Whether you’ve lived in New Mexico your entire life or just had the good sense to relocate here, you know that the Land of Enchantment is full of amazing places. Here are 30 experiences (numbered, but not ranked in order) that you should definitely add to your New Mexico bucket list:

  1. Hang out on a plaza.

Flickr/Erin In New Mexico, life happens on the plaza. Stroll, attend an event, listen to music, or just people watch. Many cities and towns have plazas so you have plenty of options.

  1. Eat authentic New Mexican food.

Flickr/Eugene Kim As you’d expect, New Mexican cuisine is available throughout the Land of Enchantment. Rancho de Chimayo, which just won a James Beard Award, serves authentic New Mexican food. Here are some more restaurant suggestions.

  1. Attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Flickr/Amalia Díaz Be one of the thousands of people who flock to the world’s largest ballooning event and you’ll understand why it’s a must-see. Learn more about the International Balloon Fiesta.

  1. Eat pie in Pietown.

Flickr/teofilo Because how can you not? Try the apple and red chile pie.

  1. Take a cave tour of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Flickr/J.J. Exploring Carlsbad Caverns is great. Taking a cave tour is even better.

  1. Visit the state capitol building.

Flickr/Mr.TinDC It’s the only round one in the country.

  1. Cruise along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.

Flickr/ Shafi ` The best time of year to explore this route, which passes through Taos, is in fall.

  1. Soak in one of New Mexico’s many hot springs.

Flickr/Paul David Gibson There are clusters of primitive and developed hot springs near Jemez Springs and also in Truth or Consequences. Let the stress melt away at one of these great soaking spots. (Pictured: San Antonio hot springs.)

  1. Go to the Hatch Chile Festival.

Flickr/Lisa Haneberg Hatch is the Chile Capital of the World for a reason.

  1. Cross the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

Flickr/Marissa Bracke The river snakes along the valley floor 800 feet below.

  1. Experience Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

Flickr/theilr Bonus points if you can go during the annual Festival of the Cranes, held each November. You won’t forget a sight like this. Find out more about the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

  1. Tuck in to a green chile cheeseburger.

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM While you’re on the way to or from Bosque del Apache, stop at San Antonio for a juicy green chile cheeseburger at either Buckhorn Tavern or Owl Bar and Café.

  1. Hike the Catwalk Trail.

Flickr/Denny Armstrong This elevated catwalk in the Gila National Forest steers you through Whitewater Canyon, along the route of an old water pipeline that once supplied mines in the area.

  1. Visit New Mexico’s pueblos.

Flickr/The Shared Experience Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Acoma Sky City is situated on top of a mesa, affording astounding views.

  1. Let your feet sink into the dunes at White Sands National Monument.

Flickr/Images By Lane You can even go sand sledding at the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.

  1. Drive along an original stretch of Route 66.

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM The section that runs through Albuquerque is pretty neat. Alternatively, head to Tijeras to make some music on the singing highway.

  1. Travel back in time at Chaco Canyon.

Flickr/mksfca This UNESCO World Heritage Site is massive. In fact, right up until the 19th century, the structures here - which in their heyday amounted to 600 rooms piled four stories high - were the largest in North America. Discover more about the Chaco Culture National Historic Park.

  1. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway.

Flickr/Brian Sterling The views are well worth any vertigo! Here is the Sandia Peak Tramway website with more information.

  1. Stand (or lie down) in four states at once at Four Corners Monument.

Flickr/Ariane Middel How else can you be in more than one place at the same time?

  1. Go hiking at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.

Flickr/mwwile Get close to the hoodoos, hike a slot canyon, then ascend to a mesa that offers panoramic views. Here is the official Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument webpage.

  1. Ride the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

Flickr/Larry Lamsa It’s officially the best train ride in the nation.

  1. Marvel at the Loretto Chapel’s miraculous staircase.

Flickr/slack12 No one has ever been able to explain how it functions without any discernible means of support.

  1. Clamber up to some cliff dwellings.

Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Gila, in the south, and Bandelier and Puye to the north are all sites with well-preserved cliff dwellings.

  1. Learn about New Mexico’s atomic history.

Flickr/Morten Rand-Hendriksen The Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History are both very informative. Learn more at the Nuclear Museum website.

  1. Walk across a lava flow.

Flickr/Rakka Lava flows can be found at El Malpais National Monument and in Valley of Fires Recreation Area. Visit the El Malpais National Monument website to learn more.

  1. Smell the roses in the Rio Grande Botanic Garden.

Flickr/Pat M2007 This is part of the Albuquerque Biopark. The Japanese Garden here is lovely. Here is the Rio Grande Botanic Garden website for more information.

