Last updated on May 22nd, 2026
In this guide, we’re sharing 19 of the best places to visit in New Mexico that we’ve personally experienced. From sand dunes and caverns to mountain towns, hot springs, and fun roadside stops, this list covers some of the very best the state has to offer!
Being the western neighbor of Texas (our home state!), New Mexico has always been a place we drive through whenever we head west in the van. Over the years, we’ve explored the state many times, and we’ve come to realize just how many incredible places New Mexico has to visit!
One thing we’ve learned about New Mexico is that the scenery is constantly changing. You can hike through gypsum sand dunes, explore caverns 750 feet underground, wander around centuries old pueblos, see colorful desert badlands, eat green chili everything (the state produces 53,000 tons of chilies per year!), and even ski down snowy mountain slopes. It’s also home to some incredible hot springs, including one of the most memorable hot spring experiences we’ve ever had.
In this guide, we’re sharing our favorite places to visit in New Mexico. For each one, we’ll share what we did, what made it memorable, and anything else that might be helpful if you want to check it out yourself. So, if you are curious about what this underrated state has to offer, we hope this guide gives you some ideas.
Looking for more things to do in New Mexico?
19 Places to Visit in New Mexico
Northern New Mexico
1. Albuquerque
Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and is best known as the “Hot Air Ballooning Capital of the World.” But it also has gorgeous desert landscapes and is backed by its most recognizable landmark, the Sandia Mountains. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1706, Albuquerque’s past is easy to see in Old Town, where historic adobe buildings reflect the mix of Indigenous, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures that shaped the city.
If you’re up for an early morning, a Sunrise hot air balloon ride is one of the most iconic things to do in Albuquerque. Even outside of the annual Balloon Fiesta, you can catch views of the city and Sandia Mountains from above. And for even more views, head up the Sandia Peak Tramway! In 2.7-miles, you’ll ride up to over 10,000 feet, with incredible views the entire way. Prefer to explore the mountains on foot? Hike the South Piedra Lisa Trail or the La Luz Trail.
Closer to the city, you can learn more about New Mexico’s Native cultures at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. And just west of town, Petroglyph National Monument is another great stop. Here you’ll find short trails that lead past thousands of ancient carvings etched into volcanic rock.
We also loved biking the Bosque Trail, a 16-mile paved path along the Rio Grande. Make a detour at Bike In Coffee, a farm and cafe with a dog-friendly patio, espresso, and usually live music on weekends.
Albuquerque also has no shortage of good food and coffee. Sawmill Market is a fun stop with a bunch of local food stalls, while Duran Central Pharmacy is a must for tamales. For coffee or something sweet, Ihatov Bread and Coffee and Cutbow Coffee are both solid options.
2. Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the U.S. and also the highest, sitting at around 7,200 feet. The name Santa Fe means “holy faith,” and it’s home to gorgeous Pueblo architecture, art, and some of the best food in the state. The historic downtown is fun to explore on foot, and Canyon Road has over 100 galleries!
One of the most unique things to do in Santa Fe is get your mind blown at Meow Wolf. It’s a massive, interactive art installation housed in a former bowling alley. If you’re into creative, slightly weird experiences, this is totally worth a visit.
Santa Fe is also a great place to eat! Tia Sophia’s is known as the birthplace of the breakfast burrito. We tried one at The Pantry with carne adovada and loved it! We also recommend The Shed and Tres Colores. If you have a sweet tooth, Kakawa Chocolate House specializes in historic drinking chocolates and truffles. We tried a dark chocolate caramel laced with arbol chile, which was super unique!
For a little outdoor adventure, Nambe Lake is a beautiful alpine hike just outside of town. We attempted it in winter with snowshoes, but the snow was too deep to make it all the way. Though, the drive to the trailhead was really beautiful! In the colder months, you can also ski at Ski Santa Fe, which is just under an hour from town.
3. Taos
Located in northern New Mexico, Taos is one of the most unique and culturally rich places to visit in the state. Known as a historic high desert art town, Taos has a ton of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo history.
One of the biggest highlights is Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years and is still home to a thriving community today.
Just outside of town, the landscape is just as impressive, with the Rio Grande Gorge cutting through the desert. You can even walk out onto the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, one of the highest bridges in the U.S. In the winter, Taos Ski Valley is one of the best places to ski in New Mexico!
