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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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18 Top Things to Do in New Mexico

With breathtaking desert landscapes and a bevy of one-of-a-kind attractions, it's no surprise New Mexico calls itself the Land of Enchantment.

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A New Mexico adventure means national parks, cliff dwellings, caves, ghost towns and more.

From distinguished art galleries and intriguing UFO museums to significant archaeological sites, New Mexico is the gift that keeps on giving. Visit in October to watch hundreds of brightly colored hot air balloons take over the Albuquerque skyline or head to Taos in winter for prime skiing conditions. New Mexico's authentic energy and strong cultural roots also attract travelers in search of a spiritual experience.

Whether you're ready to plan your trip or you simply want to daydream about the state's stunning rock formations, keep reading for a list of the top things to do in New Mexico.

(Note: Some of the following activities and locations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. New policies may be in place, including capacity restrictions, reservation requirements or mask mandates. Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of State and local tourism boards before traveling.)

Albuquerque

Sitting approximately 65 miles southwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico's largest city appeals to culture hounds and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can spend their time hiking the nearby Sandia Mountains, or save their feet by riding the 2.7-mile-long scenic Sandia Peak Tramway to the top.

Meanwhile, travelers looking to explore Albuquerque's many museums can browse the diverse collections at the Albuquerque Museum , the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. For a glimpse into Albuquerque's past, head to Historic Old Town , where Pueblo-Spanish style adobe buildings now house numerous art galleries, restaurants and shops.

Although Albuquerque is beautiful year-round, travelers recommend visiting in October when more than 500 colorful hot air balloons take to the skies during the nine-day Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta . As the most-photographed event in the world, this popular festival offers hot air balloon rides , concerts, educational exhibits, fireworks and evening balloon glows, where hundreds of grounded balloons fire their burners simultaneously, creating a magical nighttime light display.

[See more of Albuquerque: Things to Do | When to Visit | Hotels | Photos ]

White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is one of the most mesmerizing and unusual natural wonders in New Mexico – and possibly the world. This stunning national park is located within the Tularosa Basin and is home to the earth's largest gypsum dune field. More than 73,000 acres of brilliant white sand stretch out as far as the eye can see, a sight which recent travelers say will take your breath away. In fact, this magnificent dune field is so large, it can even be seen from space.

Visitors can explore the park by car along Dunes Drive, an 8-mile-long thoroughfare that stretches from the White Sands Visitor Center into the heart of the gypsum dune field. Biking and hiking are also popular activities, and the park offers several ranger-led programs that include everything from beautiful sunset strolls to full moon hikes.

However, the activity most travelers can't wait to try is sledding. This exciting activity is allowed in the loop portion of Dunes Drive, where there is little vegetation and no cars nearby to pose a danger risk. The safest way to sled is on a waxed, plastic snow saucer, which visitors can purchase at the park's gift shop.

[Read: The Best Tourist Attraction in Every U.S. State .]

New Mexico's capital is brimming with traveler-friendly activities. The first stop on your itinerary should be Santa Fe Plaza , a National Historic Landmark located in downtown Santa Fe . Here, visitors can enjoy the lively atmosphere of the plaza, which often buzzes with vendors, live music and markets. It is also a jumping-off point for many of Santa Fe's downtown restaurants and shops.

Meanwhile, the renowned Santa Fe Opera House appeals to travelers who fancy spectacular opera shows set in remarkable open-air theaters. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum also can't be missed, along with other traveler favorites like the New Mexico History Museum , New Mexico Museum of Art , Museum of International Folk Art and Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return , a unique and colorful art installation featuring more than 70 rooms of immersive art.

And if that isn't enough, Santa Fe's Canyon Road is lined with more than 80 galleries and studios showcasing some of the best artists in New Mexico. Visit during September to watch the city come to life during the Santa Fe Fiesta, an annual celebration that includes music, dancing, arts and crafts booths and more.

[See more of Santa Fe: Things to Do | When to Visit | Hotels | Photos ]

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

An extensive labyrinth of limestone caves lies deep below the Chihuahuan Desert – and Carlsbad Caverns National Park is home to more than 100 of them. These caves formed when sulfuric acid dissolved Capitan limestone, leaving behind a complex network of underground passages and rock formations. Explore these caves at your own pace along two underground trails: The Big Room Trail and the Natural Entrance Trail. The Big Room Trail is the most popular route, taking visitors through one of the largest cave chambers in North America. Meanwhile, visitors can see rock formations like Devil's Spring and Iceberg Rock along the Natural Entrance Trail. Keep in mind, this trail is very steep and is best suited for experienced hikers.

Above ground, there are several hiking trails that wind through the Guadalupe Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert. Popular hikes include the short Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail, which is only a half-mile in length, and the Guadalupe Ridge Trail, the park's longest above-ground trail at 100 miles long.

If you visit in summer, you'll have the chance to see 400,000 Brazilian free-tailed bats exit Carlsbad Cavern in search of food every evening. This mass exodus is a spectacular sight to behold, and is best seen from the Bat Flight Amphitheater, where rangers offer free educational presentations from Memorial Day weekend through October.

Roswell's name recognition comes from its connection to a now-infamous 1947 alleged UFO crash, in which wreckage from a "flying disc" was recovered on the property of a local rancher. While Air Force officials said the debris was from a crashed weather balloon, the event sparked widespread speculation. Still today, many believe that this event is proof of the existence of extraterrestrial beings. Whether or not you consider yourself a believer, Roswell is a must-see destination for any first-time visitor to New Mexico.

If you want to learn more about the town's alien reputation, head to the International UFO Museum and Research Center. The exhibits on display are not designed to convince visitors of anything, but rather to inform the public about the 1947 Roswell Incident, and other unexplained phenomena surrounding UFO research.

However, this small city in southeastern New Mexico is about more than just aliens. Roswell is also home to a collection of top-tier art museums like the Roswell Museum and the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, along with a bevy of outdoor attractions. For fun-filled activities like swimming, kayaking and scuba diving, head to Bottomless Lakes State Park, where the blue-green color of the large sinkholes here give the illusion of great depth.

Bandelier National Monument

Spread across more than 33,000 acres of rugged wilderness, Bandelier National Monument is a testament to New Mexico's long and fascinating history. Once inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblo people, this monument protects thousands of archaeological sites, including cave dwellings, villages and petroglyphs.

In addition to these well-preserved ruins, the park offers more than 70 miles of hiking trails. Along the Main (Pueblo) Loop Trail, visitors can check out the three cavates, small caves that have been hand-carved out of rock, by using the wooden ladders in place. Other trails lead to waterfalls and mesa tops. For more information about Bandelier and its history, check out the visitor center, which includes a museum with tactile exhibits and an educational movie about the park. Across the parking lot from the visitor center, you'll find the Western National Parks Association Store, which sells a wide variety of books, maps and souvenirs.

Address: 15 Entrance Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544

Nicknamed the "Soul of the Southwest," Taos is home to art galleries, hot springs, spellbinding scenery and excellent skiing opportunities. In Taos, visitors will have their pick of several fascinating museums: The Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos Art Museum at Fechin House and the Kit Carson House & Museum are a few traveler favorites.

After perusing the exhibits, stroll through historic Taos Plaza or jump in your car to cruise along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. On your drive, you'll be treated to views of Wheeler Peak and Hondo Valley. For an exhilarating experience, visitors can also drive across the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, one of the highest bridges in the United States, or walk along the rim of the gorge to get a different perspective.

Come winter, Taos is busy with skiers looking to hit the slopes; Taos Ski Valley and Red River Ski & Summer Area are two of the area's most popular skiing destinations .

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Chaco Culture National Historical Park, located about 150 miles northwest of Albuquerque, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Between A.D. 850 and 1250, this region was a major center of Chacoan culture. Civilization flourished here and that history is evident today in the park's approximately 4,000 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites. Many of these are the ruins of Chacoan great houses, massive stone buildings constructed using masonry techniques (which were unusual at the time). These houses are thought to be some of the largest, most complex and best-preserved prehistoric structures in North America.

While here, visitors can take a self-guided tour of these dwellings by driving along the 9-mile-long Canyon Loop Drive, which leads to six major cultural sites: Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl, Una Vida, Hungo Pavi, Pueblo del Arroyo and Casa Rinconada. Of these, Pueblo Bonito is undoubtedly the most famous – and for good reason. A spectacular example of ancestral Pueblo history, Pueblo Bonito was once the epicenter of Chacoan society. Today, visitors can hike the short gravel trail (less than a mile) through the site and admire what is left of this stunning architectural wonder.

Keep in mind, the drive here is long and requires traveling over miles of very bumpy and uneven roads, which may not be suitable for vehicles without all-wheel or four-wheel drive. Self-guided trail maps can be purchased for $2 at the visitor center bookstore.

Address: 1808 CR 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037

Santa Rosa Blue Hole

Landlocked New Mexico is not known for its scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. However, Santa Rosa's Blue Hole may just be one of the most interesting diving destinations in the United States. Amid the state's vast desert landscape, this unexpected gem was once used by cowboys as a way to cool off from the summer heat. Now, visitors come from all over to cliff jump, dive or swim in its crystal-clear waters.

With water that refills 3,000 gallons every minute and stays at a cool 62 degrees year-round, the Santa Rosa Blue Hole is one of New Mexico's most unique tourist attractions . Nearby, there is a small fishing pond with an inflatable obstacle course that is popular with families. Keep in mind, scuba divers must purchase a permit to dive here.

Address: 1085 Blue Hole Road, Santa Rosa, NM 88435

Petroglyph National Monument

Petroglyphs, rock carvings made from a chisel and hammerstone, are complex and sacred symbols that were created by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. Petroglyph National Monument protects nearly 25,000 of these images, 90% of which are believed to have been made by Ancestral Pueblo people. While the exact meaning behind many of these petroglyphs is unknown, one thing is for sure: These ancient carvings are integral to New Mexico's spiritual and cultural landscape.

The monument offers three areas where visitors can see petroglyphs, with hiking trails that range in distance and difficulty level. Boca Negra Canyon is the only fully developed area in the park, offering restrooms and a drinking fountain, which makes it a very popular tourist destination. The other two viewing areas – Rinconada Canyon and Piedras Marcadas Canyon – offer fewer facilities than Boca Negra, but they are no less beautiful. Just remember to keep your eyes peeled while visiting – the monument is home to western diamondback and prairie rattlesnakes.

Address: Unser Blvd. NW at Western Trail, Albuquerque, NM 87120

Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center

Ghost Ranch, made famous by legendary artist Georgia O'Keeffe, encompasses 21,000 acres of dramatic desert landscape in northern New Mexico. While the views are incredible, there is more to this scenic getaway than just beauty. The region is one of New Mexico's most important geological and paleontological resources. Here, visitors can hike, get a massage, kayak on Abiquiu Lake or even learn about the dinosaurs that once roamed these lands millions of years ago. In fact, the property is home to the only complete Coelophysis (a small and slender carnivorous dinosaur) fossil in the world. Museums and a library are available on-site for research and educational purposes, and there are several fossil quarries worth exploring. Numerous tours are also available, whether you're looking for a Georgia O'Keeffe art tour (she once lived on the property), a paleontology tour or a sunset horseback riding tour. Visitors can purchase a day pass or stay overnight at the retreat's campground or in one of the rustic housing accommodations.

Address: 280 Private Drive 1708, Abiquiu, NM 87510

Pecos National Historical Park

Located less than 30 miles southeast of Santa Fe in northern New Mexico, Pecos National Historical Park tells the story of the ancient civilizations that came before it, dating as far back as 11,500 B.C. Hunters, traders, immigrants, soldiers and ranchers once passed through these lands and Pecos National Historical Park protects the legacies left behind. Start at the visitor center, which offers a short introductory film and a museum detailing the region's history and archaeological significance. You can also pick up a brochure or purchase an interpretive guide to take with you as you explore the popular Ancestral Sites Trail. Along this 1.25-mile-long trail, visitors will find the Pecos Pueblo and the 1717 Spanish mission church, the park's two top sights. Meanwhile, Civil War buffs won't want to miss the 2.25-mile Glorieta Battlefield Trail, which takes visitors through the harrowing story of the 1862 Battle at Glorieta Pass. For the best experience, explore these sites on a free ranger-led walking tour. While admission to this historical park is free, keep in mind, camping is not permitted anywhere in the park.

Address: 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Travel to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, about 45 miles north of Silver City, if you're interested in soaking up more of New Mexico's important cultural history. In the late 1200s, the Mogollon people lived and worked here, building their homes and raising their children in cliff dwellings for more than a thousand years. To learn about their fascinating culture, check out the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center, which features a small museum with Mogollon artifacts, a short park film and an exhibit on the Chiricahua Apache. There is also a small bookstore located 2 miles down the road that is a jumping-off point for the mile-long Cliff Dwellings Trail. At the monument, visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the surrounding Gila National Forest, which is a popular destination for camping, hiking and fishing.

Address: 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049

Relax in a natural hot spring

As a state that is rich in geothermal activity, New Mexico is home to several natural hot springs. Ranging from small off-the-beaten-path soaking options in the wilderness to lavish spa resorts , these springs are revered for their healing properties. Travelers looking to relax in nature can head to local favorites such as Black Rock Hot Springs and Spence Hot Springs (which is clothing-optional), while those searching for a more luxurious experience can book a soak at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa or Jemez Hot Springs.

Explore a ghost town

With more than 400 ghost towns peppered throughout the state, New Mexico is a haven for history buffs and fans of the paranormal. Many of these now- abandoned settlements were once flourishing mining towns that vanished when demand fell and the area's natural resources dried up. Today, travelers can visit these abandoned sites, which range from tiny villages with a handful of dilapidated buildings to resurrected towns with hundreds of year-round residents.

If you want to feel like you've stepped back into the Wild West, head to the town of Chloride, where you'll find 27 original buildings still standing. This includes the Pioneer Store, which has been restored and turned into a museum featuring historic artifacts from the town's past.

Other notable ghost towns include Madrid, Pinos Altos and Shakespeare, a former silver mining town that is now privately owned. While unescorted visits of Shakespeare are not available, travelers can book a guided tour of the property for a fee, which includes interior access to 8 buildings.

(Note: Many of these towns still have small populations so please make sure to respect all private property.)