  1. Plunge into the Blue Hole.

Flickr/Tony Hisgett This spring fed pool has the clearest water in the state. For more swimming holes, click here.

  1. Find inspiration at the Museum of International Folk Art.

Flickr/Dale Musselman Wonder at the creativity of crafters around the world. Visit the Museum of International Folk Art’s website to learn more.

  1. Appreciate New Mexico’s earliest art: petroglyphs.

Flickr/Else10 Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque and Three Rivers Petroglyph Site near Tularosa are packed with rock art.

  1. Visit the town of Lincoln.

Flickr/Kent Kanouse This is where the Lincoln County Wars took place. Walk in the footsteps of some of the most infamous folk in the Wild West in this perfectly preserved town.

Have you already made a bucket list? What spots in New Mexico do you want to see in your lifetime? Feel free to add your suggestions on the Only In New Mexico Facebook Page or on our nominations page.

Flickr/Erin

In New Mexico, life happens on the plaza. Stroll, attend an event, listen to music, or just people watch. Many cities and towns have plazas so you have plenty of options.

Flickr/Eugene Kim

As you’d expect, New Mexican cuisine is available throughout the Land of Enchantment. Rancho de Chimayo, which just won a James Beard Award, serves authentic New Mexican food. Here are some more restaurant suggestions.

Flickr/Amalia Díaz

Be one of the thousands of people who flock to the world’s largest ballooning event and you’ll understand why it’s a must-see. Learn more about the International Balloon Fiesta.

Flickr/teofilo

Because how can you not? Try the apple and red chile pie.

Flickr/J.J.

Exploring Carlsbad Caverns is great. Taking a cave tour is even better.

Flickr/Mr.TinDC

It’s the only round one in the country.

Flickr/ Shafi `

The best time of year to explore this route, which passes through Taos, is in fall.

Flickr/Paul David Gibson

There are clusters of primitive and developed hot springs near Jemez Springs and also in Truth or Consequences. Let the stress melt away at one of these great soaking spots. (Pictured: San Antonio hot springs.)

Flickr/Lisa Haneberg

Hatch is the Chile Capital of the World for a reason.

Flickr/Marissa Bracke

The river snakes along the valley floor 800 feet below.

Flickr/theilr

Bonus points if you can go during the annual Festival of the Cranes, held each November. You won’t forget a sight like this. Find out more about the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

While you’re on the way to or from Bosque del Apache, stop at San Antonio for a juicy green chile cheeseburger at either Buckhorn Tavern or Owl Bar and Café.

Flickr/Denny Armstrong

This elevated catwalk in the Gila National Forest steers you through Whitewater Canyon, along the route of an old water pipeline that once supplied mines in the area.

Flickr/The Shared Experience

Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Acoma Sky City is situated on top of a mesa, affording astounding views.

Flickr/Images By Lane

You can even go sand sledding at the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.

The section that runs through Albuquerque is pretty neat. Alternatively, head to Tijeras to make some music on the singing highway.

Flickr/mksfca

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is massive. In fact, right up until the 19th century, the structures here - which in their heyday amounted to 600 rooms piled four stories high - were the largest in North America. Discover more about the Chaco Culture National Historic Park.

Flickr/Brian Sterling

The views are well worth any vertigo! Here is the Sandia Peak Tramway website with more information.

Flickr/Ariane Middel

How else can you be in more than one place at the same time?

Flickr/mwwile

Get close to the hoodoos, hike a slot canyon, then ascend to a mesa that offers panoramic views. Here is the official Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument webpage.

Flickr/Larry Lamsa

It’s officially the best train ride in the nation.

Flickr/slack12

No one has ever been able to explain how it functions without any discernible means of support.

Flickr/J. Stephen Conn

Gila, in the south, and Bandelier and Puye to the north are all sites with well-preserved cliff dwellings.

Flickr/Morten Rand-Hendriksen

The Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History are both very informative. Learn more at the Nuclear Museum website.

Flickr/Rakka

Lava flows can be found at El Malpais National Monument and in Valley of Fires Recreation Area. Visit the El Malpais National Monument website to learn more.

Flickr/Pat M2007

This is part of the Albuquerque Biopark. The Japanese Garden here is lovely. Here is the Rio Grande Botanic Garden website for more information.

Flickr/Tony Hisgett

This spring fed pool has the clearest water in the state. For more swimming holes, click here.

Flickr/Dale Musselman

Wonder at the creativity of crafters around the world. Visit the Museum of International Folk Art’s website to learn more.

Flickr/Else10

Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque and Three Rivers Petroglyph Site near Tularosa are packed with rock art.

