New Mexico is an underrated state with so much to see. Within New Mexico are 15 National Parks and Monuments alone. This doesn’t include state parks and other incredible cultural spots. The surface area of this beautiful southwestern state is 121,591 square miles. The state is about 317 miles long and 344 miles wide.
Although the capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe, the largest city in the state is Albuquerque. This vibrant city is home to nearly 600,000 people and has a surface area of 188.95 square miles. Albuquerque alone has so much to do and see. In one day, you can easily walk and see the Petroglyph National Monument, spend time at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and learn about New Mexico’s culture at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Some of these incredible destinations, we’ll discuss later on.
But how were we able to compile this list? To find the best must-see destinations in New Mexico, 24/7 Tempo consulted various U.S. and local New Mexico tourism sources like U.S. News Travel, New Mexico Tourism, Visit Albuquerque and TripAdvisor. Instead of just selecting national parks and monuments, we’ve also featured unique experiences, cultural museums and even an entire city known for its love and interest in aliens.
The United States is full of beautiful landmarks, parks, and cultural icons. Another great and underrated state to visit is Alaska. After you’re done reading this article, click here for 17 must-see destinations in Alaska right now.
Keep reading to discover the 20 must-see destinations in New Mexico. Some may surprise you.
VLA (Very Large Array)
Have you ever heard of the VLA (Very Large Array)? The VLA is an incredible centimeter-wavelength radio astronomy observatory in New Mexico. It’s situated between Magdalena and Datil.
This unique destination is open to the public. For a small entrance fee, you can visit the VLA including its Visitor Center. Within the Visitor Center is a 23-minute documentary narrated by Jodie Foster. Also in the VLA, you can take an outdoor self-guided walking tour to the Bracewell Radio Sundial.
Ghost Ranch
Also in New Mexico is the Ghost Ranch. It’s an education and retreat center with lots to do and see. Within the Ghost Ranch are two museums: the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology and the Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology. After visiting these museums, guests can hike or book outdoor and wellness experiences.
Pecos National Historical Park
Next on our list of must-see destinations in New Mexico is the Pecos National Historical Park. This stunning park is located in Pecos. The ruins are spectacular to see and were likely built starting from 1300 A.D.
This national historical park also features ruins from the Mission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula de los Pecos. Multiple trails run through the park which gives visitors better views of the ruins. One of the more popular trails is the Ancestral Sites Trail.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Another unforgettable destination in New Mexico is the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. This monument is in Sandoval County and has a surface area of 5,402 acres. It was established on January 17, 2001. While here there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, bird watching and wildlife viewing.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
If you ever plan a trip to New Mexico, put Carlsbad Caverns National Park high up on your list. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is in the Chihuahuan Desert and has over 100 caves. The surface area of this outstanding national park is 46,766 acres.
Currently, timed entry reservations are required to enter the national park. When inside, visitors can explore the cavern and the many trails. Night hikes and star parties are also available for astronomy lovers.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Not all incredible destinations in New Mexico are outdoors. Another great place you can visit to learn is the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. This beautiful cultural center in Albuquerque was founded in 1976. One of the best things to do at this center is explore the museum and exhibitions. A great permanent exhibit is the “We Are Of This Place: The Pueblo Story.”
Don’t forget to stop by the Indian Pueblo Kitchen. Some menu items you can expect to see include calabacitas, red chile beef stews, enchiladas and assorted fruit pies.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is an unforgettable experience. But why? Well, in this monument are extraordinary cave dwellings from the late 1200s. Over 800 years later the walls of the rooms still stand.
Not only can you hike and tour these cliff dwellings, but also view wildlife. Some animals you may see on the trails include mule deer, sucker fish, rufous hummingbirds, common ravens and black-tailed rattlesnakes.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Chaco Culture National Historical Park can take days to explore. This national historical park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The surface area of this park is 33,977.8 acres. In this park are kivas and countless great houses.
The ruins are well-maintained. The hours vary for each of the trails depending on the season. From May 1 to October 31, the trails and sites are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sandia Peak Tramway
If you want a remarkable view, a great New Mexico destination is the Sandia Peak Tramway. The tram travels up the Sandia Mountains in about fifteen minutes for spectacular 11,000-square-mile views. You can use the tram to enjoy the views, hike and dine at TEN 3.
