pavilions.

New Mexico attractions come in all shapes and sizes.

In the case of the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, there are many shapes and sizes.

From small, delicate flowers to gigantic trees looming over rocks and ponds, it’s a wondrous display of the power of nature, and it’s easily one of the best things to do in New Mexico.

Address:  2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, United States

16. Wildlife West Nature Park

~Pawsitive~Candie_N / flickr

The Wildlife West Nature Park isn’t the largest or flashiest zoo in New Mexico.

In fact, it isn’t a zoo at all.

It houses nothing but “non-releasable” animals that have been given sanctuary at the park, so it’s a place of conservation just as much as recreation.

Another fun feature of the park is that its habitats have been constructed to be as realistic as possible.

When you look at the wolves in the grass or the foxes in their holes, you’re looking at a top grade mimicry of their natural environments.

There are other activities to enjoy at the park as well.

An outdoor amphitheater is often used for musical performances, and the wide open fields have hosted everything from the Fall Harvest Festival to the New Mexico Wind Festival.

Long story short, if you’re wondering what to see in New Mexico as an animal lover, the Wildlife West Nature Park should be at the top of your list.

You’ll have a great time with the bears and the birds, and you’ll be supporting a good cause to boot.

Address:  87 N Frontage Rd, Edgewood, NM 87015, United States

17. Guadalupe Backcountry Scenic Byway

BLM New Mexico / flickr

Starting in the desert and ending in the mountains, the Guadalupe Backcountry Scenic Byway offers some of the best sites to see in New Mexico.

It’s one of many scenic drives that wind around the rugged wilderness of the state, but like its name implies, it avoids the big cities and instead showcases the backcountry.

Do you like exploring caves and caverns?

You’ll pass right by Lechugilla Cave, one of the most popular spelunking destinations in New Mexico.

Have you always wanted to visit a waterfall?

You can make a pit stop at Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, home to an exquisite 200-foot waterfall.

Other local attractions include everything from campgrounds to wildlife observational areas.

The highway goes on for a long time, and you’ll pass all kinds of things that might pique your interest enough to pull over.

If you have a desire to see New Mexico and a little extra gas to spare, go for a drive along the Guadalupe Backcountry Scenic Byway.

You can have the experience of a lifetime without even leaving your car.

18. Origami in the Garden

Origami in the Garden

Tucked off a busy highway, the Origami in the Garden is a hidden gem of New Mexico.

It’s easy to speed right by it when you’re driving to other, better-known sites, but if you do, you’ll be missing out on an awesomely obscure attraction.

What is Origami in the Garden?

Simply put, it’s a series of gigantic metal sculptures that are designed to look like origami.

There’s a classically folded crane; there’s a field of running, multicolored horses; there’s even a collection of lost objects and common household goods.

Artistically speaking, you could say that Origami in the Garden juxtaposes the frailty of traditional paper origami with the strength of stainless steel sculptures.

Practically speaking, you could say that it’s just a fun and wacky place to visit.

The Origami in the Garden is a one-of-a-kind destination in New Mexico.

You won’t find it listed as one of the famous places of the state, but what it lacks in recognition it makes up for in singularity.

Where else in the world are you going to find a pair of gigantic origami scissors cutting into an equally huge ball of crumbled origami paper?

Take advantage of this sightseeing opportunity while you can!

Address:  3453 NM-14, Los Cerrillos, NM 87010, United States

19. Bisti Badlands

Dmitry Pichugin / Shutterstock

Also known as the “De-Na-Zin Wilderness,” the Bisti Badlands are named after the Navajo word for “standing crane” in honor of the petrogylphs that are carved into the rock.

They’re absolutely beautiful formations, especially at the hours of sunrise and sunset, and they’re far enough from nearby cities that they have a special, magical quality that’s untouched by modern civilization.

Rocks are colored in various hues of red, white, sandstone and beige.

Tall, thin spires form natural shapes while the ruins of man-made statues beg the question of what they originally depicted.

Did the large lion shape come from a sphinx?

Are the small, dented stones the fossilized remains of small creatures?

One thing to note about the area is that local wildlife is abundant, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for things like rattlesnakes, scorpions and coyotes.

It’s also a very remote landscape without any amenities, so go to the bathroom and charge your cellphone before you get there.

If you don’t mind roughing it, however, or if you’re just looking for New Mexico attractions that are off the beaten path, you’re going to love the beautiful mystique of the Bisti Badlands.

Address:  County Road 7297, Bloomfield, NM 87413, United States

20. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to take a genuine mud bath?

At the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa , you don’t have to wonder anymore!

Offering a variety of spa and salon treatments, Ojo Caliente combines the luxury of a high-class resort with the low prices of a day on the town.

You don’t have to be a guest to partake in their services; you just have to be willing to let go of your worries and stresses as you soak in an aromatherapy bath or have your muscles kneaded by a professional masseuse.

Make sure to check out the hot springs while you’re visting.

They’re the oldest all-natural hot springs in New Mexico, and you haven’t lived until you’ve crossed “soak in outdoor hot springs” off your bucket.

The Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa is a top destination for self-pampering in New Mexico.

Whether you’re spoiling yourself as a solo traveler or booking a honeymoon experience for two, it’s sure to be a muddy-but-memorable experience of your time in the southwest.

Address:  50 Los Banos Drive, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549, United States

21. Museum of International Folk Art (Girard Wing)

Museum of International Folk Art

Do you like toys?

How much do you like toys?

Girard Wing is a mind-blowing collection of more than 100,000 toys from around the world.

Just about every country that you can imagine is here, so you’ll get to see everything from tiny handmade Russian dolls to elaborate model plane kits from Germany.

Not everything is available to view at the same time.

Girard Wing boasts such a crazy collection that only a small portion of dolls, games, puzzles, figurines and miniatures can be displayed at once.

Different toys have different days in the limelight.

If you’re wondering where to go in New Mexico as a lover of the cool and the unique, Girard Wing will be more than just a tourist attraction.

It’ll be an absolute mecca for your inner child.

As soon as you walk through the front door and are confronted by wall-to-wall toys, you’ll realize that you never really grew up at all.

Address: 706 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States

22. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Kasha-Katuwe means “white cliff” in the Pueblo language, so you can probably guess what these cliffs look like.

However, there’s where your guessing will end.

The cliffs defy expectations in every other way.

For starters, they’re shaped like cones.

How many times have you seen rounded white cone cliffs?

They owe their unique geology to the eruptions of a nearby volcano more than six million years ago.

The cliffs are also unusual in the sense that you can do more than just climb them.

Thanks to their “slot” canyons, you can walk between narrow white walls and explore various crevices and summits.

Some are marked by trails; others are not.

If you’re thinking about what to see during a trip to New Mexico, you might want to make time for the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument .

They’re so remarkable that they have to be seen to be believed.

Address:  0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, United States

23. Petroglyph National Monument

If you’re a fan of petroglyphs, it doesn’t get better than the Petroglyph National Monument .

Not only does it offer a look into the lives and times of New Mexico’s indigenous tribes, but it’s also one of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the whole of North America.

You can find literally thousands of drawings, etchings and carvings here.

Most are easily viewed from walking and hiking trails, but some will require more involved treks into caverns and volcanic canyons.

The petroglyphs themselves range from simple depictions of animals and humans to elaborate stories told in visual form.

They’re from a combined mix of indigenous Native American tribes and early Spanish hunters and gatherers.

Are you interested in the history of New Mexico?

Do you love old, one-of-a-kind artwork?

Maybe you’re just looking for unique places to visit during an adventurous vacation.

The Petroglyph National Monument can tick all of these boxes and then some, so it’s definitely something to consider for your bucket list!

Address:  Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, United States

24. Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array

Sarmiento Photography / Shutterstock

Part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the Very Large Array (VLA) is a collection of gigantic radio telescopes in the desert plains of New Mexico.

Thanks to their remote location, they’re able to pick up great readings, and they rest under dazzling night skies that are unaffected by city lights or pollution.

Visitors to the VLA can take tours to see all of the towers and telescopes.

Self-guided tours can be taken any day of the week while guided and behind-the-scenes tours are available on the weekends.

A visitor center is also available on-site, and it houses a small museum and movie theater for science-related films and documentaries.

Additionally, there’s a gift shop for souvenirs, so you can stock up on all of the “I Heart Space” t-shirts that you’ll ever need.

Radio telescopes might not be the first thing that you think about when planning a vacation to New Mexico, but if you’re wondering what to do there as a space nerd, the VLA can send you to the moon and back.

Schedule a trip this weekend to enjoy an up-close look at an astronomical site!

Address:  Socorro, NM 87825, United States

25. Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Robert Anthony Graham / Shutterstock

Explorers, this one is for you.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) is such a long and arduous path that it stretches across five different states!

If you can complete the whole thing, you’ll have traveled through Idaho , Montana , Wyoming , Colorado and New Mexico.

The total distance of the CDT is 3,100 miles, and it’ll be up to you to decide your travel methods.

Some people like to challenge themselves by hiking and biking large portions of it; others prefer to take long, leisurely drives through beautiful scenery.

The best activities in New Mexico don’t always stop in New Mexico.

If you’re looking for crazy things to do while you’re away from home, this is one of those tourist attractions that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

26. Billy the Kid Museum

Billy The Kid Museum

Billy the Kid was one of the most famous outlaws in the Old West, and this museum celebrates his legacy at the exact spot where he died.

He was just 21 years old at the time.

The museum is operated out of a small, modest building with wooden wheels and hay bales outside.

Indoors, there are cozy display shelves that showcase everything from Billy’s saddle spurs to the actual rifle that he used during his gun-slinging days, and the walls are covered with sepia-toned photos, paintings, portraits and wanted posters.

The owners are an elderly couple named Don and Lula Sweet, and despite being New Mexico natives, they’re known for offering southern-style hospitality to anyone who wanders through their doors.

They’ll happily talk to you for hours about anything that you want to know.

If you’re looking for unique places to visit in New Mexico, consider the spot where a dusty western shootout claimed the life of Billy the Kid on July 14, 1881.

It’s a legendary moment in history, and it makes for a must do vacation destination, too.

Address:  1435 Sumner Ave, Fort Sumner, NM 88119, United States

27. Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

All are welcome at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi .

You don’t have to be religious.

Built in 1869, its adobe towers and rose windows have welcomed thousands of visitors over the years, and its long history stands as a testament to its power as one of New Mexico’s oldest tourist attractions.

The architecture is some of the best in the state.

There are stained glass windows; there are bronze doors and yellow limestone arches.

Functional rooms include a chapel, sanctuary, baptismal font and even a crypt.

Regular masses are held at the basilica for the religious.

For the secular, there are other activities like tours, choir concerts, charity drives and holiday events.

Maybe you’re interested in the culture and history of New Mexico.

Maybe you’re just looking for a place to worship while on vacation.

No matter what your reasons for visiting the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, it’s a must see destination when you’re in Santa Fe.

Address:  131 Cathedral Pl, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States

28. Red River Ski and Summer Area

Red River Ski & Summer Area

Do you like death-defying destinations?

The Red River Ski and Summer Area is one of the best things to do in New Mexico for adventure seekers.

Summer visitors can go hiking, biking, boating, climbing and ziplining through the trees.

A vertical chair lift will take you to heights of 1,600 feet or more, and once you’re at the summit, you can enjoy everything from mini disc golf to live bands on the Music on Top deck.