Go stargazing

Thanks to the state's low population density, high altitudes and clear night skies, stargazing opportunities abound in the Land of Enchantment. Boasting five International Dark-Sky Association-certified sites, the New Mexico True Dark Skies Trail includes Clayton Lake State Park, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Capulin Volcano National Monument and Cosmic Campground, the Northern Hemisphere's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Located in Gila National Forest, the Cosmic Campground is the perfect place to lay back and ponder the universe under a blanket of stars. Whether you're looking for a place to practice night photography or you simply want to bask in the beauty of the Milky Way, stargazing at dark sky park in New Mexico is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Four Corners Monument

Have you ever wanted to be in two places at once? How about four? The Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states intersect at one point. Here, visitors can stand in New Mexico, Arizona , Utah and Colorado simultaneously. The location is marked by a simple granite and brass plaque and surrounded by flags representing the tribal nations and states that share the region. At the site, you'll find local vendors selling homemade jewelry, pottery, crafts and artwork.

The cost to visit this monument is $5 per person; payment is only accepted via credit card. Keep in mind, services and facilities surrounding the monument are extremely limited, so come prepared with a full tank of gas and enough food and water to sustain you throughout the day.

Although many recent visitors loved the novelty of being in four places at once, others called the attraction a tourist trap. While this site makes for a great photo opportunity, it is located on private land managed by the Navajo Nation, so please be respectful of tribal regulations when visiting the area.

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

Cumbres & Toltec Railroad

One of the most beautiful ways to take in the scenery of New Mexico's diverse landscape is aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad. Shared jointly by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, this railroad is the longest and highest steam railroad in the United States. As the train zig zags across the Colorado and New Mexico border, travelers will be treated to unparalleled views of the Rocky Mountains, rolling past verdant meadows, grassy hills and impressive aspen groves. During your ascent to Cumbres Pass, keep your eyes peeled for deer, elk and even bears, as wildlife is plentiful in this area. The scenic train ride also includes a lunch stop in the small mountain town of Osier, Colorado.

Leaving from Chama, New Mexico, and ending in Antonito, Colorado, this full excursion stretches on for 64 miles. Passengers wishing to ride round trip may purchase two one-way train tickets, but they should know that the entire process cannot be completed in one day, so plan on finding lodging for the night. However, those who would like to experience this historic railroad but who can't budget more than a day should consider choosing the half limited trip, which travels from the Chama or Antonito stations to the mid-way point of Osier Station and back. Express short trips are also available for families or anyone limited on time.

Address: 500 Terrace Ave., Chama, NM 87520

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in New Mexico
• The Best Places to Visit in New Mexico
• The Top Hot Air Balloon Festivals
• The Top Things to Do in Utah
• The Top Things to Do in Arizona
• The Top Things to Do in Colorado
• The Top Things to Do in Texas

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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.

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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

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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!

Touropia Travel Experts

Discover the World

23 Best Things to do in New Mexico

Mixing rich history and spectacular environments, New Mexico is teeming with underrated destinations. From Santa Fe and Albuquerque to towering mountains and enthralling monuments, travelers will uncover ancient civilizations from centuries ago, historic adobes and plenty of art and culture.

New Mexico has been shaped by Native Americans and Spanish settlers. A unique combination that is unrivaled in the United States. The cultural diversity plays out in the local food scene and in the many things to do in New Mexico with interesting museums and galleries that can be found throughout the state.

So, whether you’re after adventure, history or a mix of both, there is always some you’ll find what you’re looking for in New Mexico.

23. Petroglyph National Monument

Comprising over 25,000 ancient images from the Puebloans and early Spanish settlers, the Petroglyph National Monument is one of the largest in North America. The unique monument is a fascinating look into the life and cultures of those that have come before. With intricate stories showcasing daily life, spirituality, and community.

The best way to see the majority of the petroglyphs is along the monument’s hiking trails. Easy to moderate trails lead you to nearby etchings, with more strenuous treks taking you into beautiful canyons, where caverns have formed over thousands of years. For a simple hike, capture 100 petroglyphs on the Boca Negra Canyon trail, while the Rinconada Canyon Trail is longer but leads to approximately 300 historic petroglyphs.

22. Lincoln National Forest

Established in 1902, the Lincoln National Forest was developed over multiple years to combine several mountain ranges and a vast range of landscapes that are an adventurer’s dream. However, the national forest is best known for being the birthplace of the iconic Smokey the Bear.

Explorers will have their choice of three mountain ranges, Capitan, Sacramento, and Guadalupe. With the elevation range stretching from 4,000 feet to towering 11,500 feet peaks. There are endless trails ready to take you through the mountains that will suit all hiking abilities. Wander through five distinct life zones from subalpine forests to the Chihuahan desert.

21. Riverbend Hot Springs

As you travel around the beautiful landscapes of New Mexico, take the time to relax and appreciate the scenery at the Riverbend Hot Springs. Along the shores of the surging Rio Grande River, recharge your batteries in the natural springs.

You can find the Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequences, where the revitalizing waters were believed to be sacred by the Apache and Mimbres peoples. Here, rival Native American warriors would put aside their differences, down their weapons and seek healing in the springs.

The Riverbend Hot Springs feature a high mineral concentration, spectacular views of Turtleback Mountain and haven’t lost their power over the centuries.

20. Meow Wolf (Santa Fe)

Owned by the one and only George R. R. Martin, Meow Wolf in Santa Fe has a different take on the art gallery experience. Rather than halls of paintings, photographs, and sculptures to admire, Meow Wolff has created an interactive experience where you can be a part of the art.

Within Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, you can experience the gallery’s exhibits through various senses, from sight to sound and touch. Rather than just admire the art from a distance, you can decide how each piece makes you feel through your own hands-on experience.

19. Billy the Kid Museum (Fort Sumner)

Celebrating the life of one of America’s iconic outlaws, the Billy the Kid Museum is a wonderful look into his life and the culture of the Old West. The museum is in Fort Sumner and runs out of a small building by a local couple, Don and Lula Sweet.

The building marks the exact spot Billy the Kid died at just 21 years old, having already mustered up a memorable reputation. Inside, you’ll find several displays from his very own rifle to his saddle spurs. Walk through the museum to see rows of old photographs, wanted posters from the Wild West, along with some eye-opening portraits.

18. Four Corners Monument

Ever wanted to be in four places at one time? Well, at the Four Corners Monument, your wishes have come true. The only such occurrence in the United States, here, the borders of New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona collide.

The small monument is a paved square with a circular plaque in the center where each state corner meets. With your legs on two sides and arms on the other, you can be in four states at once.

Compared to cliff dwellings and ancient ruins, it may not stand out as a fascinating attraction. But standing on this unique spot is sure to be a fun icebreaker for years to come.

17. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness

For otherworldly landscapes on your travels around New Mexico, you’ll have a hard time topping the Bisti Badlands. Otherwise known as the De-Na-Zin Wilderness, which means “standing crane” in Navajo, the rock formations and petroglyphs are majestic.

The wilderness is 2.5 hours northwest of Albuquerque , placing you in what feels like the middle of nowhere. The eerie silence is complemented by the wondrous natural scenery that is best seen under the rising light of sunrise or the blazing dusk. Have your camera well-charged to capture the man-made statues, petroglyphs, and spires of colorful sandstone.

This is a genuine off-the-beaten path experience, so load up before you arrive as there are no on-site amenities.

16. Gila Cliff Dwellings

Ancient civilizations and historic architecture are no strangers to New Mexico. Whether that be the Puebloan people or the Mogollon tribe. The latter of which built the incredible Gila Cliff Dwellings 700 years ago at the beginning of the 14th century.

You can explore these dwellings from the old mining town of Silver City at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Begin at the visitor center to learn more about the Mogollon culture and the monument’s geological history. From there, join one of several trails into the park. Some guide you to natural caves and hot springs. Or sign up for a guided tour of the cliff dwellings to see how the Mogollon people lived and thrived.

15. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (Santa Fe)

Chronicling the life work of Georgia O’Keefe, the museum in her name showcases some of the finest nature-based art in the United States. O’Keefe created a broad range of works that focused on flora and the environment of New Mexico, capturing the beauty of the desert landscape like few else.

Visitors can discover the full length of her career as she progressed from a young, up-and-coming creative to a nationally renowned artist. You won’t just find beguiling paintings here. O’Keefe’s works include sketches, photography, and sculptures. You can explore the museum on a self-guided tour with the help of the museum’s app, or join a guided experience for an in-depth exploration of her life’s work.

14. Bandelier National Monument

The Puebloan people called what is now New Mexico home for centuries. Many attractions on our list can be traced to the ancient community, with one of the best examples being the Bandelier National Monument. The monument comprises epic landscapes and enthralling history from vast mesas to excavated ruins.

South of Los Alamos, the Bandelier National Monument is within Frijoles Canyon where the Puebloan lived between 1150 and 1550 A.D. Explore the museum to learn about the civilization and the park’s geology before embarking along one of the 70 miles’ worth of hiking trails. Including the Main Loop Trail that brings you to historic cliff houses and alcoves above the canyon floor.

13. Very Large Array

With its not-so-subtle name, the Very Large Array is a vast collection of giant antennas that combine all their power into a single radio telescope. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is in central New Mexico and all up there are 27 enormous antennas, creating one of the most incredible vistas in the state.

The Very Large Array is just shy of 7,000 feet above sea level, with the dry desert surroundings bringing immense clarity to astronomers. Through these antennas, astronomers are able to explore the expanse of space to learn about quasars, black holes and cosmic gases. Visitors can embark on self-guided tours to get up close to the giant antennas, while there’s also a museum and theater.

12. Taos Ski Valley

From as high as 12,500 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain, the majestic Taos Ski Valley is the best of its kind in the state. It can be hard to wrap your mind around the desert-laden New Mexico being a ski destination, but Taos Ski Valley’s average snowfall of 25 feet will quickly change your perception.

Blue bird powder days are common under the New Mexico sky. Have your choice of 110 runs serviced by 14 lifts with over 3000 feet of vertical. The mountain is popular with advanced skiers, with over half the runs being black or double black diamonds. But the range of green and blue runs is enough to keep newbies skiing all day long.

11. Sandia Peak Tramway (Albuquerque)

Taking you from the desert floor high into the mountains, the Sandia Peak Tramway is a wonderful way to appreciate the scenery around Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley. The tramway is 2.7 miles long and, depending on the time of year, it may deliver you to a snow-capped peak.

The 15-minute journey leaves you on the crest of the Sandia Mountains, from which you can embark on a bevy of hiking trails, or rush down on a mountain bike. For those that like to do things backwards, you can hike the La Luz trail to the top of Sandia Peak before relaxing on the tramway back to the valley. In the winter, there are 25 miles of slopes to ski.

10. International UFO Museum and Research Center (Roswell)

Inspired by the Roswell Incident of 1947, the International UFO Museum and Research Center opened 45 years later in Roswell . The informative museum is your one stop shop to learn all about the suspicious events that put the small New Mexico town on the map.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the research center has gone all in on the certainty that aliens exist and that each conspiracy theory is true. However, what makes the experience here so great is that the center takes an unbiased look at each event, laying out the timeline and educating visitors on both sides of the story, leaving all of us to make up our own minds.

9. Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway

Traveling from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado , the Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway is your ticket to the Old West. The railroad first operated in 1881 when its coal-fired steam engine carried passengers through dramatic mountain canyons, alpine desert, and vast valley meadows.

The railroad led to an economic boom along the route with more opportunities, especially in Chama, where the logging industry thrived. Today, the spectacular scenic railway provides a six-and-a-half-hour experience through the beautiful landscapes crossing the 10,000-foot Cumbres Mountain Pass and the Toltec Gorge.

Aside from the memorable scenery, you’ll bear witness to several original structures, including a stop in Osier, Colorado, a historic railroad settlement.

8. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

From the 9th to 13th centuries, the Native American Puebloan people resided in Chaco Canyon. The community was a major trade and commercial hub, and its dozens of striking ruins can be explored today.

To the northwest of Albuquerque, Chaco Canyon National Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its preservation can be best appreciated from in front of the 15 enormous structures that once formed this ancient city. The stunning archaeological site offers a range of interpretative experiences from ranger tours to self-guided hikes.

Far from civilization, Chaco Canyon is also noted for having a brilliant starscape. The park presents several astronomy events plus overnight camping.

7. Blue Hole (Santa Rosa)

At a pleasant 62-degrees, Blue Hole is your welcome respite to the heat of day in New Mexico. Santa Rosa is the “City of Natural Lakes” with Blue Hole being the best of the lot. You can find the bell-shaped lake along the iconic Route 66. Blue Hole is an artesian well fed from deep below the surface of the Ogallala Aquifer, thanks to the dissolution of the limestone bedrock.

At 80 feet deep, with crystal clear waters straight out of the Caribbean, it’s a popular destination for casual swimmers and scuba-divers alike. In the height of summer, Blue Hole fills up quick, so get in early to grab a prime spot.

6. Canyon Road (Santa Fe)

In the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the half-mile Canyon Road meanders through the Historic District of Santa Fe. Like Broadway in New York, the stretch of tar cuts through the heart of town, lined by fine art galleries, boutique shops and the best restaurants in Santa Fe.

Santa Fe has a historic art scene, where within the old adobe homes of eras past visitors can explore over 100 galleries, studios, and independent jewelers. Visitors will find all genres along the “Magical Half-Mile” from contemporary to Native American and expressionism.

Get about on foot and explore on a whim following your intuition into any gallery, shop or restaurant that piques your interest.

5. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

There are over 600,000 bridges in the United States, but only five are higher than the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Standing 650 feet above the surging Rio Grande, it was called the “Bridge to Nowhere” in the 1960s, because there was no money to build the road on the other side.

The funding eventually came and now you can drive across one of the most beautiful long-span bridges in the country. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge has appeared in multiple movies, from the Terminator to everyone’s favorite awkward bike gang, Wild Hogs.

While you can appreciate the view from the driver’s seat, it gets better on foot. Walk alongside the sheer drop to soak in the amazing views.

4. Taos Pueblo

From straw and mud bricks, the Puebloan Native Americans created the oldest continuously inhabited residence in the USA. The Taos Pueblo is an invaluable look into the past. The homes date back to the 11th century and while the world is ever changing, 150 people still call these historic structures home. Some of which are five-stories high.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors are free to make their way through the town or sign up for a locally led tour. Life in the village has changed little over the centuries. Without water and electricity, the community lives off what they grow, create, and sell.

