From early on, we hear fairytales about magical, enchanted lands. These stories feed our imagination, but it’s much harder to find ethereal places in the real world. These 10 whimsical places in New Mexico may persuade you that you’ve stepped inside a storybook.
- Carlsbad Caverns, Near Carlsbad
Flickr/Dominik Kreutz
Flickr/Dominik Kreutz Carlsbad Caverns feel like a portal to another world. That’s probably what cowboy, Jim White, thought when he followed a colony of bats into the caves and discovered this limestone wonderland. Learn more by clicking here.
- Children’s Fantasy Garden, Albuquerque
Flickr/Lee Ruk Every fairytale needs a turret and, as a bonus, this one comes complete with dragon! The Children’s Fantasy Garden is part of the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden and it’s a great place for games of make believe. Learn more by clicking here.
- Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe
Flickr/JB
Flickr/Steve McClanahan Whether or not you believe the story behind the creation of the “miraculous staircase” at the Loretto Chapel, its 360-degree turns and lack of obvious support certainly seem magical. Learn more by clicking here.
- Jemez Falls, Near Jemez Springs
Flickr/J.J. This 70-foot high waterfall tumbles over rocks in a setting spectacular enough to belong in a fairytale. Learn more by clicking here.
- Pecos Wilderness & Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos
Flickr/David Jones, CPP
Flickr/Will Keightley With its rushing river, lakes, sweeping mountain views, and log cabins tucked away in the woods, the scenery here is truly enchanting. Learn more by clicking here.
- Lybrook Badlands, Near Nageezi
Flickr/John Fowler The rock formations in the San Juan Basin are unearthly, and also a little unnerving. This particular formation has a storybook quality, but it would most likely be the lair of a villain, rather than home to a hero or heroine. Learn more by clicking here.
- Enchanted Circle Drive, Northern New Mexico
Flickr/Dave Hensley
Flickr/Shafi This 83-mile scenic loop lives up to its magical name. The route takes drivers through quaint northern towns such as Taos, Questa, Red River, and Eagle Nest, and passes some of New Mexico’s most sublime peaks. If possible, go in fall, when the aspens turn a vibrant gold. Learn more by clicking here.
- Wiford Gallery, Santa Fe
Flickr/Thomson20192 In Santa Fe, there are several places where you can watch kinetic sculptures dance in the wind, but the most mesmerizing grouping is outside the Wiford Gallery (set slightly back from Canyon Road). Interspersed between the copper sculptures are chairs formed from rock and metal, which would be at home in any glen filled with fairies and woodland creatures. Learn more by clicking here.
- View from Sierra Blanca, Near Ruidoso
Flickr/Todd Shoemake There’s something transcendent about being so high up in the mountains that it feels like you could touch the clouds.
- Shiprock
Flickr/A.D. Wheeler Whether you see it as a ship or as a bird poised to take flight, it’s easy to imagine this rock formation coming to life.
What spots in New Mexico feel magical to you? Let us know by nominating your favorites here.
Flickr/Dominik Kreutz
Carlsbad Caverns feel like a portal to another world. That’s probably what cowboy, Jim White, thought when he followed a colony of bats into the caves and discovered this limestone wonderland. Learn more by clicking here.
Flickr/Lee Ruk
Every fairytale needs a turret and, as a bonus, this one comes complete with dragon! The Children’s Fantasy Garden is part of the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden and it’s a great place for games of make believe. Learn more by clicking here.
Flickr/JB
Flickr/Steve McClanahan
Whether or not you believe the story behind the creation of the “miraculous staircase” at the Loretto Chapel, its 360-degree turns and lack of obvious support certainly seem magical. Learn more by clicking here.
Flickr/J.J.
This 70-foot high waterfall tumbles over rocks in a setting spectacular enough to belong in a fairytale. Learn more by clicking here.
Flickr/David Jones, CPP
Flickr/Will Keightley
With its rushing river, lakes, sweeping mountain views, and log cabins tucked away in the woods, the scenery here is truly enchanting. Learn more by clicking here.
Flickr/John Fowler
The rock formations in the San Juan Basin are unearthly, and also a little unnerving. This particular formation has a storybook quality, but it would most likely be the lair of a villain, rather than home to a hero or heroine. Learn more by clicking here.
Flickr/Dave Hensley
Flickr/Shafi
This 83-mile scenic loop lives up to its magical name. The route takes drivers through quaint northern towns such as Taos, Questa, Red River, and Eagle Nest, and passes some of New Mexico’s most sublime peaks. If possible, go in fall, when the aspens turn a vibrant gold. Learn more by clicking here.
Flickr/Thomson20192
In Santa Fe, there are several places where you can watch kinetic sculptures dance in the wind, but the most mesmerizing grouping is outside the Wiford Gallery (set slightly back from Canyon Road). Interspersed between the copper sculptures are chairs formed from rock and metal, which would be at home in any glen filled with fairies and woodland creatures. Learn more by clicking here.
Flickr/Todd Shoemake
There’s something transcendent about being so high up in the mountains that it feels like you could touch the clouds.
Flickr/A.D. Wheeler
Whether you see it as a ship or as a bird poised to take flight, it’s easy to imagine this rock formation coming to life.
