Things to do in New Mexico in October

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Overview

October is a good time to visit New Mexico.

New Mexico has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your October trip to New Mexico. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to October. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

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Best events and things to do in New Mexico in October

Top experiences in October
We couldn't find any experiences in October
Holidays in New Mexico in October
October
  • Columbus Day (October 12)
Other notable holidays

Best attractions for New Mexico in October

Besides the array of exciting events and activities New Mexico has to offer for travelers in October, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in New Mexico that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in New Mexico for October.
Sandia Peak Tramway
1. Sandia Peak Tramway
4.7
(11845)
Transportation
Hiking area
2.7-mi aerial tram ride with Albuquerque & mountain views to a peak with trails, skiing & dining.
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My adult son and I went here when I visited nearby and it was THE best!! The tram runs people up and down to the top of the mountain every 15-20min up until around 6:30pm I believe. The ride up didn't take long at all and there was an employee riding up, giving the history of the area and the tram itself. The views were absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous! Once at the top, you can hike around at your own discretion. There's a beautiful ski lift around the back for the wintertime. There are also several trails. We did some light walking due to bear alert signs. There's a restaurant at the top as well. It's a bit on the pricey side. We were fortunate enough to catch two guys who were hang gliding at the very top of the peak! It was such an amazing experience! There's also a cute little gift shop at the base of the mountain.
a bit on the pricey side, but absolutely worth it. We went on a partially cloudy afternoon, and the shifting light made the scenery even more dramatic, with layers of mountains, sky, and city unfolding beneath us. The ride itself is smooth and scenic, and once at the top, the short trail along the ridge to the cabin was breathtaking — one of the highlights of the visit. Do keep in mind that temperatures can drop quickly at dusk, even in the middle of summer, so bring an extra layer if you plan to linger for sunset.
Beautiful! Lift operators were knowledgeable and friendly. All the staff were very helpful. We only managed a hike up to the Kiwanis cabin due to time constraints but it was beautiful. I would recommend bringing something a little more sturdier than running shoes to hike in, a water bottle and be prepared for altitude. My wife experienced a little bit of sickness. Her first time experiencing it. Other than that I highly recommend this tour.
The tram ride takes about fifteen minutes and the views along the way are incredible, especially the deep canyons below. Our tram guide was entertaining and shared a lot of interesting facts during the ride. At the top the altitude is around 10250ft and it is an amazing place to watch the sunset and see the entire city light up afterward. It does get very cold once the sun goes down. We visited on a Saturday evening and the wait for the return tram was around forty minutes since many people leave right after sunset. Overall the experience was worth the price and made for a memorable evening.
Must have tickets in advance. Arrive 2 hours early. If possible have 1 member of your party wait in line and others walk around. Bring layers, it is cold at night. Packed in to the tram 🚊, hard to see out. On the way down folks were nice and let the kids be by the window. Need a reservation for the restaurant. Go during the day so you can hike. We went up when it was light, then down after sunset. If you looked hard, saw lights in the distance from the balloon fesita glow.
Hiked up La Luz trail and decided to get the tram down. Was pleasantly surprised that it was very close by the end of the trail and easily visible. I was almost out of battery on my phone without internet service and was pointed to the password to purchase the ticket on their website. I was afraid my phone was going to die to reached out to another employee (very nice lady) that told oh no worries we can do it right here in the booth! That was nice of her I was not told that there was any other option and was getting frustrated. Lost the tram bcs of it. The next one took about 13 minutes. Nice little ride down. At the gift shop I also had a great experience and was allowed to charge my phone :)
Amazing experience! Highly recommend taking this tram 🚋 for stunning views! ⛰️ 🤩 ☁️ We had the earliest reservation and checked in at 8:45am. We were the first group to go up around 9:17am. Window🪟 view was great for photos and videos. 📸 🎥
We had such a wonderful experience with the staff. They were attentive to our young kids and gave them a sticker before we boarded the tram. We went on a Saturday, arrived 10 mins before our time window and were the first in line. On our way back, we didn’t wait more than 15 mins.
Old Town
2. Old Town
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Walking Areas
Old Town’s narrow streets and century-old adobe houses are home to New Mexican eateries serving enchiladas and sopaipilla pastries, and tiny artisan shops selling jewelry, rugs and pottery. Old Town Plaza is a charming spot overlooked by 18th-century San Felipe de Neri Church. Nearby, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science has dinosaur skeletons, while the Albuquerque Museum displays Southwestern art.
Inn and Spa at Loretto
3. Inn and Spa at Loretto
4.4
(1140)
Hotel
Sights & Landmarks
Upscale property featuring pueblo-inspired architecture, plus a spa, pool & a chic restaurant.
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I've been here all of 6 hours so far on a Thursday. Very pleasantly surprised I was able to check in very early. Had a excellent cocktail, booked a very short notice massage, and spent time at the beautiful pool. Nick at the spa was incredible. Absolutely recommend him! Planning on more time at the pool and hot tub after dinner. Loving my stay so far. Excellent staff.
The Inn is located in an incredible location within walking distance of almost anything you would like to do in historic Santa Fe. Parking is convenient and efficient with valet parking included in the amenity fee. The interior of the hotel is clean but a tad dated. While not luxurious, its a beautiful hotel and will please most travelers. The rooms are also clean and comfortable with a cute, plush teddy bear awaiting your arrival. The coffee bar, Crafted, in the hotel is a major plus serving flavorful coffees and tasty pastries. Furthermore, although we didn't visit it during our stay, the "Living Room" in the hotel is a hub of activity serving drinks, lite bites and even has live music. All in all, a pleasant stay in this historic hotel.