After your tour, continue to explore the town that includes a number of beautiful plazas, historic churches, and insightful museums.

3. Carlsbad Caverns

An intricate network of over 100 caves, the Carlsbad Caverns National Park is teeming with stalactites, natural history and yes, plenty of bats. The caverns were formed 250 million years ago, when the limestone sediments were left to their own devices as the inland sea evaporated.

Erosion swept through like a talented artist, creating miles of accessible caverns, with hanging stalactites like icicles dangling from the ceiling above. To your left and right, stalagmites rise from the cave floor, creating an eerie experience befitting of such a location. You can tour the Carlsbad Caverns beside a ranger or embark on your own through the limestone chambers. From May to October, visitors can see the bats fly out in unison during the free nightly Bat Flight event.

2. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Forget Cappadocia and the effervescent Turkish sunrise. The largest hot-air balloon festival is held right here, in Albuquerque. It all began with just over a dozen balloons in 1973. Out of a humble parking lot, the fiesta grew into a phenomenon, attracting annual crowds of over 80,000 people.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta lasts for nine days and begins with a bang. On the first morning, the Mass Ascension event takes place, where over 500 hot-air balloons take to the sky to welcome the desert sunrise. It’s one of the world’s most popular photo-ops and the fuel for an amazing fiesta. Over the ensuing days, there are endless balloon-inspired events, while life on the ground is just as exciting with live entertainment and activities.

1. White Sands National Park

There are no surprises upon reaching White Sands National Park. Here, sparkling white sands paint the landscape that’s constantly evolving with the wind. You can traverse the towering dunes on a number of trails to gain an appreciation for a mesmerizing place that stands in stark contrast to the ever-blue sky.

The white gypsum sand has a smattering of desert brush and shrubs, disturbing the blank canvass. Choose between the elevated Interdune Boardwalk or the Dune Life Nature Trail. The fragility of the landscape means you’ll see most of it from afar, but that’s the perfect way to capture the sheer scale of the unique ecosystem.

If you have time, bring along your camping gear to sleep alongside the dunes under the black, starry sky.

Map of Things to do in New Mexico

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15 Most Charming Small Towns in New Mexico

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12 Best National Parks & Monuments in New Mexico

12 Best Cities to Visit in New Mexico

25 Best Places to Visit in the USA

12 Best Things to do in Roswell, NM

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17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New Mexico

Written by Becca Blond nd Michael Law Updated Mar 1, 2024

New Mexico lives up to its state moniker as the "Land of Enchantment" with its vibrant scenery, towns, culture, and attractions. New Mexico's history tells the stories of the Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American cultures that shaped it. It is a unique destination, with more open, empty spaces than people and boundless natural attractions.

Albuquerque , host of the world's largest hot air balloon festival , is New Mexico's largest city but still feels like a small town.

Its capital city, Santa Fe , is the oldest of its kind in the U.S., founded in 1610 and one of the country's most revered art destinations. It also boasts a thriving food scene, great skiing, and a one-of-a-kind all-adobe architectural style.

New Mexico is also home to quirky little towns like Roswell , famed for its alleged UFO crash in 1947 that still attracts devoted believers each year.

In New Mexico you never have to look far for adventure. This is a destination filled with ethereal high desert landscapes that have served as inspiration for numerous artists over the years, including renowned landscape painter Georgia O'Keefe, who had two homes here.

You can spend a day sledding down 60-foot dunes in White Sands National Monument or riding an elevator that drops the height of the Empire State Building into a bat-filled cavern in Carlsbad Caverns National Park . There is no shortage of things to see and do.

For ideas on the best places to visit, have a read through our list of the top tourist attractions in New Mexico.

1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

2. santa fe, 3. white sands national monument, 4. albuquerque international balloon fiesta, 5. bandelier national monument, 6. petroglyph national monument, 7. taos pueblo, 8. cumbres-toltec scenic railway, 9. gila cliff dwellings national monument, 10. taos ski valley, 11. pecos national historical park, 12. the very large array, 13. chaco culture national historical park, 14. billy the kid museum, 15. wheeler peak wilderness, 16. international ufo museum and research center, 17. georgia o'keeffe museum.

Musty-smelling stone and fluttering Mexican free-tailed bats add to the creepiness as you descend 800 feet into the strange underground world of one of the planet's greatest cave systems in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. One of the country's most underrated national parks, Carlsbad is comprised of nearly 120 known limestone caves created by an ancient sea thousands of years ago.

Its most famous attraction is the Big Room , which can be accessed via a 1.25-mile walk through artificially lit subterranean darkness or by taking an elevator down the height of the Empire State Building. The Big Room is just that: a giant space. Running 1800 feet long with a 255-foot-high ceiling, it is filled with stalagmites and other alien-looking landscape features.

You can explore the Big Room on a self-guided tour or make reservations to join one of the ranger-guided tours . These are informative and provide access to parts of the cavern closed to the public. There are also more adventurous guided spelunking adventures to be had in backcountry caves.

The caves are also home to a colony of about 400,000 bats that roost here between mid-April and October. At sunset each evening during this timeframe the bats emerge from the mouth of the caves to hunt down buggy dinners.

It's a beautiful spectacle to watch thousands of bats flying from the mouths of the caves, cutting black lines through the crimson sky. Rangers also offer free Bat Flight talks nightly from late May at the cavern's entrance.

Up above, visitors will find a wide range of opportunities for back-country hikes and backpacking. Be sure to bring ample water.

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

New Mexico's intriguing, all-adobe capital city, Santa Fe, is one of the state's most interesting tourist attractions . With a history dating back more than 400 years, a modern legacy as one of the country's top art destinations , and a multi-cultural population, Santa Fe has a vibrant, unique energy about it. It's also a small city with a walkable downtown focused around its Plaza and the Canyon Road art district.

Head to the Plaza for a stroll and some shopping. With shops and restaurants set around a leafy and grassy center, the Plaza is the city's heartbeat. Arrive early morning and head to the portal fronting the Palace of the Governors to purchase high-quality, handmade jewelry directly from Native American artists.

After exploring around the Plaza area, it's about a 10-minute walk to Santa Fe's other top attraction: Canyon Road. Here you'll find around 80 galleries on a half-mile stretch of pavement. The galleries focus on various mediums from paintings to sculpture. There are also artisan jewelry shops, clothing boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants mixed in.

While in Santa Fe, make sure you try a dish with red or green chile (if you want both, order your entrée "Christmas style." New Mexico is famous for this dish made from locally grown chile peppers and served as either a sauce for enchiladas or burritos or eaten as a stew. Most restaurants offer vegetarian and meat-based versions as well as mild and hot options. The Shed , located near the Plaza, is one of the best New Mexican restaurants in Santa Fe and is famed for its red chile, although the green version is also excellent.

White Sands National Monument is one of the most stunning landscapes in the state, located a half an hour's drive southwest of Alamogordo in the south of New Mexico. It lies in the Tularosa Basin, a northern offshoot of the Chihuahua Desert, and is surrounded by rugged mountains. Here, gleaming white gypsum sand has built up into an extraordinary landscape of dunes up to 60 feet high, which are constantly displaced by the wind.

If you didn't know better, you may be fooled into thinking that sand dunes look like giant snowdrifts. Park your car pretty much anywhere and start your adventure by just walking out into the dune landscape and finding a huge sand dune to explore.

One of the most popular things to do at White Sands is sledding. Round plastic saucers work well, but any sort of plastic snow sled will do the trick. The round saucers are available for purchase at the Park Store.

To get a feel for the vastness of the park, take the 16-mile (round trip) Dunes Drive. This scenic trip takes about 45 minutes, but plan on much longer, as you'll be sure to stop at the hiking trails, picnic tables, and exhibits.

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm

Each autumn, Albuquerque hosts the world's largest hot air balloon festival, drawing crowds of more than 80,000 people.

The tradition, which started in a parking lot in 1973 with only 13 balloons, has grown to occupy a 365-acre park with more than 500 balloons participating.

This nine-day festival is kicked off by the breathtaking "Mass Ascension" and continues with unique displays of coordinated ballooning and nighttime presentations.

In addition to the brightly colored skies, the festival offers plenty of things to do, from kids' activities and live musicians to a juried craft show and dozens of street performers among the numerous vendors.

While in Albuquerque, tourists will enjoy sightseeing in the city's old town, where the Spanish first settled, also home to the Albuquerque Museum , which contains historical artifacts and exhibits about the area.

Address: 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: www.balloonfiesta.com

Bandelier National Monument is a 33,677-acre preserve encompassing some of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes and archaeological ruins in the state. Former home of ancestral Pueblo people, the area was likely occupied from AD 1150 to 1600.

Among the remains of the indigenous habitats are structures such as masonry walls and dwellings that were carved from the volcanic rock, as well as petroglyphs that illustrate the Pueblo culture and daily life. This national park has an educational museum, hiking trails, and campsites.

To visit the most popular area of Bandelier National Monument between the hours of 9am and 3pm, you will need to take the free shuttle. The bus runs every 30 minutes during the week and every 20 minutes on the weekend. If you have a pet with you, an exception is made and you can drive to the site at any time.

Location: 15 Entrance Road, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Official site: www.nps.gov/band

The Petroglyph National Monument is managed jointly by the city of Albuquerque and the National Park Service, which help preserve this culturally significant site while educating visitors.

The area encompasses 7,244 acres consisting of a basalt escarpment, five dormant volcanoes, and an expansive mesa.

The park's most famous feature is its petroglyphs, images which were carved in the basalt by indigenous peoples and early Spanish settlers centuries ago. Approximately 20,000 petroglyphs are found within the park, many of which can be viewed from the hiking trails.

You'll find three main hiking routes, the least strenuous being Boca Negra Canyon , which has 100 petroglyphs along one mile of trails. Those who are up for a longer hike in the desert can take the 2.2-mile Rinconada Canyon trail or the 1.5-mile Marcadas Canyon Loop , each of which have around 300 petroglyphs.

Hikers should be aware of local wildlife, especially rattlesnakes, and should be well prepared with water for the longer treks.

Location: Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Official site: www.nps.gov/petr

Just outside the city of Taos, the Taos Pueblo has the oldest continuously inhabited dwellings in the United States. These adobe structures have stood for more than 1,000 years, constructed of straw-reinforced mud bricks and timber-supported roofs.

These apartment-style homes are up to five stories high, and around 150 people live within the old town full-time. An additional 2,000 reside on the 95,000-acre property in a variety of traditional and modern homes.

Residents welcome visitors to take a tour of the community, which has been designated both a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Pueblo is closed to the public during several of its annual traditional events.

Address: 120 Veterans Highway, Taos, New Mexico

Official site: http://taospueblo.com/

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a narrow gauge heritage railroad that runs between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. Constructed in 1880-81, this cozy train ride traverses the 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass and heads through the dramatic Toltec Gorge. The ride offers stunning views of the surrounding land, from grassy, deer-filled, hillside meadows to stream-laced mountains.

This is the highest steam-powered railroad in the nation, and the ride has thrilling moments as it crosses the Cascade Creek trestle 137 feet in the air, climbs the face of a cliff, and doubles back dramatically on the Tanglefoot Curve.

Passengers will see many of the Railroad's original structures along the journey and have the chance to stop in the rustic Osier, Colorado halfway through the trip for a lunch break and some exploring.

Official site: http://cumbrestoltec.com/

North of the old mining town of Silver City are the Gila cliff dwellings: 42 rooms in six caves, built into the cliff face by the Mogollon Native Americans around the year 1300. Tourists can learn more about the Mogollon culture and the region's natural history at the museum in the visitor center.

Among the park's geological features are numerous natural caves, as well as hot springs, some of which can be reached by trail from the visitor center. Tours of the cliff dwellings are available, although visitors should take note that the tours start at the cliff dwellings themselves, and it takes about a half hour to walk up to them from the trailhead.

Address: 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, New Mexico

Official site: www.nps.gov/gicl

Northeast of Taos, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, at 8,900 to 12,500 feet, is the magically beautiful and excellently equipped winter sports region of Taos Ski Valley. This resort is considered the best of New Mexico's ski resorts .

In recent years, the ski resort has come under new ownership and undergone over $300 million in upgrades that have included new lifts and a revamped base area. Fortunately, the new ownership was careful to preserve the charm and vibe of Taos Ski Valley even with the changes and improvements.

Taos has always been known as a skiers' hill, with outstanding intermediate and advanced terrain. Half of the trails are for experts, but don't let that dissuade you from a visit, the ski school here is top-notch, and they'll have you conquering runs you never thought possible.

Finding good conditions here is rarely a challenge with the 25 feet of annual snow the resort receives.

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

Pecos National Historical Park encompasses what was once one of the largest Native American pueblos in the state.

It was inhabited from the early 14th century until 1838, with a population over 2,000. In 1990, the park was expanded to 6,600 acres. The visitor center contains exhibits and park information and also offers an Ancestral Sites Walking tour, a guided 1.25-mile hike that explores evidence of the area's indigenous peoples.

The park is also home to the Civil War battlefield of Glorieta Pass, which can be toured via a 2.25-mile trail with or without a guide. The visitor center also offers van tours of the Civil War site, as well as tours of nearby Forked Lightning Ranch.

Address: 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, New Mexico

Official site: www.nps.gov/peco

In the remote rolling hills west of Socorro, about two hours from Albuquerque, lies the Karl G Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) - a radio astronomy observatory located on the Plains of San Agustin. The array is used to observe black holes and other astronomical phenomena.

A number of self-guided walking routes run through the site, and the VLA also hosts free, guided tours on the first Saturday of each month. Though reservations aren't required, it is worth checking ahead for times. Tours begin from the VLA Visitor Center.

Official site: http://www.vla.nrao.edu/

Perhaps one of the most stunning archaeological sites in all of North America, Chaco Canyon was occupied by ancestral Puebloan peoples from about AD 800 to 1200. It was a major center, comprised of 15 massive ruins and hundreds of smaller constructions. Located in a remote area northwest of Albuquerque, the park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Park facilities and activities include camping, an excellent interpretive center, interpretive and back-country hikes, and astronomy experiences from telescopes located in the canyon. Note that GPS and electronic directions in this area can be unreliable. Be sure to make a note of the directions on the park website.