Meow Wolf
In Santa Fe, you can visit another must-see destination, Meow Wolf. So what is Meow Wolf? It’s an immersive and interactive exhibit with over seventy rooms. It’s a must-see spot that is hard to describe. Pictures don’t do this location justice.
White Sands National Park
Another incredible national park in New Mexico is the White Sands National Park. It’s hard to wrap your head around how this national park isn’t covered in snow. The white sands seem so out of place but are stunning underneath a sunset. This lovely park has a surface area of 145,762 acres. The park receives about 700,000 visitors every year.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
An icon that represents New Mexico is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. This must-see bridge is about 10 miles northwest of Taos. It was completed in 1965 and is 1,280 feet long. This bridge has been featured in many films and TV series including “White Sands,” “Vacation” and “She’s Having a Baby.”
Santa Fe Plaza
Santa Fe is a beautiful city to visit in New Mexico. The Santa Fe Plaza was built and developed around 1821. However, the center has over 400 years of history. So, what is there to see here? The architecture alone is a reason to visit.
The older Spanish-style buildings can make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. Some incredible buildings in Santa Fe Plaza are the Palace of the Governors, the Loretto Chapel, and the New Mexico Museum of Art.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
An excellent way to see more of New Mexico is to catch a ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. This railroad runs from May through October. It departs from Chama and climbs up. Viewing wildlife isn’t uncommon on the trip like elk and bears.
The railroad has been featured in multiple films like “Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade,” “A Million Ways to Die in the West” and “Bite the Bullet.”
Aztec Ruins National Monument
New Mexico is filled with ruins. It’s hard to visit the state without at least seeing one. A great place to visit and admire ruins is the Aztec Ruins National Monument. This national monument was created on January 24, 1923. It’s an underrated place in New Mexico often receiving fewer than 100,000 visitors a year.
This national monument has a surface area of 318 acres. It’s part of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The construction of the ruins likely dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Although called the “Aztec” ruins, they are Puebloan structures.
Bandelier National Monument
National monuments are everywhere in New Mexico. Another must-visit is the Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos and Santa Fe counties. This national monument has a long history as it was created on February 11, 1916. It receives a little over 200,000 visitors each year.
Bandelier National Monument has a surface area of 33,677 acres. It features multiple ancient Pueblo sites. A popular one is the Tyuonyi pueblo. To learn more about the people who lived in these sites and dwellings, visitors can check out the Bandelier Museum.
Petroglyph National Monument
Continuing our list of must-see destinations in New Mexico is the Petroglyph National Monument. Here you can find one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. It’s in Bernalillo County and has a surface area of 7,532 acres. Around 150,000 visitors see the Petroglyph National Monument each year.
This unique monument has petroglyphs from multiple different periods. The older ones date back 3,000 years ago, while others were created at the end of the 17th century.
El Morro National Monument
As previously stated, national monuments are everywhere in New Mexico. This includes the El Morro National Monument. This national monument is located in Cibola County. It’s a hidden gem with less than 100,000 visitors each year. El Morro National Monument has a surface area of 1,278.72 acres and was established on December 8, 1906.
There is a little bit of everything in this monument. A popular and short trail to take within the national monument is the Inscription Rock Trail. This takes you to Spanish and early American inscriptions and per-historical petroglyphs. On the face of El Morro, there are over 2,000 inscriptions and hundreds of petroglyphs.
Blue Hole
If you’re just passing through New Mexico, there are plenty of roadside attractions to admire. One of these is the Blue Hole, a popular tourist attraction close to Santa Rosa. The Blue Hole is a small, bell-shaped lake with beautiful blue water. It was used for years by nomadic tribes and cowboys passing through the area. At one point, it was even a fish hatchery.
Roswell
Last but not least is Roswell. New Mexico doesn’t just have a long history with indigenous people and stunning ruins, but also aliens. Roswell is a must-visit for sci-fi lovers. The entire city features fantastic museums and experiences. In one day you can visit the International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop, Roswell UFO Spacewalk and the Miniatures And Curious Collections Museum. (Now that you’re done reading about New Mexico, check out the 20 iconic landmarks and attractions Montana is known for.)