As owner of an independent 5-star resort in Asia (Plantation Bay, “a Real Resort with a Real Spa”), I have a lot of sympathy for independent hotels, but felt that I was not correctly treated here. First, the location is very very good, right in the center of Old Santa Fe and surrounded by restaurants and art galleries, some churches. I chose a Vista King, which for about $535 (including a $35 resort fee when there’s no resort to speak of) I assumed would deliver value for money at least in room fittings and view. It turned out that my patio area had no privacy and overlooked a parking lot. So much for Vista. The room itself was very tired-looking, not like the booking.com photo at all, and so was the hotel, with a generally depressing interior appearance, though the outside looks great. Again speaking as a professional hotelier, I would venture the entire hotel hasn’t been remodeled in at least 40 years. The bathroom layout is poor and the fixtures were several plumbing generations old. The bed was comfortable but too high off the floor. Many elements were not consistent with a 4-star description, such as a fireplace with just a candle in it, plain painted-plywood doors and panels, lamps with Daylight bulbs, just one electrical outlet for the credenza holding the refrigerator, the coffee-maker, and a lamp (so to run the coffee-maker I had to unplug the lamp). The staff are pleasant and efficient, which made up a bit, but I felt I was overcharged. If my room was not typical of the hotel, then the front desk staff gave me a “last-to-sell” room on the assumption that as an Asian I wouldn’t know any better. I do know better. I’m going to keep calling out every hotel that gives me an inferior room for the price, and/or an inferior room because of my race.
We stayed here a couple of nights on a business trip so the room was paid for but it was indeed a small room for several family members. The balcony was nice and the view was phenomenal. It's charming but there are a few bugs to work out in the service department. Overall, okay and it is a historic place. Next door has the miraculous staircase that we went to go see. It's walking distance to the beautiful plaza.
The king room was very spacious. We had a corner balcony that looked out over the pool and had a great view of the mountains. Many amenities at this hotel. We used the spa and had fabulous massages and facials. We ate some light bites and had a drink at The Living Room. Staff is friendly and helpful, valet is great and rooms are clean. The location is everything. You are central to all the shops and churches if you stay here. Would book again!
Loretto has been lovingly restored, upgraded, and maintained. It truly is a beautiful Santa Fe style place. The beds were super-comfy with top-quality linens, the bar is delightful with lots of comfy couches and a big, warm fireplace. The pool & hot spa area is modern and offers private spaces. Topping it all off is a truly grand coffee shop, helpful and friendly staff throughout the without hovering or obsequiousness. The restaurant is good for a quick bite, and you're steps away from great dining options. This is now my new 'home' when I come to Santa Fe.
The only positive thing I have to say is there’s free coffee. Otherwise, this was a really strange lodging experience. For how expensive it is, you would expect just a minuscule of luxury. It is listed as “high-end,” but that was absent here. The stay in this hotel was only comparable to living in some sort of cave or hut. The staff was kind, though the tall male host was very odd. The valet also was never at their post and made getting the car a long and unpleasant process. The place doesn’t smell very pleasant, just kind of musty. The lack of any mirror in the room was inconvenient. The IRON had black gunk on it that absolutely RUINED a perfect pair of white pants meant to wear to a wedding… And lastly, they put this cute little stuffed bear on the bed in your room, and don’t tell you that if you take it home, they charge you $35! I slept with that bear for the entirety of my stay just to find out it’s not included, and that they’re going to put it back in the room if I don’t want to be charged. I wonder how many drooled on it before I did. 2/10. Save your money.
The Inn was absolutely wonderful to stay in, and the staff was the best. Hunter helped us upon check in with places to go, and Nikki was great to provide places to have breakfast and Ben served us the most delicious meal I have had in a long time. Even the General Manager stopped what he was doing to help when we accidentally locked the key in our room. It was expensive but the quality was worth it and more. These three, Hunter, Nikki and Ben went above and beyond with their helpfulness and service. if you want the perfect place to stay in Santa Fe, this is the place to be.
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
4. Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
4.6
(3740)
Museum
Art museum
Rotating exhibits of the work of Georgia O'Keeffe include paintings, sculptures & sketches.
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Highly recommended! It’s so worth the trip! It was really nice to get to see other styles of her work aside from the famous flowers. The museum also did a great job painting her as a person who really lived a full life. You should buy a ticket in advance as the place is quite small and cannot accommodate too many people at a time. We went there early in the morning and it was better since it was not too crowded yet.
Will return. What a treat: we enjoyed two hours private tour at the museum of Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986). She's my top three artist. I even bought a matching flowery dress when I went to see one of her exhibits in New York a few years ago. This museum was opened in 1997. It's small (Santa Fe is a small town!) and the paintings they've, are rather small too. I think the museums in New York and DC have far more magnificent 气势磅礴 works of hers. "Mother of American modernism", was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Virginia and the Teachers College, Columbia University. Her eventual husband Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) was a photographer and modern art promoter, who held an exhibit in New York for her in 1917. He would divorce his fellow photographer/artist Emmeline Obermayer in 1924 and married O'Keeffe the same year. The frames: they look thin. The docent said they were designed by the artist herself. Reportedly can prevent bugs as well as wine (they do rent out the museum space). O'Keeffe was often the harshest judge of her own work, and even went so far as to destroy paintings that did not meet her standards. In some cases this was because a work had been damaged-including damage that she considered to have been done by careless conservators. She had been visiting New Mexico (Santa Fe, Taos, etc.) during her marriage. After his death in 1946, she soon moved to New Mexico for the rest of her life; spending the last few years in Santa Fe and passed away there. Among list of artists who enjoyed success and recognition during their own lifetime, she was the only female artist among the 10 men: Pablo Picasso Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Claude Monet Pierre-Auguste Renoir Rembrandt Salvador Dalí Andy Warhol Georgia O'Keeffe Henri Matisse Paul Cézanne Till 1986, her works fetched the highest amount at the auctions, among female artists. Now her works only trail behind Yayoi Kusama (1929-) and Joan Mitchell (1925-92), one is still alive and one dead six years after her. She enjoyed cooking, perhaps was also the farm to table pioneer. The exhibits of her kitchen wears, pots, pans and notebooks are hers but her Leica camera on display wasn't, the museum explained that she used the same model. Love the honesty. One thing I thought she was above the rest was she didn't sign her works, because she believed her distinctive and unique style would be easily recognized. Which is so true. The female docent said, "she said, 'you don't sign your face, do you?'" A little (or a lot) like Marguerite Duras (1914-96), or any elderly person who relies on a much younger companion. O'Keeffe hired an assistant Juan Hamilton (John Bruce; 1946-) in 1973, after suffering vision lose. He was 27, a divorced potter at the time. She left her estate to him, but to avoid lengthy litigation, he gave up much of that estate (houses and paintings ...) because "if he were to fight that fight, he would spend 10 to 15 years, which would be an entire career, and neither Miss O’Keeffe (how he loved to call her) nor he would ever want that." O'Keeffe was captivated by the view of Cerro Pedernal (Flint Mountain), which has been a sacred and significant site to many Indigenous and Hispano communities for thousands of years. O'Keeffe's own immense love and respect for this mountain is exhibited in her numerous depictions of the view from her front yard. According to the docent, her ashes are spread here.
