Top Things to do in New Mexico
The 10 Best Geologic Formations in New Mexico, United States
With its rich cultural heritage from Native American and Spanish settlers, New Mexico has been both a Spanish colony and a Mexican colony, and still retains a strong individual identity within the United States. The landscape is breathtaking, the food incredible, and there is a thriving cultural scene, all of which makes New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, a great place all year long.
Restaurants in New Mexico
1. El Morro National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 305 reviews
Famous for its 200-foot sandstone bluff, the bottom of the monument contains seven centuries of human inscriptions.
Reviewed By waynefromcali - Yucaipa, United States
Beautiful in the fall,El Morro National Monument in the southwestern area of The United States of America is a national monument located in Ramaw New Mexico.Managed by The National Park Service El Morro was designated a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on December 8, 1906.El Morro is also an International Dark Sky Area. Ph by Wayne Salvatti . . . . #elmorro #elmorronationalmonument #fallcolors #southwest #ilovenewmexico #nationalparkservice #pueblo #trailsofthesouthwest #theodoreroosevelt #usa #nationalparks #trees #chapparal #sunset #zuni #kokopelli #nativeamerican #route66 #visitnewmexico #unitedstatesdepartmentoftheinterior #godisgood #ilovethesouthwest #internationaldarkskypark
2. Owl Rock
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. White Sands National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,059 reviews
Visitors to this endless waterless sea can enjoy driving, hiking, visiting a museum and sledding down the huge dunes.
Reviewed By waynefromcali - Yucaipa, United States
Like an ocean wave of rare white crystal gypsum sand-White Sands National Monument in the desert of New Mexico is known for dramatic landscapes of rare white gypsum sand dunes.In 2019 White Sands National Monument was redesignated White Sands National Park by The United States Department of the Interior Office of National Parks. . . . . . #whitesands #newmexico #desert #nationalparks #usdeptoftheinterior #hiking #natgeoyourshot #natgeomyshot #whitesandsnationalpark #dunes #sanddunes #ilovesanddunes #route66 #alamagordo #albuquerque #deserthighway #ilovenewmexico #leicacameras #hasslebladcameras #canon #nikon #sonycameras #film
4. Hall of The White Giant
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Only the truly adventurous ( and fit ) should consider this four-hour guided tour of one of Carlsbad Caverns' most captivating caves. Involves crawling through tight spaces, walking on slippery surfaces and getting dirty.
Reviewed By melissabubash - Cincinnati, United States
After spending 11 days in Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Carlsbad Cavers this tour was in my top 3 favorite activities of the entire trip. This was our first time "caving" so no experience is needed. NPS provides the lamp/helmet, knee and elbow pads. The crawling and climbing was a lot of fun. People with claustrophobia will struggle in this tour. Tour size is limited to 8 so you have to book it pretty far in advance. We had 3 NPS tour guides for our group of 8, and our ranger Mark Joop was amazing. There is a significant amount of time spent in tight spaces. At the end/turn around point (it's an out and back trail) is the White Giant Hall and a registrar which is always fun to sign. I absolutely recommend spending half a day on this tour and then the other half of the day doing a self guided tour in the Big Room.
5. Plaza Blanca
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 215 reviews
Beautiful white sandstone cliffs give breathtaking views.
Reviewed By Allicia_73 - Cary, United States
We went with our two girls ages 10 & 13 on our way to Ghost Ranch. I must admit, no pictures or reviews prepared me for the absolute splendor of this sacred place. At one point we were the only people there! It's an easy, mostly downhill hike from the parking lot to the rocks. I highly recommend visiting this...honestly, I would've preferred this to many of the other things listed on the "Top Ten things to see/do near Santa Fe". So, I am here to say to make it a point to visit this majestic place. The color changes from Plaza Blanca to Ghost Ranch are stunning and only within 15 miles from each other!
6. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,563 reviews
ALERT: The Monument is currently closed due to COVID-19. For updates visit: https://www.blm.gov/alert/nm-covid-19-updates
Reviewed By prashant_newaskar - Dallas, United States
Santa Fe - the capital of New Mexico is a unique city in the US. It is the oldest capital city in the US. At an elevation of 7,199 feet above the main sea level it is also the highest capital city in the US. Although it has a population of about 84,000 it has about 250 art galleries and many museums. Approximately two million visitors stay over night in Santa Fe. There are many attractions in and around Santa Fe such as the Bandelier National Monument, kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, Taos Peublo, Taos Plaza, Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge, Valles Caldera, Jemez Peublo, Manhattan Project National History Park, Bradbury Science museum, Sky slopes etc.
7. Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By 38richelled - Farmington, United States
Love the formations but directions are hard to come by. These are mine: Ah She Sle Pa Wilderness area. From Farmington NM, take 371 South ( aka Bisti Hwy) past Bisti Wilderness signs. 1.5ish miles south past CR 7500 you will turn left onto 7650. Travel approximately 7 miles on 7650 til you can turn right onto 7870. After turning right onto 7870, travel approximately 7 miles, then you should see dirt ATV trails on left. Any of these trails should take you to the valley rim where you should clearly see white formations in the valley. Beyond each mounded area, more formations become visible. Note, the dirt trails can become impassable after rain / snow events. I had cell service on the rim but not in the valley/formation area. Lots of drinking water is recommended because after all - it's the desert. No bathroom or amenities of any kind for miles. Also, would not go in May-August due to heat, which gets worse around the rocky formations, and rattlesnake potential. My vehicle was not 4WD, but wisdom should be used regardless of vehicle as the dirt trails do have scrub and desert fauna, including sandy patches
8. Petroglyph National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,874 reviews
Up to 15,000 petroglyphs or prehistoric rock art images have been found on the West Mesa volcanic escarpment, located along a 17-mile canyon outside of Albuquerque.
Reviewed By jbushman2017 - Fresno, United States
Perfect for Covid times. This site is an archaeologists dream as there are few places where you can see so many petroglyph's in such a place as you will see here. Visitors drive to the visitor center (which is closed) to pick up a map that shows three places within the monument area where you can visit the petroglyphs. My wife and I picked up a map and then drove 10 minutes down a road to visit one of the sites. The site included three very small walking trails (all less than 500 meters) from which you could get up close to these amazing petroglyphs. Visiting is all free and it is only about 15 minutes from downtown by car. Do wear shoes and bring water. Please "like" this review if you find it helpful.
9. Granite Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
A large, natural rock formation providing breathtaking views.
10. City of Rocks State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
One of New Mexico's most visited sights, this state park is uncommercialized and filled with strange rock formations.
Reviewed By michellebP6689DC
Beautiful rock formations,you can bike, hike,camp here,electric sites and boondocking within the rocks, vault toilets.Day use $5 camping $10 - $14 nt.Close to Faywood Hot Springs. Must see in our opinion.