One of our favorite things we’ve done near Taos was hiking to Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the state at 13,161 feet. We saw marmots, passed through alpine forests, and had snowy patches even in June!
After the hike, we got pizza from Taos Mesa Brewing Taproom and it was so good. Other food spots we had saved for Taos include La Cueva Café, The Coffee Apothecary, Orlando’s. Plus The Bavarian Restaurant, a European style mountain hut!
You can watch our adventure hiking to Wheeler Peak in this video if you’re thinking about tackling it yourself!
4. Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument is one of our favorite places we have visited in New Mexico. Located about an hour from Santa Fe, it’s home to ancient cliff dwellings, incredible canyon views, and some of the most fun hiking experiences we’ve had in the state! Just a heads up: dogs aren’t allowed on the trails here, so Kona had to sit this one out.
We started with the Pueblo Loop Trail, which takes you to see ancient cliff dwellings carved into volcanic tuff. What made this hike especially fun is that you can actually climb up ladders into some of the dwellings.
From there, we hiked up to the Alcove House, which sits 140 feet above the canyon floor. Getting there means climbing four tall ladders, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart!
To end the day, we hiked the Falls Trail, which drops down into a canyon to a beautiful waterfall. It’s a relatively easy hike with gorgeous canyon views at the end.
You can check out our adventure to Bandelier in this video!
5. Valles Caldera
Located along the scenic Jemez Mountain Trail, Valles Caldera is a massive 14-mile wide volcanic caldera that formed over a million years ago. It’s actuallu one of just three supervolcanoes in the U.S.! We visited in the winter when much of the park was closed. But even with limited access, we were completely blown away by the landscape. It’s easily one of the best places to visit in New Mexico!
We spent most of our time exploring the historic cabin district and visiting the “Missing Cabin,” which was built as a movie set. It’s wild how real it looks! In warmer months, you can get a permit to drive the backcountry roads, fish in the Jemez River, or hike one of the many trails that wind through the preserve.
You can see a little peek of our snowy visit in this video, complete with a scenic drive through the Jemez Mountains, historic cabins, and even a glimpse of Soda Dam, one of the area’s coolest geothermal formations.
6. Jemez Springs
Jemez Springs might be the most underrated gem we’ve stumbled upon in New Mexico, especially in the winter. This tiny town and the surrounding canyon are ridiculously beautiful, with red rock cliffs, winding forest roads, and steaming hot springs deep in the mountains.
One of our favorite things to do in the area is soak at San Antonio Hot Springs. This hot spring is made up of multiple terraced pools, with hot water cascading from one pool to the next, all set in a beautiful forested canyon. It’s easily one of the most memorable hot spring experiences we’ve had! There are several other hot springs in the area too.
We also made a quick stop at Soda Dam, a 7,000-year-old geologic formation that is created by hot spring water spilling out of the rocks and depositing calcium carbonate, which slowly builds the dam over time. The Jemez Historic Site is nearby too, with old mission ruins and remnants of an ancient village.
If you’re up for more exploring, we saved the East Fork Trail via Las Conchas Trailhead and definitely want to come back to hike it. And don’t miss the drive along Highway 4. It’s one of the most scenic in the state!
7. Abiquiu
Abiquiu is a small, historic community in northern New Mexico. And it one of the best places to visit in the state to see the colorful landscapes that inspired artist Georgia O’Keeffe’s most well known paintings.
We camped at a free BLM spot right on the edge of a canyon (you can find it here). It is one of our favorite campsites in New Mexico! From the van, we could walk to the Rim Vista Trail, a short hike that takes you through the colorful desert terrain.
Nearby is Ghost Ranch, which was once home to Georgia O’Keeffe and is still a popular place to visit, especially if you’re interested in her artwork or just want to see more of the scenery that inspired it. We didn’t have time to check it out, but we’ve heard great things about the trails there. Another spot we had saved for next time is Plaza Blanca, a beautiful area with white sandstone formations.
8. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
Located near the town of Farmington, the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is one of the most unique places we’ve explored in the state. This otherworldly badlands landscape is filled with hoodoos, petrified wood, and wild rock formations that look truly unreal. And even though this area is in the middle of absolute nowhere, it’s one of the best places to visit in New Mexico.
We spent an afternoon exploring the Valley of Dreams Loop and saw wild formations with names like “Alien Throne” scattered across the landscape. There’s no marked trail here, which means you’re free to wander, explore, and stumble upon new formations however you want!