My visit to this museum left me pensive, caught in the quiet gravity of O’Keeffe’s vision - a vision that clings to reality while daring to transcend it. One piece stopped me in my tracks: a gray crucifix pierced by a dark red heart. I stood before it, transfixed. Its stark lines seemed to pulse with unspoken stories-sorrow, sacrifice, perhaps love’s quiet endurance. The painting’s neat composition belied its emotional weight. The museum weaves O’Keeffe’s life into a vivid tapestry. Her robes, and her art supplies are displayed with care. Then there are the bones. Her collection of bones struck me as primal, and profound. The Georgia O’ Keeffe museum isn’t just a collection of art; it’s an invitation to pause, to feel, to question.
I learned so much about Georgia. I loved seeing different stages of her art work. I also loved how many people were there sharing our common love of her art. I liked the way. It was laid out and you could enter different rooms to view different stages. Seeing her art up close, seeing her belongings and her supplies. I just loved this experience. I would highly recommend this museum and BEFORE the house tour. That is how we did it. A lot of the art we saw at the museum played into the tour of her house. The staff were friendly and informative. You like art, then head here.
I did the free audio tour. A lot of information is packed into the audio descriptions, and you actually want to walk faster than the audio tour allows. I encourage you to take a seat on a bench and look at the work while the audio is going. They even have classical music as part of the tour, naming classical music and artists she and Arthur Steiglitz had in their home and listened to while she painted. Every piece is magical, simple or classic, or preeminent Georgia O'Keefe. They have a movie bio of her life playing, and they also have a movie about the Téwa, renamed Pueblo by Spanish colonizers, artists who made various art pieces and wrote letters, between 2023 and 2025, as an answer to Georgia O'Keeffe's cultural appropriation and disrespect of Indigenous traditions while living in New Mexico. It was eye opening and a massive display of basic, approachable , and repairative reparations. And the best part of the exhibit was the Téwa art intermingled with the Georgia O'Keefe pieces that they challenged.
Small, but engaging museum in downtown Santa Fe. The day we visited, a weekday, tickets were available at the door, but best to reserve online, since they can sell out. A 10-minute video upon entry is a really great introduction to the artists life and her 98-year journey to eventually call New Mexico home. The museum foundation is planning to build a larger museum about a block away. All the artwork comes with useful backgrounds on the art and artist, which make the exhibits accessible to all ages. I spent about an hour in the museum and small gift shop, but an ethisiast could draw it iut to 2 hours.
A visit to Santa Fe is not complete without spending time at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. Born in Wisconsin, influenced her paintings her entire life. She combines Wisconsin with Santa Fe to paint with a unique blend and style. Making her a true feminist and role model to young women throughout the world.
This museum is beautiful and informative. I was pleasantly surprised at the museum's acknowledgement of the Tewa people and their culture. There were some beautiful pieces by Tewa artists on display also. The staff were all very nice and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit!
Canyon Rd
5. Canyon Rd
4.6
(100)
Notable street
Sights & Landmarks
Leafy road & Santa Fe emblem featuring 100+ art galleries, studios & restaurants in adobe houses.
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If you love and appreciate art, I highly recommend visiting Canyon Road in Santa Fe. The pleasure of looking at galleries, each with their own unique character and color, makes you lose track of time. The friendly and open manners of each gallery you visit will make you realize why this place is a mecca for art.
This is the main artsy street in town. Lovely little road to stroll around and look at the works of local artists.
We took a relaxing stroll down Canyon street to view the Adobe Art galleries at museum quality installations and dreamed of owning a piece. Great way to spend a few hours to wind down after walking around old Santa Fe square and its historic churches.
We did admire the pretty adobe houses, bought a beautiful painting of such a house, and found a nice place to eat.
Great art galleries and El Farol a great place for a drink or to dine!
Nice place to take a long stroll and admire outdoor art, as well as multiple galleries to visit with various kinds of artwork for sale.
A mile long one way street that filled with 80+ galleries of all kinds, a few eateries, the Ahmyo Wine Garden, and shops that sell cloth and jewelry. It begins at the junction with Paseo De Peralta, and pretty much ends at Santa Fe Teahouse & Bistro (821 Canyon Rd) and Art Box (901 Canyon Rd) on either side of E Palace Ave. Paseo De Peralta (means Peralta’s Promenade or Peralta’s Walk) is a major street in Santa Fe, named after Don Pedro de Peralta (1584?-1666), the Spanish colonial governor of New Mexico who established Santa Fe as the capital in 1610. The customers are mostly tourists.
Great place to experience a myriad of art. The Compound restaurant is amazing.
