New Mexico Landscape And Other Attractions

A southwestern American state that’s definitely worth your attention is New Mexico.

With its diverse territory covering the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert, this state will leave you with a fantastic experience if you decide to visit.

Santa Fe represents the capital of this state. It was founded back in 1610, and it’s best known for the Spanish colonial architecture and the upscale spa centers. It has a vibrant and laid back atmosphere.

And if you visit it, you can visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.

It portrays the paintings of the artist of the same name. But that’s not all Santa Fe has to offer.

You can also visit the Santa Fe Opera. Or Taos Ski Valley nearby. One more attraction that will blow your mind in New Mexico is the White Sands National Monument.

If you like what you hear about New Mexico, and you want to visit, keep in mind that the best time to do it is between July and August.

And if you’re going to be a part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October is the time to visit. Now, let’s check out the best places to visit in New Mexico on your stay.

 

Albuquerque

We’re starting our list of best places to visit in New Mexico with the largest city in the state, Albuquerque. It’s hidden in the high desert and has a lot to offer to travelers like yourself.

The Old Town portrays the city’s famous Spanish colonial architecture with a modern touch.

It was founded as a Spanish colony back in 1706 and will leave you amazed.

It’s filled with historical landmarks such as San Felipe de Neri Church, shops where you can buy Native American handcrafts.

If you’re a history buff, there are five museums you can visit and learn more about the history of the place.

If you want to enjoy some peace but also check out cool monuments and old rock carvings, set foot in the Petroglyph National Monument. If you visit the desert region, you will get to see many dinosaur fossils.

And if you visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, you can observe some of the local finds. For nature enthusiasts, Albuquerque has a Biological Park including a botanic garden, an aquarium, and a zoo.

If you visit in October, you can attend the International Balloon Fiesta that occurs every year. And if you’re into hiking, you can visit the surrounding Sandia Mountains.

If you plan to visit this extraordinary city, the best time to do it is between May and August.

Santa Fe and Santa Fe National Forest

We’ve mentioned Santa Fe at the beginning. It’s the capital of the state located in the Sangre de Cristo hills.

It’s best known for the Pueblo-style architecture. And creative artists love this place. It was founded back in 1610 as a Spanish colony.

If you visit, you will probably enjoy the historic heart of the city with crooked streets filled with many landmarks such as the home to the History Museum, once the Palace of the Governors.

If you’re a history buff and you want to see some of the city’s oldest buildings, visit the San Miguel Chapel because it’s supposedly the oldest church in the entire country.

And if you’re an artist or love art, know that you will love it here. Santa Fe has a lively art scene and countless galleries to visit along Canyon Road. For example, you can visit the Museum of International Folk Art.

It features a wide range of international collections. You can also set foot in the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and learn more about the Southwestern Native American history.

And when you’re feeling hungry, you can always have a traditional dish at some of the local restaurants. It’s enchiladas spiced up with green and red chile.

And if you’re tired of the city fuss, you can always visit the Santa Fe forest and enjoy recreational activities like fishing and hunting.

If you plan to visit, do it between June and August to catch the sun and some of the art events. And if you want to attend the Wine and Chile Fiesta, visit in September.

Jemez Historic Site and Jemez Springs

If you want to visit a historic place in New Mexico, visit Jemez Springs. It’s a village you can find in Sandoval County. With a population of over 370, this village will give you the tranquility you need.

Named after the Pueblo of Jemez, the town is home to the headquarters of the Jemez Ranger region and Jemez State Monument.

If you visit, you can enjoy the hot springs in the Jemez Valley.

Or the nearby Santa Fe forest we’ve mentioned before. It’s a cool place that’s far away from civilization.

You can buy jewels or clothing from the local sellers at an affordable price. If you plan to visit, know that there’s no fee and you can explore historic sites as much as you want to.

It’s definitely worth your visit, especially during the springtime.

Angel Fire – A village in the Rocky Mountains

Angel Fire is another village that’s definitely worth your time and attention located in the Rocky Mountains. If you come here, you will get to enjoy the terrain parks and ski slopes in the Angel Fire Resort.

If you’re a biker, you’ll love it here during summer due to the mountain-bike park. You can visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park.

It encompasses the Brotherhood Chapel and the Vietnam Veterans Peace. On the north, you can enjoy scenic views of the Eagle Nest Lake surrounded by mountains.

Angel Fire is best known for the winter sports, so if you’re into this, visit between December and January.

If you want to see the Music festival, visit between August and September.