Winter visitors will be colder, but they’ll have no shortage of fun activities.

The main draw of the resort is skiing, but there are also snowboarding and snow tubing areas, and a quaint little village will have hot cocoa by a fire when you’re done.

Thousands of people flock to the Red River Ski and Summer Area every year.

It’s one of the most popular vacation spots in New Mexico.

Listen to the wisdom of the crowd and book your ticket today!

Address:  400 Pioneer Rd, Red River, NM 87558, United States

29. Cafe Pasqual’s

Cafe Pasqual’s

You might be familiar with the name San Pasqual.

He’s the patron saint of cooks and kitchens!

He definitely lends a helping hand to his namesake, Cafe Pasqual’s , a fusion restaurant located in the heart of Santa Fe.

As befitting the “fusion” theme, the menu offers a diverse range of dishes with Mexican, Mediterranean and Asian influences.

It also celebrates art and culture; the entire second floor doubles as a gallery, so when you’re finished eating, you can wander upstairs and look at paintings and portraits from local artists in New Mexico.

Cafe Pasqual’s offers more than just a dining experience.

Between its food, art and overall atmosphere, it’s one of the best places to visit in New Mexico for an all-around good time.

Address:  121 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States

30. Wheeler Peak

Wheeler Peak is the highest point of elevation in New Mexico.

It rises to a staggering 13,167 feet!

It offers incredible views of the cliffs, rivers and forests below, so if you’re the type of person to see a tall, windy mountain and immediately think I want to climb that , Wheeler Peak might be a worthy challenge for you.

You don’t have to be a thrill seeker to enjoy the sights, however.

There are numerous paths on the mountain for hikers and trekkers of all skill levels, and there are recreational areas for camping, fishing and picnicking as well.

Wildlife lovers will have an extra special time at Wheeler Peak since it’s home to all kinds of fun animals, including marmots, pikas, golden eagles, bighorn sheep and rocky mountain elk.

If you’re looking for beautiful tourist sites in New Mexico, you won’t want to miss Wheeler Peak.

Even if you aren’t able or willing to climb to the very top, there are plenty of sights to enjoy along the way!

Address: Taos County, NM, United States

31. Four Corners Monument

Images by Dr. Alan Lipkin / Shutterstock

The Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states touch a single boundary.

In this case, it’s Arizona , Colorado , New Mexico and Utah , and they all come together in a small circle at the center of a plaza.

In terms of tourist attractions, there isn’t a lot to do at the circle itself, but the surrounding area has plenty of entertainment.

There are buskers and musicians; there are street food trucks and mom-and-pop gift shops.

Further beyond, there are stores, restaurants, malls, movie theaters and other hot spots for vacationers.

Interestingly, the Four Corners Monument is also on the boundary of two Native American communities: the Navajo Nation and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation.

If you’re interested in learning more about these cultures, you’ll be in a prime location to do so.

All things considered, the Four Corners Monument is definitely one of the major points of interest in New Mexico.

Its experience is so unique that you literally can’t get it anywhere else in the US!

Address:  597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514, United States

32. Cliff’s Amusement Park

Cliff’s Amusement Park

Who is Cliff?

No one knows, but he built a great amusement park.

It’s basically an all-ages playground for the residents of New Mexico, and you can get in on the fun when you buy your own ticket.

There are multiple roller coasters for the adventurers out there, including the “New Mexico Rattler,” an old-fashioned wooden coaster that’s been ranked one of the best in the world.

Other rides range from water slides to fireballs to tilt-a-whirls.

When you’re done losing your lunch, you can replace it with great carnival-style food and drink, or you can try your luck at one of the many game booths.

There are both classics and new, contemporary games.

If you’re thinking about what to visit with kids when you’re in New Mexico, Cliff’s Amusement Park is a must.

It has a vintage charm that will appeal to the adults and a fun, energetic atmosphere that will keep the kids hopping.

The whole family can enjoy a day here!

Address:  4800 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, United States

33. Ghost Ranch

Adam Springer / Shutterstock

New Mexico is one of the most beautiful states to visit, and once you’re at Ghost Ranch , you’ll understand why.

Rocky red canyons tower over the land.

Flat-topped mesas are dotted with ferns, bushes, succulents and other desert plants.

Dramatic sunsets streak over jagged cliffs to form horizons that go on for miles and miles.

Ghost Ranch is so gorgeous that you’ve probably seen it before even if you’ve never stepped foot in New Mexico.

It’s been used in countless Hollywood films like Wyatt Earp , Lone Ranger and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull .

It has a very “cowboy feeling.”

Make time for Ghost Ranch if you’re wondering what to do while in New Mexico.

It’ll offer a feast for the eyes and a balm for the soul, especially if you’re tired of the hustle and bustle of the big cities.

Address:  280 Private Drive 1708 Highway, US-84, Abiquiu, NM 87510, United States

34. Taos Pueblo

Gimas / Shutterstock

The Taos Pueblo is a real blast from the past.

Not only does it date back to 1000 – 1450 A.D., but there are still around 150 residents living full-time within its clay brick walls and straw-supported roofs.

Visitors are free to wander within the community or sign up for a tour with a local guide.

There’s a lot of cool sightseeing to be done in regards to both the architecture and the general way of life.

For example, there’s no running water or electricity, and the residents support themselves with what they can grow, make, barter and sell, the same thing that they’ve been doing for thousands of years.

Other things to do can be found in the nearby city of Taos.

In addition to the usual shops and restaurants, there are also a number of museums, plazas, old churches and other places of interest.

The Taos Pueblo is an example of how Native American culture continues to thrive in New Mexico.

As a bonus, your patronage will provide direct support to a precious historical community.

Why wouldn’t you drop by for a visit?

35. New Mexico State Capitol

Zack Frank / Shutterstock

If you’re interested in New Mexico, the state capitol is a great place to visit.

It’ll give you a glimpse of the inner workings of local government, and it’ll impart real historical and cultural knowledge that will deepen your appreciation for all of the tourist attractions that you’ll see later.

If you’re not interested in New Mexico, the state capitol is still a great place to visit.

It houses all kinds of artwork and tribal artifacts, and it boasts utterly unique architecture that distinguishes itself from any other government building in the country: It’s round!

The locals call it “the Roundhouse” for this very reason.

Consider a trip to the New Mexico State Capitol if you’re looking for interesting places to go in the state.

It might not be a big, flashy destination, but it’ll still offer a worthwhile experience to have.

Address:  490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, United States

36. Western Playland

Grossinger / Shutterstock

The Tsunami. The Scrambler. Pharaoh’s Fury. The Hurricane.

These are just a few of the rides that you can find at Western Playland , an amusement park located in southern New Mexico.

It’s a relatively small park, but it still manages to pack a big punch.

If you like thrills and chills, you can test your mettle on everything from roller coasters to vertical drop rides.

If you like winning prizes, you can play carnival games until you disappear under a mountain of stuffed tigers.

Concession options range from food stall hot dogs to fine dining at the park’s sit-down restaurant.

You can also buy plenty of souvenirs at the gift shop!

You don’t have to visit somewhere like Six Flags to have a good time in New Mexico.

Amusement parks like Western Playland are just as good, and since they’re smaller, less crowded and locally owned, they’re probably better than the big-name brands anyway.

Address:  1249 Futurity Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063, United States

37. Living Desert State Park

Have you ever seen a roadrunner outside of a cartoon?

At the Living Desert State Park , you can cross this unique item off your bucket list.

Formerly known as the Living Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park, this wilderness area is home to both plants and animals that are native to New Mexico.

Creatures include bobcats, prairie dogs, golden eagles and Gila monsters; flowers and trees include prickly pears, barrel cacti and all kinds of acacia and agave.

Activities at the park will depend on the season.

Depending on when you go, you can catch everything from summertime nature walks to wintertime animal feedings.

You can also take self-guided tours at any time of the year to enjoy the arroyos and sand dunes.

Get away from it all with a trip to the Living Desert State Park.

It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also removed enough from the bustle of big cities that you can take a deep breath, smile at a cougar and just enjoy a remote wilderness area for awhile.

Address:  1504 Miehls Rd, Carlsbad, NM 88220, United States

38. Tiwa Kitchen

Tiwa Kitchen Restaurant

Did you know that many Native Americans are lactose intolerant?

It’s something that dates back centuries among their people, so much so that they actually created their own version of milk: blue corn mush.

Despite the “mush” part of its name, blue corn mush is actually quite delicious.

It’s made by mixing blue-tinted maize with water and the burned ashes of a juniper tree.

The combined results aren’t unlike cream of wheat, and in addition to their cool, unique color, they’re also packed with calcium and other necessary nutrients that the lactose intolerant can’t get from milk.

This brings us to Tiwa Kitchen .

Run by a local Native American couple, it offers many staple foods of their culture, including blue corn mush.

You can also try things like bison meat and blue corn fry bread.

The dessert menu is even better than the regular menu, but we’ll leave that as a surprise!

Broaden your horizons with a trip to Tiwa Kitchen.

It’s obscure enough that you might not find it listed among the usual New Mexico attractions, but it’s worth a side trip.

Address:  328 Hwy to Town of Taos, Taos, NM 87571, United States

39. Fiestas de Santa Fe

Amanda Quintana-Bowles / flickr

Are you ready to party?

Throw on a sombrero and toss back a margarita with the Fiestas de Santa Fe !

Held every year in the fall, the Fiestas de Santa Fe is a city-wide event that incorporates food, drink, art, dance, theater and more.

It’s the kind of celebration where mariachi fiddle right in the streets as performers put on elaborate reenactments of important parts of New Mexico’s past.

There’s a somber side to the festival, too, as people come together to pray or to burn effigies to ward off suffering.

These might be interesting things to see if you want to witness some local flavor while you’re in New Mexico.

All things considered, however, the Fiestas de Santa Fe is a lively event where the beer is always flowing and the crowds are always cheering.

If you’ll be traveling through New Mexico during the fall, you won’t want to miss it!

40. Blue Hole

rawf8 / Shutterstock

The Blue Hole is one of the best diving destinations in the United States.

It’s also one of the most beautiful!

Located a few miles outside of Santa Rosa, the Blue Hole is a large, circular lake with water so deeply and richly blue that it looks artificial.

It’s all natural, however, and it maintains a constant, moderate temperature that makes it delightful for all kinds of outdoor activities.

Swimming is popular, of course.

Free diving and scuba diving are also very common since the water reaches depths of 80 feet.

The sandy walls expand at the bottom, so if you can reach the “floor” of the lake, it’s like you discover a secret room in an underwater castle.

A lot of people bring waterproof cameras to capture this sight forever.

Do you want to make a splash in New Mexico?

Put on your swimming trunks and dive headfirst into the Blue Hole.

You’ll be amazed that such cool, clean and vividly blue water actually exists in real life.

Address: 1085 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM 88435, United States

41. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

There are so many indigenous sites in New Mexico that you could create an entire itinerary with nothing but Native American tourist attractions.

Let’s talk about just one more: the Chaco Culture National Historical Park .

Occupied between 850 and 1250 AD, this sprawling landscape offers both natural and man-made wonder.

On the archaeological side, it still has the crumbling remains of the ancestral Puebloan people; they consist of several hundred structures and dwellings, and they’re made with various types of mud, brick, straw and claw.

Tours are available from the local interpretive center if you want to learn more.

On the natural side, the flat plains of the park are absolutely breathtaking to behold.