White Sands National Park
6. White Sands National Park
4.8
(17598)
National park
Sights & Landmarks
Scenic park featuring a striking landscape filled with extremely rare gypsum sand dunes.
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White Sands National Park is a super cool & different place to see. It is an easy 45 minute drive from Las Cruces. We visited on a Monday midmorning. It was not busy. They do have limited trailer/bus parking. There is a park store with National Park souvenirs and a small exhibit as well as a gift shop where you can rent sleds. The Dunes Drive I believe is approximately 8 miles to the loop at the end. Along the drive there are a few parking areas that have picnic tables and restrooms. Many of the areas toward the end of the loop allow you to walk and sled on the sand. There are a couple trails to hike as well as remote camping when allowed. Make sure to bring water before entering the park as they don’t have services in the park. We spent about an hour exploring the park(we did not hike the trails). White Sands is massive but the park felt smaller than expected. If you’re in the area or can make a quick detour it’s worth seeing in person!
We were able to visit the Park today, even though there is a government shutdown. I was surprised at the visitor center, kinda run down and the restrooms were really poor. But the stark beauty of the park was stunning! They only had it open to the Dune Trail, couldn’t go past that point. We walked part of the trail. It is beautiful!
The sand cools as the sun sets and it's not so windy like at many beaches, so there's quite a sense of serenity especially if you venture out to some of the more isolated dunes. Definitely the most ethereal national park I've been to The National Park center also lets you rent sleds to ride down the dunes and wax to apply to their bottoms, and although it's not quite as slick as snow sledding, there are some steep dunes that are about 30 ft high for you to gather enough speed to get a decent run. There's also hardly any internet connection once you're there, so make sure you have the physical map or have downloaded it in Google maps
White Sands National Park is incredible and truly feels like being on another planet. We visited as a large group and spent about three hours exploring. The scenic loop from the visitor center is easy to follow and has several picnic areas and parking spots. From one of the lots we found a steep dune that was perfect for sand sliding, and racing down the slopes made it even more fun for the group. The views in every direction are beautiful and the bright white dunes make the whole place look unreal. A memorable experience and a great place to enjoy both scenery and activity
Great place! Recommend the back country trail (2 miles) and the Alkali Flat trails (5 miles)! The Alkali Flat trail is the longest trail in the park, took us about 2.5 hours because we would divert from the trail at parts, or sled down dunes, or for the million pictures I took. Feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. You feel secluded. The dunes are remarkable. Highly recommend this trail if you are used to hiking. Follow the red markers and start off going left (clockwise). Bring plenty of water, a hat, sunglasses, decent shoes, and expect lots of sand in your shoes. Bring a sled if you want to slide down the dunes. Buy a sled the day before at Walmart in Alamogordo for like $6 because the park charges $25 for the same thing. But make sure you put wax on the bottom. We spent about 5 hours in the park and felt like that was enough time. Highly recommend visiting this park! It’s beautiful! $25 per vehicle to enter the park with up to 7 people I believe. Buy your ticket online ahead of time for convenience.
If you have limited time here, get a sled (available to buy or rent from the visitor center), drive along and stop by Alkali Flat Trailhead to have a spectacular view of the sand dune and the mountains far away. It’s super fun to climb up the slope and slide down.
Beautiful park, very small but gorgeous views. Sunset over the dunes is breathtaking. Get there early, it gets crowded real fast. I recommend doing the Backcountry trail for gorgeous views.
The best thing you've put your toes in a very long time. We went on a November day, a bit overcast. Best temperatures by far. Its vast and quiet. A natural occurrence worth seeing if your passing through.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
7. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
4.8
(2232)
Catholic cathedral
Sights & Landmarks
Stately 1800s-era cathedral featuring colorful stained-glass windows & plenty of history.
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The cathedral is a prominent landmark near Santa Fe’s historic plaza, and the docents are friendly and eager to share details regarding the restoration process, including the extensive painting and window preparations. Choir concerts seem to occur frequently, and the grounds are tree-lined and peaceful.
This is a beautiful architectural and artistic place to visit. Though I am not Catholic, the basilica is a place of beauty and peace to worship Jesus. Everywhere you look there is a memorial to Christ sacrifice. Which is essential to redemption. As a Protestant, I would have loved to see a memorial to His resurrection. This is victory over death and proof that God has accepted this sacrifice and promises to fulfill all that was given to Jesus, we have our assurance that our salvation is secure.
The cathedral is beautiful inside, radiating a deep sense of community. There’s a prayer book where visitors can write down the names of loved ones they want prayers for. A heart-shaped wooden stand holds rosaries in different colors - I picked a pink one. The crucifix glows in a glorious shade of orange, surrounded by images of saints, while the stained-glass windows fill the place with vibrant light. There is also a lovely store inside that adds to the charm of the place.
This is a Beautiful place to sit with the Lord. The architecture, the ambiance, the music... brought me to tears. There is also a really neat gift shop to buy Catholic gifts. Love my "Lady"bug rosary! ❤🐞
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi Beautiful grounds and exterior architecture; couldn’t go inside this time, but fully intend to return. The setting alone makes it well worth the visit.
What a beautiful Cathedral inside and outside. We went in a Saturday 4PM schedule for Sunday Mass. An archbishop officiated the mass. The members of the choir's voices, are so heavenly. One of the best mass I have attended to. They are so welcoming!
This church offers a European-like atmosphere, making it a standout attraction. From the outside, it’s large and picturesque, while the inside provides a peaceful retreat from the city’s chaos. A unique feature is the Baptismal Font, which I haven’t encountered in other churches. It’s definitely a must-visit for anyone seeking tranquility and a distinctive experience.
Beautiful and serene. We only spent 2 days in Santa Fe. We were able to see alot if the plaza. Take your time here.its worth the price.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
8. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
4.8
(4516)
Bridge
Sights & Landmarks
One of America's highest bridges, this impressive overpass spans across the Rio Grande Gorge.
