Top Things to do in New Mexico
The 10 Best Things to do 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. 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
2. Santa Fe Opera House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,069 reviews
A beautiful outdoor venue that offers music festivals in July and August.
Reviewed By adam-mo2 - Phoenix, United States
I really didn’t know what to expect when visiting the opera house but let me tell you that it was amazing. I have only been to one other opera house in my life but this was an eye opener. Beautiful venue and great atmosphere which I enjoyed a lot. The Opera house should definitely be on your travelers list when visiting Santa Fe.
3. Sandia Peak Tramway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,943 reviews
Ride to new heights on North America's longest aerial tram ride. Sandia Peak Tram takes visitors 2.7 miles or 10,378 ft up the Sandia Mountains. Breath in the fresh mountain air and enjoy breathtaking views of over 11,000 square miles of New Mexico.
Reviewed By kellysD6459NT - Winchester, United States
The tram is a little pricey but worth it. We arrived a little before sunset and there was a long line. It moved fairly quick although they could really use a better set up to purchase tickets. The tram operators were great giving a lot of info on the ride. There is a temperature difference from bottom to top so a jacket is a good idea. The sunset ride and the city lights from Albuquerque and Santa Fe are a beautiful sight from top!
4. Santa Fe Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,097 reviews
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Plaza is the heart and soul of the city. The gathering spot for residents and tourists alike is surrounded by city landmarks, shops and restaurants.
Reviewed By jh453
My 20-something daughters and I spent an enjoyable hour in and around the charming Plaza on a gorgeous Spring day. There is something there for every budget and many time constraints and tastes. You can sit on one of the plentiful benches, on the grass, or at one of the metal tables and relax and people watch for free. You can spend a little or a lot of money at the stores that flank the Plaza or at the sidewalk vendors who sell mostly silver jewelry (most of it, apoarently, made by local Native Americans in tribal styles). You can eat in one of the nearby restaurants. The day we were there, there was just one food truck in one corner of the Plaza, selling only fajitas and tamales. I wish I knew the name, because their food was excellent- smoky, delicious, generous, and a great bargain, with fajitas at $5 and tamales at $2 or $2.50 each. I hope that truck is a regular and that my description is enough to let you find it and enjoy a tasty (and economical) lunch. I noticed that all the tables were wheelchair-accessible.
5. Lincoln National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 339 reviews
This vast 1.1 million-acre forest region is comprised of separate recreational sections including Ruidoso Valley, Cloudcroft and Carlsbad, which are all located throughout the southern Rocky Mountains of New Mexico.
Reviewed By 269marykayg - Bastrop, United States
Lincoln National Forest has it all...camp sites, great trails, wonderful views. This is a great place to enjoy Nature in a pristine environment.
6. Canyon Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,969 reviews
Canyon Road is Santa Fe's historic arts district. Home to over eighty art galleries, as well as boutiques, restaurants, and historic adobe homes, it is the cultural center of Santa Fe. The galleries on Canyon Road show everything from traditional southwestern Pueblo pottery and quintessential Western art to contemporary abstraction and computer and digital art. Take time to explore; there's a little something for everyone here.
Reviewed By 66abi
A short walk from downtown this mile or so of art galleries offers a bit of everything, from crafts to really good fine art. We found happy surprises in nearly every one. My painter friend and I are art lovers so looked at everything with interest and took two days to do it, which was made easy by the presence of good restaurants and a wonderful tea house. We never knew what was behind the next doorway, in the next room and often were wonderfully surprised.
7. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,902 reviews
This cathedral was built in 1886, and is known for its beautiful Romanesque architecture.
Reviewed By 674sharons - Atlanta, United States
It is a beautiful church, with its inspirational stained glass windows, grand arches and baptismal. Then there was the docent, Mary, who made our visit very special, by giving us a personal tour that was educational, explaining about La Conquistadora, learning the history of how it became a Basilica, the history of the relics, the history of the stained glass windows especially the story of La Conquistadora, how she is cared for, the celebrations that are around her. There was so much more. It was a sacred visit and we felt so connected to the cathedral and the holy spirit residing here. Thank you for a supernatural experience. If you can join a tour of the cathedral it is well worth the time spent.
8. Roswell Museum & Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 330 reviews
Founded in 1937, the Roswell Museum and Art Center is home to an extensive collection of southwestern art, the equipment and workshop of pioneering rocketeer Robert H. Goddard, and the Rogers Aston Collection of the American West, which encompasses historical southwestern artifacts spanning from the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries.
Reviewed By K8732TBdanielb - Roswell, United States
Roswell has the best hidden secret in the Pecos Valley. This Museum has a touch of the Old West with the Aston Collection, one of the finest collections of Indian and Cowboy memorabilia in all of New Mexico, plus Art of Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth. Next is the Space work of Robert Goddard. Finishing it all off is the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium. Plan for couple hours to see it all. You will be amazed
9. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,565 reviews
Reviewed By Y5157VFmariag
I drove on, and then walked, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge!! What a marvel of engineering and what a thrilling experience it was to go over it! The views from the bridge were a nice reward that you can only experience if you walk on it! There is a rest stop on the west side of the bridge, the side further away from Taos, where you can park, use the restrooms, take pictures from this location, hike a little further along the top of the canyon, and buy souvenirs from the local vendors. Was a really rewarding and free experience!!
10. Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,049 reviews
The O’Keeffe Welcome Center includes a store, classroom, amenities, and check-in for tours of the O’Keeffe Home and Studio in Abiquiu, the Center serves as a gateway to the Rio Chama valley, with information about O’Keeffe and the rich history and culture of the area. Tours of the Home & Studio run seasonally from March – November with advance reservations and payment.
Reviewed By Ivanelofanich - Cardiff, United Kingdom
This is a small museum, well set out with a mixture of O'Keeffe's artwork. Flower pictures, abstract drawings, bone paintings, photographs, New Mexico landscape paintings and New York skyline paintings along with a short film and timeline of her life. There was also a glass case containing her paint box and utensils. I loved it! We downloaded the museum's app on to our phones and so we did a self audio tour which gave us time to properly look at the paintings.
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