What to do and see in New Mexico, United States: The Best Visitor Centers

June 2, 2021 Toi Mattera

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. Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center

727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM 88220 +1 575-785-2232 https://www.recreation.gov/recreationalAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=258543&facilityId=258543&agencyCode=70904
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,120 reviews

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center

Reviewed By melissabubash - Cincinnati, United States

CCNP is so unique which is why I would put it in my top 5 favorite parks. It won't take a long time to really visit the park which is nice too. Two days is plenty but you could still see a lot in just one day. I would highly recommend booking a tour for Hall of Great White (requires crawling and climbing with a headlamp) which takes half a day and doing a self guided tour through the Big Room and Natural Entrance.

2. Billy the Kid Scenic Byways Visitors Center

1461 US 70 West, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346 +1 575-378-5318 http://www.billybyway.com/bywaycenter.html
Excellent
49%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

Billy the Kid Scenic Byways Visitors Center

Reviewed By 386taniar

This is an interesting stop, particularly if you are actually working your way around the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway. Inside the air conditioned building are clean restrooms and plenty of information on tourist attractions around the region. The highlight of this stop is the miniature of the scenic byway that you can walk. Stations that mimic the byway's stops are set up - take a picture with one of Roswell's aliens, pose with Smokey Bear, check out the town of Lincoln... it's such a fun and unexpected exhibit. There is a lot to see in here, and it's a nice place to stretch your legs. Parking is plentiful and the staff is friendly and helpful.

3. Open Space Visitor Center

6500 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120-2714 +1 505-897-8831 http://www.cabq.gov/openspace/visitorcenter.html
Excellent
54%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Open Space Visitor Center

Reviewed By Owls47

What a wonderful, peacegul place to visit. At the right time of the year you can obsxerve sandhill cranes feeding and just loafing. There are pieces of outdoor art , also nature talks. The gallery in the center is always changing and there are a variety of interesting talks.

4. El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center

1900 E Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020-4014 +1 505-876-2783 http://www.nps.gov/elma/index.htm
Excellent
77%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 57 reviews

El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center

Reviewed By gustavolevyrun1 - Sao Paulo, Brazil

It looks like the visitor center was new. Great movie explaining the park, in the theater. Useful tips from Rangers.

5. Taos Visitor Center

1139 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571-4445 +1 800-348-0696 [email protected] http://taos.org/visit/maps-printable-resources?/b/467/c/318/Taos-Visitor-Center
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 392 reviews

Taos Visitor Center

Reviewed By CopperMountainMan

The Taos Visitor Center is the best facility that I have ever visited in any city of the United States. In the center, you can enjoy WiFi in a pleasant seating area; receive friendly, exhaustive information about landmarks and restaurants in Taos; buy local gift shop items; and obtain full Carson Forest information such as hiking trails. The Visitor Center staff also directed me to the Youth and Family Center where $2 gets you a shower and $3 gets you a day in the pool. Taos is an amazing, laid-back, welcoming city.

6. Silver City Visitor Center

201 N Hudson St, Silver City, NM 88061-5428 +1 575-538-5555 [email protected] http://www.visitsilvercity.org
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 140 reviews

Silver City Visitor Center

Visitor Center for the Silver City, New Mexico region, providing itinerary and planning help, as well as maps, brochures, postcards, pins & buttons.

Reviewed By daven534 - St. Catharines, Canada

We stopped in for information on the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The lady at the desk was very friendly and made helpful suggestions regarding the route to and from the park. She also provided ideas on what to see in Silver City and places that we might like to try for dinner. If you need information, this is the place to go.

7. Walatowa Visitor Center

7413 Hwy 4, Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024 +1 575-834-7235 http://www.jemezpueblo.com/
Excellent
53%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Walatowa Visitor Center

Reviewed By pantrypam

Beautifully maintained visitor center with friendly employees. The small museum’s focus is clearly on education, especially for children although I really appreciated learning about Pueblo life. Fairly affordable gift shop. I highly recommend checking this out on the way to Jemez Springs.

8. Central New Mexico Visitor Information Center

I-40 Exit 3, Gallup, NM 87305 +1 505-905-4440
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Central New Mexico Visitor Information Center

9. Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Convention & Tourism

1309 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102-4314 +1 505-842-9003 http://www.siabq.org
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce Convention & Tourism

The Market leader of Hotels and Convention Booking in Albuquerque. We speak English,Spanish and Navajo.

10. Los Alamos Visitor's Center

475 20th St Suite A, Los Alamos, NM 87544 +1 505-662-8105 [email protected] http://visitlosalamos.org
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Los Alamos Visitor's Center

Visit the newly relocated Los Alamos Visitor Center for information on local Los Alamos attractions, local trail maps, state information, a clean restroom, free water refills and free secure Wi-Fi. Currently following all NM Covid safe practices, face masks are currently required at this location.

Reviewed By marbegast - Olivehurst, United States

Unbelievable Museum that is packed with not only the great history of The Manhattan Project, but with many interactive kiosks on many other research projects going on at the Laboratory.... If you are in Santa Fe, it only takes about 40- minutes to be in a very historic site that has changed the world forever..... a must see!

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