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Spectacular views of the gorge that the Rio Grande River cuts through. We were surprised to see 2 big horn sheep grazing close to us. It's breathtaking! There's not much more to say.
Absolutely beautiful views. Walked across one side and came back on the other. Everything was clean. The bridge has places to stop and look out. But you can stop anywhere.
Stunning views from ridge just off the free parking area. However, the longer ridge walk was closed. Walk past the restrooms and picnic areas towards the bridge to walk across the bridge.
GORGEous bridge and view. It’s like the Grand Canyon of NM. West rim trail rocks. People can not stop hurling themselves off the bridge which is brutally sad but still a beautiful area.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Taos, NM | A breathtaking stop above the canyon Every visit to Taos isn’t complete without returning to the iconic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, one of the highest bridges in the United States. Standing on the rim of the canyon, you can feel the sheer power of nature beneath your feet and enjoy panoramic views of the Rio Grande winding far below. There’s a free rest area with restrooms, picnic tables and plenty of parking, making it a comfortable stop for travelers. You can walk around the rim for amazing photo opportunities, or explore the West Rim Trail, a scenic 9-mile (round-trip) easy hike that follows the canyon edge with endless desert and mountain views. Local Native American artists often set up stands near the rest area, selling handcrafted jewelry, dreamcatchers, pottery, and natural stones a great way to support local artisans while taking home a unique souvenir. The atmosphere here is incredibly peaceful clean air, quiet desert wind, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. Although the bridge used to be fully open for pedestrians, it’s now monitored for safety reasons, but the viewpoints around still offer jaw-dropping scenery. Perfect for photos, reflection, or a short hike, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is an unforgettable must-see just outside Taos. 🌄 📍 Free parking | Restrooms available | Open 24 hours 💡 Don’t forget to stop by the Earthship Community Visitors Center just down the road it’s a fascinating and sustainable experience you won’t want to miss!
It's definitely something worth seeing. I recommend parking on the west side of the bridge. It offers ample parking and restrooms. You can also walk a hiking trail south along the ridge. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Was an amazing experience. It was so beautiful. Whatever you do don't walk on the bridge. Pull into the rest stop right across the bridge and walk out to the trail that takes you to it and more.
Beautiful, we saw long horn sheep and had a nice walk along the rim.
Taos Pueblo
9. Taos Pueblo
Ancient Ruins
Historic Sites
Taos Pueblo is an ancient pueblo belonging to a Taos-speaking Native American tribe of Puebloan people. It lies about 1 mile north of the modern city of Taos, New Mexico. The pueblos are the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Taos Pueblo has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wikipedia.
Santa Fe Plaza
10. Santa Fe Plaza
4.7
(11489)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Historic city plaza with benches, a bandstand & ethnic markets, plus festivals & community events.
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The Santa Fe Plaza, located right in the heart of downtown, was one of the highlights of our recent trip to New Mexico. We loved exploring its historic charm, including beautiful old churches and the Palace of the Governors. The area is filled with great spots that make the visit worthwhile, for instance, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, bookstores, museums, and more. We had a fantastic day soaking in the culture and atmosphere.
The plaza offers a surreal and peaceful atmosphere, featuring quaint shops constructed with Adobe architecture. Occasionally, you can enjoy the serene experience of Native Americans playing and singing their spiritual music. It’s an ideal spot for a leisurely stroll during the morning and evening hours, as it remains uncrowded at these times.
Absolutely stunning place. This place has the vibes, the feel of the celebrations. Vibrant, colorful and playful - that’s the feel that you get while at the Santa Fe plaza. Multiple gift shops, art galleries, churches & cathedrals, shopping places and exceptional eateries. The plaza cafe being the best example. There is always a mood of celebration in the air. We loved the vibrance of the place. La Fonda being the central point of attraction for a great downtown.
The Santa Fe plaza, with its quaint little stores, colorful artwork, and sun-warmed adobe pillars, makes for a charming stroll that can fill a day beautifully. The atmosphere is lively, and we came across a market where artisans were selling jewelry. The walkability of the plaza makes it easy to pop into art galleries, and catch a glimpse of historic landmarks. The place could be even more lively with pop-up sports, or dance battles.
Nice place to take the whole family, to experience a different culture. There's lots of shops, museums, art galleries and excellent restaurants and cafes to choose from. We even got to see a traditional dance performed by one of the native tribes of New Mexico.
A National Historic landmark in downtown Santa Fe district and a must see for first time visit to the area. A small lovely green space to sit and relax. Today the central Soldier’s Monument remains damaged after protestors toppled down the obelisk and defaced the base in October 2020 during an Indigenous People’s day event. The monument was controversial due to a plaque referring to "savage Indians," and the protesters used ropes and chains to pull down its tiers. The Palace of the Governors sits across the plaza while the plaque marking end of the Santa Fe Trail on the other end. Free to visit. No parking.
No visit to Santa Fe would be complete without starting here. Plus you’ll overhear the “local” tour guides (easy to spot as they’re all wearing Steve Erwin adjacent outfits) talking to large groups and decide you’re much better off navigating the city solo. Also plenty of dubious Chinese souvenirs masquerading as local turquoise etc in the colonnades. Still, it is beautiful. And very central 🤣🤦‍♀️
Amazing place! Great place to shop hand made artistic things from jewelry, Art works etc. love the vibe and many good options for food! Take a walk and experience the Santa Fe culture!
International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop
11. International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop
4.4
(2595)
Museum
Gift shop
Museum featuring exhibits about the Roswell UFO Incident of 1947 along with alien-related art.
