Top Things to do in New Mexico
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Top 10 Hidden Gems 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. Nedra Matteucci Galleries
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 348 reviews
An art gallery specializing in 19th- and 20th-century American art.
Reviewed By ColoradoChilidog
Sometimes it's the setting/location that makes a place and Nedra has it in spades. The historical buildings, classic interior rooms, vault, and art would make this a must stop but add in the garden area and that makes this a very special place. Every staff member would answer questions that I'm sure they are asked dozens of times per day. It's educational along with great art viewing.
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. 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.
5. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 312 reviews
The Memorial was dedicated in 1971 and was the first major Vietnam memorial in the United States. In 1987 Congress recognized the site as a memorial of national significance. Our visitor center features educational exhibits. The grounds are a peaceful and beautiful backdrop for the Chapel.
Reviewed By Ambassador734578 - Denver, United States
I stopped by to visit the memorial and found it to be beautiful and peaceful. It is well kept. Little gardens mark the paths that lead around the entire area. The names of our fallen soldiers are listed on the bricks that make up the sides of the path. There is a helicopter sitting on the ground for you to look inside, if you like. The memorial is easy to get to and was done in a beautiful setting. I see that they are putting in a new veterans cemetery down over the hill from the memorial.
6. Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By bradk578
Intro - I have noticed how little problem there was shifting our culture frame of reference for dating historical time from the more narrow BC or Before Christ to the broader BCE, Before Current Era. Not so when it comes to Art. I have never understood how Edwardian Era art critics managed to get a perpetual copyright to the term "modern" for their particular hundred year old artistic epoch. Until such times as the term modern in modern art is used in quotes with a slight eye roll, the term Contemporary as in the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art will do. Why I think the Anderson Museum is showing 21st Century Master Pieces: In the medieval guild system, a masterpiece was an example of work of such quality that it would prove ones qualifications to be an acknowledged Master of your craft. The Anderson Museum exhibits the work of artists-in-residence who are given a house, a studio, a stipend and a year to do art. Once all the excuses have been removed, the artist is left with only their naked show us what you got craftsmanship and creativity. In my opinion, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art is filled with examples of the artist pouring everything they had to give into their work. The artists have prepared and presented their masterpieces and we are the judges. Entrance is by donation and I found myself digging a bit deeper than I typically do. The museum is deserving of your visit and the work deserving of your attention and respect.
7. Gila National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By GretchenB143 - Phoenix, United States
Whether you are in the Gila National Forest to hike, camp, drive, visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings.... take your time and take it all in. It’s worth more than a quick day trip to really experience the wilderness. There are hiking trails for all skill levels and camping in excellent locations. There is limited to zero cellular service, so if this is important to you, be prepared to plan ahead.
8. Taos Pueblo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,039 reviews
Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. We welcome you to visit our village when you travel to northern New Mexico.Taos Pueblo Hours: Monday - Saturday 8:00am-4:00pm and Sunday 8:30am-4:00pm.Guided Tours available daily starting at 9:00 am.Pueblo Shops open daily.Taos Pueblo is expected to be open for the winter season. Any closures would be due to unexpected events within the community and will be posted on our official website.
Reviewed By MildaLeo - London, United Kingdom
We were lucky to visit Taos Pueblo during their feast day. While we didn't had enough time to see dances, we still managed to see natives in ceremonial clothes, joined a guided tour (free, with donation) lead by an inspiring young local woman, and visited local stores. Wekll worth the visit - as Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. You can see the multi-storied adobe buildings which have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years, have no running water or electricity. You will have to leave your cameras and phones in the car (or just not to take them out from your bag). But what you get is true authenticity and chance to interact with locals. We had a nice chat with a local jeweller while he was making me a silver bracelet there on the spot and measured to my wrist size.
9. Petroglyph National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,874 reviews
Up to 15,000 petroglyphs or prehistoric rock art images have been found on the West Mesa volcanic escarpment, located along a 17-mile canyon outside of Albuquerque.
Reviewed By jbushman2017 - Fresno, United States
Perfect for Covid times. This site is an archaeologists dream as there are few places where you can see so many petroglyph's in such a place as you will see here. Visitors drive to the visitor center (which is closed) to pick up a map that shows three places within the monument area where you can visit the petroglyphs. My wife and I picked up a map and then drove 10 minutes down a road to visit one of the sites. The site included three very small walking trails (all less than 500 meters) from which you could get up close to these amazing petroglyphs. Visiting is all free and it is only about 15 minutes from downtown by car. Do wear shoes and bring water. Please "like" this review if you find it helpful.
10. 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.