The road to the badlands is rugged and a high clearance vehicle is highly recommended. Also, cell service is limited, so be sure you come to the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness prepared and download maps ahead of time. We use AllTrails+ (use our code aplusk30 to get 30% off a membership!).
Southern New Mexico
9. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Out of all the places to visit in Southern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns might be the most mind blowing. Located in the southeastern part of the state, the park is home to more than 119 caves, formed over millions of years as sulfuric acid slowly dissolved the limestone below the surface.
The main thing to do here is visit the Big Room, which is the largest cave chamber in North America. You can either hike down into the cave through the Natural Entrance trail (which drops 750 feet over 1.25 miles), or take the elevator from the visitor center. We hiked down and then rode the elevator back up!
If you visit between late spring and early fall, you can also check out the Bat Flight Program. During this program you watch thousands of bats fly out of the cave at sunset. It’s free, and it sounds incredible (no photos or videos allowed, since it can disturb the bats).
We have a full one day guide to Carlsbad Caverns National Park that covers everything you need to know. You can also watch our video from the trip to see just how massive the caverns really are!
Visiting multiple National Parks? We highly recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass, which costs about $80 per year and gives you free access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including ALL National Parks.
10. Roswell
Roswell is a small city that’s best known for one thing… the alleged 1947 UFO crash. And while it’s not exactly a scenic stop (in our opinion), what it lacks in landscapes, it absolutely makes up for in pure alien weirdness. If you love fun roadside attractions and an impressive amount of extraterrestrial puns, Roswell is a great place to visit in New Mexico!
One of the best things to do here is wander around downtown. Here you’ll find kitschy alien themed storefronts, murals, sculptures, and plenty of fun photo ops. The International UFO Museum and Research Center is a popular attraction that has exhibits, display panels, and a research library focused on the famous crash. Another fun thing to check out is the UFO Spacewalk, an immersive experience that takes you through scenes inspired by the Roswell incident and classic UFO lore.
While you’re exploring, pop into Stellar Coffee Co for a quick caffeine break before continuing your alien hunt.
11. Capitan
Capitan is a village located in the south-central part of New Mexico that is best known as the birthplace of Smokey Bear, the actual bear cub that was rescued from a wildfire in 1950 that burned over 17,000 acres in the Lincoln National Forest. Found clinging to a charred tree with burns on his paws and hind legs, he was nursed back to health and went on to become the living symbol of the fictional Smokey Bear.
You can visit the Smokey Bear Historical Park to learn the full story and even see where he’s buried. This is a fun and nostalgic stop especially if, like us, you grew up hearing “only YOU can prevent wildfires.”
We stopped for lunch at Oso Grill, where we had a super tasty green chile cheeseburger. It won best in the state multiple times! And while the town itself is tiny and not really a destination on its own, it makes for a great road trip stop. There is also some awesome free camping nearby. We stayed at Salazar Canyon, which was incredibly scenic.
12. Ruidoso
Ruidoso is a mountain resort town located in the Sierra Blanca range that is a little greener and cooler than much of the state. Between the mountain scenery and the variety of things to do, it’s one of the best places to visit in New Mexico!
If you want a nice drive, head up Ski Run Road and stop at Windy Point Vista for some incredible views. We also recommend heading up to Monjeau Lookout, an old stone lookout hut.
In the winter, you can ski or snowboard at Ski Apache or go tubing at Ruidoso Winter Park. And in the summer, Flying J Ranch puts on a fun and rustic Western dinner show (with banjos, fiddling and yodeling!) that’s great for families.
If hiking is more your thing, Moon Mountain Majesty is a great option. There are also a handful of other solid trails nearby, including the Grindstone Canyon Loop and Cedar Creek Loop. You can also relax by the water at Alto Lake or Grindstone Lake, both great spots to walk around or have a little picnic.
We’ve loved grabbing food at The Village Buttery (the buttermilk pie is amazing!) and Cafe Rio Pizza. Roots Ruidoso is an amazing local shop that sells some delicious coffee.
13. Cloudcroft
Located high in the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico, Cloudcroft is a small mountain village that sits at nearly 9,000 feet. It is one of the best places in the state to visit if you want to escape the summer heat. Cloudcroft also has a bit of fun western history, with roots as a timber mining town and a railroad that once carried lumber through the mountains.
