The 12 best places to visit in New Mexico

A US state that has become renowned for its historical, cultural and ecological diversity, New Mexico has earned its nickname – the Land of Enchantment. From the northern tip of the Chihuahuan Desert to 9000ft above sea level at the Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico has surprisingly diverse climates, and all the sites and activities to go with it. 

From cultural enrichment to sparkling white sand dunes and geological wonders, these are the places you can't afford to miss when you visit New Mexico.

1. Santa Fe

Best for art-lovers

Santa Fe is a colorful tapestry of living history and progressive vision. It is home to one of the oldest churches and houses in the United States, just to give an example of how deep its roots go.

Over the 400 or so years it has existed as a non-Indigenous settlement, the state’s capital – called Oghá P'o'oge in the Tewa language – has gone through many transformations. The layers of each period can be seen throughout the historic Plaza, from Spanish colonial and pueblo architecture to galleries and museums filled with traditional and contemporary art to a counterculture vibe leftover from the 1960s.

Santa Fe is also home to everyone’s favorite interactive art adventure, Meow Wolf, and some of the most celebrated cuisine in the state.

2. White Sands National Park

Best for stunning views

If towering mountains and sweeping canyons spring to mind when you think of national parks in the Southwest, this park will surprise you. One of the prettiest places in New Mexico, White Sands National Park is home to striking white sand dunes that are especially breathtaking to see on sunny days. Located in southern New Mexico, the park preserves 275 sq miles of ice-white gypsum dune fields. Hike through the bright and barren landscape, or buy a sled at the gift shop and take a run at the loop portion of Dunes Drive. 

You can book a reservation and permit for camping if you'd prefer to stay a little longer. It’s worth the extra legwork to spend a night under the stars and even experience a full moon. As one of the darkest places in the US, you’ll enjoy great views at night. Sunsets on the dunes are also unforgettable. The park has a $25 entrance fee that allows you to enter as much as you’d like for seven consecutive days – just don’t lose your receipt.

Planning tip: Check the weather forecast before you set out. In the summer, the dunes get very hot, while winter can make for frigid conditions. If you want to maximize your time in the park, consider visiting in the spring or fall when conditions are milder.

3. Taos 

Best for photo ops

Take a drive from Santa Fe to Taos for even more art and culture. Stroll the historic plaza, which is lined by galleries and museums aplenty, or head out to Taos Ski Valley for skiing in winter and hiking in the summer.

The Rio Grande Gorge is a breathtaking site and makes for a scenic photo op on your way to the Mesa for a tour of the EarthShips community – a collection of sci-fi-looking dwellings that are 100% self-sustaining and off the grid.

Detour: You can also take a tour of one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the world at Taos Pueblo, though be sure to read up on proper etiquette and cultural expectations when visiting this sacred place.

4. Albuquerque

Best for hot air balloons

The state’s “big city,” Albuquerque is known around the world as the site of the annual International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in October. Albuquerque’s location between the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains creates an ideal climate for hot-air ballooning, and visitors can enjoy this magical experience all year long.

A late-afternoon trip up the Sandia Peak Tramway is the perfect way to take in a world-famous sunset. Plan to have dinner and a drink at the top of the peak, but remember to plan for the extra-high elevation and drink plenty of water. 

For the best shopping, check out Old Town, Los Ranchos and the Nob Hill areas for locally-owned businesses, quality vintage shops and mid-century modern stores.

5. Rio Grande

Best for white water rafting

The section of the Rio Grande between Taos and Española is an excellent place for a little white-water rafting – you’ll find many companies along the river offering the experience. But if you’re not interested in a wild ride, head south. Between Albuquerque and Socorro the river gets lazy and becomes the perfect place to float or kayak.

Planning tip: Stretch your trip out over the course of a day and make stops at some of the wineries along the river that are open to the public.

6. Madrid

Best for going off-grid

A great day-trip destination between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Madrid is an old mining town turned art village. Book a horseback ride at Broken Saddle Ranch, just north of Madrid, or spend some time driving along the scenic Turquoise Trail, which runs from Cedar Crest to Cerrillos. Just plan to be off the grid – there’s still no cell service in Madrid.

7. Ghost Ranch

Best for hikers and horseback riders

Located in Abiquiu, which is a beautiful red-rock-filled wonder of its own, Ghost Ranch was the one-time home of painter Georgia O'Keeffe. Here you’ll find workshops, retreats, hiking rails, museums and 21,000 acres of wild space, including landscapes that change with the daylight, making it clear why so many artists have made northern New Mexico their home.

Planning tip: Fans of Georgia O'Keeffe have several tours to choose from that celebrate the great artist, from visiting the specific landscapes that inspired her work to following in her footsteps on a walking trail. Book in advance as these are popular attractions.

8. Truth or Consequences 

Best for relaxation

Yes, that’s actually the city’s name! If you’re a fan of hot springs, Truth or Consequences – aka T or C – has some of the best in the state. While you can find hot springs in various other places, the spas in T or C are the least crowded and most budget-friendly, so you can truly relax and let the minerals work their magic.

9. Sky City

Best for experiencing Indigenous culture

Another of the 19 pueblos found throughout New Mexico – and another of the longest-inhabited communities in the world – Acoma is called Sky City because of its location atop a sheer-walled, 367ft sandstone bluff. It has museums, a cultural center and guided tours. As with visiting any Indigenous nation, be sure to dress and act respectfully and follow local protocol. 

Planning tip: To avoid long wait times or potential closures, call in advance to ensure tours are operating before you visit.

10. Tent Rocks

Best for geology fans

There are simply too many amazing national parks in New Mexico to visit even across several visits, but in addition to White Sands, be sure to make time for Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Located at Cochiti Pueblo, between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, this park features incredible cone-shaped rock formations created by volcanic eruptions, which occurred six to seven million years ago and left pumice, ash and tuff deposits more than 1000ft thick.

11. Roswell

Best for sci-fi fans

Located in Southeastern New Mexico, Roswell is a small town that’s best known for its alleged alien activity. The city’s reputation can be traced back to 1947 when a mysterious object fell from the sky and a rancher discovered the debris in his sheep pasture. Eventually, the government stated that it was a weather balloon from the local Air Force base, but rumors quickly spread that it was extraterrestrial. Around 50 years later, the US government admitted that the debris was actually part of a top-secret atomic espionage project. But the city’s otherworldly reputation was already firmly in place.

Today, people travel from around the world to visit the original crash site and learn more about UFO sightings. There’s even an International UFO Museum & Research Center where you can learn more about the original incident that sparked all the intrigue, read firsthand accounts of encounters and pick up souvenirs.

12. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Best for cave enthusiasts

Yes, it's technically another national park but this one is a must-see natural attraction – instead of shifting dunes or sun-baked rock formations, this jaw-dropping wonder is primarily deep underground.

The park’s namesake, Carlsbad Cavern, is a show cave and the star attraction. You can either get a feel for the sheer scale of the place by walking from the entrance along a 1.25-mile trail that gradually gets deeper and deeper underground or take a shortcut on the elevator located in the visitor center (it drops the equivalent of the height of the Empire State Building). The aptly titled Big Room, one of the cave’s largest caverns, is a natural limestone chamber that is the largest of its type in North America. 

Planning tip: A pass to enter the park cost $15 per person and if you want to tour Carlsbad Cavern itself, you’ll need a timed entry ticket ($1), which can be purchased online.