It’s no wonder New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. Whether exploring ancient ruins, shopping for gold and silver, or enjoying the ever-changing colors of the sky at sunset, New Mexico casts its spell on every visitor.
With a diverse landscape ranging from red rock mesas to snow-capped mountains, New Mexico boasts all of the geological features that attract visitors to the American Southwest.
No state, however, has such a unique palette of light-filled colors, which is why so many artists call New Mexico home. Let’s take a look at the best places to visit in New Mexico.
10. Very Large Array
Located on the grounds of San Augustine is the Very Large Array National Radio Astronomy Observatory, where 27 giant antennas combine to form a single radio telescope. At about 7,000 feet above sea level, this aptly named array has helped astronomers make important observations about phenomena such as black holes, quasars and cosmic gases.
Self-guided tours allow visitors to get a closer look at the 20-shaped antennas and guided tours are also available on the first Saturday of every month.
9. Bisti Badlands
The Bisti badlands is located within the breathtaking builder’s wilderness Navajo nation in northwest new mexico. its otherworldly landscape is worth visiting for its surrealist vistas of haunted hoodoos, graceful balancing rocks, and dazzling colorful cliffs its fascinating features were formed over millions of years what was once an ancient ocean its rugged terrain is now a wonderful place to stroll with sandstone sculptures and scenery.
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8.Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railway
The railway is for the traveler who wants to enjoy some of New Mexico’s most spectacular landscapes. There is no better option than traveling on the historic Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railway, built in 1880. The country’s highest narrow gauge steam railroad passes through the 10,000-foot-high Cumbres Tour and Toltec Gorge, rising 64 miles between Colorado City and Antonio.
Passengers can choose between a Coach Deluxe or a Parlor Car. And everyone is welcome to enjoy the open-air gondola.
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7.Bandelier national monument
Bandelier National Monument Encompassing canyons and menas, Bandelier National Monument was home to the ancestors of the Puebloan people between 1150 and 1550 A.D. Located in the Frijoles Valley south of Los Alamos, the monument features a wide range of restored and unexcavated ruins, a museum displaying archaeological artifacts, and a wilderness area that includes 70 miles of hiking trails.
The 2-mile-long Main Loop Trail leads through the site’s famous cliff houses, where visitors can climb stairs to reach small alcoves located 140 feet above the valley floor.
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6. White Sands National Monument
White Sands National Monument is one of the most and typical landscapes of New Mexico. White Sands National Monument covers a vast area of sand dunes in the southeast part of the state. The sand dunes or Rat 8 are composed of now tan gypsum crystals that have been blown away over millions of years from an ephemeral district rich in mineral content located in the western part of the monument.
The well-marked 16-mile-long Dunes Drive near the visitor center includes a designated parking area where hikers can stop and explore the dunes.
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5. Albuquerque
Albuquerque is located near the center of New Mexico. Albuquerque is the state’s most populous city. And also one of its oldest municipalities. Founded in 1706 on the banks of the Rio Grande, the city is today known as the site of the International Balloon Festival held each year in October
The new Balloon Museum features exhibits about ballooning history, while the Albuquerque Tomorrow and History Museum explores the city’s cultural past.
4. Chaco Canyon
Located in northwest New Mexico is Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. It boasts the most extensive collection of ancient Pueblo ruins in the United States. Between 900 and 1150 A.D., a 9-mile stretch of the canyon was the center of civilization for the ancestral pueblo people. Sandstone blocks and timber were hauled from great distances to build structures up to four stories high. Chaco’s distinctive feature is the narrow, steep-walled cliffs that rise nearly 400 feet above the canyon. The area above contains numerous small cliff settlements.
3. Carlsbad caverns
Carlsbad Caverns Located 20 miles east of downtown Carlsbad, Carlsbad Caverns is a network of caves. And it is an eerie and incredible sight to behold. The main chamber of the cave, called the Big Room, is impressive, to say the least. To access it, one can take an elevator that runs the full height of the Empire State Building.
You can follow a winding path down into the Bhagat Chasm. The Big Room is a cathedral-like room with a trail and the world’s largest stalagmite
2. Santa Fe
Founded by Spanish explorers in 1610, Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the Americas and arguably one of the most beautiful. As the capital of the state, building codes require that new construction maintain the “Santa Fe style” of pueblo architecture, ensuring that visitors can enjoy the panoramic views from every corner of the city.
Cultural attractions in Santa Fe include the Palace of the Governors Museum, which is housed in the oldest public building in the country. The New Mexico Museum of Art, with a permanent collection of over 20,000 works of art, is also a must-see attraction.
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1. Taos
Taos The beauty of Taos’ small pueblo, located in a picturesque valley in the Rocky Mountains, has attracted artists from all over the world to the area. The city also serves as a base for a number of places that have “taos” in their names, all of which are part of the area. The most famous is probably the “taos” pueblo just north of the city, an ancient Native American community in a particularly beautiful setting.
Ranchos de Taos is a small village famous for its much-loved church while the Taos Ski Valley is about 20 miles north of town. The Taos Ski Valley is a part of the nearby Rio Grande, which is known for its great white water rafting.