Gila National Forest

As you can notice, New Mexico is rich in national forests and villages. It’s the perfect place for nature enthusiasts.

One of the national forests that’s also worth your visit is the Gila National Forest, a protected national area located in the southwestern part of the country.

It was founded in 1905 and covers over 2,000,000 acres of public soil. It’s worth mentioning that Gila Forest is also the sixth biggest national forest in America.

If you visit, you can also enjoy the Blue Range Wilderness and Aldo Leopold Wilderness within the borders of the forest.

You can also visit the hot springs like the Jordan Hot Springs, Middle Fork Hot Springs and Turkey Creek Hot Springs. Or explore the deep canyons.

 

Or check out the semi-desert. If you’re an animal lover, you can spot different species living here such as the black bear, white-tailed deer, bald eagle, Gila trout, Gila monster, bobcat, peregrine falcon, spotted owl, Gila woodpecker, and others.

If you like star-gazing, Cosmic Campground is the ideal place for it. A must-see forest.

Farmington

Farmington represents a commercial hub located in San Juan County with Aztec as the county seat.

It’s a city that has a lot to offer to tourists with a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold winters.

It’s one of the Metropolitan Areas in the state, and it’s definitely worth your visit, especially if you like fishing, fly, and reel.

You’re allowed to fish on the San Juan River, the Animas River, Lake Farmington, Navajo Lake, Jackson Lake, Morgan Lake and Cutter Dam.

If you visit, you can be a part of the Riverfest held once a year featuring entertainment, food, fine arts, and music.

If you like recreational activities, there are river raft rides and riverside trails to hike. You can also visit the Pinon Hills Golf Course, one of the best golf courses in the USA.

And if you want to be a part of the strongman competition held once a year in San Juan Plaza, visit in July.

Ruidoso

If you’re a nature enthusiast, Ruidoso is the place to visit in New Mexico. Hiding in the Sierra Blanca mountains, you can visit this village and explore the terrain park and ruins of the Ski Apache resort.

If you’re into hiking and love to gaze at waterfalls, visit the Lincoln National Forest.

And if you want to attend horse races, the Ruidoso Downs Race Track arranges such events during summer.

If you’re a history buff, explore the stone buildings, church, and store within the Lincoln Historic Site.

There’s also a museum you can enter and learn more about the history of the place. Visit between December and January if you’re into winter sports when there’s a significant snow cover.

And if you’re into camping, hiking, and biking, it’s best to visit between June and August.

If you want to be a part of the Wind Rider Mountain Festival featuring rock, folk, and funk music with a barbecue competition held by the Ski Apache resort, visit in May and be their guest.

Taos

Do you find this place familiar? If yes, you’re probably a fan of Breaking Bad.

If not, but you like the environmental mix of mountains and desert, visit Taos, a city located in north New Mexico surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

It’s best known for the unique buildings you can photograph on your visit and the historic sites you can see.

It’s the perfect place for history buffs because of the many museums and art galleries presenting local artwork. You can visit the Taos Art Museum.

Or the Harwood Museum of Art. If you want to buy yourself a gift, visit the center filled with handicraft shops and landmarks.

Outside town, you can get a hot air balloon ride in the Taos Ski Valley.

If you plan to visit, know that most tourists visit between June and August.

And If you want to attend the Taos Fall Arts Festival, visit between September and October.

Carlsbad

Located in the southeast part of New Mexico, Carlsbad represents a home to Carlsbad Caverns National Park filled with many bat-filled caves to explore.

It’s a favorite park known for the hiking trails, rock formations, and limestone caves. If you visit, you’ll get to see the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center.

It’s an intimate museum featuring local art and artifacts. There’s also a gift shop to buy yourself some souvenirs before you leave.

North of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, you can explore the Sitting Bull Falls, while downtown, there’s the Lake Carlsbad Beach Park where you can enjoy a picnic with your family or swim. Or explore the nearby water park.

There’s also a Living Desert Zoo and Gardens with native plants, bison and mountain lions.

If you find this place interesting to visit, it’s recommended you do it between March and May. Or between September and November.

If you want to be a part of the Main Street Cavern Fest, visit in June.

White Sands National Monument

If you want to relax and enjoy a scenic park with very rare dunes, White Sands National Monument should be on your travel list.

It’s on everyone’s list because it’s a beauty. And if you’re interested, the favorite time to come here is between March and May because of the warm weather.

However, keep in mind that it can also be windy, so you might want to bring a jacket.

If you’re going to visit Lake Lucero, between November and March, once a month, there are organized ranger-led tours in the Alkali Flat area.