The Most Breathtaking Natural Marvel in Each State Address:4800 Osuna Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, United States. Its walls are made of glass bottles; its hedges are guarded by gnomes, totem poles and taxidermy animals. The dessert menu is even better than the regular menu, but well leave that as a surprise! If youre a fan of petroglyphs, it doesnt get better than the Petroglyph National Monument. 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. However, theyre vitally important to remember, and they might be quite interesting to history buffs. Tours are available from the local interpretive center if you want to learn more. Address:727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM 88220, United States. Theyre so remarkable that they have to be seen to be believed. Show on Map. Guided tours are available. SHIPROCK. Put on your swimming trunks and dive headfirst into the Blue Hole. Many of these now-abandoned settlements were once flourishing mining towns that vanished when demand fell and the area's natural resources dried up. Google Maps. Tours begin from the VLA Visitor Center. If you can complete the whole thing, youll have traveled through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Venture less than 17 miles southwest of Los Alamos to check out Valles Caldera National Preserve, where you'll discover a 13-mile-wide volcanic crater, mountain meadows and miles of hiking trails. 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. You can also pick up a brochure or purchase an interpretive guide to take with you as you explore the popular Ancestral Sites Trail. The Art Caves, handcrafted by award-winning cave sculptor Ra Paulette, is one of the top places to go in New Mexico. Things to Do. There are so many indigenous sites in New Mexico that you could create an entire itinerary with nothing but Native American tourist attractions. One of the most beautiful ways to take in the scenery of New Mexico's diverse landscape is aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad. Leaving from Chama, New Mexico, and ending in Antonito, Colorado, this full excursion stretches on for 64 miles. 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. 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. The best cruises for teens provide the right mix of autonomy and time with family. During summer, the town also offers ample opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities like rock climbing, ballooning and even llama trekking. 15 Best Places to Visit in New Mexico | PlanetWare Its a lot of fun, but its 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. 10 Best Places to Visit in New Mexico (with Map) - Touropia In terms of tourist attractions, there isnt a lot to do at the circle itself, but the surrounding area has plenty of entertainment. You can also buy plenty of souvenirs at the gift shop! To help you decide where you should go on vacation in this diverse state, U.S. News compiled a list of the best places to visit in New Mexico using factors like culture, accessibility and attractions. The crispy onions are piled high on the plate with salsa and guacamole. Places To Visit Explore the Past and See the Future in New Mexico New Mexico is rich in old mining, ranching and railroading towns. Other notable ghost towns include Madrid, Pinos Altos and Shakespeare, a former silver mining town that is now privately owned. The round saucers are available for purchase at the Park Store. The Pueblo is closed to the public during several of its annual traditional events. 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. This is the largest dune field of its kind on the entire planet, making it one of the coolest destinations in New Mexico, without a doubt. New Mexico is represented as well, so if you want to see local flora and fauna, check out the glass greenhouses or butterfly pavilions. Bandelier National Monument is a 33,677-acre preserve encompassing some of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes and archaeological ruins in the state. Theres a lot of cool sightseeing to be done in regards to both the architecture and the general way of life. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, including hiking and camping. New Mexico's capital is brimming with traveler-friendly activities. 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. TinkerTown is one of the more unusual places to go in New Mexico, but if youre a fan of the strange and funky, itll certainly make for some interesting photos to take back home. Visiting Santa Fe Santa Fe is one of America's most historic, artistic, and fascinating cities. 2023. [See more of Santa Fe: Things to Do | When to Visit | Hotels | Photos ]. Located in a remote area northwest of Albuquerque, the park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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. Ghost Ranch, made famous by legendary artist Georgia O'Keeffe, encompasses 21,000 acres of dramatic desert landscape in northern New Mexico. Hiking is one of the most popular things to do with several trails, most ranging from four miles to eight miles long. Theres a classically folded crane; theres a field of running, multicolored horses; theres even a collection of lost objects and common household goods. Do you want to make a splash in New Mexico? During your visit, you can tour the cliff dwellings and learn more about the site's former residents at its visitor center and contact station. It offers family-friendly fun for visitors of all ages, and itll make you rethink what it means to visit a museum! White Sands National Park The park covers 145,762 acres and you will find fields of white sand dunes that are created from gypsum crystals there. The highest point in New Mexico is the summit of Wheeler Peak, at 13,161 ft. It was a major center, comprised of 15 massive ruins and hundreds of smaller constructions. This nine-day festival is kicked off by the breathtaking "Mass Ascension" and continues with unique displays of coordinated ballooning and nighttime presentations. Then, take a short drive to one of three areas Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon or Piedras Marcadas Canyon to hike to various petroglyphs. View Map. Now, visitors come from all over to cliff jump, dive or swim in its crystal-clear waters. A Haunting Road Trip Through New Mexico's Ghost Towns. Famous artists include Georgia OKeeffe, Ansel Adams, Gustave Baumann and Maria Martinez. If you only have time for one event, however, you wont want to miss the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It was inhabited from the early 14th century until 1838, with a population over 2,000. They owe their unique geology to the eruptions of a nearby volcano more than six million years ago. Radio telescopes might not be the first thing that you think about when planning a vacation to New Mexico, but if youre wondering what to do there as a space nerd, the VLA can send you to the moon and back. Drawing almost a million visitors every day, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the top things to do in New Mexico. Or maybe youre already in New Mexico, and youre scrolling through ideas and suggestions for where to visit when the weather is bad. 