There’s the rugged desert beauty that you’d expect from New Mexico, but there are also dazzling colors from both daytime and nighttime skies.

The park is a popular destination for stargazers in particular.

There are many places to see in New Mexico that preserve its Native American heritage, but the Chaco Culture National Historical Park is one of the best.

If you want to pay tribute to the people who lived on this land before us, make time for this destination.

Address: Nageezi, NM 87037, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To New Mexico

These are just a few of the coolest places to visit in New Mexico.

Whether you’re interested in brightly-lit shopping malls or dry, craggy deserts that are completely off the grid, it’s a state that can offer it all, so pack your bags and put in for those vacation days!

Plan Your Trip to New Mexico: Best of New Mexico Tourism

PLAN YOUR TRIP New Mexico

Essential new mexico.

Trending in the forums

New Mexico Is Great For

Eat & drink.

Shopaholics

Make & see art

23 Essential Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico (Travel Guide)

Welcome to “The City Different.” If you’re looking for the best things to do in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I have you covered. After spending four days in this iconic Southwest city, all I can say is, book the trip.

I had little idea of what to expect on my visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in partnership with TOURISM Santa Fe and Steller . The itinerary was four days, exploring the ins and outs of what I knew to be a top destination — Conde Nast Traveler readers just named it the #2 best small city in the U.S.

What I found during my four days was just how vibrant the city of Santa Fe is. From its arts, food, design, museums, and rich history, Santa Fe lived up to its name as “The City Different.” And it truly is. From sitting at 7199 elevation (you may feel a bit winded walking around) to a bustling art scene as a UNESCO Creative City, you have it all.

I love that in one breath you can be walking through exquisite art studios along the famed Canyon Road and in another, out of breath hiking the trails of Santa Fe National Forest just seven miles out of downtown. It’s a spectacular blend of everything you could want on a trip. (And let me make a case for what is an epic girls’ getaway destination.)

If you’re looking to visit Santa Fe, this guide to the best things to do on a visit will help you plan your stay. There’s no shortage of things to do in The City Different. The question is: which will you do first?

Planning a Trip to Santa Fe? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Santa Fe:

• Four Seasons Rancho Encantado , for the best luxury hotel
• Hotel Santa Fe , for the best quintessential Santa Fe hotel

The 23 Best Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico

1. stay at four seasons resort rancho encantado santa fe.

Nestled amidst the pinon woodland landscapes of Santa Fe, the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado is a retreat that seamlessly blends luxury with the American Southwest. The resort’s adobe-style architecture sits perfectly in the natural surroundings, offering an immersive Southwestern experience.

Getting to spend two nights out at this resort was a wonderful start to my time in Santa Fe. It felt like a retreat in itself, being just 15 minutes outside of downtown. The grounds are stunning, almost like a living art gallery, where sculptures and art are intertwined into the design.

The casitas and suites are spacious and have wood-burning fireplaces, and Le Labo amenities in the bathroom. It’s a wonderful resort to book while visiting Santa Fe. Book the best rates here .

2. Grab Breakfast at Dolina Café

Such a delicious spot just outside of the downtown, Dolina Café is an Eastern-European-inspired cafe. The pastry case is hard to pass by but trust me when I say to sit down for brunch. The menu has many creative dishes on it, some traditional, and some with Slovakian roots. I loved my cinnamon French toast that is housemade daily. Their lunch menu with more savory dishes looked incredible, too.

3. Sip Bubbles at Gruet Winery

A descendant of Gilbert Gruet’s Champagne house in Bethon, France, Gruet Winery here in Santa Fe, New Mexico is a must-stop for bubble lovers. I came into the tasting room for a quick glass, and my friend did a tasting. Such a lovely space and fun to get to taste this New Mexico-made sparkling wine.

4. Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a captivating tribute to the iconic American artist known for her vibrant and larger-than-life paintings of flowers, landscapes, and abstract forms. It houses an extensive collection of O’Keeffe’s works, providing visitors with a profound insight into her groundbreaking contributions to modern art. I highly recommend booking a reservation in advance as they only allow a certain number of guests daily.

5. Experience the Santa Fe Farmers Market

The Santa Fe Farmers Market was such a highlight of my time exploring Santa Fe! The big Saturday market set in the Santa Fe Railyard is packed with local vendors selling local produce, handmade goods, honey, and more. It’s one of the best markets I’ve been to in the country — I came home with several locally grown spices, dried beans, and more.

Another part of the market to enjoy is the “artisanal” where local artisans sell their art and jewelry. If you’re looking for a cup of coffee to fuel up while at the market, check out Sky Coffee . I’d recommend an early start as the market does get packed, and most vendors are cash-only.

6. Explore the Shops on Lena Street

This was my favorite part of Santa Fe as Lena Street is a young, hip area full of artist studios, small coffee shops, and restaurants. Park in one spot and just make your way down through several spots. My favorite finds were Living Threads for home goods and Whiskey & Clay for ceramics. We had lunch at Ozu , a Japanese eatery that makes onigiri and other Japanese food. For pastries and coffee, stop into the Bread Shop !

7. Dine at the Elevated Terra Restaurant

Set at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe , Terra Restaurant boasts incredible views over the landscape. It’s an elevated dining experience, with a focus on flavors of Northern New Mexico. Some of my favorite dishes were the octopus tostada and the hamachi ceviche with a kick.

8. Visit the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary

One of my favorite museums as the setting is stunning, the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary is the newest in town. It’s a must-see if you only pick one! Inside, an array of art from modern to contemporary, and the building itself is worth touring as well. No reservation is required for this one!

9. Hit the Galleries on Canyon Road

If you’re looking for art in Santa Fe, go no further. Canyon Road in Santa Fe is a renowned art district boasting approximately 100 galleries that showcase an impressive array of artworks. Strolling along this picturesque street, you can pass by dozens of galleries along the way. I’d recommend spending at least 2-3 hours here if possible.

Another recommendation for this area, if you’re looking for a bite to eat, is  Joe’s Tequila Bar at Inn on the Alameda . And just up the street, Folklore and La Boheme are some of my favorite local stores in this part of Santa Fe.

10. Try Seasonal Cuisine at The Compound

For an upscale lunch, book a table at The Compound . This French meets New Mexico cuisine is an elevated dining experience in Santa Fe. This was my favorite for more refined dining, and their seasonal dishes were amazing, like the poached pear with blue cheese on toast.

11. Mix Clay and Cocktails at Tumbleroot Pottery Pub

If you’re looking to do something interactive but without a set time, come to Tumbleroot Pottery Pub . It’s a clay studio meets cocktail lounge where you can pay for a pail of clay. You can order drinks made with their own in-house spirits, and sculpt your clay pieces. In the pub itself, there are dozens of stunning ceramics made by local artists for sale.

12. Catch A Show at El Flamenco Cabaret

I had a friend tell me once that when in Santa Fe, you have to catch a flamenco show. Book yourself a table to see a show at El Flamenco Cabaret . It was so captivating to see the talented show that runs over 100 times a year with talented artists from Spain.

13. See the Sunset From the Cross of the Martyrs

Budget about 30 minutes or so to visit Cross of the Martyrs , it’s just outside of downtown (like 5 minutes!). But well worth driving to the very top as you get unparalleled views over Santa Fe. I came up for a quick look and loved getting such a wonderful perspective of Santa Fe.

14. Stay in the only Native-American-Owned Hotel, Hotel Santa Fe

Set just outside of the downtown, Hotel Santa Fe is a quintessential stay in Santa Fe. It has been open for 25+ years and celebrates the spirit of the Pueblo people. The hotel also has a spa and restaurant onsite, worth checking out if you have the time. One of the best parts of staying here is the complimentary, on-demand shuttle service that will take you downtown. Parking can be challenging at times, so this was super helpful to take advantage of! Book the best rates here .

15. Take a Georgia O’Keeffe-Inspired Cooking Class Demonstration

The Santa Fe School of Cooking offers a dedicated cooking class inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe . I don’t want to spoil the menu or the experience too much, but it was so interesting to learn more about the artist’s life through food. The experience is a 2-hour demonstration, lots of information on her gardening and preserving, followed by lunch.

16. Enjoy Creative New Mexican Cooking at The Shed

The Shed restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a popular spot known for serving up classic New Mexican dishes. I loved sitting in the inside courtyard, which had a lovely atmosphere. The food here is known to have a bit of that Santa Fe chile kick, so keep this in mind when ordering. I ordered the tamale appetizer, added chicken, and did the green chile sauce — so, so good. This place gets absolutely packed, so I’d recommend making a reservation far in advance.

17. Explore and Shop Near the Santa Fe Plaza

The Santa Fe Plaza is the heart of the city with its historic charm. While there, be sure to explore the iconic Palace of the Governors , a centuries-old adobe structure that served as both the New Mexico capitol and the governor’s residence during the Spanish Colonial era.

Near the Santa Fe Plaza, there are many boutiques and galleries to peruse. For high-end fashion, Santa Fe Dry Goods is a must. Just next door, don’t miss Shiprock Santa Fe , one of the most impressive Native American jewelry and home goods stores. Up the street, The Rainbow Man is a great art gallery collection with local pottery and goods too. My other favorite two stores were Ex Voto for fine jewelry and Los Poblanos Farm Shop Norte for a curated home goods boutique.

18. Enjoy a Spa Day at Four Seasons Santa Fe’s Spa

On my last morning at the Four Seasons Santa Fe , I booked in for a spa experience set in one of their luxurious suites at the spa. It had its very own hot tub and steam room, with a fireplace inside the treatment room. I tried their chardonnay body scrub followed by a nourishing lotion (everything on the spa menu looked lovely!).

19. Spot Fall Foliage along the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway

If you want to get out into nature, take the drive up the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway . You could put in your maps the Aspen Vista Picnic Ground and Trailhead as your destination, but all along the way is truly wonderful. Come October, the fall foliage here is spectacular as there are so many aspens. Along the way, you’ll find many places to stop and hike as well.

20. Hike the Aspen Vista Trail

One of the most iconic trails to hike in the fall for foliage is the Aspen Vista Trail . The trail itself is rather flat, so it’s easy to do with all ages but keep in mind it starts at 10,000 feet elevation. If you want, you can park, walk to the aspens, and turn back to the parking lot.

21. Get a Coffee at CrashMurderBusiness

For a fun stop in Santa Fe near the railyard, CrashMurderBusiness specializes in craft coffee and elixirs. Their menu is hyper-creative and each drink is really beautiful. I tried their maple-infused “unicorn” drink and the bright glitter on top was so fun!

22. See the Historic Churches of Santa Fe

You’ll likely pass a few of these while strolling through downtown Santa Fe, so I’m highlighting my favorites. Some noteworthy churches you shouldn’t overlook include the San Miguel Chapel , often regarded as the oldest church in the continental United States, the Loretto Chapel , and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi . All of these are within earshot of each other as well.

23. Try Sipping Chocolate at Kakawa Chocolate House

This was one of those stops I am so glad we made! Kakawa Chocolate is renowned for its artisanal approach to crafting exquisite chocolate truffles and historic drinking chocolates. They have ancestral chocolate blends to modern takes, and each day it rotates for their seasonal drinks. I had the Marie Antoinette drink that had orange blossom and a bit of almond milk, and it was so good (worth a visit!).

What to Know About Visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico

What is the best time of year to visit santa fe.