While the town itself is pretty small, you can walk along Burro Avenue, the main shopping strip with a handful of shops and restaurants worth popping into. We loved stopping at Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue (the BEST BBQ in New Mexico), Cloudcroft Brewing Company, and Black Bear Coffee Shop.
To check out some of the old rail corridors, the Old Cloudcroft Highway Trail Loop takes you to the Mexican Canyon Trestle, a beautiful historic wooden railroad bridge. You can also hike Tunnel Vista Trail, which leads to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole, or head to Bluff Springs Recreation Area to see a smaller waterfall and check out the spring that supplies almost all the water going over the falls.
In the winter, Ski Cloudcroft offers skiing and tubing. It’s a smaller mountain, but it’s super fun and way less crowded (and affordable!) than bigger ski resorts.
14. Alamogordo
Alamogordo is a small town in southern New Mexico located in the Tularosa Basin, a desert valley surrounded by the Sacramento and San Andres Mountains. It’s best known for being close to White Sands National Park, which is only about 15 minutes away. That said, the main reason Alamogordo makes our list of the best places to visit in New Mexico is an iconic roadside attraction, PistachioLand!
PistachioLand is iconic because it’s home to the world’s largest pistachio, a 30 foot tall sculpture that is hard to miss from the road. You can tour the orchards and browse the country store, which sells just about every pistachio snack you can think of, including pistachio ice cream, pistachio fudge, and green chile flavored pistachios.
Beyond pistachios, Alamogordo also has some interesting space and military history worth learning about. Most notable is the Trinity Site, where the first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945. While the site itself is only open to the public on certain days each year, you can still learn more about this part of history at the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
If you want to go for a hike, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is just south of town and has a few trails that wander through the desert and above the basin, including Dog Canyon Trail.
15. White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park is one of the most memorable places to visit in New Mexico because it’s truly unlike anywhere else in the state. The park is filled with rolling white gypsum sand dunes that stretch for miles, with gorgeous mountains in every direction. It’s also a really fun park to explore since you’re free to climb the dunes, go sledding, and bring your dog along too (as long as they’re on a leash!).
Some of the best hikes in the park are short and easy, like the Interdune Boardwalk, which is fully boardwalk (so no walking in soft sand!) and explains how the dunes form, along with the plants and animals that manage to survive here. The Playa Trail gives you the chance to see what this area looked like around 10,000 years ago, while also learning about the giant animals that once roamed the basin. If you want something a bit longer, the Alkali Flat Trail takes you out to the remnants of Lake Otero, a massive lake that filled this entire area during the last Ice Age.
Check out our full guide to White Sands National Park. We share exactly what to do, when to visit, and tips to help you plan your trip!
16. Las Cruces
Located at the base of the Organ Mountains and on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, Las Cruces is not only the second largest city in New Mexico, but it also has some seriously impressive views and is a really fun place to explore!
One of the best things to do in Las Cruces is the Farmers and Crafts Market, held year round on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It’s considered one of the best farmers markets in the country, with nearly 300 vendors and stretching across seven blocks of downtown.
For coffee, we recommend Grounded or Picacho Coffee Roasters. For food, some great stops include Habanero’s Fresh Mex, La Nueva Casita Café, and El Vagon Tacos (the birria ramen is so good!). If you want dessert, Caliche’s Frozen Custard is a fun stop.
If you want to hike, the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument has tons of trail options. And if you are camping, Baylor Canyon is one of our favorite campsites ever!
17. Hatch
Hatch is a small town in southern New Mexico that’s best known as the “Chile Capital of the World.” Every year, tens of thousands of people pass through this tiny community in the Rio Grande river valley for, you guessed it, Hatch green chile! If you’re road tripping through this part of the state, it makes for a fun and flavorful place to visit, especially if you love green chile.
The most popular place to stop and try Hatch green chile is at Sparky’s, where you can try Hatch green chile burgers, lemonade, and milkshakes. It’s a quirky restaurant with so many fun sculptures and signs!
If you visit Hatch in late summer or early fall, usually August through September, you’ll get to experience the green chile season at its peak. Not only will you smell roasted chile everywhere, but roadside stands pop up all over town selling fresh chiles, many of them roasted right in front of you!
Labor Day weekend is when the Hatch Chile Festival happens, bringing food vendors, roasting and music to celebrate everything Hatch is known for.
