New Mexico Travel Attractions You Want To Check Out
New Mexico offers cultural and outdoor attractions that are sure to excite travelers, from relaxing in natural hot springs to hiking along stunning canyon views and fantastic water parks, there’s something here for every type of traveler.
Bring out your hiking boots and head to Carlsbad Caverns National Park for some breathtaking vistas above and below ground – or ride the Sandia Peak Tramway instead to save yourself some pain.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe Plaza is an historic cultural gem, full of galleries and unique boutiques that spans Canyon Road. Browse over 100 art galleries nestled into an adobe village for some great art viewing, or venture southward to Bandelier National Monument to witness first-hand how Ancestral Puebloans lived, by climbing in cave dwellings and gazing upon petroglyphs.
Be sure to visit the New Mexico State Capitol – its stunning architecture and artwork make for an impressive sight in town. Don’t miss Loretto Chapel either – its “miraculous” staircase will surely steal your heart away.
Santa Fe is home to some of the greatest artists of its time, such as 20th century icon Georgia O’Keeffe who painted large flowers and New Mexico landscapes. Her museum and other top museums can easily be reached from hotels like La Fonda on the Plaza for maximum sightseeing pleasure during your time in Santa Fe. And don’t forget the Sangre de Cristo Mountains which offer hiking trails just beyond Santa Fe city limits!
Ghost Ranch
Ghost Ranch, located near Abiquiu Village in Rio Arriba County, features 21,000-acres of retreat and education center land renowned for hiking trails and outdoor activities such as horseback riding, archery, canoeing kayaking and wall climbing. Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired to create artwork here based on her experiences there.
Visitors should spend time at both the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology and Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology. Guided tours such as Georgia O’Keeffe Landscape Tour, high and low ropes courses and various workshops round out their offerings.
My favorite experience on my visit to Abiquiu was taking part in a guided bus tour to trace O’Keeffe’s paintings – it is thrilling to be so close to them and her paintings. Abiquiu is truly special place, offering day passes for visitors outside of its borders to explore museums and hiking trails.
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park boasts the world’s largest gypsum dune field and looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, making it an unforgettable stop on any New Mexico road trip. Visit during sunrise or sunset for maximum photogenic effect and magical beauty!
Visitor centers offer visitors an ideal place to learn more about the park’s history and how it became a national monument before being transformed into a national park. Plus, this is also where you can get your national park stamp and buy souvenirs!
Oasis Park is open year-round, though spring or autumn temperatures tend to be more comfortable and it won’t be so overcrowded with visitors. Please check their website regularly for any updates related to missile testing as this could require them to close for maintenance work or testing, potentially impacting your visit.
Alamogordo, New Mexico’s closest city to White Sands, provides plenty of activities and things to do, including visiting the New Mexico Museum of Space History and feasting on delicious local cuisine such as Plateau Espresso, Rockin’ BZ Burgers and Carne Adovada.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque, as the largest city of New Mexico, boasts an abundance of culture, beautiful cafes and natural attractions within easy reach – from world-class museums to traditional Pueblo Indian performances – with something for everyone here.
The National Hispanic Cultural Center can be found in Barelas, a traditional Hispanic neighborhood of Albuquerque. Here, visitors can enjoy performances by performing artists as well as exhibitions. Additionally, visitors can learn about Spanish, Mesoamerican and early New Mexican culture at this wonderful center.
The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology is one of the country’s premier anthropology museums, providing visitors with a greater insight into both Albuquerque’s past as well as that of the wider Southwest region. Highlights include suits of armor, historic wood carvings and art by world-renowned artists like Georgia O’Keeffe.