Santa Fe, New Mexico is a year-round destination with each season having something on offer. In my opinion, the best time to visit Santa Fe is during the fall, from September to November, when the weather is pleasant. You can’t go wrong during the winter months either when the town is decorated with lights. Come late spring, it’s equally temperate in weather.

How Much Time Do I Need in Santa Fe?

A visit to Santa Fe can be enjoyed properly in about 3 to 4 days. This timeframe allows you to explore the city’s rich art and culture scene, try its diverse cuisine, and take a few day trips in the surrounding area, including nearby attractions like Taos and Bandelier National Monument .

Where To Fly Into to Visit Santa Fe?

The primary airport for visitors flying into Santa Fe is the Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF), which offers convenient access to the city and is located just a short drive from the downtown area. Alternatively, you can also consider flying into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), which is the largest airport in the region and offers a wider range of flight options. From Albuquerque, it’s about a 60-90 minute drive to reach Santa Fe.

Do I Need a Rental Car When Visiting Santa Fe?

While Santa Fe itself is a walkable city with a compact downtown area, having a rental car is beneficial for exploring the surrounding area. I picked up a car at Albuquerque Airport when I flew in. My preferred website for low-cost rentals is Discover Cars .

Save This Post for Later on Pinterest

PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!

These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you . If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here .

1. Book Your Flights

Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.

2. Book Your Accommodations

Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.

4. Book Your Car

Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.

My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:

• World Nomads (best for all-around)
• Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)

Xx, Jessica

Related Posts

The Ultimate Guide to Santorini, Greece: Best Things to Do

The Ultimate Kyoto 3 to 4 Days Itinerary

Best Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca: City Guide

Write a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Puerto Rico
• South Dakota
• Washington DC
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• French Polynesia
• Travel Tips
• Family Travel
• Accommodations
• Packing Lists
• Photography Tips
• Northern California Guide
• San Francisco
• Lightroom Presets
• Rent Our Home For Photoshoots
• California Map

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

17 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Albuquerque

Written by Becca Blond and Michael Law Updated Apr 26, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

New Mexico's largest city, Albuquerque doesn't take itself too seriously, which is one of its greatest charms. In fact, this is a city that relishes its quirky side and has been marketing itself as "Albuquirky" for its unique attributes since the 1990s.

Despite being the state's largest city and sitting at a major American interstate junction (where I-25 and I-40 cross), Albuquerque still has a very small city vibe, albeit one with a big heart, and its attractions and numerous things to do are well worth a few days of your time.

The vibrant city has a history dating back quite a few centuries, whose story and traditions have been shaped by diverse cultures over the years. Set in the high desert, at the foot of the Sandia Mountains, and on the banks of the Rio Grande River, the location is also visually appealing. This is a city of wide-open spaces, where the skies are sunny and blue for more than 300 days per year and the sage-scented air breathes in fresh.

You can still get your kicks on old Route 66, running through the city's heartline , Central Avenue. This iconic stretch of pavement is adorned with original neon signs, and vintage artifacts, and cultural attractions that contribute to the Albuquirky ambiance.

Nob Hill , where the university is located, is always a lively part of the city, as is Downtown, and Historic Old Town . These areas are also home to some excellent restaurants, serving up authentic New Mexican fare.

The Sandia Mountains that define the eastern edge of Albuquerque are home to interesting outdoor recreation places, such as the Sandia Peak Tramway (where you'll also find New Mexico's oldest ski area) and the Elena Gallegos Open Space. The ABQ BioPark is also a fun family destination within the city and home to the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Zoo, and the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens.

One of the biggest tourist draws on Albuquerque's events calendar is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , running for nine days each October.

Albuquerque was also used as a location in the TV series Breaking Bad , and tours to the various filming sites are popular.

Discover the city's highlights with our list of attractions and things to do in Albuquerque.

See also: Where to Stay in Albuquerque

1. Sandia Peak Tramway

2. albuquerque's old town, 3. albuquerque international balloon fiesta, 4. albuquerque museum of art and history, 5. abq biopark, 6. indian pueblo cultural center, 7. unser racing museum, 8. kimo theatre, 9. paseo del bosque, 10. rio grande nature center state park, 11. elena gallegos open space, 12. new mexico museum of natural history and science, 13. petroglyph national monument, 14. sandia peak ski resort, 15. explora science center and children's museum, 16. university of new mexico, 17. american international rattlesnake museum, where to stay in albuquerque for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your time in albuquerque, map of attractions & things to do in albuquerque, albuquerque, nm - climate chart.

While not as high as the Colorado Rockies, the Sandia Mountains framing the skyline to the east are no shrinking violets. At 10,378 feet, the rugged summit of the range offers a superb view of sprawling Albuquerque.

The tramway offers a stunning ride along a 2.7-mile suspended cable from the eastern edge of the city to the summit. You can literally see for hundreds of miles around. To add some exercise to the experience, ambitious and prepared hikers can climb the 7.5-mile La Luz Trail to the top and take the tramway back down.

In the winter, the tramway services the Sandia Peak Ski Resort.

Address: 30 Tramway Road Northeast, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: http://www.sandiapeak.com/

Site of the original Spanish settlement, Old Town was shaped for centuries by both the Spanish and Mexican cultures, as well as the Native Americans of the area. Centered on the large plaza, Albuquerque's Old Town retains a relaxing and charming Southwestern feel characterized by giant old cottonwood trees, cobblestone streets, and adobe structures.

Old Town is full of interesting attractions like art galleries, souvenir shops, little museums, and restaurants. It's the perfect place to visit for an afternoon stroll, casual sightseeing, and perhaps a long lunch on a sunny patio.

One of the anchors of Old Town, the San Felipe de Neri Church is a large centuries-old Catholic church featuring a rectory, convent, school, museum, and some impressive historic religious artifacts. It is simply one of the most beautiful and peaceful buildings not only in the city, but throughout the entire state.

For 9 days in October, Albuquerque's bright blue skies are filled with a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes each morning as hundreds of hot air balloons drift upwards in a mass ascension. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world's largest, with about 600 balloons , and is now in its 51 st year.

The enchanting festival draws tens of thousands of people from around the globe to New Mexico's high desert environment, which is considered one of the best spots on the planet for favorable hot air balloon conditions.

The balloon fiesta kicks off with two days of early morning mass ascensions, known as Dawn Patrol , which are a treat to watch as the sky fills with hundreds of balloons just as the rising sun sets the crisp, fall morning landscape a glow.

The early morning flights are far from the only attraction at the Balloon Fiesta, however. There are numerous activities held throughout the day and night . These include the Special Shape Rodeo, which is probably the most popular event of all at the fiesta.

Sunset finds the balloons inflated again for evening "balloon glows," where the burners are fired into the stationary envelopes to make them shine against the dark sky. Balloon rides and scores of other events round out the celebration. The balloons can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.

You can also book hot air balloon rides throughout the fiesta with Rainbow Ryders , the official balloon ride concession. In 2023, the festival reached new inclusivity heights when Rainbow Ryders configured one of its balloon baskets to be able to accommodate some types of wheelchairs. This type of accessibility is rare for hot-air balloon excursions.

Adjacent to Balloon Fiesta Park, where the main part of the fiesta takes place, the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum is open year-round with a great selection of ballooning history and exhibits. Permanent installations at the museum include a Balloon School, the Weather Lab, and an experiential 4-D theater. The museum offers a wide assortment of children's programs focused on science and creativity.

Official site: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

This impressive institution offers visitors an in-depth look into Albuquerque's past. Located at the edge of Old Town , this museum hosts a spectacular collection of cultural items from the past 400 years. It is a place where the visitor not only gains a better understanding of Albuquerque's history but about European settlement in the entire southwest.

Displaying suits of Spanish armor, historic wood carvings, and even art from the likes of Georgia O'Keeffe, the museum also hosts traveling and temporary exhibits.

Not far from Old Town, the ABQ BioPark is home to the Albuquerque Aquarium , the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens, the Rio Grande Zoo , and Tingley Beach . With its expansion and upgrades of the past decade, the zoo has become a premiere destination hosting hundreds of species (many endangered) and one awesome playground.

The aquarium is perfect for kids interested in sharks, while the botanical garden is a lush environment to discover butterflies and other insects. Tingley Beach has three designated fishing ponds open to the public and pedal boats for rent. This is an excellent place for an all-day family outing.

Address: 903 10th Street Southwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark

For thousands of years, the numerous cultures of the Pueblo people called this area (now New Mexico) home. While dozens of pueblos disappeared with the coming of the Spanish, many remain vibrant. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center , located two miles north of Old Town, celebrates these living cultures and histories with an outstanding museum, as well as cultural events, lectures, workshops, and tours.

Be sure to make time to attend at least one of the traditional dances. Also of interest, the on-site Pueblo Harvest Café is a restaurant and bakery well known throughout the area for their New Native American Cuisine.

Official site: https://indianpueblo.org/

Named after a legacy racing family in the Albuquerque area, the Unser Racing Museum features a wide range of motor vehicles from throughout the last century. While the vehicles look immaculate on the museum floor, many of the cars and motorcycles on display come straight out of the Unser family history and timeline.

This is an engaging experience for both automobile enthusiasts and racing fans, but anyone will enjoy learning about the exciting history behind motor-engine racing. A racing simulator within the facility also allows visitors to get behind the wheel themselves.

Address: 1776 Montaño Road Northwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: http://www.unserracingmuseum.com/

One of Albuquerque's best-known architectural landmarks, the KiMo Theatre was originally built in 1927. The somewhat gaudy Pueblo-Revival-Art Deco style incorporates adobe architectural styles with the linear motifs and recessed spandrels more typical of classic Art Deco. Paintings and images of Native American cultures abound.

Through the 1970s, the theater fell into neglect and was barely saved from the wrecking ball. A renovation completed in 2000 has allowed the theater to again become one of the city's premier venues. Oh, and it is reputed to be haunted!

Address: 423 Central Avenue Northwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/kimo

Albuquerque isn't just a big city. It also hosts one of the most important environmental corridors in the Southwestern United States. Tracing the forested Rio Grande for 16 miles through the center of town, the Paseo is a perfect walking and biking path. The route offers a break from the city, as well as some great wildlife-viewing opportunities. Detour attractions lining the path include Tinley Beach and Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. The trail can be accessed via multiple points along the river.

Official site: http://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/open-space/lands/paseo-del-bosque-trail

The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is located on the east bank of the Rio Grande just north of downtown. Exhibits at the Education Center within the park introduce the ecology, geology, and history of the Rio Grande Valley. Outdoor exhibits include gardens, ponds, and wetlands, as well as a great blind for bird watching along the Rio Grande flyway.

A small hiking trail meanders throughout the area, and for more hiking pursuits, the neighboring Rio Grande Valley State Park has other loops to explore. This nature center is a good access point or side adventure stemming from the Paseo del Bosque.

Address: 2901 Candelaria Road Northwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/riograndenaturecenterstatepark.html

On the eastern edge of the city limits, Elena Gallegos Open Space is a 640-acre park set in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. This is a popular place for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and a network of multi-use trails spreads throughout the area, often connecting with other trails that lead deeper into the Cibola National Forest .

Elena Gallegos is a popular gathering place, with seven covered picnic areas that deliver on spectacular views. A wildlife blind, shaded rest stops, and original art also surround the picnic space. The stunning sunsets bring out the pink "watermelon" color that the Sandia Mountains are named for and are another popular reason to visit.