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In February 2025, we visited the International UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico. We were on a road trip and visiting National Parks and historical sites in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Carlsbad Caverns National Parks does not allow for any tours after 2:30 PM, so we decided to visit Roswell, NM for the alien attractions. By the time that we arrived at the International UFO Museum, it was closed; nevertheless, the alien decorations and scenery in Roswell were super fun to see. Legend/history has it that an alien landing happened in 1947, and Roswell has been enjoying and benefiting from that legend/history for the past 78 years. Thank you, International UFO Museum of Roswell, New Mexico, for contributing to our amazing Southwestern United States road trip experience. I included pictures of the International UFO Museum and some of the surrounding stores that all have clever alien displays.
This was a fantastic place to learn about aliens and the history of Roswell. I especially enjoyed the museum’s library wing, which is filled with fascinating alien-related materials as well as historical archives from the region. The main exhibit area was equally impressive, offering an engaging and extensive collection of displays that bring Roswell’s unique history to life.
This is such a fun place to visit whether you are a believer in UFOs or a skeptic. There are so many displays & pictures to read about, so you can make up tour own mind based upon the information provided. You can spend anywhere from a couple hours to all day. Would highly recommend & would happily return.
Fun museum to wander thru! A lot to see & read. There is also a 25 minute video. Good price for admission.
It was great to get to this museum. It is small and easily navigable. Lots of photos and reading, some video, on display, done on a timeline- more of a historical recount of significant events and people, very informative for newbies. My favorite part of the museum was the back wall which displays a quote by Stan Friedman. The gift shop has something for everyone! Parking is easy, the museum has two lots one right next to the building, the other is directly across the street. This really is a must see for anyone interested in the topic. It will take a leisurely one hour to get through it, if you are intent on reading all parts of the exhibit, you will need more time. The museum is located right in the heart of the Main Street of Roswell close to other attractions and restaurants. It is an easy walk in any direction to see other things on your check list.
This was a walk on your own museum tour. They have every alien ufo encounter documented in binders. You learn as much as you read for yourself! They do allow pets on the tour which is so helpful when traveling with fur buddy’s!!!
We really enjoyed the international UFO Museum and research library. A person could spend hours upon hours there if not days. I would say on one note, there is plenty of stuff for kids to look at and individuals who aren’t as interested in all the specifics. The videos were informative and interesting. All of the optics of the place was exceptional. I certainly learned quite a bit and thought that the presentation of the information was very well put together. Again, if you are very seriously interested in this historical event. It is a great place for you to go. If you’re not that interested it will still be fun and the price is certainly fair.
The museum itself was good. The accessibility to park and the restrooms not so much. There was no accessible stalls in the men's bathroom. And there is only one stall for ramp access and they use it to charge vehicles first and if you're disabled then you can use it if it's not being taken up by charging vehicles.
Meow Wolf Santa Fe's House of Eternal Return
12. Meow Wolf Santa Fe's House of Eternal Return
4.7
(20044)
Sights & Landmarks
Amusement center
Unique & immersive art installations with multimedia elements & a mysterious narrative throughout.
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This place was definitely cool! We got the Anytime tickets so we weren't limited to a certain time. The art in the parking lot was neat to see. There was no wait, we got right in. The exhibit was awesome with so much to see and do. About half way way we found out there was a scavenger hunt (we went with seasoned visitors who ran us through a little quick). My advise is take your time to really soak in all the things to see and do. We definitely will go back!
Meow Wolf Santa Fe is truly one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had! From the moment we stepped inside, it was like entering another world—a psychedelic, mind-bending playground where every corner held a new surprise. Even as adults, we found ourselves grinning ear to ear, exploring like kids again, uncovering hidden passages and discovering secrets tucked away at every turn. The creativity, detail, and imagination that went into this place is just unbelievable—it’s interactive art on a whole new level. It was equal parts fun, mysterious, and awe-inspiring. If you ever get the chance to go, don’t hesitate—everyone should experience this magical adventure at least once in their life.
I have heard about this place for many years and have wanted to go. It's so worth it! Was all that it was said it was to be. Such a great experience. We were glad there weren't kids running around and screaming until a little towards the end. We went right away at 10am on a Monday and were there for 3 hours! Just magical. The details are amazing. My friend and I are artists and were really inspired!!
Very awesome. As someone who has been to the Denver one many times, I would say I line this one even more. Super fun and unique. You really have to go to know what it’s like but I loved this recent visit (which was my second).
A magical journey through the imagination of many. This is the OG, and I think the experience speaks for itself. A fun spot for a date, especially during a weekday when there's less kids. But also seems to be a great spot to take your kiddos and let them explore all the fun rooms and spaces. I would suggest 2-4 hours for sure. If you want to really dive in to the experience, download the app and start using it at the mailbox.
Are there words? This place was nothing like I have ever seen. The art was ... Living, you were in it. I enjoyed opening a door and walking into a dream, an imaginary thought, a fantasy. It was AMAZING. You enter a "Regular" house (we didn't do the story) and every door leads you to a different world yet they were all the one. The builders of this beautiful madness are brilliant. I had so much fun here, it awakened imagination and excitement. I enjoyed every minute of this. You want a day of fun where you can COMPLETELY shut out the world? Go to Meow Wolf!