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Address: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USAAddress: ABQ BioPark - Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USAAddress: 207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USAAddress: Jemez Falls, New Mexico 87025, USAAddress: Pecos Wilderness, Rociada, NM 87742, USAAddress: Counselor, NM 87018, USAAddress: Taos, NM 87571, USAAddress: 403 Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USAAddress: Sierra Blanca, New Mexico 88340, USAAddress: Shiprock, NM 87420, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Whimsical Places In New Mexico July 03, 2020 Leah What are the most beautiful places in New Mexico? The Land of Enchantment is full of many naturally gorgeous areas and manmade wonders alike. Areas like the Sangria Mountains or the Rio Grande Gorge are lush and beautiful, while the starkly bright sands of the White Sands or the colored bands of the Bisti Badlands will dazzle your eyes. The stunning architecture of ancient pueblos, such as in Taos, or in the newer urban areas of NM’s big cities, like Santa Fe or Albuquerque, can be equally appreciated. Plus, there are many spots throughout the state that are rich with the beautiful culture of the peoples who have been here for hundreds of years. What are the most unique things to do in New Mexico? It’s not everywhere that you can experience fantastical whimsy that’ll make you feel like a kid again. You can try some other unique, fun things to do in New Mexico. There are some pretty out-of-the-ordinary museums here. The American International Rattlesnake Museum, Classical Gas Museum, and Roswell UFO Museum are just a few examples of weird and wacky places to explore some unusual things. Explore a wacky and bizarre art gallery by way of Meow Wolf. It’s an interactive experience in Santa Fe that’s a must to experience in order to fully understand what all the buzz is about. What places in New Mexico should I see before I die? If you want to know what must-see places to visit in New Mexico to add to your bucket list, here are some of the top picks. Though there are many worthy spots, for city experiences, be sure to check out Old Town Albuquerque or the Santa Fe Plaza. To see a natural wonder, the Rio Grande Gorge is an absolute must. Dive into New Mexico’s culture and history by visiting places like the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. You can even follow the real footprints of dinosaurs at Clayton Lake State Park to really be able to say you’ve done it all in your lifetime.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Whimsical Places In New Mexico
July 03, 2020
Leah
What are the most beautiful places in New Mexico? The Land of Enchantment is full of many naturally gorgeous areas and manmade wonders alike. Areas like the Sangria Mountains or the Rio Grande Gorge are lush and beautiful, while the starkly bright sands of the White Sands or the colored bands of the Bisti Badlands will dazzle your eyes. The stunning architecture of ancient pueblos, such as in Taos, or in the newer urban areas of NM’s big cities, like Santa Fe or Albuquerque, can be equally appreciated. Plus, there are many spots throughout the state that are rich with the beautiful culture of the peoples who have been here for hundreds of years. What are the most unique things to do in New Mexico? It’s not everywhere that you can experience fantastical whimsy that’ll make you feel like a kid again. You can try some other unique, fun things to do in New Mexico. There are some pretty out-of-the-ordinary museums here. The American International Rattlesnake Museum, Classical Gas Museum, and Roswell UFO Museum are just a few examples of weird and wacky places to explore some unusual things. Explore a wacky and bizarre art gallery by way of Meow Wolf. It’s an interactive experience in Santa Fe that’s a must to experience in order to fully understand what all the buzz is about. What places in New Mexico should I see before I die? If you want to know what must-see places to visit in New Mexico to add to your bucket list, here are some of the top picks. Though there are many worthy spots, for city experiences, be sure to check out Old Town Albuquerque or the Santa Fe Plaza. To see a natural wonder, the Rio Grande Gorge is an absolute must. Dive into New Mexico’s culture and history by visiting places like the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. You can even follow the real footprints of dinosaurs at Clayton Lake State Park to really be able to say you’ve done it all in your lifetime.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Land of Enchantment is full of many naturally gorgeous areas and manmade wonders alike. Areas like the Sangria Mountains or the Rio Grande Gorge are lush and beautiful, while the starkly bright sands of the White Sands or the colored bands of the Bisti Badlands will dazzle your eyes. The stunning architecture of ancient pueblos, such as in Taos, or in the newer urban areas of NM’s big cities, like Santa Fe or Albuquerque, can be equally appreciated. Plus, there are many spots throughout the state that are rich with the beautiful culture of the peoples who have been here for hundreds of years.
What are the most unique things to do in New Mexico?
It’s not everywhere that you can experience fantastical whimsy that’ll make you feel like a kid again. You can try some other unique, fun things to do in New Mexico. There are some pretty out-of-the-ordinary museums here. The American International Rattlesnake Museum, Classical Gas Museum, and Roswell UFO Museum are just a few examples of weird and wacky places to explore some unusual things. Explore a wacky and bizarre art gallery by way of Meow Wolf. It’s an interactive experience in Santa Fe that’s a must to experience in order to fully understand what all the buzz is about.
What places in New Mexico should I see before I die?
If you want to know what must-see places to visit in New Mexico to add to your bucket list, here are some of the top picks. Though there are many worthy spots, for city experiences, be sure to check out Old Town Albuquerque or the Santa Fe Plaza. To see a natural wonder, the Rio Grande Gorge is an absolute must. Dive into New Mexico’s culture and history by visiting places like the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. You can even follow the real footprints of dinosaurs at Clayton Lake State Park to really be able to say you’ve done it all in your lifetime.
