Top Things to do in New Mexico
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What to do and see in New Mexico, United States: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,029 reviews
Re-opening April 8, 2021. See website and purchase tickets before visiting. https://indianpueblo.org/welcome IPCC was founded in 1976 and is jointly owned and operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. Located in the historic Albuquerque Indian School District just minutes from Downtown and Old Town Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a world-class museum and cultural center created to be a place where we, Pueblo people, can tell our story. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the only place in North America to host traditional Native American dances every weekend year round and also offers an exciting schedule of cultural and community activities, including rotating museum exhibits, events with Native American artists, hands-on children’s programs & art festivals. Visitors can also experience the award-winning Native Sourced, Pueblo Inspired cuisine of Pueblo Harvest and shop at the Indian Pueblo Store, a trusted destination for authentic handcrafted Native American art.
Reviewed By rrpd - Rochester, United States
From an excellent full service restaurant, to a sampling of native American culture & arts, this makes for an excellent stop for families & individuals when traveling into the Albuquerque area.
9. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 857 reviews
The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, one of four museums in the Museum of New Mexico system, is a premier repository of Native art and material culture and tells the stories of the people of the Southwest from pre-history through contemporary art. The museum serves a diverse, multicultural audience through changing exhibitions, public lectures, field trips, artist residencies, and other educational programs.
Reviewed By kendak999 - Durban, South Africa
Another of the NM museums on the Culture Pass, I visited mid-December, hoping to get some insight into Native American culture and history. I was not disappointed. The Here, Now and Always exhibition is quite large and beautifully curated, giving you a glimpse of the life and ways of several Native American tribes who are/were in the NM region, including day to day items as well as art. Some of the pieces date from 500 AD! On the Art side, there are several galleries exhibiting Native American pottery, again, with some pieces magnificently conserved and dating back over 1000 years. What I particularly liked, both in the culture and art exhibitions, was the curation of real-people accounts from Native Americans, their remembrances and views on many aspects of the exhibits.
10. El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 338 reviews
This living history museum, located just south of Santa Fe, recreates 18th-century ranch life. Guides, dressed in period clothing, show how people lived in early New Mexico.
Reviewed By Preraphaelite11
Walk into El Rancho de las Golondrinas and you'll open a door and step back 300 years to experience authentic Southwest history. See first-hand how people lived, the buildings they constructed and their purpose, how they made their clothes, cooked their food and worshipped. You'll get a unique taste of everyday life in a community in the 1700s, learn about the inhabitants' hardships, their hopes and fears while exploring this exceptionally, well-maintained and preserved historic ranch. I spent 4 hours walking the grounds and talking with the knowledgeable and friendly staff. I'm a historian and learned more about New Mexico's fascinating history when visiting El Rancho de las Golondrinas.