It's another fantastic and timeless world for adventure experiences! 🤩 Your ordinary imagination totally disappears when you step in there. It's a very artistic, exotic, future's zone they've created in one spot in the Westernized city of Santa Fe. ✨
Category: Attraction. Let’s say you’re sitting around the house 🏠 thinking “I’d like to play some animal bones like a Xylophone that sounds like the spaceship 🚀 from Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. Or you have a hankering to slide 🛝 through a clothes dryer, not knowing what you’ll find. Or maybe you want to climb into a vintage refrigerator — without getting stuck inside — and emerge into a totally white room. Or maybe it’s been too long since you crawled through a fireplace and found yourself in a different room. Personally, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to drive a school bus 🚍 that’s pointing straight up into the air. If any of these conditions applies to you, Meow 🐱 Wolf 🐺 can satisfy your needs, and then some. Whenever we have friends in town we take them here, especially the slightly twisted ones. Exploring the nooks and crannies, hidden passages, multiple levels, ramps, staircases, quirky rooms, and Alice-in-Wonderlandishness of this acid trip turned real is like no other experience anywhere, at least not on this planet, assuming you are sane. Every time we visit we see something new, or maybe we saw it before but were so overstimulated that it couldn’t compete with the thousands of other stimuli competing for our memory space as we explored this kaleidoscopic maze. If you are so inclined, there is a story to solve and clues running in parallel with your exploration, but we have never been so inclined. It’s enough just to try to take it all in without trying to think too. Concerts must be held here from time to time because there is a stage and many comfy spaces from which one could enjoy the music. The lobby offers a cafe and a gift shop with all manner of weird stuff. YouTube’s Chef’s Apprentice
Museum of International Folk Art
13. Museum of International Folk Art
4.8
(1268)
Museum
Art museum
80,000-sq-ft homage to global folk art & culture, featuring art & artifacts from over 100 countries.
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Theres a little bit of everything here for everyone to see! It was a $12 fee for me to walkabout as long as I wanted. I came here for the miniature exhibits & got more than I bargained for. Sadly I had limited time here & I did not have time to visit the other museum directly next door. I enjoyed how the museum is organized here, where they have a vast, diverse majority of displays with only code numbers on them, making it so you need to read through a provided booklet and find more information about the specific exhibit youre looking for more info on. Very interesting and wide selection to look through. Would visit again!
Really a fun and unique museum. The galleries are all very different. My wife and I have been to many art museums but this brings a completely different perspective. We particularly enjoyed the exhibit on South African phone wire weaving which is an amazing demonstration of taking waste and making art from it. We spent about 2 hours wandering which seemed to be a nice amount of time. We were also nicely surprised to find out Wednesday is New Mexican Seniors get in free day.
Amazing and fun place to be. We loved the temporary exhibition the most. There are also some interactive activities throughout. Highly recommended! The museum was free when we were there on Saturday.
This museum is a world tour of the remarkably diverse and talented creations of amateur artisans. The displays are beautifully presented and well-described through interactive QR codes.
This museum is truly unique and unlike anything I’ve seen before. It showcases folk art from around the world, and the sheer number of objects on display is impressive. The guidebook is comprehensive, providing detailed information about the origins of the art. If you’re interested in this kind of art, you could easily spend a lot of time here. They also had a fascinating temporary exhibit featuring South African art made from telephone wire, which was both unique and wonderful to see. I highly recommend visiting this place.
We attended the Accessibility Awards and as it was my first visit I was just delighted with the history, beauty and excitement going on! I would have given a 5* but the security woman kicked us out of the museum because we had waters. When she realized she might have been drastic she then took that time to ask if it was just water. She could have asked in the first place. She invited us to finish our tour and I politely declined. Not even an apology. NOT EVEN a HELLO! No one wants to be made to feel like their visit there was unwelcomed. Other than that interaction everyone was very helpful and made the show enjoyable!
Museum of International Folk Art is an excellent art museum featuring folk art from around the world. It also has an excellent gift shop with items similar to what are displayed in the museum. The museum staff is very friendly and go out of their way to help!
Great museum. We loved the unique exhibit in the basement with the stop motion video. We also enjoyed that many of the exhibits had interactive elements. We enjoyed looking at everything but we wish there were some simple labels (like country of origin and year) in the largest exhibit. It wasn't ideal to always have to be referencing the accompanying booklet. Lastly, telelphone wire art is a very interesting concept that I had never heard of before.
Bandelier National Monument
14. Bandelier National Monument
4.8
(3387)
National reserve
Sights & Landmarks
Human settlements from around 11,000 years ago lying in rocky canyon & mesa country.
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Very well kept and easy hike. You can do the loop in one hour, but I‘d plan in some more time to properly check out the site and maybe have a picnic. There’s a lot of shade after the caves. Half of the loop is concrete and doable with a wheelchair I suppose. Come early and bring a sweater. It’s chill, but great! No one was there at 8 am on a Wednesday.
They are mostly closed for the gov shutdown, but one campground was open still. There was access to one hiking trail from the campground, Tyuonyi Overlook was accessible. Pueblo Trail is closed. Visitors center is closed. The overlook is incredibly scenic. Just do not expect to see the cave homes right now.
Super fascinating national monument showcasing the natural landscape of the area and the Pueblo culture/dwellings. Nice gift shop and visitor center too. Unfortunately the Alcove House was closed for repairs this summer when I visited, but I did the Pueblo Loop trail and definitely recommend as it goes by the majority of the cliff dwellings, some of which you can even climb up into via ladders.
🤩 what an underrated gem!! Beautiful and easy hikes to see the ruins. Climbing the ladders to the Alcove house was the highlight. Parking lot was full by noon. But there’s so longer, harder back packing trails. Don’t let this one slip by!!
It was such a privilege to visit this site in 2023. There was a visitor center with a small but great museum- including a gift shop. The grounds are open to guided tours and individual exploration. You can also get up close to the wall dwellings via some ladders which was super cool! 20/10, an important cultural site that has a lot to interact with.
I visited Bandelier National Monument and was honestly amazed by the beauty and history of the place. The cliff dwellings and trails were incredible to explore, and the scenery felt peaceful and untouched. The only downside was the limited parking and the shuttle schedule, which made getting there a bit tricky. Still, it was totally worth it for the views and experience.
I really enjoyed this park, it could easily be argued to be included as a national park the historical aspect and Native American dwellings in this area, makes it unique, especially the cliff dwellings. Unfortunately the Alcove House Trail was closed when I was there so I missed out on one of the main sites to see.
A relaxing environment with lots of hiking trails, camping, small restaurant and gift shop. A great park for families to spend the day exploring the ancient Pueblo homes and enjoying the Frijoles Canyon. Your park entry also includes entry to the nearby Valles Caldera
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
15. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
4.5
(6960)
Cultural center
Museums
Expansive museum featuring pottery, arts & crafts, jewelry & more from local Native American tribes.
