Top Things to do in New Mexico
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10 Things to do for Honeymoon in New Mexico That You Shouldn't Miss
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. Bandelier National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,107 reviews
Bandelier National Monument is 50 square miles of the Pajarito Plateau, on the slopes of the Jemez Volcanic field in the Jemez Mountains. Over 70% of the Monument is Wilderness, with over 1 mile elevation change, from about 5000' along the Rio Grande to over 10,000' at the rim of the Valles Caldera, providing for a wide range of life zones and wildlife habitat. There are only 3 miles of road, but over 70 miles of hiking trails. The Monument, founded in 1916, protects Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites, a beautiful landscape, and the country's largest Civilian Conservation Corps National Landmark District.
Reviewed By gleasonl - Cottonwood, United States
OUTSTANDING! What a GREAT Place for a Family Outing. There are GREAT Trails for hiking and exploring, Camping areas, Visitor Center Activities and Videos, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours, A Wonderful Gift Shop and So MUCH to LEARN. AMAZING! Don't miss the short .5 mile hike to the Alcove House.
4. Big Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 982 reviews
The largest cavern in Carlsbad Caverns.
Reviewed By 277vincentm - New Orleans, United States
My review will focus on what to expect during the Covid pandemic. My caving has gone from Mammoth—the largest cave complex under earth on Earth—to Phra Nang Cave—hardly big enough for pirates to bury a decent-sized chest in, but notable as the sanctuary of a deity who probably pre-dates Buddhism. I’d been to Carlsbad before, but was going cross-country with a buddy and decided take a detour to the cavern. The main event at Carlsbad is the Big Room. Normally there are two ways to get to it: (A) hike down via a diabolically steep and arduous “Natural Entrance” path that goes past the Devil’s Spring and Devil’s Den, ending 750 feet underground, a 1.25 mile / 2-km hike taking you an hour or more; or (B) take an elevator down; normally the line moves reasonably fast. Where the natural entrance reaches the underground floor of the elevator, normally you have three more options: you can (C) take a ranger-guided tour through several spectacular chambers including the King’s Palace and Queen’s Chamber, (D) hike the Big Room route, or (E) do ‘em both. Either (C) or (D) will take you about 75 minutes: so you can do both in under 3 hours. Depends how long you stop to take in the views, and whether you read all the placards—I recommend you do. If you’re in a wheel-chair, you take the elevator down and then do half of the Big Room tour. You have to take a short-cut back, so you won’t see the Top of the Cross, Totem Pole, and views of the lower cave, Mirror Lake, and “bottomless pit.” Tough, but the NPS is right: just past the wheelchair barricade there’s a steep drop. Seeing the Big Room of Carlsbad Caverns really is worth the trip in itself. Three weeks ago, when I checked the website, the Covid-related rules were: (1) the Ranger-guided tours were cancelled—scratch off the royal cave-family. (2) you had to hike down via the Natural Entrance path—the only folks allowed to go by elevator were mobility-impaired visitors. (3) You had to arrive before 1:30 to be allowed in. A week ago, restrictions were relaxed a bit. All visitors can now take the elevator either up or down, but lines are slow, because (a) the elevators take several minutes to go up or down 750 ft, (b) a work crew is frequently wiping down one of the two elevators putting it out of service, and (c) Rangers limit passengers to 2 or 3 per trip—no packing everyone in like sardines. All good reasons. One plus: because folks can now take the elevators both up and down, the last entry time was changed, from 1:30 to 2:45 if memory serves me right. Unfortunately social distancing requirements will probably kill ranger tours, as they should, until the pandemic’s over. The NPS emergency rules are sensible and commendable. You could wait a year or two. I’d say, see Carlsberg now if you can. But my #1 recommendation is that you check the NPS’s Carlsbad Caverns webpage for the latest information, both as you’re planning your trip, and a day or two before your intended arrival. A single Visitor Center ranger contracting Covid-19 might shut the Cavern down.
5. 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.
6. Millicent Rogers Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
This impressive museum has more than a dozen galleries with some 5000 pieces of Native American and Hispanic art, including furniture, weaving, paintings, pottery and a celebrated collection of Native American jewelry.
Reviewed By WC-Travelers-75
We knew nothing of this museum other than it was listed in the AAA TourBook before we visited. Because we allowed extra time in our travel to Taos, we took it in. What a surprise! An extensive collection of Southwestern art of many cultures and mediums. The jewelry collection was memorable, with some pieces you wonder if they were meant to be worn given their size. We lingered to take it all in as best we could. This museum is a gem! We would visit again if in Taos since exhibits change.
7. 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!
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
