Northern New Mexico Travel Guides

Northern New Mexico

Follow New Mexico’s illustrious art trails and learn about the colonial and Pueblo Indian history of this picturesque region of the state.

Northern New Mexico is a vast area with spectacular red-rock scenery, Native American Pueblo villages and a thriving arts scene. Travel through its dense forests to appreciate the varied wildlife and vegetation. With major cities, sleepy rural towns and dramatic landscapes, this is an area of the state worth exploring.

Start your travels in the metropolis of Albuquerque, the state’s educational hub, to see its many universities and experience the vibrant cultural life that comes with them. Find out about the area’s past at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Stroll through the quaint historic center and relax in the Old Town Plaza, where you will find the 18th-century San Felipe de Neri Church.

To the north of the city are areas of spectacular scenery, such as the Valles Caldera National Preserve and the large Valles Caldera volcano. Visit the small village of Española for the carved Puye Cliff Dwellings that adorn the rock face of the Jemez Mountains. Explore more of the region to discover the Cibola National Forest and the Bandelier National Monument.

Continue north to Los Alamos and visit the Los Alamos Historical Museum to learn about the development of the atomic bomb in the region. A little to the southeast is the oldest state capital in the country, Santa Fe. Admire the Romanesque façade of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi and go to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum to learn about the artist’s life and work.

Visit the artistic towns that are scattered around the diverse region of North Central New Mexico. In Taos, peruse the artworks in Henningsen Fine Arts, the Taos Art Museum and the Harwood Museum of Art. On its outskirts lie the adobe structures of the Taos Pueblo.

Fly to Albuquerque International Airport and make your way north by car, rail or bus. Anticipate hot summer days with typically cold desert nights. Winters are harsh with plenty of snow to decorate the mountain peaks. On your travels throughout the state, be sure to sample the New Mexican cuisine to experience its array of spices.

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Explore the cities of Northern New Mexico

North Central New Mexico

Wander through dense forests, clamber up mountains and visit the galleries of one of the country’s most prominent artistic hubs.

Albuquerque

Nicknamed “Duke City,” Albuquerque beckons visitors with stunning mountain views, a rich multicultural heritage and abundant recreational opportunities.

Santa Fe

Unique architecture, extensive art collections, and numerous festivals make this New Mexico city a historical yet lively place to be.

Taos

Explore Taos to experience a slice of American Indian culture, artistic celebrations, national parks and a huge collection of heritage sites.

Espanola

See fascinating cave dwellings, visit a Native American sanctuary and explore the forests and parks that surround this historic railroad town.

Jemez Springs

Learn about New Mexico’s indigenous and colonial past in this Spanish-influenced town with natural hot springs, canyons and unusual tent rocks.

Explore the best attractions of Northern New Mexico

Bandelier National Monument

Preserved 1,000-year-old cave dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo peoples are scattered throughout the rocky terrain of this vast memorial.

Santa Fe Opera

Listen to the enchanting sounds of classic opera in an open-air theater with views of the Jemez Mountains, the sunset and the stars.

Petroglyph National Monument

Walk through a vast volcanic landscape to see one of the largest concentrations of indigenous rock art in North America.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Learn about the 19 Pueblo tribes of New Mexico through exhibits, performances and craft demonstrations at this popular cultural attraction.

Rio Grande Zoo

Enjoy a day filled with animal encounters as you watch exotic creatures from all over the world, including powerful and ferocious predators.

Santa Fe Plaza

Home to many landmarks in the heart of the city, this spacious square evokes echoes of the Spanish colonial era with its markets, bandstand and live music.

Pecos National Historical Park

See the site of a Civil War battle and cave dwellings and artifacts from the Ancestral Pueblo peoples of almost 1,000 years ago in this scenic woodland expanse.

New Mexico Museum of Art

Admire the exceptional Pueblo design of the adobe structure that houses one of the oldest art galleries in New Mexico.

Puye Cliff Dwellings

Learn about the Pueblo Indians from these cave dwellings carved into the side of a cliff and atop a large mesa in the Rio Grande Valley.

Rio Grande Botanical Garden

Olive trees, climbing roses, desert willows and hundreds of exotic butterflies are just a few of the treasures to be found in this this green refuge.

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

With historic vessels, instruments, interactive activities and aerial artifacts, this museum provides a fascinating window into the world of ballooning.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi

Take a tour of this 19th-century church in the center of Santa Fe to see its statues and brightly colored stained-glass windows.

Loretto Chapel

A mysterious spiral staircase with no known origin is the highlight of this former church that now acts as a wedding chapel and museum.

Valles Caldera National Preserve

Explore the caldera of an ancient supervolcano and see many animals that live here, including one of the largest elk herds in New Mexico.