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Such a beautiful, welcoming atmosphere. Calming and clean, I’m so happy I visited. I’m not from any tribe in the US but am Dene (Dine in the US) from Canada and I was only charged $1, loved that. The display as soon as I walked in made me cry, it made me feel so connected to my roots and make me realize how proud and resilient we are as Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. I then visited the craft shop and the restaurant that topped off my visit. Proud to be Indigenous! I highly recommend a visit.
Nice museum dedicated to the history, culture, and arts of the Pueblo Indians. It was enriching and full of history that I was not familiar with. Very insightful...self-guided for $12, gift shop, and restaurant serving authentic cuisine.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. We attended during Balloon Fiesta week on a Tuesday and were able to see a couple of different dance troupes that were very talented . We found the history of the people and arcitecture very interesting. We ate in the restaurant and the food and service were phenomenal! Shout out to our server Mark! I want to go back because we didn't get to spend enough time looking at the exhibits.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a must-see for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and understanding of the Pueblo Society. The museum has a rotating exhibit area that hi-lited several modern Pueblan artists, a fantastic exhibit on Pueblan architecture, and an expansive permanent exhibit on the history and culture of the Pueblan peoples. We also enjoyed the numerous small niches with videos, stories, and dialect demonstrations. We left with a much better understanding of the 19 Pueblo communities in New Mexico. We ended up spending almost five hours here, including about 2 1/2 hours in the exhibits, an hour at the dance/ ceremony, another hour at the restaurant, and a half hour perusing the gift shop and vendors. We arrived before 10 am and found plenty of parking in the lot behind the Center. Admission is very reasonable. The staff and volunteers were courteous and welcoming. We recommend eating lunch at the restaurant connected to the Center. The restaurant has a separate entrance for the public, but you can also access the restaurant from the museum.
What an amazing experience. This was our first visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Our group enjoyed the traditional dance and presentation. You can easily spend an entire day reading the educational plaques, enjoying the local art, watching the presentation, eating lunch and browsing the gift shop. Everything was so well done. It’s a great place to visit if you are wanting to learn more about the Puebloan tribes. You can either purchase your tickets online or at the entrance.
It had nice pottery displayed and some good interactive elements, like hearing different stories and dialects from different pueblos. It was a bit small, and the rotating exhibits were not as interesting. The food was good at the restaurant, and I'd want to go when they have live performances
Such a beautiful place. The museum is full of beautiful, sacred art. The gifshop is the same there is a list of purchases I want. The restaurant was awesome, the food delicious and the staff friendly and welcoming.
Had a very good breakfast here. The portions were more than either of us could eat. I had the huevos Albuquerque and it was so good, I was sad to have to leave some on the plate. HIGHLY recommend.
Petroglyph National Monument
16. Petroglyph National Monument
4.6
(3923)
National reserve
Sights & Landmarks
Archaeological site showcasing thousands of prehistoric Native American drawings on stone walls.
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It’s a nice place to pay a visit if you are in the way to Arizona. Went to the Visitor Center and learn about the history and old Pueblo rock carvings known as the Petroglyphs. Before the hike, you may be encouraged by the information ranger, to watch a short video near the gift shop so that hikers may appreciate the monument. There are a few trails and the easier and short trails can find around 100 over petroglyphs. Other trails can have more than 200 of them. I do enjoy the visit and getting some souvenirs.
We went here during the government shut down. The staff was still there! Giving directions and answering questions. Now the visitor center was closed of course but they were still outside the gates to help us. Wonderful humans! They didn't have the passport stamps at the "Main Gate" but drew a date stamp for me in my book. That guy made my day doing that. I loved him for doing that. When we got to one of the trails they had the stamp there so I got both ❤️. It made a sad situation in our country that more memorable because of the human nature, kindness, regular people sharing an experience together, for each other. It was amazing seeing the art someone left behind so long ago. Trying to understand what they were thinking. Seeing a captured moment in time of the thought of another human being. Some make perfect sense and some you will walk away wondering what in the world was that. If you get the chance take a walk where others have stepped for so long.
Really neat place. Much larger than I thought. Started at the middle parking lot and walked to the rinconada trail to the south... thats a good distance away and not many petroglyphs along the way. Turns out there's 3 parking lots... north , central and south and I think even on the back side fir the volcano. After the south trail I drove to the north and there is neighborhoods and gas stations and restaurants in between... feels like an entirely different park but its connected. This was my first time getting ours of petroglyphs and I had no idea it would be so fun to find them hidden in the rocks. Gonna add this to my list of things to photograph as I travel.
A piece of history that you definitely need to see! Very well maintained and great signage! The hiking trails range from moderate to difficult, depending on which site you choose to visit. We went with the Boca Negra Canyon which showcases around 100 petroglyphs and is not a difficult hike at all. I didn't see all of them but I saw quite a few. We spent about 1 hour and 30 minutes there. Also, I started with the Visitors Center and got some good info and a map to start. It is free to visit...
Amazing place to hike. Do be aware there isn't much parking (I went to boca negra canyon after not being able to park at the visitor center). Also, no shade, so wear a hat if you sunburn easily. Loved seeing all the pictures on the rocks from the past.
Amazing stop some difficult hikes if you have mobility challenges but there is a nice walkway for easier options. Well worth the hike if your are moderately fit. Beautiful historical artifacts at no charge.
From what we could see during the government shutdown it was a good place to visit. We walked in via the access trail and were able to go into the canyon to see petroglyphs. I really liked how there were very few signs pointing out where the petroglyphs were - it was like a scavenger hunt!
A rock storybook! You have to wonder what these ancient people were trying to tell us. Though we will never fully know, we can know they were leaving behind something they hoped would be seen thousand of years later. This place is amazing!
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