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm

Out on the eastern plains of New Mexico is the small town of Fort Sumner, the resting place of the infamous Billy the Kid. The lanky youth was shot and killed at the nearby Fort Sumner State Monument by Sheriff Pat Garrett at the age of 21.

The museum hosts the Kid's rifle, horse-riding equipment and the original Wanted poster. Rumor has it they even have some of his hair. The museum also has a collection of cavalry swords, old firearms, and antique cars and trucks. Guided tours are available.

Official site: https://www.billythekidmuseumfortsumner.com/index.html

The highest point in New Mexico is the summit of Wheeler Peak, at 13,161 ft. The mountain is next to Moreno Valley near Angel Fire in the Carson National Forest, in the Sangre De Cristo mountain range.

The area is home to a variety of wildlife and visitors may be lucky enough to see marmots, pikas, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and golden eagles. Hiking is one of the most popular things to do with several trails, most ranging from four miles to eight miles long.

Due to the elevation, Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area enjoys moderate summer temperatures and cold winters, when temperatures regularly fall below freezing. Most visitors come here during the summer months, which are warm but also a little wet. July and August are the rainy months, so be sure to bring a rain jacket to deal with passing showers.

Official site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/carson/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5350403

A top tourist attraction in Roswell, the international UFO Museum and Research Center was opened in 1992 as an information center inspired by the 1947 " Roswell incident ."

This widely speculated event put Roswell on the map as a hub of UFO activity and curiosity. Despite this, the museum's intention is not to convince visitors to believe in extraterrestrial life or government conspiracy theories. Exhibits take an objective look at local events, as well as numerous others around the world, inviting visitors to come to their own conclusion.

The museum contains a variety of material, including documents, eyewitness accounts, and artifacts related to UFO research. Tourists interested in Roswell's alien mystery will also enjoy one of the many local "UFO tours" that visit spots like Building 84 at the former army base where the downed craft and its occupants were allegedly brought by military personnel.

Address: 114 N Main Street, Roswell, New Mexico

Official site: www.roswellufomuseum.com

Art lovers will want to make sure they visit the wonderful Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. This icon of the modern art movement shook up the established art world with her incredible works of art depicting New York skyscrapers and her special take on illustrating flowers.

The museum is home to over 150 of her works and hosts special exhibits from private collections from time to time. In addition to the artwork, the museum has a very active roster of classes, speakers, and other events, making it one of the top cultural sites in Santa Fe.

If you'd like to learn more about the artist, tours of Georgia O'Keeffe's homes and studios are available in Abiquiu, approximately 50 miles from Santa Fe.

Address: 217 Johnson Street Santa Fe, New Mexico

Official site: https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/

More on New Mexico

Top 16 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in New Mexico

This is a state so bewitching it provided the backdrop to one of the most popular TV shows in history ! The ‘Land of Enchantment’ really lives up to its hype.

Here you can expect some of the most unique landscapes on the planet from mesmerizing geological wonders to dazzling seas of blanched desert sands…throw in some ancient Indian pueblos, mud-bricked churches filled with sacred art, and a good handful of microbreweries and you have a seriously cool place! Here are my favorite spots…

1. Santa Fe

I love Santa Fe! On the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains at an altitude of 7,000ft, it is the highest capital city in the US. Founded in the 1600s, Santa Fe has unspoiled beauty, a diverse culture, modern arts, and Spanish colonial charm and offers something novel at every corner.

Explore the legendary Palace of the Governors, an iconic adobe structure, and delve deep into the history of this artistic state.

Visit the Santa Fe Plaza, a cultural hub and center of the city or tour the oldest Spanish church in the country, the San Miguel Chapel, the city has a wide array of art galleries on Canyon Road and the most colorful culinary scene to suit your palate.

• Address of visitors center: 200 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
• Best time to visit: Late spring through fall

My favorite highlights…

• Exploring the iconic adobe Palace of the Governors and learning about Santa Fe’s rich history
• Browsing art galleries and local shops along vibrant Canyon Road
• Trying New Mexican cuisine like red chile enchiladas!

2. White Sands National Monument

A dazzling sea of sand engulfing 275 sq. miles of desert, the White Sands National Monument preserves the unique geology of New Mexico. Rising from the Tularosa basin, this American national park is located approx. 15 miles southwest of Alamogordo.

An expanse of dazzling white gypsum, the White Sands feature the largest white dunes in the world. A designated national park, the dunes’ stark beauty and unique features will make you step into an altogether new world.

Hike along the sandy dunes or go sledging down the dunes; the park offers a reflective view like no other during Moonrise.  

• Address: 19955 US-70, Alamogordo, NM 88310
• Best time to visit: Year-round
• Hiking across miles of dazzling and unique white gypsum dunes.
• Sledging down the big dunes for an adrenaline rush.
• Catching the Insta-worthy magical views of the white sands glowing at sunset.

3. Bisti Badlands 

Tucked away in the arid desert of the San Juan Basin, the unique wilderness of Bisti Badlands is located just south of Farmington. Featuring the most quirky rock formations, this high desert wilderness covers 45,000 acres of badlands.

The clayish hills of the wilderness comprise thin layers of coal, silt, shale, and mudstone with varied colors eroding into weird foreign shapes once a coastal swamp of an inland sea, it is today a true desert wilderness.

Discover the mysterious hoodoos, balanced rocks, desert spires, natural arches and fossils of dinosaur species embedded in the earthy layers.  

• Address: BLM 7297 E Frontage Rd, Farmington, NM 87499
• Best time to visit: Spring and fall
• Exploring the remote wilderness area to see quirky rock hoodoos, arches, and formations!
• Spotting fossilized remains of dinosaurs preserved within the multi-colored earth layers.
• Photographing the mystical desert landscape and unique geology.

4. Wheeler Peak Wilderness

One of the finest alpine wildernesses of New Mexico, the Wheeler Peak Wilderness comprises high, rugged terrains, forests, tundra, and glacial cirques. Part of the Carson National Forest, the wilderness hosts the highest point in New Mexico.

Lying next to the famous Taos Ski Valley, the Wheeler Peak Wilderness includes almost 20,000 acres of landform. Established in 1964, the wilderness is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

With numerous hiking trails and freshwater lakes, including Williams Lake, the area is home to various plants and wildlife.

• Address: 50 Ranger Station Rd, Eagle Nest, NM 87718
• Best time to visit: Summer and fall
• Hiking forested trails up to alpine lakes below the summit of Wheeler Peak.
• Camping out overnight to see the stars shine brightly above the mountains.
• Spotting diverse wildlife like black bears, elk, and bighorn sheep.

5. Shiprock

Ascending from a flat, dusty desert in northwestern New Mexico, the mysterious Shiprock is a prominent landmark of the Navajo culture. Rising at 7,000 ft., this rock mountain was formed millions of years ago.

This mystical mountain resembles a large sitting bird with folded wings in San Juan County New Mexico.

Legends believe that this mountain moved like a bird, carrying the ancestral Navajo people from their homeland when they were under attack. A national natural landmark since 1975, this volcanic rock is an awesome sight! 

• Address: US-491, Shiprock, NM 87420
• Driving through Navajo Nation for views of the prominent 1,500 ft volcanic rock peak that resembles a giant bird.
• Learning about the mythological importance of Shiprock to the Navajo and how it fits into cultural legends.
• Stopping into shops near the monument to browse locally made Navajo rugs, jewelry, and art.

6. Bandelier National Monument

A monumental landscape protecting the ancestral Pueblo homes, the Bandelier National Monument preserves the homes carved from the volcanic tuff. A designated landmark, the park is located near Los Alamos in Sandoval counties in the foothills of the Jemez Mountains.

The park with an expansive stretch of scenic land contains preserved 1,000-year-old cave dwellings, Petroglyphs, and masonry walls of Pueblo people whose descendants still live in the nearby areas.

Hike along the easy Loop trail or the Bandelier backcountry for longer hikes; this landscape is a time travel in New Mexico.

• Address: 15 Entrance Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
• Best time to visit: Late spring, summer, early fall
• Climbing wooden ladders into ancient ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings carved into the canyon walls.
• Seeing thousands of petroglyph drawings etched into the tuff along the Canyon Trail.
• Camping overnight amongst the ruins and immersing myself in the mystic landscapes!

7. A road trip along the Rio Grande River

Traversing through the historic Route 66 highway, the ethereal skies and boundless terrains wind up your way with the cultural high point of New Mexico.

Embark on your journey from the world heritage site of Taos in the north, you will encounter the most beautiful steel bridge in the Rio Grande Gorge.

The drive further south will take you to the red hills and multilayered cliff walls of the Ghost Ranch. Hike through the volcanic coned formations of the Tent Rocks National Monument to learn about the volcanic eruptions.

Conclude your trip with rare dunes and the striking moonlight of the divine White Sands National Monument.

• Location: West New Mexico
• Going across the picturesque steel bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge.
• Stopping to see the red rock cliffs and hoodoos at Ghost Ranch outside Abiquiu.
• Finishing the trip with the pure white dunes and golden White Sands National Monument at sunset.

8. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

A fascinating landscape on the Pajarito Plateau of New Mexico, the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is the product of volcanic eruptions from the Jemez Mountain volcanic fields. Kasha-Katuwe in the native Keresan language means white cliffs.

The delicately layered sand gravel, volcanic ash, and tuff deposits are the remains of the large volcanic eruption 6 to 7 million years ago.

The cone-shaped tent rocks. Hoodoos and pedestal rocks offer an opportunity to hike, observe, and experience these remarkable eroding rocks.

• Address: 6981 Casa Colorada Rd, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072
• Best time to visit: Spring through fall
• Hiking a trail through the remarkable cone-shaped tent rock formations made from volcanic ash and pumice.
• Spotting layers of various colors in the eroding cliffs which showed their complex geological history.
• Photographing unique rock shapes such as the hoodoos and honeycombing in the early morning.

9. Acoma Pueblo Village

A cleverly positioned sandstone mesa of the Acoma Pueblo is known for its unique art and rich culture. The towering sandstone nearly 357-ft. located 60 miles west of Albuquerque was known to be accessed by a hand-cut staircase.

Also known as the Sky City, the Acoma Pueblo was built between 1100 and 1250 A.D. Discover the history and culture of southwest Indians in the Haak’u Museum with renowned exhibits and stunning Pueblo pottery.

Today, nearly 50 tribal members dwell in the earthen homes of the city, while the rest live in the San Estévan del Rey Mission and nearby villages of Acomita, McCartys, and Anzac.  

• Address: Casa Blanca Rd, Acoma, NM 87034
• Joining a guided tour to explore the historic adobe pueblo city atop a sandstone mesa.
• Visiting the Haak’u Museum to see artifacts and cultural exhibits from native tribes in the Southwest.
• Shopping for traditional Acoma pottery and crafts with gorgeous geometric designs.

10. Taos Gorge Bridge

One of the most famous bridges in America, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge stands tall on the Rio Grande Gorge, approx. 10 miles northwest of Taos. Popularly called the ‘High Bridge”, the steel deck arch bridge was completed in 1965.

Standing 600ft above the gorge, the Taos Bridge is the fifth-highest in the United States. A major tourist attraction of the region, the beautiful long-span bridge of Rio Gorge is featured in several films.

Address: 1160 Sala Vivente, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514

• Gazing over the gorge from the bridge 650ft above the rushing Rio Grande River below.
• Photographing the picturesque bridge with roaring rapids echoing from deep in the gorge.
• Stopping by the historic Taos Pueblo nearby to wander through over 1,000 years of continuous culture.

11. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Beneath the deep rocky canyons and flowering cactus is a treasure of numerous calcite formations. The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeast New Mexico.

Once a coastline of an inland sea, today, this area features the remains of diverse marine life. A Home to more than 119 rare caves, the Caverns National Park is known worldwide for the size, diversity, and beauty of the caves.

The primary attraction of the National Park is the Big Room chamber, which features the largest caves in North America.

• Address: 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM 88220
• Best time to visit: Year-round, avoid summer crowds
• Descending 750ft underground for a guided tour of the world-famous, ornately decorated Big Room and other caves.
• Joining a bat flight program to see millions of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge at dusk.
• Backcountry hiking through desert and canyon landscapes on trails like Slaughter Canyon.

12. Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway

Hop into America’s longest coal-fired and steam-operated railroad, operating on 64 miles since 1880. Beginning from Antonito to Chama, the heritage steam engine travels through steep mountain canyons, high deserts, and lush meadows across the borders of Colorado and New Mexico.

Fill your day with the captivating and rare Western scenery only viewed from this lovely train ride. Ride on the Victorian elegance deluxe or budget-friendly coach car, which offers a chance to venture off-grid and experience the unspoiled beauty across the Rocky Mountains.

• Address: 5234 NM-17, Chama, NM 87520
• Riding the steam-powered locomotive train through mountain wilderness between New Mexico and Colorado.
• Trying to spot wildlife like Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, black bears, elk, and moose.
• Trekking along trails and seeing wildflowers at stops like Cresco Siding and Sublette Station.

13. El Malpais National Monument

The El Malpais National Monument is a richly diverse national monument in Cibola County, approx. 15 miles southwest of Grant. The dramatic and barren volcanic field, covered by black lava flow, covers 464 sq. km of area.

Heaven for geology enthusiasts, the monument offers trails to watch out for the youngest lava flows in the monument. At the heart of the National Monument is Mexico’s largest arch, the La Ventana Natural Arch, which offers a panoramic vista of the sandstone.

Enjoy the striking sandstone cliffs, canyons, ice caves, lava tube caves, cinder cones and much more while you hike and camp.

• Address: 123 E Roosevelt Ave, Grants, NM 87020
• Hiking trails through unique volcanic crater landscapes surrounded by lava flows.
• Camping overnight to gaze up at unparalleled night skies in the wilderness.
• Spotting diverse flora and fauna adapting to the rugged habitat.

14. The Taos Mountain Trail

Spanning from Costilla Creek in the north to Tres Ritos in the south, the Taos Mountains are home to numerous peaks in New Mexico. The highest peak of Mexico, Wheeler Peak is located approx. 70 miles northeast of Santa Fe in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Hike or camp, Wheeler Peak wilderness offers a spectacular outdoor experience. Part of the Taos Mountains, the Taos Ski Valley, a winter paradise lies west of Wheeler Park. A stunning view of scenic lakes, beautiful gorges and alpine landscapes makes for an unforgettable hike.