Flickr/Kent Kanouse

This is where the Lincoln County Wars took place. Walk in the footsteps of some of the most infamous folk in the Wild West in this perfectly preserved town.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USAAddress: Pie Town, NM 87827, USAAddress: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USAAddress: New Mexico State Capitol, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USAAddress: Hatch, NM, USAAddress: Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, New Mexico 87529, USAAddress: Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832, USAAddress: San Antonio, NM 87801, USAAddress: Whitewater Canyon, New Mexico 87943, USAAddress: Taos Pueblo, NM, USAAddress: Acoma Pueblo, NM 87034, USAAddress: White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USAAddress: Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, USAAddress: Sandia Peak Tramway, 30 Tramway Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122, USAAddress: 597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514, USAAddress: Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, 0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, USAAddress: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, 500 Terrace Ave, Chama, NM 87520, USAAddress: 207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USAAddress: 601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123, USAAddress: El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, 1900 E Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020, USAAddress: ABQ BioPark - Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USAAddress: Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, NM 88435, USAAddress: Museum of International Folk Art, On Museum Hill, 706 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USAAddress: Petroglyph National Monument, Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, USAAddress: Lincoln, NM 88338, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

New Mexico Bucket List November 06, 2020 Leah What are the most unique things to do in New Mexico? There are many normal places to visit in New Mexico that delight people of all ages throughout the years. There are also places that are wacky, quirky, and a little bit different, but equally worth visiting. Places like Meow Wolf, an interactive art museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, give experiences that you’ll certainly remember. The House of Eternal Return, which resides inside an old bowling alley, is certainly one-of-a-kind. What are the best road trips through New Mexico? With so many things to do in New Mexico, it can be hard to get to them all in a timely manner. Luckily, we’ve put together some nifty road trips that will take you to some of the best destinations in the Land of Enchantment, all one routes that you can finish in a day, weekend, or slightly longer. You can learn more about some of these road trips - from a natural wonders route to a trip through some of the state’s ghost towns - by following this link. Which hidden gems in New Mexico should I visit? Stop by some of the best New Mexico attractions that not many people know about, and you’ll be glad you did. There is a pistachio farm in Alamogordo that not only has a pistachio tree orchard you can tour but also the “world’s largest pistachio” sitting out front. The Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park is certainly a unique experience. With old west dioramas and a bunch of antiques or other vintage memorabilia, it’ll take you back in time.

The OIYS Visitor Center

New Mexico Bucket List

November 06, 2020

Leah

What are the most unique things to do in New Mexico? There are many normal places to visit in New Mexico that delight people of all ages throughout the years. There are also places that are wacky, quirky, and a little bit different, but equally worth visiting. Places like Meow Wolf, an interactive art museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, give experiences that you’ll certainly remember. The House of Eternal Return, which resides inside an old bowling alley, is certainly one-of-a-kind. What are the best road trips through New Mexico? With so many things to do in New Mexico, it can be hard to get to them all in a timely manner. Luckily, we’ve put together some nifty road trips that will take you to some of the best destinations in the Land of Enchantment, all one routes that you can finish in a day, weekend, or slightly longer. You can learn more about some of these road trips - from a natural wonders route to a trip through some of the state’s ghost towns - by following this link. Which hidden gems in New Mexico should I visit? Stop by some of the best New Mexico attractions that not many people know about, and you’ll be glad you did. There is a pistachio farm in Alamogordo that not only has a pistachio tree orchard you can tour but also the “world’s largest pistachio” sitting out front. The Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park is certainly a unique experience. With old west dioramas and a bunch of antiques or other vintage memorabilia, it’ll take you back in time.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are many normal places to visit in New Mexico that delight people of all ages throughout the years. There are also places that are wacky, quirky, and a little bit different, but equally worth visiting. Places like Meow Wolf, an interactive art museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, give experiences that you’ll certainly remember. The House of Eternal Return, which resides inside an old bowling alley, is certainly one-of-a-kind.

What are the best road trips through New Mexico?

With so many things to do in New Mexico, it can be hard to get to them all in a timely manner. Luckily, we’ve put together some nifty road trips that will take you to some of the best destinations in the Land of Enchantment, all one routes that you can finish in a day, weekend, or slightly longer. You can learn more about some of these road trips - from a natural wonders route to a trip through some of the state’s ghost towns - by following this link.

Which hidden gems in New Mexico should I visit?

Stop by some of the best New Mexico attractions that not many people know about, and you’ll be glad you did. There is a pistachio farm in Alamogordo that not only has a pistachio tree orchard you can tour but also the “world’s largest pistachio” sitting out front. The Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park is certainly a unique experience. With old west dioramas and a bunch of antiques or other vintage memorabilia, it’ll take you back in time.