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. The safest way to sled is on a waxed, plastic snow saucer, which visitors can purchase at the park's gift shop. Its something that dates back centuries among their people, so much so that they actually created their own version of milk: blue corn mush. Perhaps it's already on your bucket list, but did you know about the bat flights? 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. Ruidoso Beatnik Photos/Flickr Set in the Sierra Blanca range, the mountain resort town of Ruidoso is known for horse racing at the Ruidoso Downs and for the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino. Some are marked by trails; others are not. Address:425 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, United States. Of course, imagination plays a role as well. Plan an idyllic escape to revel in fall's colorful splendor. As a bonus, your patronage will provide direct support to a precious historical community. What's more, you can go hiking, bird-watching, fishing and more in surrounding Gila National Forest. A spectacular example of ancestral Pueblo history, Pueblo Bonito was once the epicenter of Chacoan society. Flat-topped mesas are dotted with ferns, bushes, succulents and other desert plants. Some of its most outstanding features are the complete skeletons of four dinosaurs, including one of the biggest T-Rex ever to be found. Phone +1 575-461-3773. The scenic train ride also includes a lunch stop in the small mountain town of Osier, Colorado. 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. If youll be traveling through New Mexico during the fall, you wont want to miss it! Landlocked New Mexico is not known for its scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. Known as "The City Different," the nation's oldest state capital city is a place unlike in other in the world. Flickr/darius norvilas. With so many activities to choose from, you could easily spend your entire vacation here! Take advantage of this sightseeing opportunity while you can! 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 10 BEST New Mexico Sights & Landmarks to Visit (2023) - Tripadvisor But the Atomic City is also known as a gateway to fantastic parks and protected areas. 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. 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. All of this and more is explained on the guided tour of the bomb site. This artistic city features 250-plus art. Address: 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, New Mexico. Former home of ancestral Pueblo people, the area was likely occupied from AD 1150 to 1600. Visitors to the VLA can take tours to see all of the towers and telescopes. 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. The High Noon Restaurant and Saloon isnt the only restaurant within the state that specializes in southwestern staples, but its one of the best. Explore festivities ideal for maximizing the sweater weather season. Keep in mind, though, that Dunes Drive (the park's scenic thoroughfare) occasionally closes when missile tests occur at the park's missile range. Carved from limestone deposited in an ancient sea, the alien underground landscape is one of the most famous New Mexico tourist attractions. The sandy walls expand at the bottom, so if you can reach the floor of the lake, its like you discover a secret room in an underwater castle. Plan your trip today, and leave Albuquerque viewing your own world in a whole new light. Maybe youre interested in the culture and history of New Mexico. Historic Sites Likely to Sell Out Water Sports Scenic Drives Shows, Concerts & Sports Special Offers Ski & Snowboard Areas Water Tours Museum Tickets & Passes Nature & Wildlife Areas Multi-day & Extended Tours State Parks Historic Walking Areas Forests Popular Cities in New Mexico Santa Fe New Mexico, United States Albuquerque The Blue Hole is one of the best diving destinations in the United States. It offers incredible views of the cliffs, rivers and forests below, so if youre 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. Enjoy all the meals and adventures without your wallet in tow. The International UFO Museum and Research Center is a fun and kitschy place that celebrates the unique calling card of the city. 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. Petroglyph National Monument protects nearly 25,000 of these images, 90% of which are believed to have been made by Ancestral Pueblo people. Throw on a sombrero and toss back a margarita with the Fiestas de Santa Fe! Aside from the balloons, you can enjoy all kinds of food, drink, music, games and crafts. 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. Another fun feature of the park is that its habitats have been constructed to be as realistic as possible. The Official Website for Albuquerque, New Mexico Tourism | Visit 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. Address:0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, United States. These are just a few of the rides that you can find at Western Playland, an amusement park located in southern New Mexico. Ranging from small off-the-beaten-path soaking options in the wilderness to lavish spa resorts, these springs are revered for their healing properties. They also have a planetarium and two galleries dedicated to space exploration and astronomy. Hand-Carved Art Caves. 1. The Santa Fe Plaza is a pleasant spot to linger under the leafy trees in the center grassy area with a coffee in hand while the warm New Mexico sun filters through the shade to remind you that this is indeed a desert state.

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