• Address: Forest Road 283, Taos, NM 87571
• Best time to visit: Summer through early fall
• Hiking scenic trails offering mountain vistas of alpine lakes and picturesque aspen groves.
• Summiting New Mexico’s highest point, Wheeler Peak at 13,159 ft. elevation.
• Mountain biking through meadows of wildflowers down in the valley.

15. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

A network of ancestral Pueblo architecture and buildings, the Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves the pre-Columbian cultural ruins.

A designated World Heritage site, the historic park is located in northwestern New Mexico between Albuquerque and Farmington.

Explore the best-known houses of Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl or venture into the canyon’s spiral petroglyphs at the Fajada Butte high atop the isolated hill.

A World Heritage site, the Chaco Canyon hosts the largest buildings made in North America which were architecturally advanced of its times.

• Address: County Road 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037
• Exploring well-preserved ancient structures hand-built by ancestral Puebloan people over 1,000 years ago.
• Seeing intricate rock carvings and petroglyphs at sites like Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl.
• Gazing up at the night sky from Fajada Butte to understand Chacoan’s intricate astronomical knowledge.

16. Blue Hole of Santa Rosa

If you are a scuba diver aficionado look no further, Blue Hole of Santa Rosa is one of the most popular attractions in the state and the best dive site in the whole country.

This majestic spot is simply a natural bell-shaped pool where visitors can go scuba diving, swimming, snorkelling, cliff jumping and even explore hidden caves. This is one of the best things to do if you are planning a day-out activity. 

Blue Hole is part of the seven sister lakes which are attached underground by an extensive water system and are located right in the middle of the desert. If you are an experienced diver or a beginner then Blue Hole is the place to visit! Enjoy! 

• Address: 2 Miles North of Santa Rosa, NM 88435
• Best time to visit: Spring to fall
• Snorkeling the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the gorgeous water-filled sinkhole.
• Jumping off the  rocky ledges into the cold 61-degree Blue Hole! 
• Spotting rare desert fish species that call these arid cavern pools home.

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Explore New Mexico

Explore the past and see the future in new mexico.

New Mexico is rich in old mining, ranching and railroading towns. The ghosts of Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, John Chisum, and even Pancho Villa, all famous (or infamous) figures in New Mexico history, can be felt in many of the towns. Visitors can travel to these old places on the state's beautiful scenic byways, stopping at one (or several) of New Mexico's national and state parks and monuments along the way. There are dormant volcanoes, ancient lava flows, ice caves, fossil sites, archeological digs, and unique geology throughout New Mexico, just waiting to be explored.

But New Mexico isn't all about the past. New Mexico continues to be on the leading edge of new science and technology. The state is home to Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, the Very Large Array , and several observatories. The clear night sky offers an amazing view of the stars. Speaking of stars, New Mexico will soon be the launch pad to them. The new Spaceport America is a visionary project many years in the making. New Mexico’s weather and wide-open spaces have been ideal for the aerospace industry since Robert Goddard, the father of modern rocketry, began conducting research in Roswell in the 1930s. He was followed by Wernher von Braun in the 1940s, and NASA in the 1980s. With the founding of Space Port America, the nation's first purpose-built commercial spaceport, New Mexico stands on the brink of the new space age.

Chaco Canyon & Aztec Ruins

Very large array, gateway communities, national parks & monuments, ghost towns, scenic byways, museums & historic sites.

Read more about places to visit in New Mexico Magazine

Check out their series on reasons to love  Albuquerque ,  Angel Fire ,  Farmington ,  Gallup ,  Las Cruces ,  Santa Fe ,  Silver City , and  Taos .

Visit NewMexicoMagazine.org

Most Beautiful Places in New Mexico: 14 Best Things to Do and See

New Mexico. A state settled by people from all walks of life – it has the appearance of physical and cultural diversity at its finest. Famous cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe are known for honoring their cultural legacies. But the rest of New Mexico’s landscape is equally, if not more, varied. From rejuvenating hot springs to white sand deserts, cave dwellings to vast volcanic calderas, New Mexico has some of the most beautiful places to visit in the United States .

At the heart of New Mexico, there’s skiing and outdoor adventures, history and cultural excursions – including foodie and relaxing opportunities – that paint the locale with all the assorted flavors that makes New Mexico unique. We have created the ultimate bucket list of 14 beautiful places in New Mexico that’ll leave you in no doubt that this is the “Land of Enchantment.” Get ready to add, add, add to your New Mexico bucket list. 

What are the best things to do and the most beautiful places in New Mexico to see?

Gila cliff dwellings and middle fork trail hot springs hike.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings are a fascinating discovery as they shed light on the Native American Mogollon culture who sheltered here from the 1280s through to early 1300s. Situated in the southern portion of Catron County on the Gila River, these Mogollon cliff dwellings are encompassed by the Gila National Forest and lie on the Gila Wilderness’s edge.

Both of which have over 1,927 miles of hiking and riding trails. Off the beaten path and considered the “most beautiful” of pre-Columbian ruins in New Mexico, the Gila Cliff Dwellings house five main caves and 46 rooms, a museum and visitor centre that digs deeper into its heritage with exhibits’ of Apache and Mogollon artifacts. There’s also an invigorating one-mile-long hike to the site. For those hiking, the cliff dwellings are closed at 5 pm, but the park offers a moonlight hike if you’re interested. 

The Middle Fork, otherwise known as Light Feather Hot Springs, is considered a hidden gem and one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. This oasis can be accessed by the Middle Fork Trail from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The path is perhaps equally beautiful with towering mountains foregrounded by grassland, sweet flowers, a gentle river and hot spring pools. From the pools, guests are given a choice, to head back to the Gila Cliffs or proceed onwards to a place where the grass is always greener. 

Where to stay near Gila Cliff Dwellings:

Salt Creek Cabin in the Gila

White Sands National Park and Monument

If you have a bucket list for Earth locations that look otherworldly, then the White Sands National Park should be at the top of that list. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert’s northern section, these waves of undulating dunes are composed of gypsum crystals. They are the largest gypsum dune field globally, coating 275 square miles – which can be seen from space. While it is spectacular at any time of the day, sunrise and sunset cascade a lilac hue across the dazzlingly white sea, which will leave you flabbergasted as to how the scene before your eyes is real. 

Consider this a road trip where the principal objective is to get out and explore. With this in mind, start from the visitor centre and loop your way along the 16-mile drive, stopping to walk around, hike the five-mile backcountry trail called the Alkali Flat, picnic, sunbathe or embark on a sand sledding adventure. 

Looking for one of a kind, adventurous things to do in New Mexico? Sand sledding down a sand dune at White Sands National Park should be at the top of your bucket list. No need to bring along a sled, the National Park Visitor’s Center sells sleds for a small cost.

Where to stay near White Sands National Park:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites 

Hampton Inn Alamogordo

White Sands Motel

Carlsbad Canyon National Park

Among the most beautiful National Parks in New Mexico is the Carlsbad Canyon National Park for its colossal 119 caves! The park is located in the Chihuahuan Desert, and the star of the show is the park’s namesake, Carlsbad Cavern, with its terrifying quantity of low hanging stalactites. Guests can either descend to the main chamber in an elevator that drops the Empire State Building’s equivalent height or take a more active route by walking 1.25 miles down into the darkness.  

Once arrived, you’ll find yourself located in the aptly named Big Room, which is 1,800ft long, 225ft in height and roughly 800ft below ground level. Here, you will find one of the coolest things to do in New Mexico. An underground snack bar that you’ll probably never forget – how many times can you say you’ve eaten underground?

Then capitalize on being underground and traverse the 1.25-mile loop trail, stopping on the way to marvel at the Bottomless Pit and the world’s largest stalagmite. You might catch a glimpse of the 400,000 Mexican free-tailed bats that call the caves home!

Alternatively, explore above ground with one of the park’s hiking trails encompassing over 50 miles of canyons, cactus, prickly shrubs, gravelly slopes and grass. Easily one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico, keep in mind that you’ll need to pick up a free permit from the visitor centre before hiking this area.  

Where to stay Carlsbad Canyon National Park :

Petroglyph national monument.

Many people know Albuquerque for the hot air balloon rides you can go on and the world famous hot air balloon festival. But did you know that a short drive from the city is one of the most interesting historical places in the United States?

Stretching 14 miles along Albuquerque, the Petroglyph National Monument is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. It has four major sites – Boca Negra Canyon, Piedras Marcadas Canyon, Rinconada Canyon and the Volcano Day Use trails, which hold 24,000 images, otherwise known as petroglyphs. These petroglyphs are mostly free of graffiti and carved by Ancestral Pueblo people and early Spanish settlers. Many of them are recognisable as animals, people, and crosses, and it is believed that the meaning of the carvings was understood only by their maker. 

These regions also have hundreds of archaeological sites, five fissure volcanoes and cliff-side ridges created a few millennia ago. To see the petroglyphs head to the Boca Negra Canyon zone as it hosts the most, with some being more than 3,000 years old. It’ll take roughly half an hour to explore, but visitors are encouraged to take a hike around the designated trail map, which will take about two hours. 

Where to stay near Petroglyph National Monument:

Casas de Suenos Old Town Historic Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection

Hampton Inn & Suites Albuquerque Airport

Hotel Albuquerque At Old Town

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albuquerque Historic Old Town, an IHG Hotel

and dozens more hotels available in Albuquerque.

Pecos National Historical Park

Visiting the Pecos National Historical Park is your chance to live your wildest dreams of being an archaeologist.

Situated east of the city of Santa Fe, the Pecos National Historical Park is a collection of landscapes infused with historical features from prehistoric ruins to an American Civil War battlefield. Its largest element is Pecos Pueblos ruins, dating back almost 1,000 years and is otherwise known as Cicuye Pueblo, meaning the “village of 500 warriors”. Within 350 years of first settling here, the Pecos village grew to house more than 2,000 people in five-storied complexes and remains of 20 ceremonial subterranean kivas indicates they lived an elaborate religious life. 

A self-guided trail begins in the visitor centre and takes guests to the Spanish mission church’s ruins, built-in 1625. For something completely different head to the Forked Lightning Ranch – a cattle ranch founded by a famous rodeos’ producer, Tex Austin. Before leaving, a must-see is the Glorieta Pass Battlefield, where Confederate forces were fought to a standoff by the Colorado Territory militia. 

Where to stay near Pecos National Historical Park:

Bandelier national monument.

This 33,000+ acres of the Frijoles Canyon’s cliffs, dotted with alcoves and caves, looks like a planet out of Star Wars. In reality, the Bandelier National Monument preserves the Ancestral Puebloans’ territory and homes, dating between 1150 and 1600 AD.

It is only an hour’s drive from Santa Fe and the largest cliff dwellings in New Mexico, with ladders on-site to make access to the higher caves easier. Its location on the Jemez volcanic field slopes in the Jemez Mountains makes it even more thrilling. 

There’s also 1.2-mile Main Loop Trail that offers an introduction to the ruins, passing Big Kiva and the Tyuonyi Ruins, the original pueblo on the canyon floor. Further along the trail is the Alcove House, otherwise known as Ceremonial Cave, which is 140ft above ground.

Where to stay near Bandelier National Monument:

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Los Alamos Entrada Park, an IHG Hotel

Pueblo Canyon Inn

Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos

Valles Caldera

One of the best volcanoes in New Mexico is Valles Caldera , a 13.7-mile-wide volcanic caldera in the northern part of New Mexico in Jemez Mountains. It is the place to visit if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to stand in a dormant volcano that erupted millions of years ago.

Valles Caldera is home to New Mexico’s second-largest herd of elk, meadows, hot springs, streams, natural gasses, volcanic domes that make for an exciting hike or mountain bike excursion in the summer months. Alternatively, the winter offers a different kind of adrenaline rush as the landscapes lend itself to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. 

If heights are your way of feeling alive, make sure to head to Redondo Peak. It is the caldera’s highest point, towering at 11,253ft and also within the caldera are grass valleys that are worthy of your time. 

Where to stay near Valles Caldera:

There are a number of vacation rentals available close to Valles Caldera however the city of Los Alamos is not far which would make it a great day trip from Los Alamos to also combine with Bandelier National Monument.

Santa Fe is a charming town that feels like it is stuck in history.  The best way to discover it is to take a historical walking tour .  

Known as “The City Different,” Santa Fe lives up to that tagline. Around every corner, an eclectic art scene of galleries and museums dances blithely from traditional to contemporary. Varied history and culture are commemorated in the city’s every step and breath, through the adobe streets, busy plaza, and in their award-winning cuisine. There’s a sumptuous yet timeless soul that’ll leave you discovering something about yourself in a city that never forgot itself. 

Experiences in Santa Fe are many, but its geographical position at the bottom of the Sangre de Cristo range makes it an excellent place for you to try hiking, skiing or mountain biking. Or if you desire a less active day, pop into the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary to see over 180 species of birds or visit one of its remarkable churches while wandering its ancient lanes. Après adventure should be indulged in one of its local restaurants where an amalgamation of Anglo, Spanish and Indigenous American influences make for a delightful gastronomic experience. 

Where to stay in Santa Fe:

Santa Fe has many great places to stay from luxury hotels to unique bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals. A few of our favorite places to stay in Santa Fe are:

Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi

The Hacienda & Spa

Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe

There are many other options for places to stay in Santa Fe here .

Best Things to Do in Santa Fe:

There are many things to do in Santa Fe that can appeal to any type of traveler. From art to history, this city is full of wonder. Here are some of our favorites.

• Go for a food tour.
• How about a sunset tour by train with wine and jazz? Yes please!
• Take a Stained Glass Making Class
• Go on an architecture tour to see the unique buildings.
• Take a day photography workshop to Chimayo 

Drive from Santa Fe to Taos along the Rio Grande River and Gorge

Hire a car, pack your things and get ready for the ultimate road trip in New Mexico. Start by taking the low road from Santa Fe to Taos (U.S. Hwy 68), following the meandering Rio Grande River and eventually ascending high into the mountains. On this road, you’ll pass by the modern town of Española and spell-binding canyons.

When you climb out of the slender precincts of the River Gorge it’s a thrilling rush; the view opens to a vast sagebrush vista with the endless blue Taos Mountain range and black-and-white magpies soaring above. Should you wish to stop and take in the scenery, there’s a parking space adjacent to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. This allows you to walk to the middle of the bridge and see for yourself why this is one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. 