18. Silver City
Located in southwestern New Mexico, Silver City is a mountain town sitting around 6,000 feet in elevation, tucked into the foothills of the Pinos Altos Mountains. It began as a silver mining town in the late 1800s after the discovery of silver brought thousands of miners to the area. Today, it’s a great place to visit in New Mexico with its Old West history, charming downtown, and easy access to the Gila National Forest.
Just outside of town, the Boston Hill Trail System is a great place to get outside. The trails crisscross old mining sites, pass through La Capilla Heritage Park, and connect more than half a dozen historic areas, making it easy to explore as much or as little as you want.
In town, Silver City has a small, but historic downtown that’s fun to wander. Here you’ll find brick Victorian homes, colorful murals, adobe buildings, and a handful of great places to eat. We loved grabbing coffee at Tranquilbuzz Coffee House and eating at Corner Kitchen.
19. Gila National Forest
The Gila National Forest is one of the wildest and most underrated places to visit in New Mexico. This massive, rugged landscape is filled with ancient cliff dwellings, deep canyons, rivers, and hot springs, all shaped over millions of years by volcanic activity and erosion.
One of the best things to do here is visit Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. At this park you can hike up to cliff dwellings built by the Mogollon people over 700 years ago.
Additionally, all of the volcanic activity in the area has left behind several hot springs throughout the Gila National Forest, some even within hiking distance of the Gila Visitor Center. Two of the most popular are Jordan Hot Spring and Lightfeather Hot Spring. These springs have been used for generations, dating back to the Mogollon people, and are often called “sweet springs” since they lack salt and sulfur (meaning no strong sulfur smell).
Nearby, the Catwalk National Recreation Trail is a fun hike that follows a narrow canyon and takes you along a suspended metal walkway above the creek below. It was originally built on top of a pipeline that carried water to a nearby ore processing plant!
Cosmic Campground is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary and a truly special place to visit if you love stargazing. It was the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located on National Forest land in North America and is one of only a handful like it in the world!
Another place that is absolutely worth a stop is Doc Campbell’s Post, a quaint little outpost. Since the Continental Divide Trail passes nearby, it’s stocked with just about everything a hiker might need, plus snacks, supplies, and some seriously good homemade ice cream.
Planning Your Trip to New Mexico
How to get there
New Mexico is easy to work into a Southwest road trip, but where you fly into really depends on which part of the state you plan to explore first.
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the most popular option and a great starting point for Northern and Central New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument, and Taos.
If you’re focusing on Southern New Mexico, El Paso International Airport (ELP) is often the best choice. It’s only about an hour from Las Cruces and White Sands National Park, and flights are usually more affordable than flying into smaller regional airports.
Getting around New Mexico
To really explore New Mexico, you’ll want a car. Public transportation is limited, and many of the best places to visit are spread far apart or located on scenic backroads.
A standard rental car works well for most national parks, towns, and scenic drives. But if you’re planning to explore more remote areas, camp on public land, or drive rough dirt roads, a higher-clearance vehicle can be helpful.
New Mexico is also a great state for van travel, with tons of public land and free camping options. If you’re interested in renting a campervan, we have a full guide on Stoked to Camp that breaks down our favorite campervan rental companies in the US.
Best time to visit New Mexico
New Mexico is a year round destination, and we’ve been lucky enough to visit in every season. That said, the best time to visit depends on what you want to see and do!
Spring (March–May): One of the best times to visit. Temperatures are comfortable across much of the state and wildflowers start to bloom. It’s a great time for desert hikes before summer heat sets in!
Summer (June–August): Summer can be very hot in the desert regions, especially in Southern New Mexico. So this would be a great time to escape to higher elevations like Taos, Santa Fe, Cloudcroft, and the Gila National Forest for cooler weather and mountain hikes.
Fall (September–November): Another ideal season. Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and beautiful fall colors in mountain areas make this one of our favorite times to explore the state.
Winter (December–February): Winter is quieter and surprisingly beautiful, especially in Northern New Mexico. You can ski, soak in hot springs, and enjoy fewer crowds. Some mountain roads and trails may be snowy or icy though.
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About the author
This blog post was written by our writer Nicoll. Learn a bit about her below!
After six years of full-time travel, Nicoll is now a mountain-loving mama living in Colorado with her husband Jake, their sweet baby girl Teagan, and their pup Gunner. She loves hiking, riding her dirt bike, and finding joy in the little things.