Address: 7100 Tramway Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Located near Old Town and the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History , this institution focuses on the ancient geologic history of the area. Through several life-size dinosaur skeletons and models, a hands-on Naturalist Center, and an inside look at extracting dinosaur fossils, this educational center provides interest for every member of the family.

The Planetarium at the facility features a 55-foot, full-dome theater with regular shows concerning space, constellations, and the never-ending world of fractals. Regular programming takes place at the museum, with classes and events catering to children, adults, and families.

Official site: http://www.nmnaturalhistory.org/

Albuquerque is full of history, but here is where you'll find the really old stuff. Located on the western edge of the city, this 7,236-acre national monument is home to nearly 20,000 ancient images hewn into the volcanic rock by some of the continent's earliest inhabitants. This is an outdoor museum, and most of the images are accessed via numerous hiking trails.

A popular area of the park is the Boca Negra Canyon day-use area, with restroom facilities and a drinking fountain, as well as access to three self-guided trails and more than 100 petroglyphs to observe. The visitor center offers excellent interpretive exhibits along with a wide range of educational programs.

Official site: https://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm

New Mexico may not be the state that first comes to mind when you think about downhill skiing. That's okay with the locals who like to keep the fact quiet that the city has some great skiing only 30 minutes from town. Sandi Peak Ski Resort is New Mexico's oldest ski resort and the only one in the state with a tram.

Sandia Peak gets an astounding 10 feet of snow each season, and what doesn't fall from the sky is supplemented with a state-of-the-art snowmaking operation spread over 30 acres. The ski hill has 35 runs that are mostly at the intermediate and beginner levels. Three old-school-style double chairs slowly take you back to the top, and a surface lift is used in the lessons and children's area.

One of the highlights of a visit to the resort is lunch at the Ten 3 restaurant located at 10,378 feet, offering spectacular views out over the surrounding mountains and Albuquerque.

Official site: https://sandiapeak.com/ski-area/

Read More: Best Ski Resorts in New Mexico

Just on the outskirts of Old Town, next to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, the Explora! Science Center is a unique place full of discovery. Catering to the younger minds in the community, Explora features experiential exhibits designed around science, education, and fun.

Permanent exhibits at this two-floor education space include the Shapes of Sounds, a Paradox Café, and a Water Flow Patio. Explora also offers a wide range of camps, classes, and events, all of which encourage a collaborative environment of scientific learners.

Address: 1701 Mountain Road Northwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: http://www.explora.us/en/

The sprawling forested campus of the University of New Mexico (UNM) is like one massive park located right in the center of the city. The state's flagship institution, UNM is a public research university founded in 1889. Famed architect John Gaw Meem designed many of the buildings on the central campus, which has a unique southwestern feel. Eight of the buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Here, you will find an arboretum encompassing more than 300 species, the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology , the Geology and Meteorite Museums , the Southwest Biology Museum , and the University Art Museum in the Center for the Arts. UNM is forever hosting art and cultural exhibits and performances and is surrounded by a lively university district.

Official site: http://www.unm.edu/

A few blocks from the ABQ BioPark, this animal conservation museum has one of the largest collections of live rattlesnakes in the country. Striving to educate the public about these sometimes "less desirable" reptiles, the museum displays 34 species of rattlesnakes from around the world, as well as snake-related artwork, photography, and various other memorabilia.

The Rattlesnake Museum encourages visitors who are frightened of snakes to come check them out in this safe and controlled environment and to learn more about these resident animals of the American Southwest.

Address: 202 San Felipe Street Northwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: http://www.rattlesnakes.com/

Albuquerque's attractions are clustered around the downtown area, and this is the best place to stay, especially for first-time visitors wanting a true Southwest experience. This is where you'll find Old Town, with its quaint cobblestone streets, old Southwest architecture, unique restaurants and shops, and towering cottonwood trees overhead. Below are some highly-rated hotels in this area:

Luxury Hotels:

• Downtown, near the convention center, the historic Hotel Andaluz dates from 1939 and typifies refined Southwestern charm.
• Said to be slightly haunted, the former hospital turned luxury 74-room boutique hotel, Parq Central , is two miles out from Old Town but offers complimentary luxury SUV shuttle service within a three-mile radius.
• Hidden behind the gates of the adobe-style compound in Old Town is the Casas de Suenos Old Town Historic Inn , with 21 individual casitas in a lush garden setting, and a cooked-to-order breakfast.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• At the top end of mid-range is the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town , with a great location in the heart of Old Town.
• Very convenient to both Interstate 40 and only a few blocks from Old Town is the Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn. Breakfast is included at the restaurant on the property.
• Perfect for convention or trade show attendees is the large DoubleTree by Hilton Albuquerque , across the street from the convention center.

Budget Hotels:

• Across the Rio Grande from downtown, and about 1.5 miles from Old Town, the Sandia Peak Inn Motel is a stand-out for its location, with clean and tidy rooms coupled with friendly charm.
• Offering exceptional value, the Econo Lodge is just steps from Old Town and features an outdoor pool.
• On historic Route 66 and easily recognizable by its bright neon sign is the eclectic and unusual Monterey Motel , offering clean and interesting rooms and an outdoor pool.
• Breaking Bad Tours: For fans of this popular TV series, the Breaking Bad RV Tour is a must. The tour takes guests to several filming locations, including Walter White's home, Jesse's house, the office of Saul, and several others. It also includes a ride in an RV and lunch at the Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant featured in the show.
• Hot Air Balloon Rides: Soar through the skies on an Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise . This one-hour flight lets you watch the sunrise and see the stunning vista from the air.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Nearby Cities: If you are traveling through New Mexico, don't miss an opportunity to see the sites of beautiful Santa Fe , just an hour away. A little further afield, the pueblos and other attractions around Taos are also worth the 2.5-hour trip north. For a complete look at ideas for a stop in New Mexico, see our list of top attractions in New Mexico .

More on New Mexico

You'll Never Forget A Trip To These 10 Wild West Towns In New Mexico

Juliet White

Staff writer for Only In Your State and freelance writer. Juliet can be reached on Twitter @JulietWrites.

More by this Author

Bullets, booze, and brothels. There’s a reason why the Old West is more commonly called the Wild West. While plenty of places were tame rather than lawless, other towns in New Mexico fully lived up to their violent reputation. Here are 10 old west towns in New Mexico:

Related Stories

Explore 230,000 Acres Of Trails, Flora, and Fauna At New Mexico's Otherworldly Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

You'll Find A Wide Variety Of Craft Brews At This Women-Owned Brewery In New Mexico

Get Creative And Customize Your Food Order At Roasted Rooster In Las Cruces, New Mexico

Have you visited any of these old west towns in New Mexico that were once such turbulent places? Let us know in the comments!

If you’re interested in New Mexico’s more disorderly residents, read our previous article: “ Not Many People Know These 6 Wild West Legends Are Buried In New Mexico .”

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more New Mexico in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around New Mexico!

Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!

An error occured.

More to Explore

Old west towns in new mexico.

What are some of the creepiest ghost towns in New Mexico?

Once upon a time, mining was a huge industry and because of this, towns sprang up throughout New Mexico. But when the mining industry died, many of these towns were abandoned, With no people and crumbling buildings, you can certainly discover some of these once-thriving towns. Some of the creepiest ghost towns in New Mexico include:

• Once a silver mining town, Lake Valley. Instead of being abandoned due to a dying industry, however, a fire destroyed much of the town. 
• Dawson had experienced two mining-related disasters and is rumored to be haunted today.
• Elizabethtown was home to Charles Kennedy, a notorious serial killer who ran a lodge and murdered some of his guests.

What are the most charming small towns in New Mexico?

Some of the most charming towns in New Mexico include:

• Arroyo Seco

Check out more of the best small towns in New Mexico .

Who was the most famous outlaw in New Mexico’s history?

The most famous outlaw in the history of New Mexico is the most famous outlaw in our nation’s history. Billy the Kid, whose birth name was William Henry McCarty, was a gunslinging outlaw. He had killed eight men in his life which ended at the young age of 21.

Related Articles

• Best Waterfalls in New Mexico: 12 Local Favorites & Hidden Gems
• The Whole Family Could Spend An Entire Day Having A Blast At Tin Can Alley In New Mexico
• History Buffs Will Love Spending The Night In A Cold War Missile Silo In Roswell, New Mexico
• This Is The Most Unique New Mexican Sound You'll Ever Hear, And There's No Explanation For It
• I Took 13 Overnight Trips Last Year, And Here Are 13 Travel Products My Family Can't Live Without
• We Can't Resist The 51 Most Playful Airbnbs In America, One For Each State
• Here Are The Top 15 States In America For A Summer Road Trip, According To OnlyInYourState Readers
• Hand-Picked: 12 Mother's Day Gifts For Moms Who Love To Travel

Visit Albuquerque prohibits users from downloading images from our website.

Western Legacy

Cowboy boots, a blazer and a bolo tie are considered appropriate business attire here in the Land of Enchantment. The   New Mexico culture and cowboy attitude is rooted in hard work, individualism and a love of the frontier. New Mexico's beautiful blue skies and wide open spaces provide the perfect setting for the Wild West era   and the legendary cowboy, whose traditions still exist today.

Today the Wild West isn't quite as unruly as it used to be, at least not when compared to the original Wild West era. In the early- and mid-1800s when the western expansion movement was getting underway, a great deal of the land was in the public domain, open to raising livestock and to homesteading. There was little to no local law enforcement, and the military had a concentrated presence only at specific locations. Buffalo hunters, railroad workers, drifters and soldiers scrapped and fought, leading to shootings where men died "with their boots on."

The pioneer spirit that existed in the 19th century was born in part of a deep hunger to own land. The stories told by explorers and missionaries just back from the west were filled with images of vast, open landscapes, abundant game, pristine rivers and lakes. Undoubtedly, these images fed the pioneers' hunger and provided intense motivation for them as they undertook the laborious journey westward.

By the early 1880s, the railroads arrived in New Mexico, and the New Mexico culture was formed. With the railroad came an increase in both trade and population. Though there were still military forts scattered around the state in a holdover from the battles with Indian tribes, much of the territory still lacked any effective law enforcement. This was a time of frontier justice and tough, iconoclastic characters such as Kit Carson and William "Billy the Kid" Bonney, who is buried in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

The legendary mystique of the Wild West Era can still be felt in modern-day Albuquerque where many aspects of the cowboy culture are alive and well. The cowboy hats and boots worn by locals are often more than a fashion statement; plenty of local folks work at ranches and farms in the area, some just a stone's throw from downtown. Albuquerque is one of the few cities where you can see horses and chickens right in central neighborhoods.

Albuquerque celebrates its agricultural and cowboy culture at the annual  State Fair,  the sixth largest state fair in the nation. You'll find bull riding, horse barrel racing, livestock competitions, rodeo action, agricultural exhibits and more at the Fair. You'll also find a vast range of food booths at the Fair, so be sure to bring your appetite.

Also see  Centuries of History: Western Legends  for additional information.

Find out the latest and greatest that Albuquerque has to offer. More

Coupons & Discounts

Save money on Albuquerque and New Mexico restaurants, shopping, hotels, attractions, theater and more. Create... More

Consistently ranked in AmericanStyle Magazine's Top 25 Arts Destinations in the... More

Sports & Outdoor

The city of Albuquerque sits at a mile above sea level (5,000-6,000 ft. elevation) and has a high-desert... More

Family Fun & Games

Albuquerque has fun for all ages, see our family fun page to learn more! More

Search for Employees, Departments and Webpages Index. Press "Enter" to search .