It has been argued that Taos is perhaps the most extraordinary of beautiful places in New Mexico, exceeding in magic, charm and allure than anywhere else in the “Land of Enchantment”. A quaint town that has been bewitched by its formidable surroundings – think snow-capped peaks that ascend to 12,300ft which are caressed by an intense sapphire blue sky, while a plateau peppered with sage plunges 800ft into the Taos Gorge – offering the best spot for photographing the Rio Grande.

Despite their ancient heritage, the town itself is a calm environment with quirky cafes, a plethora of museums and excellent restaurants. Taos is also the premier ski town in New Mexico with its demanding Sangro de Cristo mountains. In fact, we created an epic 2 week bucket list ski road trip itinerary for those who love to chase powder. Make sure to head to Taos Ski Valley for the best slopes and luxurious accommodation. 

The Taos Pueblo has one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the U.S., extending over 1,000 years. From dwellings to ceremonial buildings, seven kivas to a track for traditional footraces, church ruins to the present-day San Geronimo Catholic Church, the Taos Pueblo evokes the culture of the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico and Arizona.  

Where to stay in Taos:

El Monte Sagrado Resort & Spa

Dreamcatcher B&B

Inn on La Loma Plaza

These are just some of the best places to stay in Taos however there are many other hotel options available here .

Black Rock Hot Springs

Considered as a locals-only secret, the Black Rock Hot Springs comprise two rock bottomed pools along the Rio Grande. These hot springs are often overlooked for the more popular Manby Hot Springs down the road, but their secluded and deserted nature makes it the ideal spot for the free-spirited. Its privateness opens your eyes to the natural world, making it truly one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico.

Park your car on a little cliff and hike down a narrow path peppered with sagebrush, guiding you towards the one-lane John Dunn Bridge. From here, it is an easy walk downstream to the hot pools where clothing is optional, and access is free. 

Where to stay near Black Rock Hot Springs:

While Black Rock Hot Springs is only a short day trip from Taos, you can find some places to stay near Black Rock Hot Springs here .

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness

One of the strangest landscapes in New Mexico is the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area. Hovering in San Juan County, there’s multicoloured Badlands, dinosaur bones, petrified wood including stumps still in upright positions with roots, balanced rocks and sandstone mushroom-shaped hoodoos.

These eroded rocks lie in northwest New Mexico’s highest desert, and its vast flat, sandy and uninhabited terrain feel like a Martian planet. The rock formations extend 6 miles, but the best and easiest section covers about 1.5 miles and can be reached by the official trail path. 

Where to stay:

Bisti/de-na-zin wilderness.

Similar to Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, the Bisti/De-Na-Sin Wilderness – otherwise known as the Bisti Badlands – looks like the set of the next big alien movie. Located in the northwest New Mexico’s desert, the Bisti Badlands takes its name from the remarkable rock formations, and the petroglyphs of a crane discovered in the area. ‘Bisti’ translates to “among the adobe formations”, while ‘De-Na-Zin’ is the Navajo word for animal.  

Made from sandstone and shale, the undulating landscape is a labyrinth of tall hoodoos and oddly shaped stone resulting from water and moisture wearing away the softer layers of ash.

How to get to Bisti Badlands

The finest point of the Bisti Badlands can be accessed off State Highway 371. Make sure to take the Road 7297 for approximately two miles, take a left and then drive a mile to the Bisti Access Parking Area. The rock formations are 1.6 miles from here, so pack your water and hike your day away. 

Additional information about these beautiful places in New Mexico

All the aforementioned most beautiful places in New Mexico can be explored independently or with a tour guide. Before visiting, it is worth checking to see if the tour guides give more intimate access to these sites, as most do. This will provide you with a more enriching New Mexico experience that’ll stay with you long after your bags are unpacked.

Looking for more inspiration for your bucket list? Check out:

Ecuadorian Amazon Trip Review: 5 days/4 nights on the Manatee Amazon Explorer

Romantic Boston for Couples: The Perfect Date Night Out

Culinary Perfection in Mindo, Ecuador: Cuyana Restaurant Review

Ultimate Kauai Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do

10 Incredible Day Trips from Guayaquil, Ecuador

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10 Of The Most Unique Places To Visit In New Mexico

• New Mexico offers remarkable diversity in exploring places, from vast white dunes to ancient Pueblo dwellings, creating a captivating blend of nature, culture, history, and imagination.
• Some of the most unique places to visit in New Mexico include White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, each providing breathtaking landscapes and intriguing histories.
• Ghost Ranch, Bisti Badlands, and Shiprock offer otherworldly landscapes that are perfect for outdoor exploration and experiencing the mystical and surreal beauty of New Mexico. Additionally, attractions like Taos Pueblo, Meow Wolf, and Tinkertown Museum provide opportunities to engage with Native history, art, and quirky roadside attractions.

New Mexico is full of incredible landscapes, rich cultural history, and unique attractions, making it a must-visit destination in the American Southwest. From vast white dunes to intricate underground cave systems, ancient Pueblo dwellings, and eccentric roadside museums, New Mexico offers remarkable diversity in exploring places. Though famous cities like Santa Fe and Taos are obvious tourist spots, venturing off the beaten path reveals some of New Mexico's most fascinating hidden gems.

Whether visitors are history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, art lovers, or enjoy immersing themselves in the peculiar and extraordinary, visitors will find plenty of intriguing spots to pique their curiosity in the Land of Enchantment. Home to some of the most scenic drives in the Southwest , along with stunning national parks and towns, here are some of the most unique places to visit in New Mexico that give people a taste of the state's captivating blend of nature, culture, history, and imagination.

Related: 10 Beautiful Places In New Mexico Where You Can See Fall Foliage

White Sands National Park

Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's most captivating natural wonders – the gleaming white dunes of White Sands National Park. Over 275 square miles of gypsum sand compose this otherworldly landscape, creating the largest gypsum dune field on the planet.

Walking along the soft, powdery dunes, the landscape looks like snow as far as the eye can see but with a distinctly sandy texture underfoot. The brilliant white color results from the ultra-fine gypsum crystals that make up the dunes, reflecting the sun's light and creating a dreamlike alien atmosphere.

One of the best ways to experience the white sands is by taking a scenic drive along Alamogordo, an 8-mile paved loop with numerous pullouts. Indeed, visitors can explore White Sands National Park and Alamogordo for a superb day trip; get out and stroll into the sea of white, where one will quickly lose sight of the road behind the rippling peaks. For a more immersive experience, take the 1.5-mile Alkali Flat Trail into the heart of the dunes – winding through white waves and soaking in spectacular views. As visitors hike further out, the silence becomes almost deafening without a glimpse of civilization.

For the ultimate White Sands adventure, consider backcountry camping and witness the dunes under billions of twinkling stars. No designated campsites exist, allowing visitors to sleep wherever they please in this emerald-white ocean. Watch the sunset create kaleidoscopes of color on the dunes before moonlight casts a ghostly pall over the otherworldly landscape.

• Location : Alamogordo, NM
• Top Attractions : White Sands , Alkali Flat Trail , Backcountry camping

For a stunning photo opportunity, arrive for sunset when the white sands glow pink and orange.

RELATED: Salinas Pueblo Missions In New Mexico Are 400 Years Old & Some Of The Oldest Buildings In The USA

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Deep below the Chihuahuan Desert lies a fascinating underground world – Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which is among the best places to visit in New Mexico for otherworldly subterranean wonders. A labyrinth of over 119 limestone caves winds through the darkness, adorned with intricate cave formations like glittering stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and crystalline rock curtains. The park contains over 33 caves, but the main attraction is the Big Room – one of the largest cave chambers in North America.

Descending 750 feet underground, travelers can walk a 1.25-mile paved loop trail through the Big Room's colossal chambers filled with rock sculptures and formations over 300 feet tall. Gazing up at the vaulted ceilings dripping with thousands of cave formations is a jaw-dropping glimpse into the geological wonders beneath the New Mexico desert. For a more rugged adventure, take a ranger-guided tour into Slaughter Canyon Cave or the famously beautiful Lechuguilla Cave, which holds rare gypsum chandeliers and strontium needle crystals.

While the caves are the main highlight, Carlsbad Caverns also contains over 33,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert wilderness to explore aboveground. Hike along desert trails through canyons and washes, watch for wildlife like golden eagles and mule deer, or stargaze from the park's Night Sky Amphitheater. From the desert highlands to the cavernous underworld below, Carlsbad Caverns reveals the natural diversity of Southeastern New Mexico.

• Location : Carlsbad, NM
• Top Attractions : The Big Room, Slaughter Canyon Cave , Lechuguilla Cave

Take the self-guided Natural Entrance route down into the cave to experience the 750-foot descent from the cave mouth.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

To glimpse the lives of ancient Puebloan people, visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, which is one of the most unique destinations in Mexico to visit for history fans. Tucked high in the Mogollon Mountains, this remote site contains remarkable ruins of stone cliff dwellings that the Mogollon culture inhabited from the 1280s to early 1300s. The seven caves lie high on the cliffs, featuring original adobe walls and beams dramatically situated within the rock overhangs.

A 1-mile loop trail allows travelers to climb up and explore the interiors of the dwellings, getting a sense of the ingenious construction and compact living spaces inside. Visitors can peek inside storage rooms and living spaces with fire pits and see originals of grain storage pots and food bowls still within the dwellings. The show's stars are the House of Many Windows and Ledge House dwellings, containing multiple rooms and windows looking out over the Gila National Forest valley.

Beyond the dwellings, visitors can embark on scenic hikes through the Ponderosa pine forest along the West Fork Trail, keeping a lookout for wildlife like black bears and wild turkeys. The TJ Ruin archeological site also lets travelers see remnants of another small settlement with artifacts like metates and petroglyphs. Transport back 700 years at Gila Cliff Dwellings to glimpse the ancient history within these protected caves.

• Location : Gila National Forest
• Top Attractions : Cliff Dwellings , West Fork Trail , TJ Ruin

Visit in autumn when the surrounding maple, oak, and ash trees display vibrant fall foliage.

Ghost Ranch In New Mexico

With a name like Ghost Ranch, travelers know this unique place in New Mexico holds intriguing mysteries within its dusty slopes. Located in the northern region of the Piedra Lumbre Basin, Ghost Ranch's panoramic landscape of buttes, mesas, and cliffs has an unmistakably spiritual aura. The 21,000-acre ranch has drawn artists like Georgia O’Keefe and archeologists who uncovered dinosaur fossils dating back 200 million years.

Today, visitors come to hike the network of trails winding through otherworldly rock formations, canyons, and desert landscapes. Climb onto Chimney Rock for expansive views of the Piedra Lumbre Valley from atop this iconic mesa formation. The Box Canyon Trail carries travelers through a slot canyon lined with eroded sandstone walls in undulating shapes and textures. Take the four-mile Chimney Rock Trail for a more rugged adventure, summiting a mesa top with 360-degree vistas.

Beyond the spectacular hiking, Ghost Ranch offers interesting museums such as the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology, housing Triassic fossils and dinosaur bones unearthed here. The Museum of Anthropology contains artifacts from the ancient Pueblo tribes and Spanish settlers. With a vibrant history, geology, archaeology, and scenery, Ghost Ranch promises outdoor thrills and intriguing culture around every wind-carved bend.

• Location : Abiquiu
• Top Attractions : Museum of Anthropology , Ruth Hall Museum

Sign up for one of the ranch's paleontology tours to hunt for fossils and learn about excavations.

Bisti Badlands

In New Mexico's northwest region, the Bisti Badlands contain one of the most surreal landscapes in the Southwest. This remote 45,000-acre wilderness of alien rock formations and petrified wood creates a strange, almost unearthly atmosphere. The badlands formed after roughly 300 million years of geological activity eroded layers of shale to reveal these quintessential “bad lands” resistant to vegetation growth.

A lunar terrain of slickrock mounds eroded into wild shapes called hoodoos, rock spires, and mushroom caps remains. Strange ribbed and rippled rock textures cover the dusty earth in stripes of dark grays, beiges, and earthen reds. Scattered across the arid landscape, visitors will find thousands of petrified wood pieces in uncanny natural sculptures and designs. Like walking through an abstract art exhibit, the Bisti Badlands allow their imagination to run wild over how such an otherworldly landscape took shape.

With no established trails, Bisti offers full creative freedom to wander the open badlands how travelers wish. Trek a few miles out to immerse in the alien surroundings, where bizarre rock formations stretch in all directions. Come at sunrise or sunset when fading light casts a mystical glow over the multi-hued hoodoos. For an eerie night, camp under the stars and listen to coyotes howling as visitors ponder this surreal terrain. Of all New Mexico’s wonders, the Bisti Badlands truly deliver a landscape unlike any other.

• Location : Farmington, NM
• Top Attractions : Hoodoos , rock formations, petrified wood

Bring plenty of water and snacks since no facilities exist, as well as good shoes for scrambling over rough terrain.

Taos Pueblo

In the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (famous for its 14ers) lies the ancient municipality of Taos Pueblo, continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. One of North America's oldest, always-occupied settlements, Taos Pueblo is among the most beautiful towns in New Mexico and provides unmatched insight into traditional Pueblo culture. The heart of the Pueblo is a multi-story adobe complex made from mud, straw, and water that houses people year-round.

Unlike typical tourist attractions in New Mexico, this is a vibrant community going about its daily life and traditions. Tours allow visitors to respectfully wander the exterior plaza and historic district, guided by a tribal member. They explain customs like the horno ovens, fetch water from the Red Willow Creek, and point out kivas – underground spiritual chambers where rituals take place. Nearby stands the historic San Geronimo Chapel, the oldest church structure in the US, with original adobe walls dating back to 1619.

Artists sell finely crafted micaceous pottery, turquoise and silver jewelry, and other traditional works throughout the Pueblo. Witness dancing ceremonies like the Corn Dances or January Pole Climb that outsiders rarely view. Staying overnight or dining at Pueblo’s guest housing gives travelers a deeply immersive impression of Puebloan heritage at one of its most authentic settlements. Taos Pueblo’s continuity through centuries makes it an unparalleled place to engage with Native history and culture.

