New Mexico Travel Guides

New Mexico

Long a haven for people seeking a peaceful Southwest lifestyle, this state offers glorious mountain views, fascinating history and beautiful Native American art.

Visit New Mexico for an exciting vacation; you’ll find a full spectrum of tourism activities from art to adventure.

Santa Fe, the state capital, is an acclaimed cultural center. Investigate the Museum of International Folk Art or enjoy outdoor summer concerts at the Santa Fe Opera House. Wander around the city to see 400-year-old missions, multiple museums and eclectic art galleries.

This north central region has 300 sunny days a year; ski resorts in nearby Taos get 300 inches of snow each season. Together this means fantastic ski conditions. Enjoy great biking and mountain biking trails too. Just south of Santa Fe, tour turquoise mines and find hand-crafted jewelry in Cerrillos.

Albuquerque blends Native American and Spanish cultures in its architecture, food and art. In Old Town, see adobe homes and churches built to withstand the desert heat. Buildings are adorned with many small candles during the winter holidays. Explore local history and customs at the Petroglyph National Monument and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Sample red and green New Mexican chile sauce on everything from burritos to ice cream. For shopping and art browsing, explore more than 100 boutiques and galleries, many focused on Southwestern goods.

Ride an elevated cable car on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway for panoramic desert views from the 10,378-foot (3,163-meter) mountaintop. Hike the trails in autumn for colorful foliage or ski the slopes in winter. Visit the Albuquerque Biological Park with aquarium, zoo and botanic garden. Attend the 8-day Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to see over 700 hot-air and gas balloons. Take flight for unique views of balloons from above.

Travel south and make a side trip from Socorro to Pie Town to try some of over 100 flavors in the annual September pie festival. Nearby hike along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.

Don’t leave New Mexico without a trip to Roswell, believed by many to be a popular spot for alien visitors.

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Explore the cities of New Mexico

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.

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.

Southeastern New Mexico

Walk in the footsteps of a 19th-century outlaw, explore a huge network of caves and learn about UFOs in New Mexico's southeastern region.

Southwestern New Mexico

Get to know the Spanish and Native American culture of this picturesque but sparsely populated land that has mountainous forests, desert plains, hot springs and lakes.

Las Cruces

Travel to a city in southwestern New Mexico that offers an exciting blend of outdoor pursuits, cultural attractions and historic sites.

Taos

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

Ruidoso

Walk in the footsteps of Billy the Kid while discovering the natural beauty of one of New Mexico’s most popular resort towns.

Carlsbad

Underground cave adventures, mountains, desert and a delightful cultural scene are features of this city in southeastern New Mexico.

Alamogordo

Spend some time in this small New Mexico town that is big on thrilling outdoor adventures and space history.

Espanola

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

Elephant Butte

Climb ochre hills and follow the mossy shoreline of the scenic state park, a destination for camping, kayaking and fishing.

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.

Magdalena

Surrounded by towering mountains, this colorful town is known for its thriving art scene, eclectic festivals and eerie mining ghost town.

Mountainair

Ancient history, Native American culture, gorgeous landscapes and outdoor pursuits feature in this small town in the heart of New Mexico.

Roswell

Join the list of visitors, some of whom are allegedly interplanetary, to this New Mexico city and check out fantastic museums, beautiful lakes, antiques stores and wineries.

Socorro

Hike along the vast stretches of mountains and woodland, learn about the region’s extraterrestrial history and enjoy the rocky terrain of this desert city.

Truth or Consequences

Relax with therapeutic spa treatments, learn about the people — from Native Americans to miners — who have inhabited this area and find out how the city got its unusual name.

Explore the best attractions of New Mexico

White Sands National Monument

Hike, cycle, drive or surf across one of the most striking landscapes in the United States, a colossal area covered in sand dunes.

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.

White Sands Missile Range

Drive to this United States Army rocket range to see many displayed missiles and learn the technology and history behind them.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

See the wondrous geologic formations in a vast underground cavern system. Cave facilities offer easy walks or adventurous climbs and crawls.

Petroglyph National Monument

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

Spaceport America

The future of space travel is at your fingertips at this center that aims to educate the world about commercial space travel through fun and informative exhibits.

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.

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monuments

Explore the remains of 17th-century mission churches and ancestral Puebloan villages in a former trading hub for Native American communities.

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.