No directory results. check spelling or press "enter" to search ., there was an error. press enter to search google, download or view full directories: personnel and departments . request changes to this directory ..

• Applied Science in Career and Technical Education
• Applied Science in Forest/Wildlife/Law Enforcement
• Applied Science in General Business
• Applied Science in Rehabilitation Services
• Arts in Art
• Arts in Biology
• Arts in Botany
• Arts in Cell and Molecular Biology
• Arts in Chemical Dependency Counseling
• Arts in Chemistry
• Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education
• Arts in Early Childhood Education
• Arts in Elementary Education
• Arts in English
• Arts in Forest/Wildlife
• Arts in General Science
• Arts in History
• Arts in Instructional Technical Design
• Arts in Kinesiology
• Arts in Mathematics
• Arts in Physical Education
• Arts in Psychology
• Arts in Science Education
• Arts in Secondary Education
• Arts in Secondary Education and Math
• Arts in Secondary Education and Science Education
• Arts in Social Science
• Arts in Sociology
• Arts in Sustainable Development
• Arts in Teaching and Learning
• Arts in Zoology
• Business Administration - Accounting
• Business Administration - Business Management
• Business Administration - Marketing
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Science in Art
• Science in Biology
• Science in Botany
• Science in Cell and Molecular Biology
• Science in Chemical Dependency Counseling
• Science in Chemistry
• Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
• Science in Criminal Justice - Police
• Science in Early Childhood Care and Education
• Science in Early Childhood Education
• Science in Elementary Education
• Science in Elementary Education and Science Education
• Science in English
• Science in Forest/Wildlife
• Science in General Science
• Science in History
• Science in Instructional Technical Design
• Science in Kinesiology
• Science in Mathematics
• Science in Medical Technology
• Science in Nursing
• Science in Physical Education
• Science in Psychology
• Science in Science Education
• Science in Secondary Education
• Science in Secondary Education and Math
• Science in Secondary Education and Science Education
• Science in Social Science
• Science in Sociology
• Science in Special Education
• Science in Sustainable Development
• Science in Teaching and Learning
• Science in Zoology
• Social Work
• Business Administration
• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood Education, TIP
• Educational Leadership
• Secondary Education
• Social Work with BSW
• Social Work without BSW
• Special Education
• Teaching Elementary Education
• Teaching Reading Education (MAT)
• Teaching Secondary Education
• Teaching Special Education
• Teaching Specialization

Get Started

Mustang athletics news, events and a complete schedule for men and women’s ncaa division ii sports..

WNMU Deming Dedication

Fri. may 24 - @ 11:00 am.

Library Lineup - Come and Join Us!

Wed. may 29 - @ 9:00 am.

Gila Wilderness Observed

Fri. may 31 - @ 6:00 pm.

Son de la Gila - Mariachi Conference

Tue. june 4 - all day.

Fiesta Latina 2024!

Thu. june 6 - all day, university highlights.

WNMU Top Ranked for International Students

Western New Mexico University has been ranked as one of the best value universities for students from around the globe by Study Abroad Aide. Citing the university’s overall academic reputation, international tuition and fees and nationally ranked programs, WNMU received  top marks as an international student destination.

WNMU Designated as Military Friendly

Once again, WNMU has been designated as a "Military Friendly School" for 2024-2025. Using information made available through public sources, university data and from veterans themselves, the Military Friendly advisory council has awarded WNMU the silver designation, reflective of the university's continued commitment to ensuring those who served find opportunities following military service.

WNMU Top in Open Enrollment

Western New Mexico University has been named as one of the top 2024 open enrollment institutions in the nation for students attending online by EDsmart. The university's open enrollment status makes education accessible and possible for students from every background and stage in life, while online education provides the flexibility many need to balance education, work and family.

College of Education Members Travel to Partner University in Spain

Two members of the College of Education, Dean Cindy Martinez and Professor of Bilingual/TESOL Education Alexandra Neves, spent part of spring semester in Asturias, Spain, where they visited la Universidad … Continued

WNMU to Dedicate the John Arthur and Janette Smith Educational Center in Deming

WNMU will dedicate its new John Arthur and Janette Smith Educational Center at a public ceremony May 24 at 11:00 a.m. in Deming. The 8,697 square foot center will house … Continued

Ceramics Are the Focus of the Studio 118 Exhibition at the McCray Gallery

Uncategorized - written by linda brown, sin fronteras creative writing project allows students to hone their craft.

• Visit Our Campus
• Chat With Us

• 7 Coolest Towns In New Mexico For A Summer Vacation In 2024

New Mexico is home to charming small towns with rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural experiences. A summer vacation to the “Land of Enchantment” allows visitors to discover the diversity of the state while exploring the state’s western heritage. Although the state is located in the Southwest, there are several small towns that offer cool and tolerable temperatures for outdoor adventures, even in the summer.

Outdoor enthusiasts can whitewater raft in Taos along the Rio Grande Gorge or enjoy the cool mountain air of Cloudcroft . These towns also offer unique adventures for history buffs and art enthusiasts. From the historic charm of the Mesilla to the art galleries in Truth or Consequences , these seven towns in New Mexico are the best places to visit for a summer vacation in 2024.

Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos boasts a vibrant blend of natural beauty and rich history. For those wanting to escape the heat during a summer vacation, Taos offers balmy highs in the low-to-mid 80s Fahrenheit. Hike or bike through the miles of trails that weave through the breathtaking Rio Grande Gorge, or take a thrilling whitewater rafting trip down the Rio Grande River . Outdoor enthusiasts can also hike along New Mexico’s tallest mountain, Wheeler Peak, to experience incredible vista views. In the summer, Taos Ski Valley turns into an alpine playground with scenic lift rides, mountain biking trails, and the adventurous Via Ferrata Climbing Tour on Kachina Peak.

The charming town of Taos is also steeped in cultural heritage, visible at Taos Pueblo . The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to ancient multi-story adobe buildings that have been lived in for more than 1,000 years. In town, history buffs can tour the Martinez Hacienda, one of the few remaining northern New Mexico-style “Great Houses” built in 1804. Be sure to stroll along Taos’ downtown, which offers a beautiful display of adobe architecture in the Historical Taos Plaza. For a memorable experience, visit the historical plaza for the annual Las Fiestas de Taos. From July 19-21, 2024, visitors can celebrate with local food vendors, booths, music, and dancing.

Tucked away in the Sacramento Mountains at an elevation of 8,676 feet, Cloudcroft offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat with its cool mountain air and scenic beauty. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the trails of Lincoln National Forest and discover the Mexican Canyon Railroad Trestle. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, steam engines climbed the heights of this wooden bridge. Today, visitors can soak in panoramic views while marveling at the historic trestle in the midst of towering pines. For an unforgettable outdoor adventure, hit the slopes at Ski Cloudcroft for summer tubing down a 460-foot hill.

In town, a summer vacation is not complete without learning more about Cloudcroft’s history and strolling through the scenic downtown. Delve into the town's intriguing pioneer past at the Sacramento Mountains Museum in Cloudcroft, complete with a tour and history of the area’s ranching and farming industries. Nearby is Zenith Park, the 40th Annual July Jamboree Arts & Craft Show, which will take place from July 13-14, 2024. It is a must-see event for art enthusiasts who enjoy regional art and artisanal works.

Not to be confused with the more famous Las Vegas, Nevada , the quaint New Mexico town of Las Vegas offers a refreshing summer escape with history and natural wonders. Stroll along the town's Plaza Park, lined with shops and cafes and through the historic Old Town district, a vibrant hub lined with charming adobe buildings. Step back in time at the stunning Plaza Hotel, built in 1882 in the Renaissance Revival style. The building is just one of 900 historical buildings visitors can explore on a self-guided walking tour of the charming town.

Las Vegas is also a great place to visit for summer outdoor activities. Storrie Lake State Park offers hiking, boating, and soaking up the sun along the lakeshore, while the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge boasts incredible nature views, such as hiking into box canyons and birdwatching in the summer months. For those wanting to escape the summer crowds and explore rugged landscapes, a visit to the Sabinoso Wilderness is a must. The remote area is home to cliff-lined canyons and stunning mesas of grass savannas and ponderosa pine, providing a unique opportunity to connect with nature.

Silver City

Silver City, located in the foothills of the Gila Wilderness, offers a refreshing escape from the scorching New Mexico heat. Summer brings comfortable highs, averaging in the mid-80s Fahrenheit - a welcome respite from the scorching desert sun. For those looking for outdoor adventures, explore the Gila National Forest, a wonderland of ancient cliff dwellings of the Mogollon people. Delve deeper into history at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument , where preserved cliff houses still stand. After exploring ancient history, hike along the iconic Continental Divide Trail, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding vistas.

Beyond its natural beauty, Silver City offers a charming downtown to explore where history and art come to life. Visitors can delve into the town's mining history at the Silver City Museum or explore or discover the Western New Mexico University Museum's collection of prehistoric artifacts and stunning Southwest pottery. Art and pottery enthusiasts will want to visit the town for the annual Silver City Clay Festival, July 22-28, 2024. The festival boasts exhibits, art shows, and workshops with regional artists.

Los Alamos offers a cool summer oasis with a historic edge in New Mexico's Jemez Mountains. The town is famous for its role in the Manhattan Project during World War II , as well as its stunning natural surroundings. History buffs can learn more about the top-secret Manhattan Project at the Bradbury Science Museum and Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Moviegoers will enjoy the Oppenheimer House, the residence of Robert Oppenheimer , the project's leader, and a filming location for the award-winning Oppenheimer film.

Beyond its historical significance, Los Alamos offers incredible outdoor retreats. Explore the Santa Fe National Forest or hike amongst ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs at Bandelier National Monument. Valles Caldera National Preserve, formed by a volcanic eruption, is a breathtaking area for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. In the summer, the town also hosts the exciting annual Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo. The weekend event kicks off on August 3, 2024, with a lively parade showcasing the town's western spirit with colorful floats, setting the stage for a celebration of local agriculture, live music, and fairground fun.

Truth Or Consequences

For those craving a unique summer escape in 2024, Truth or Consequences is one of the coolest towns in New Mexico to visit. Although the town changed its name in 1950 during a radio contest, the town was formerly known as Hot Springs due to its legendary hot springs . Visitors can soak in the hot springs at Riverbend Hot Springs along the Rio Grande, a perfect spot for soaking away stress under the warm sun. Nearby is the town’s Main Street, offering a delightful mix of delicious eateries, hot springs, and eclectic art galleries, such as Lunaticus Galerie and the Center Gallery Fine Art. Throughout the summer, art enthusiasts can explore the town’s art studios during the Second Saturday Art Hop.

Truth or Consequences is also a great base for outdoor adventures. Beyond soaking in the therapeutic waters, travelers can explore nearby attractions like the Elephant Butte Lake State Park for boating and fishing. The town is also situated near the Caballo Mountains, which offers several scenic hiking trails. For an adventurous hike, take the trail to the top of Caballo Cone with panoramic views of the charming town.