• Location : Taos, NM
• Top Attractions : Adobe complex , San Geronimo Chapel , Micaceous pottery

Time their visit for one of the traditional feast days like San Geronimo Day or Taos Pueblo Pow-Wow.

RELATED: High Road To Taos: Experience The Views From 9,000 Feet Up

For a unique art experience unlike anything else, visit the fantastical exhibitions of Meow Wolf in Santa Fe. Meow Wolf is an arts collective that creates immersive multimedia installations based on science fiction and psychedelic environments. Their main campus is House of Eternal Return - an amalgamation of over 70 artists' works with a storyline about a mysterious Victorian house.

Upon entering, visitors find a two-story house filled with passageways and portals leading to wildly unique spaces like a forest, cave, control room, neon arcade, and alien worlds. Every room presents a barrage of sensory stimuli, from robotic sculptures to laser shows, music, and abstract video mapping. Unlike a typical museum, visitors can touch, play, and fully interact with the installations however they please.

Beyond the flagship house, Meow Wolf contains art studios, music venues, a cafe, and outdoor installations on its sprawling campus. Expanding the multimedia experience, they regularly host concerts, new exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops. Recent openings include The Goblin Garden, with immersive botanical jewels and Portals connecting to otherworldly realms. Meow Wolf offers complete imaginative escape through the power of creatively collaborated art forms and storytelling – a one-of-a-kind playground for minds of all ages.

• Location : Santa Fe, NM
• Top Attractions : House of Eternal Return exhibit , arts complex , music venues

Look for discount coupons online!

RELATED: This Is What Happened At Chaco Canyon (& Why It's Still Abandoned Today)

Visible from nearly 50 miles away, the imposing rocky structure of Shiprock abruptly emerges from New Mexico's remote northwest desert. Rising about 1,600 feet, Shiprock (or Tsé Bit’a’í in Navajo) is an arresting lone volcanic plug that has become a famous symbol of this Four Corners region. The sheer rock walls shoot straight up from the landscape, resembling a massive ship plowing through the desert sea.

For the Navajo people native to this region, Shiprock holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. Many myths and legends tell how this dramatic monolith came to be, featuring it prominently as a landmark. Navajo tradition tells of a great bird that carried the Navajo from the cold north to this southwestern land of promise. Exhausted from the long journey, the giant bird rested on the peak we now know as Shiprock.

While it's mostly off-limits for climbing, hikers can walk along the mesa at its base for closer views of the craggy volcanic rock walls. The rugged 17-mile loop BLM trail traces around Shiprock, rewarding with panoramic views of this geological marvel from all angles against the vivid high desert. For insights into Navajo heritage tied to this sacred peak, talk with a Navajo guide to hear stories passed down through generations about the origins of their cherished Shiprock.

• Location : Shiprock, NM
• Top Attractions : 17-mile loop BLM trail around Shiprock

For safe hiking, go with a Navajo guide who can shed light on cultural significance along the way.

Tinkertown Museum

Don’t miss Ross Ward’s Tinkertown Museum between Albuquerque and Santa Fe for a roadside attraction with incredible handcrafted charm. This 22-room eccentric place began in the 1960s as one man’s personal carved wooden dioramas, expanding over decades into a folk art extravaganza. Ross Ward spent over 40 years meticulously cutting around 50,000 figures to create entire Western scenes inside glass bottles, wooden boxes, and walls.

Visitors will find a Wild West saloon filled with cowboy figurines or a vintage sideshow stuffed with detailed carousel animals as visitors explore the various rooms. Other displays include a mini circus, Norman Rockwell-esque small-town scenes, and interactive penny arcade games. The bottle walls glitter with lit-up glass containing minute carvings. Surprises wait around every corner, from a carved fortune-teller machine to a wooden sailing ship.

Equally appealing is the museum’s quirky, nostalgic charm mixed with Ross’s quips and humor displayed throughout. Beyond the indoor curiosities, travelers will find a chapel, schoolhouse, jail, and Ross’s unique hand-built RV to explore. Tinkertown celebrates the power of one person’s imagination and diligence to create a magical handmade world for others to enjoy. Don’t miss this New Mexico original hidden gem.

• Location : Sandia Park, NM
• Top Attractions : Hand-carved dioramas at the Tintertown Museum

Chat with the friendly and quirky staff for amusing background stories on various pieces in the museum.

RELATED: Uncovering The Enigma Of The 'Center Of The Universe' In New Mexico: Myth Or Reality?

Loretto Chapel

In the heart of Santa Fe (a superb city with plenty to offer) stands the historic Loretto Chapel, home to one of New Mexico’s most intriguing curiosities. Built in the late 1800s, the chapel exhibits ornate Gothic Revival architecture with impressive buttresses, spires, and stained-glass windows. But the structure’s miraculous spiral staircase attracts most visitors’ attention and speculation.

Constructed with only wooden pegs and glue, the narrow staircase makes two complete spirals, stands 20 feet tall, and seems to defy physics and engineering. The Sisters of Loretto credit St. Joseph with miraculously answering their prayers for a solution after being told adding a normal staircase would disturb the chapel's walls. With no clear builder, the staircase's mystery perplexed architects and sparked legend.

Some records suggest it was carpentry master Francois-Jean "Frenchy" Rochas, though he worked without blueprints, nails, or center support. Others cite unidentified traveling carpenters. Skeptics suggest clever woodworking and physics created the illusion of impossibility. Regardless, the staircase has inspired wonder for over a century with its architectural curiosity.

Beyond the stairs, the chapel interior impresses with its ornate Gothic arches, columns, paintings, and glowing stained-glass telling biblical stories. While small in size, Loretto Chapel stands large in intrigue. Those intrigued by architectural mysteries and legends can decide if they believe in miracles while gazing at this gravity-defying wooden wonder.

• Top Attractions : Miraculous staircase , Gothic Revival architecture

Try to visit on a weekday early in the day to avoid crowds and have a quiet moment with the mystical staircase.

• 8 Serene Towns In New Mexico For A Weekend Retreat

“Si vis pacem, para bellum”—If you want peace, prepare for war, as the saying goes. And as the state of New Mexico is so named after Mexitli, the Aztec god of war, the many serene towns in the region owe their tranquility to bygone conflicts. The small town of Chimayo, for example, is a pilgrimage site for survivors of war. Silver City had seen its share of outlaws and renegades. And Los Alamos was where the atomic bomb was created to paradoxically start and threaten peace.

Serenity has its price, and in the most serene towns in New Mexico, these places are tranquil locations right for a weekend retreat.

Silver City

Be attracted to the allure of Silver City. Located in the foothills of the Pinos Altos Mountains, Silver City has pulled in many visitors like the infamous Billy the Kid, the legendary Geronimo, Judge Roy Bean, “Dangerous” Dan Tucker, and many more renegades and outlaws of the Old Wild West . In the distant north, the 3.3-million-acre Gila National Forest shelters a plethora of hidden wonders in the Gila River . Another type of Gila, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument , contains and preserves the ancient stone dwellings of the Mogollon people who inhabited the area.

Besides these Gilas, Silver City is also home to the Central Mining District. This district encompasses Santa Clara, Fort Bayard, and Hurley, and the whole collection is one of the oldest mining areas in the Americas. As for the Mimbres Valley of the Chihuahuan Desert , there are a number of igneous rock formations in the City of Rocks State Park that can be admired by geology lovers or admirers of landscapes. Should you wish to stay a while in Silver City, book a room at the Serenity House, Palace Hotel, or LuLu Hotel Silver City.

For those seeking winter in the normally hot deserts and landscapes of New Mexico, the chill town of Taos will keep you frigid and cool in its winter wonderland. The Taos Ski Valley, a world-class snow resort in the gelid Sangre de Cristo Mountains, provides several venues and opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. Close by, an area called the Enchanted Circle also creates enchanting moments for you to engage in winter-themed activities in New Mexico.

Beyond the snow and fun, Taos is also a site of historical significance. The most prominent feature in town is the Taos Pueblo , a UNESCO World Heritage Site illustrating the thousand years of history of an ancient culture. Elsewhere, the San Francisco de Asis Church endures as an adobe masterpiece for photographers to memorialize. Lastly, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is the fifth-highest bridge in the US, with an impressive height of 650 feet above the Rio Grande River . Only 70 miles from Santa Fe , see more of what Taos has to offer while staying at the Historic Taos Inn, the Old Taos Guesthouse, or El Pueblo Lodge.

Although not as popular as Sin City in Nevada , the town of Las Vegas in New is still a lovely location where “landmarks, legends, and lore” come to life. Only around 77 miles from Taos, Las Vegas was where 21 of the Rough Riders— recruited by Theodore Roosevelt to serve in the Spanish-American War —first lived. The Rough Rider Memorial Collection narrates their duties and operations for the US. Las Vegas also has another historical and military value for the US, which was manifested by Fort Union, which was once a headquarters for General Stephen Kearny.

Even though the town lacks the high-end hotels and casinos of its namesake, Las Vegas has quite a few lodgings that will keep you safe and relaxed, such as the Historic Plaza Hotel, the Castaneda Hotel, and the Historic El Fidel Hotel. Discover more from a town that thrived, thanks to the Santa Fe Trail and Santa Fe Railway.

Atop the awesome Sierra Blanca Mountain Range, Ruidoso is another wintry escape from New Mexico’s scorching sun. As a three-hour getaway from Albuquerque , Ruidoso promotes the Ski Apache resort, a region of challenging snowboarding and skiing routes for you to brave. The town also has its own cultural and artistic nuance, which can be appreciated at the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts.

Nearby, the Lincoln National Forest is the utopian region for those desiring the natural and simplistic splendors, while the Mescalero Reservation is a protected area of forests and mountains home to the Apache. Elsewhere, the Lincoln Historic Site showcases 19 th -century adobe architecture like a museum and a church. In September, the All-American Festival or summer horse races at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track are some of the many activities to keep you excited in Ruidoso. As for establishments like the Sitzmark Chalet Inn, Hotel Ruidoso, and Elevate Hotel, you will not feel disregarded in this stunning town.

There are few things more serene than a place that is both eerie and unassuming. Los Alamos, nearly 33 miles from Santa Fe, creates this atmosphere due to its natural features and historical significance. Surrounded by the Valles Caldera National Preserve to the west, the Santa Fe National Forest to the north, and the Bandelier National Monument to the south, Los Alamos is a paradise for those seeking the dynamic changes of nature. When it comes to history, Los Alamos contains pre-Columbian artifacts and petroglyphs in the Bandelier National Monument.

But the town is most historically revered or renowned due to the Manhattan Project , a clandestine operation where scientists in World War II created the weapon that obliterated Hiroshima and Nagasaki . The details of the atomic bomb’s inception can be viewed at the Bradbury Science Museum. In addition, the historic Los Alamos National Laboratory was where Robert J. Oppenheimer and other scientists completed the bomb. If you want to spend more time in Los Alamos, seek rooms at the Canyon Inn for untroubled nights in the area.

Close to the southern border of Colorado , visitors can be humbled by the diversity and uniqueness of Aztecs . Deriving its name from the Aztec Ruins National Monument—a collection of 11 th -century Puebloan structures originally thought to have been constructed by the Aztecs, when in fact it was the Anasazi —the town continues to promote many ancestral and geographical heritages such as the annual Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival in the first weekend of October.

Aside from this Irish and Scottish tradition, Aztec also preserves the ancient Native American cultures, like the ruins of the Great House in the Chaco Canyon, a 900-year-old edifice made of 400 masonry rooms and housing North America’s largest constructed great kiva. If you are not one for sitting or walking around, you can always exercise along the Animas River Walk, the Alien Run, the Navajo Lake State Park, and more.

Midway between Taos and Los Alamos, Chimayo has remained a sacrosanct site of worship for years. Before the Spanish established a permanent Catholic community in 1813, the Tewa Native absorbed many healing spirits in a place once called Tsi-Mayoh. Now repronounced Chimayo, over 300,000 Catholic pilgrims undertake an exodus to the hills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. In this town, which has been "no doubt the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the United States,” the people continue to absorb the same healing remedies in Chimayo.

Today, an adobe church combining Spanish and Native American decorations is now located on El Santuario de Chimayo, a hill famed for its healing soil. Close to the church, the Shrine of Santa Nino de Atocha was where US soldiers who survived the Bataan Death March in the Philippines paid respects to their fellows. Let the soothing and healing atmosphere of Chimayo warm your soul, and let fine lodgings like Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast give you a good night’s rest.

An hour away from Las Cruces, and about 35 miles from the US-Mexico border , the resplendent town of Deming promises thrills and adventurers for many a traveler. The town was named after Mary Ann Deming Crocker, wife of Charles Crocker, who established the Southern Pacific Railroad. To this day, visitors are welcomed into the Rockhound State Park, which contains many geological wonders and treasures.

The world-class Deming Luna Mimbres Museum elaborates on the cultures of the Mimbre Native Americans who once resided in the Mimbres River. The Pancho Villa State Park, meanwhile, memorializes General Francisco “Pancho” Villa’s raid, which was recorded to be the first and last armed invasion of the US in the 1900s. Not too far away, the Florida Mountains Wilderness Study Area enthralls the most outdoors of people with New Mexico’s wilderness. When all the traveling gets you exhausted, recharge at the Best Western Deming Southwest Inn.

There are admittedly many famous towns in New Mexico. Roswell in the Chihuahuan Desert, where aliens are supposedly located, or Alburquerque with its International Balloon Fiesta . But if you are looking for true serenity in the Wild West, these small towns create a soothing atmosphere for relaxation and rejuvenation. In Chimayo, you will feel the same spiritual healing as many others have for centuries. In Taos, you will feel the ancestral energies of a proud and prospering people or the snowy chill of the high mountains. And in many more serene towns, you will be thrilled and satisfied during your weekend retreat in New Mexico.

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No Eclipse Plans? Try These Last-Minute Strategies.

On April 8, parts of 13 U.S. states, Mexico and Canada will plunge into midday darkness. Miss this spectacle and you’ll have to wait till 2044 for the next one so close to home.

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By Derek M. Norman

This article is part of The Times’s coverage of the April 8 eclipse , the last time a total solar eclipse will be visible in most of North America for 20 years.

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will blot out the sun for roughly 4,200 miles stretching from Mexico to Canada — a cosmic show that so much of North America won’t see again for about 20 years. Many made their plans to view it well in advance.