The quaint town of Mesilla offers a summer vacation filled with history, charm, and natural beauty. Nestled near Las Cruces in the scenic Mesilla Valley, the town boasts the historic Mesilla Plaza. The area is lined with iconic adobe buildings, including the Basilica of San Albino, one of the oldest churches in the region. In the summer, the historic plaza features the summer music series on Friday nights. Before enjoying live music, enjoy dinner at La Posta De Mesilla, a favorite restaurant in town for Mexican food and steaks.

Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy a summer vacation in Mesilla. Hike along scenic trails bordering the Rio Grande River at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park while keeping an eye out for diverse wildlife and cacti. Designated an Audubon Important Birding Area, the park is a haven for birdwatchers. Nature lovers also enjoy a stroll along the paved La Llorona Park Trail, which follows the shores of the Rio Grande.

Summer Vacation Towns in New Mexico

These seven towns provide an incredible summer getaway for anyone wanting to explore unique landscapes, enjoy vibrant art communities, or soak in the history of the Southwest. From the historical walking tour in Las Vegas to the significant legacy of Los Alamos, each destination offers a unique perspective of the history of the “Land of Enchantment.” Whether enjoying the soothing hot springs of Truth or Consequences or a hike along the Continental Divide Trail in Silver City, New Mexico, offers several options for a summer vacation to remember in 2024.

More in Places

8 Towns Perfect For Retirement In North Dakota

7 Coolest Towns in Maine for a Summer Vacation in 2024

7 of the Most Walkable Towns in Victoria

8 Cutest Small Towns In Idaho To Visit In 2024

These Towns in New South Wales Have Thriving Local Businesses

7 Coolest Towns in Montana for a Summer Vacation in 2024

6 Offbeat Towns to Visit in New Zealand

The Gulf Coast's Best Small Towns for a Weekend Escape

• Environment & Climate Change
• Police & Prison
• Gov & Politics
• Native America
• Rio Grande Project
• Election 2024
• Uncategorized

Lujan Grisham and other Western governors call on Congress to expand compensation for downwinders

By: kyle dunphey, utah news dispatch - may 8, 2024 3:31 am.

On May 1, Republican Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, chair of the Western Governors Association, and Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, vice chair of the organization, sent letters to several lawmakers asking them to schedule a vote. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source NM)

A letter signed by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is garnering more support from several other Western governors calling on Congress to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA, which would widen eligibility for people poisoned by radiation from Cold War era nuclear weapons testing and manufacturing, known as downwinders.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Tuesday joined the call penned by the Western Governor’s Association to leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives  on May 1. Lujan Grisham is the vice char of the association.

Cox’s support comes as lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are considering two RECA bills.

The ‘clock is ticking’ on RECA; downwinders call on public to pressure House speaker

One proposal would extend the deadline for compensation, which is set to expire this June, sponsored by Sen. Mike Lee in the Senate and Rep. Celeste Maloy in the House, both Republicans from Utah.

The other, sponsored by Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, would increase compensation, expand eligibility for certain uranium workers, and widen the current definition of an “affected area” to include all of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Guam.

It would also include parts of Hawley’s district near St. Louis, where creek water was contaminated by radiation during nuclear weapons development.

As of Tuesday evening, Congress has 14 days to pass an expansion or extension before compensation expires on June 10.

Cox told Utah News Dispatch in a statement that he wants to see the program expanded.

“We support efforts to expand compensation for those affected by the nuclear testing that occurred throughout the West,” Cox said in the statement. “It’s the right thing to do.”

The statement comes on the heels of a similar push from Western governors urging members of Congress to support Hawley’s bill. On May 1, Republican Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, chair of the Western Governors Association, and Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, vice chair of the organization, sent letters to several lawmakers asking them to schedule a vote.

“The bill acknowledges that nuclear weapons production and testing has had much broader effects than currently recognized by statute, and Western Governors encourage you to expeditiously schedule the legislation for consideration by the full House,” reads a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat.

RECA was enacted in 1990 — to be eligible for compensation under the act, Utahns had to prove they contracted certain types of cancer and lived in Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington or Wayne counties for two consecutive years from 1951 to 1958, or during the summer of 1962.

People who worked in uranium mines, mills or transporting ore in Utah from 1942 to 1971 were also eligible.

Downwinders could receive $50,000, with uranium workers getting $100,000.

Lee and Maloy’s bill would extend the same program that’s been in place since 1990. But activists have long claimed the program was too narrow, pointing to ample evidence that all of Utah and other states in the West were downwind from nuclear weapons testing.

RECA also excludes people who had kidney cancer, certain kinds of leukemia, autoimmune disorders or other diseases that are linked to radiation. And Utahns who worked but didn’t reside in eligible counties or lived just across an eligible county line cannot receive compensation.

Hawley’s bill, which passed the Senate in March after a bipartisan 69-30 vote, would increase some payouts up to $150,000 while covering people who worked in uranium mines and mills up until 1990, extending the current timeframe by nearly 20 years. Uranium core drillers and remediation workers would also be eligible.

• Washington D.C.

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.

Kyle Dunphey, Utah News Dispatch

Kyle Dunphey covers politics, public safety and the environment for Utah News Dispatch. He was named Best Newspaper Reporter by the Utah Society of Professional Journalists in 2023 for his work on crime and immigration at the Deseret News. Kyle moved to Utah in 2013 from his home state of Vermont and has degrees from Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah.

Related News

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

New Mexico Map

• Native Culture
• Explore Ballooning
• New Mexico True Certified
• New Mexico Magazine
• Public Records
• Tourism Department Website
• Partner Login
• Become a Partner
• Legal & Privacy Policy

Ghost Towns

New Mexico Ghost Towns

"They are ghost towns now. But in the late 1800s, each had a moment of glory that blazed and died like a sudden flame."

Most were mining towns, where men lusted after the earth’s riches — gold, silver, turquoise, copper, lead and coal. A few were farming communities that flourished for a time and mysteriously fell silent. Literally hundreds of towns not only died, they vanished.

By some estimates, New Mexico is home to more than 400 ghost towns — most are nothing more than a few foundations and some occasional mining equipment.

But traces of many linger on, haunting ties to days that used to be. They molder into oblivion, their shells of buildings like specters against the sky, these towns that witnessed some of America’s most romantic and rapacious history.

And if you listen, you can hear the names of fabled mines whispered on the wind: Bridal Chamber , Confidence, Little Hell, Calamity Jane, Hardscrabble, Mystic Lode, North Homestake, Little Fanny, Spanish Bar. If you look, you can read the names of legendary people written in the dust: Johnny Ringo, Russian Bill, Toppy Johnson, Roy Bean, Butch Cassidy, Madame Varnish, Black Jack Ketchum, Mangas Coloradas, Billy the Kid , James Cooney.

More than a score of these towns have enough life in spite of the ravages of vandals and weather to be interesting to the special breed of human whose eyes light up at the mention of them. Quite a few towns have a number of inhabitants. Please respect their privacy. Many are on private property.

• Central Region
• North Central
• Northeast Region
• Southeast Region
• Southwest Region

Southwest Region US Route 60

• Southwest Region Mining District

Printable Ghost Town Map

Central region ghost towns.

HAGAN (East of I-25, east of San Felipe and west of Madrid guided tours only)

Over 100 adobe structures were built by Adobero Abenicio Salazar of Bernalillo with a team of 100 laborers and 60 masons over a period of three years, in the Pueblo Revival style which was popular at the time.

North Central Region Ghost Towns

CERRILLOS  (28 miles south of Santa Fe on State Road 14)

The lore of the Cerrillos hills is rich with legends of mines, being worked there for a thousand years. Turquoise has religious significance to many Indian people, nearby Mount Chalchihuitl is known to have contained a great lode of the precious gemstone and stone tools found there seem to testify to the truth of the legends.

MADRID  (30 miles southwest of Santa Fe on State Road 14)

Although Madrid still likes to consider itself a ghost town, it represents a unique example of resurrection. In the 1920s and 30s, Madrid was as famous for its Christmas lights as for its coal, and airlines used to reroute traffic during the holidays to show passengers the sight. 

GOLDEN  (10 miles south of Madrid & 15 miles north of Tijeras on NM 14)

Golden was inhabited by Native Americans and Spaniards long before American settlers came to the area. However, it began to boom when gold was discovered in 1825. Years before the California and Colorado gold rushes, the site of Golden became the first gold rush west of the Mississippi River.

Elizabethtown

ELIZABETHTOWN  (five miles north of Eagle Nest on State Road 38)

Elizabethtown began in 1866 with the founding of area gold mines and the Mystic Copper Mine. It was New Mexico's first incorporated town. 

Northeast Region Ghost Towns

COLFAX  (15 miles northeast of Cimarron on US 64)

Colfax may be said to have ridden to prosperity on the coattails of Dawson in the late 1890s, when Dawson mushroomed as a coal boomtown. Dawson is dead and gone, but Colfax, however clings to mortality.

DAWSON  (17 miles east of Cimarron on US 64 and A38)

In 1901 the Dawson coal mine opened and a railroad was constructed from Dawson to Tucumcari and the town was born. The Phelps Dodge Company bought the mine in 1906 and increased development.

LOMA PARDA  (30 miles, give or take north of Las Vegas)

Loma Parda became the town where soldiers could go for wild nights. Saloons, gambling, dance halls and women of ill repute put Loma Parda on the map; especially if you were a soldier bored with your isolated existence at Fort Union.

MONTOYA  (Just west of Tucumcari on Old Route 66)

The town of Montoya, in Quay County, was born as a loading point for the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1902. Primarily serving the cattle ranches of the area, an old store, built of solid stone, carried goods and supplies for the villagers.

Southeast Region Ghost Towns

ANCHO  (24 miles north of Carrizozo, Located west of the Lincoln National Forest 2 miles east of U.S. Highway 54.)

With the arrival of the railway in 1901 and the discovery of gypsum and clay, the Ancho Brick Plant was established and began producing bricks.

DURAN  (54 miles southwest of Santa Rosa on NM 54)

In February 1902, the El Paso & Northeastern Railroad finished the “Arrow Route,” a stretch of track between El Paso and Santa Rosa, where a connection to Leadbelly’s Rock Island Line awaited. Blas and Espiridón Durán, two brothers, owned wells in central New Mexico which could provide water to railroad work crews. So, the railroad built repair shops and even a wooden roundhouse in what became Duran.

LINCOLN  (57 miles west of Roswell and just south of the Lincoln National Forest.)

Lincoln was at the center of the Lincoln County War, 1876-1879, and is the historical home of Billy the Kid. The village holds an annual festival in August featuring an open-air enactment of The Last Escape of Billy the Kid.

Orogrande​  ( 36 miles south of Alamo­gordo and 49 miles northeast of El Paso, Texas, on U.S. 54.)

Jarilla Junction, once a station on the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad, was renamed Orogrande when a gold nugget the size of a man's finger was discovered in 1905. Prospecting had started as early as 1879 in the Jarilla Mountains but the 1905 discovery started a gold rush and gave birth to the town of Orogrande.

WHITE OAKS  (Three miles north of Carrizozo on US Hwy 54)

Three miles north of Carrizozo on US Hwy 54 is the turn-off to the “ghost town” of White Oaks.  White Oaks is not your typical flat-roofed adobe New Mexico historical experience.   It's more cowboy/frontier than adobe Disneyland. There were no Conquistadores bringing the word of God to the native population. It was a frontier wild west cattle community right up until gold was discovered... an almost pure vein going down into Baxter Mountain; then everything changed.

Southwest Region Ghost Towns

Lake valley.