And then there are the procrastinators, who just realized they’re about to miss out. If that’s you, you’ve still got options, but not as many.

“At this point, your goal is just to get to the path of totality and see the eclipse for the longest possible time,” said Melanie Fish, the head of global public relations for Expedia Group Brands . “You’re not trying to find the best party. You’re not trying to make it into your dream vacation. You just want to get to the path of totality.”

So first, get your hands on some eclipse glasses so you can safely watch . Then find a way to get yourself into the path of totality, the strip running across 13 states where the moon will fully eclipse the sun. You’ll be competing with people who have already spiked the demand for flights and accommodations, so be ready to pay more.

And take off the next day, too, if you can. Otherwise, you may spend hours caught in traffic, as many discovered after the 2017 eclipse .

Here are four strategies for a last-minute foray into the total-eclipse zone.

The Path of the Eclipse

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America from Mazatlán, Mexico, to the Newfoundland coast near Gander, Canada. Viewers outside the path of the total eclipse will see a partial eclipse, if the sky is clear .

Percentage of

the sun obscured

during the eclipse

Indianapolis

Little Rock

San Antonio

5:13 p.m. NDT

3:26 p.m. EDT

3:18 p.m. EDT

3:05 p.m. EDT

3:13 p.m. EDT

1:40 p.m. CDT

1:51 p.m. CDT

1:33 p.m. CDT

11:07 a.m. MST

Drive toward the darkness

If you have access to wheels and live within a few hours of the path of the total eclipse, you can always jump in the car. You might even find relatively inexpensive accommodations just outside the zone, and then drive in from there.

But if you’re hoping to rent a car, you might have some trouble.

The rental car company Hertz reported a 3,000 percent increase in advanced bookings for car rentals in cities along the eclipse path compared with the previous year. The highest demand so far has come in places like Dallas and Austin, Texas, as well as Cleveland and Indianapolis.

If you want to try anyway, book your car as soon as possible and focus your search for rental agencies outside of high-volume areas like airports, advised Isabella Sawyer, a Hertz spokeswoman. Neighborhood locations, she said, may have better availability.

Whether you rent or own your ride, be prepared for gridlock. “People arrive at different times, but everybody leaves at the same time — and that’s the problem,” said Aixa Diaz, an AAA spokeswoman. “Let’s say you have about five million people looking at an eclipse, and everybody leaves at the same time . That’s like the equivalent of 71 sold-out football games all getting out at the same time.”

Taking off the extra day could help you avoid traffic. Data from the 2017 total eclipse, which also took place on a Monday, showed about 41 percent less traffic leaving destinations on Tuesday, compared with Monday, Ms. Diaz said.

Fly into the zone

You could also book a last-minute flight to a city in the path of the total eclipse, preferably one where you won’t need a car. Searches for flights along the eclipse path have quadrupled compared with the same time last year, said Katy Nastro, a spokeswoman at Going.com .

“What is unique about this event is that people are not bound to fly to just one place to be able to experience the eclipse,” she said, “which means they can look at multiple cities in the path, or even cities near the path,” and then, provided you can find a rental car in your destination, drive into the path.

“For example, you could fly into and stay in Toronto, then drive to the border to view the eclipse from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, just a two-and-a-half-hour drive away,” Ms. Nastro said. (As of Wednesday, Toronto’s main airport still had rental cars available, starting at about $40 a day.)

Go where the hotels are

The path of totality crosses not only small towns but also plenty of hotel-rich urban areas stretching from Texas through the Midwest and upstate New York — places like Dallas-Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y., and Montreal.

But even in cities with more available rooms, you’ll still most likely have to pay a premium.

“I saw a two-star apartment hotel in Nashville going for $900 all in,” Ms. Fish said of one of the accommodations she found (Nashville is a couple of hours’ drive outside the total-eclipse path), “and a Super 8 in Indianapolis going for $500 the night of the eclipse. So if you’re booking last minute to go see the eclipse, yeah, you are going to pay more.”

Packaging a flight and accommodations on a travel booking app could help save money, as well as headaches, Ms. Fish said. But don’t forget that you may need some sort of ground transportation, so look for packages that include it.

If you’re set on traveling to an area where there are fewer hotels, consider a short-term property rental. As of March 20, Airbnb, which has experienced a 1,000 percent surge in searches along the path of the total eclipse , still had about 40 percent of its inventory available in that zone, according to Haven Thorn, an Airbnb spokesman.

Keep an eye on the weather and stay flexible

Clouds are the eclipse chaser’s nemesis. You can pick a place with the highest likelihood of clear skies and check the forecast obsessively, but the weather is fickle. If you’re driving, be prepared to take a detour at the last minute. And when the big moment nears, pull over safely in a park or a parking lot — not on the side of the road — turn off your car and prepare to be dazzled.

Even if you decide not to go anywhere at all, you may still be able to break out those glasses and feel some of the accompanying environmental changes. Many major cities will still see a partial eclipse: 94 percent in Chicago, 90 percent in New York, 82 percent in Atlanta and 49 percent in Los Angeles.

As Ms. Fish of Expedia said, “The party’s in the sky, so all you’ve got to do is look up.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Derek M. Norman is a senior news assistant for the International section of The Times. More about Derek M. Norman

Our Coverage of the Total Solar Eclipse

Hearing the Eclipse:  A device called LightSound is being distributed to help the blind and visually impaired experience what they can’t see .

Maine Brac es Itself :  Businesses and planning committees are eager for visitors, but some in remote Aroostook County are not sure how they feel  about lying smack in the path of totality.

A Dark Day for Buffalo:  When the sky above Buffalo briefly goes dark  on the afternoon of April 8, the city will transcend its dreary place in the public consciousness — measured as it so often is by snowstorms — if only for about three minutes. The city can’t wait.

Under the Moon’s Shadow:  The late Jay Pasachoff, who spent a lifetime chasing eclipses , inspired generations of students to become astronomers by dragging them to the ends of the Earth for a few precarious moments of ecstasy.

A Rare Return:  It is rare for a total solar eclipse to hit the same place twice — once every 366 years on average. People in certain areas will encounter April 8’s eclipse  about seven years after they were near the middle of the path of the “Great American Eclipse.”

A Small City’s Big Plans:  Let the big cities have their eclipse mega-events. In Plattsburgh, N.Y., success looks different  for everyone stopping to look up.

 No Power Outages:  When the sky darkens during the eclipse, electricity production in some parts of the country will drop so sharply that it could theoretically leave tens of millions of homes in the dark. In practice, hardly anyone will notice  a sudden loss of energy.

• Solar Eclipse 2024

See the 2024 Solar Eclipse’s Path of Totality

A total solar eclipse is expected to pass through the United States on April 8, 2024, giving stargazers across the country the opportunity to view the celestial phenomenon in which the sun is completely covered by the moon.

The eclipse will enter the U.S. in Texas and exit in Maine. It is the last time a total solar eclipse will be visible in the contiguous United States until 2044.

Here's what to know about the path of the eclipse and where you can see it.

Read More : How Animals and Nature React to an Eclipse

Where can you see the total solar eclipse?

The eclipse will cross through North America, passing over parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. 

The eclipse will enter the United States in Texas, and travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.

Much of the eclipse's visibility depends on the weather. A cloudy day could prevent visitors from seeing the spectacle altogether.

When does the solar eclipse start and end?

The solar eclipse will begin in Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. It will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

The longest duration of totality—which is when the moon completely covers the sun — will be 4 minutes, 28 seconds, near Torreón, Mexico. Most places along the path of totality will see a totality duration between 3.5 and 4 minutes.

Read More : The Eclipse Could Bring $1.5 Billion Into States on the Path of Totality

Where’s the best place to see the total solar eclipse?

The best place to witness the event is along the path of totality. Thirteen states will be along the path of totality, and many towns across the country are preparing for the deluge of visitors— planning eclipse watch parties and events in the days leading up to totality.

In Rochester, NY, the Rochester Museum and Science Center is hosting a multi-day festival that includes a range of events and activities. Russellville, Arkansas will host an event with activities including live music, science presentations, tethered hot-air balloon rides, and telescope viewings.

More Must-Reads From TIME

• Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
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• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Write to Simmone Shah at [email protected]

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Hurricane tracker, severe weather, radar & maps, news & features, winter center, total solar eclipse cloud forecast: what will the weather be like.

Clouds aren't the only concern for eclipse viewers. Severe weather could present problems for thousands traveling to or from viewing destinations.

Published Apr 1, 2024 9:23 AM PDT | Updated Apr 4, 2024 6:58 AM PDT

What will make this year’s eclipse different from the one in 2017? When will the next one be in the U.S.? We’re answering those questions and much more.

The final countdown is underway until the moon's shadow casts part of the United States into darkness for a few fleeting moments, and the deciding factor of whether or not people in the path of totality see the event may boil down to one thing: clouds.

The eclipse takes place on Monday, April 8, and for areas in the path of totality, it will be an afternoon affair, with the exact timing varying depending on your location. People outside of the path of totality will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse as long as clouds don't spoil the show.

AccuWeather's latest total solar eclipse cloud forecast is looking promising for some but concerning for others, AccuWeather lead long-range forecaster Paul Pastelok said. "Most places in the vicinity of the path of totality will have to deal with some level of clouds, whether high or low."

Where will the best weather be for viewing the eclipse?

Clearing is more likely now behind a cool front from southwest Michigan to the central Plains. A narrow region of good viewing is now opening up for cities like Kansas City, Chicago, and Kalamazoo

"The best locations for viewing should be across the Southwest, out of the mountains, We now feel more clearing is possible in California, again out of the mountains and away from the northwest section of the state," Pastelok said. "New England, and parts of the mid-Atlantic and Southeast look fine for viewing. Cities like Los Angeles, El Paso, Philadelphia, New York City and Raleigh should all have nice views of the eclipse from start to finish," he added.

What areas face a cloudy forecast for Monday?

AccuWeather long-range expert Joe Lundberg said places along or near the path of totality that will have more adverse viewing conditions appear to be from Missouri and Kansas southward into central and east Texas, where it is likely to be rather cloudy with showers and perhaps some thunderstorms.

"Other areas with poor viewing conditions will be from Wisconsin westward through South Dakota and Nebraska to Washington and Oregon," AccuWeather long-range expert Joe Lundberg added.

There is also a concern that a band of clouds will move across western/central Pennsylvania and New York around the time of the eclipse, Pastelok said. "There is even a possibility of a passing shower. This could lower viewing opportunity for a couple of hours."

Severe weather threat to eclipse viewers

In addition to the cloud forecast, Pastelok said there are a few factors involved in the weather pattern leading up to the eclipse that could affect those traveling to and from viewing locations. "High southerly winds are likely across the central and western Plains Friday through Sunday with wind gusts between 40-60 mph."

Travel can be impacted due to visibility and strong crosswinds, especially along the major west-to-east highways, including I-80 and I-40. "Make sure any loose material, including tents and items on top of cars and campers are securely fastened," Pastelok warned

A severe weather threat looks likely from late Saturday through Sunday from the western Plains to the western Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Areas around Kansas City, Missouri and Omaha, Nebraska, can be in the pathway of these storms. "The biggest threat will be large hail and strong, damaging wind gusts," Pastelok said, adding, "Isolated tornadoes are possible."

Showers and drenching thunderstorms can occur across east Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley on Monday and slowly move northward into southern Oklahoma later in the day and night. Some of the heavier storms can produce flooding, hail, and brief strong wind gusts. These storms can spread and extend toward western Texas late on Monday into Tuesday and even expand into West-central Texas.

Continue to check back with AccuWeather through April 8 for the latest eclipse cloud forecast.

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Forecasts for the total solar eclipse now show a higher probability of clouds threatening parts of the southern and central U.S., while the Northeast and New England trend in the right direction with an improving outlook for less cloud coverage.

On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Mexico, Canada and the U.S., from Texas to Maine.

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun for several minutes.

It will be the last time a total solar eclipse passes over a large part of the U.S. until 2044.

To experience the full eclipse, you’ll need a pair of solar glasses and to be located along the more than 100-mile-wide path during totality.

A clear sky is also key to watching a total solar eclipse. 

The FOX Forecast Center has put together the cloud cover forecast shown on the map below, showing areas with an overcast sky, many clouds or few clouds during the eclipse.

As the eclipse nears, computer forecast models will improve and be able to give forecasters a better idea of what the sky will look like on the big day.

One week ahead of April 8th, the FOX Forecast Center said the trend for clearer skies is improving at the northeastern end of the path of totality but is getting worse for clouds at the southwestern end of the eclipse path. 

Everything to know about the 2024 solar eclipse

• The solar eclipse will take place Monday, April 8, blocking the sun for over 180 million people in its path.
• The eclipse will expand from Mexico’s Pacific Coast across North America, hitting 15 US states and pulling itself all the way to the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
• New Yorkers will experience the solar eclipse just after 2 p.m. Monday.
• A huge explosion on the sun , known as a coronal mass ejection, is anticipated, according to experts. This happens when massive particles from the sun are hurled out into space, explains Ryan French of the National Solar Observatory in Boulder, Colorado.
• To avoid serious injury to the eyes, it is necessary to view the event through proper eyewear like eclipse glasses , or a handheld solar viewer, during the partial eclipse phase before and after totality.
• The next total solar eclipse will take place on Aug. 12, 2026, and totality will be visible to those in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small slice of Portugal. 

Cities along the path of totality, including Buffalo, New York, are currently forecast to have few clouds on the day of the event.

The forecast is also looking favorable for Caribou, Maine, one of the last places to see the eclipse in the U.S. before the path of totality heads into Atlantic Canada.

For the Midwest, cloud cover could be less around Paducah, Kentucky, and near St. Louis but will increase closer to the Great Lakes region, including Cleveland.

For now, clouds remain most probable around the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast, with greater confidence in less cloud cover around Florida and New England. 

Many of the prime viewing spots of Texas through the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys are currently forecast to have overcast or many clouds.

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Popular viewing spots, including San Antonio and Dallas, may have trouble from clouds on April 8th.

The details will become clearer as the event draws closer, so stay tuned, the FOX Forecast Center said.

We can also look at cloud climatology data to see where clouds are more likely to cover the eclipse on April 8th. The map below shows the cloud cover averages over the past 30 years. 

It’s also important to note that even if it’s cloudy, you will likely still see at least some of the eclipse. 

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