LAKE VALLEY  (17 miles south of Hillsboro on State Road 27)

Lake Valley became an important railhead and prospered until the silver panic of 1893. Two or three houses and a few other buildings remain today.

Shakespeare

SHAKESPEARE  (3 miles south of Lordsburg)

Now off the beaten track and privately owned, Shakespeare had a tenuous beginning as Mexican Springs in the 1850s as a stop on the Butterfield Overland Stage line. In 1870, prospectors discovered samples of very rich silver ore in the surrounding hills and they went hunting for financing to develop their new mines. 

MOGOLLON  (9 miles east of Alma on State Road 78)

For nearly 60 years after the great gold strike of 1878, Mogollon had a reputation as one of the most wide-open towns in the West. Butch Cassidy and his crowd were once headquartered there, and gunmen, claim jumpers and gamblers kept things lively. Not even Victorio and Geronimo, nor the troops sent in by the governor, could tame Mogollon. 

Pinos Altos

PINOS ALTOS  (8.5 miles north of Silver City)

The town began in 1860 when three frustrated 49ers, Thomas Birch, Colonel Snively and another guy named Hicks, stopped to take a drink in Bear Creek and discovered gold. Word spread like wildfire, soon there were over 700 men prospecting in the area. 

ENGLE  (17 miles east of Truth or Consequences on NM51)

Engle began in 1879 as a stop on the Atchison Topeka Santa Fe Railroad where it was a crucial shipping point for miners and prospectors and served as a water stop. 

ORGAN  (14.5 miles NE of Las Cruces)

The once initial mining camp of Organ was officially established as a community back in 1883, though there had been mining activity since the late 1840s. The town's greatest population was around eighteen hundred at the turn of the century. 

KINGSTON  (26 miles west of I-25 take exit 63 onto NM 152)

Kingston’s history is a tale ripped from the pages of a western novel.  Geronimo’s Apache tribe once roamed the rugged and beautiful Gila wilderness, including the lush creek-fed valley where Kingston was founded. 

MAGDALENA  (28 Miles west of Socorro on US Route 60)

Magdalena was known as the "Trails End" for the railroad/spur line which was built in 1885 from Socorro to Magdalena to transport the cattle, sheep wool, timber and ore.

Read About Magdalena at the New Mexico Magazine

PIE TOWN  (84 Miles west of Socorro on US Route 60)

Pie Town is located along U.S. Highway 60 in Catron County. Its name comes from an early bakery for making dried-apple pies that was established by Clyde Norman in the early 1920s.

KELLY  (South of Magdalena off of US 60, ask locally for directions)

The last residents of Kelly departed in 1947, and most of their homes were painstakingly hauled down to Magdalena.

Southwest Region, Mining District Ghost Towns

CHLORIDE  (5 miles southwest of Winston off State Road 52)

The history of Chloride reads like the script for a bad western – silver strike, population boom, Apache raids, salvation by the militia, cattle versus sheep, tar and feathering, even bear attacks. An Englishman named Harry Pye was delivering freight for the U.S. Army from Hillsboro to Camp Ojo Caliente in 1879 when he discovered silver in the canyon where Chloride is now located.

HILLSBORO  (18 miles west of I-25 take exit 63 onto NM 152)

Hillsboro was founded in April 1877, when two prospectors discovered a series of gold deposits on the east side of the Black Range Mountains along Percha Creek. Dave Stitzel and Daniel Dugan staked out the Opportunity and Ready Pay mines. A tent city quickly filled with over 300 miners, store owners, adventuresome women and children.

MONTICELLO  (25 miles NW of Truth or Consequences )

Located along New Mexico Highway 142, Monticello was originally named Canada Alamosa Spanish for "Canyon of the Cottonwoods" and was first settled by ranchers and farmers in 1856.  The town was renamed in 1881 by its first postmaster, John Sullivan, of Monticello, N.Y.

Hanover/Fierro

HANOVER/FIERRO  (8 miles north of Bayard on NM 536)

Mining was mainly Zinc and the big business was the Emerald Zinc mine built during World War I. Copper mining also took place here. Much of the mining shut down for good in the 1970s. Many residences and buildings are scattered throughout the trees and lining the Hanover Creek bed. It is difficult to tell when you have left Hanover and reached Fierro.

Click on the image to download a printable PDF map of the Ghost Towns featured on the Ghost Towns Trail. Note: the map will open in a new window. To download the map right click and save to your computer. The map is 2.5 MB.

Keep in mind some of the towns mentioned on the map and trail are in remote locations. You should always check locally for weather and road conditions before heading out. Some locations will not have cell phone coverage. Finally please note this map is for entertainment purposes, town locations are approximate. Please observe all signage and ask permission before entering private property.

Read more about ghost towns in New Mexico Magazine

Abandoned, barely there, or rebounding with new purpose, towns, hotels, and restaurants all across the state hold secret treasures: the stories of past lives.

Good Haunts

Western Kentucky University Athletics

• Men's Sports
• Cross Country
• Track & Field
• Women's Sports
• Champions Climb Here
• WKU Athletics
• Athletic Director
• Academic Services
• Annual Report
• Athletic Communications
• Athletic Hall of Fame
• Athletic Training
• CLIMB Program - NIL
• Financial Reports
• General Releases
• Hilltopper Athletic Foundation
• Hilltoppers With Heart
• History & Traditions
• Licensing/Logos
• Spirit Squads
• Sports Nutrition
• Staff Directory
• Student-Athlete Development

Western Kentucky University

• University Website
• Student Life on the Hill
• Be a Hilltopper
• Academic Majors
• Alumni Association
• For Students
• Student Employment
• WKU Athletics Minority Fellowship
• WKU Red Wave
• Forms/Requests
• Book Big Red
• Donation Requests
• Site Feedback
• Alumni Tailgates
• Big Red's Rascals
• Basketball Gameday
• Football Gameday
• Mobile Tickets
• Gameday Promotions
• Travel Center
• Get Connected
• Composite Calendar
• Hilltopper Sports Network
• Photo Galleries
• Talkin' Tops - Previous Episodes
• Hilltopper Sports Properties
• Houchens Charity Champions
• Lee Company
• State Farm Assist Tracker
• Jagoe Homes Sweepstakes
• Official Online Store Powered By Alumni Hall
• Gifts & Accessories
• Game Day & Tailgating
• 2 for $32 tees
• Faculty & Staff Discounts

New Mexico State

Hilltoppers Host New Mexico State to Close 2024 Regular Season

5/15/2024 4:34:00 PM | Baseball

Red Lobster website lists 87 locations 'temporarily closed' in 27 states: See full list

Red Lobster has abruptly closed dozens of restaurants across the country.

A look at the restaurant chain's website reveals 87 stores temporarily closed across 27 states, with some of them having their kitchen equipment up for auction on an online restaurant liquidator.

The liquidator, TAGeX Brands, announced Monday it is auctioning off equipment this week from 48 locations that have closed. The website says auctions are live and will end periodically on Thursday, and that each winner will receive the "entire contents of the Red Lobster location they bid on."

USA TODAY reached out to Red Lobster on Tuesday and did not get a response prior to publication.

Here's what we know about the closures, including where they're happening and why these restaurants are closing.

Red Lobster closures: Red Lobster abruptly closes dozens of restaurant locations around US, preparing to liquidate

McDonald's $5 deals: McDonald’s is focused on affordability. What we know after reports of $5 meal deals.

Closed Red Lobster locations

Each of these restaurants are currently listed as temporarily closed on the website:

• Rohnert Park
• Wheat Ridge
• Altamonte Springs
• Daytona Beach Shores
• Gainesville
• Jacksonville (Commerce Center Drive)  
• Jacksonville (Baymeadows Road)  
• Jacksonville (City Station Drive)
• Orlando (E. Colonial Dr.)
• Orlando (W. Colonial Dr.)
• Orlando (Golden Sky Lane) 
• Tampa (East Busch Blvd.)
• Tampa (Palm Pointe Dr.)
• Bloomingdale
• Indianapolis (N. Shadeland Ave.)
• Kansas City
• Bossier City
• Gaithersburg
• Silver Spring

Mississippi

• Jefferson City
• Bridgewater
• East Brunswick
• Lawrenceville
• Poughkeepsie
• Stony Brook
• Williamsville

North Carolina

• Rocky Mount

North Dakota

• Grand Forks
• Oklahoma City

Pennsylvania

South carolina.

• Myrtle Beach
• Dallas (E. Technology Blvd.)
• Dallas (Vantage Point Dr.)
• Lake Jackson
• Colonial Heights
• Newport News
• Williamsburg

Red Lobster considered filing for bankruptcy in April

The seafood chain considered filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month in an effort to restructure its debt,  according to Bloomberg .

The company had been getting advice from law firm King & Spalding as it looked to shed some long-term contracts and renegotiate leases, Bloomberg reported, noting that Red Lobster's cash flows had been weighed down by leases and labor costs, among other issues.

Red Lobster suffered big losses with 'Ultimate Endless Shrimp' promotion

In 2023, the seafood chain's " Ultimate Endless Shrimp " deal became more popular than expected, inadvertently becoming a key factor in a $11 million loss in the third quarter.

The limited-time promotional deal, in which guests picked two types of shrimp to enjoy nonstop for $20, landed a permanent spot on Red Lobster menus in June. Red Lobster's parent company, Thai Union Group, said in November 2023 that the chain was headed toward a $20 million loss for 2023. Now the endless shrimp deal costs $25.

Thai Union Group CFO Ludovic Regis Henri Garnier said in an earnings report call that the company was aware the initial price for the endless-shrimp deal was cheap. The offer was intended to draw customers into restaurants, but orders exceeded expectations, he said.

"We wanted to boost our traffic, and it didn't work," Garnier told investors in November 2023, according to  Restaurant Business Magazine . "We want to keep it on the menu. And of course we need to be much more careful regarding what are the entry points and what is the price point we are offering for this promotion."

Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter:  @ChrisFSims .

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

The Garfield Movie

After Garfield's unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, ragged alley cat Vic, he and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered lives to join Vic on a risky heist... Read all After Garfield's unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, ragged alley cat Vic, he and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered lives to join Vic on a risky heist. After Garfield's unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, ragged alley cat Vic, he and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered lives to join Vic on a risky heist.

• Mark Dindal
• Paul A. Kaplan
• Mark Torgove
• David Reynolds
• Chris Pratt
• Samuel L. Jackson
• Hannah Waddingham
• 16 User reviews
• 29 Critic reviews

• Jon Arbuckle

• Tour Guide Tracy

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

The Big List of Summer Movies

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia Frank Welker , who's voiced Garfield since 2007, expressed his disappointment at not being asked to voice the character for this film.

Jon : Say when!

[as he starts grating parmesan cheese on lasagne; from teaser and official trailers]

Garfield : Never, Jon! Bury me in cheese!

• Connections Featured in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: To Infinity and... (2021)

User reviews 16

• May 7, 2024
• When will The Garfield Movie be released? Powered by Alexa
• May 24, 2024 (United States)
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Garfield: Mèo Béo Siêu Quậy
• Alcon Entertainment
• Columbia Pictures
• Double Negative (DNEG)
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $36,000,000

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 41 minutes
• Dolby Digital
• Dolby Atmos
• D-Cinema 96kHz 7.1
• Dolby Surround 7.1
• 12-Track Digital Sound

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed