New Mexico became the 47th state in 1912. But culturally, the region has a much longer history. Before it was part of the U.S., New Mexico was a part of Mexico, and before it was a part of Mexico, the land was inhabited by indigenous populations.
The great state of New Mexico is known for its rugged terrain, temperate climate, and diverse populations. For years, people have been coming from all over the U.S. and abroad to visit the national parks and historic monuments. The state even has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its borders. If you love history and breathtaking scenery, then New Mexico is a must-see place to visit. Let’s take a look at some of the things New Mexico is known for so you can experience the best the state has to offer.
In researching this list, 24/7 Tempo consulted various websites like the New Mexico Tourism Department, History Channel, New Mexico Park Service, New Mexico Museum of Art, and New Mexico Magazine. These spots showcase the diversity the state has to offer culturally, artistically, and geographically. (For more fun facts about New Mexico, read about the 10 biggest musicians from New Mexico.)
Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico and the heart of the state. It is the cultural and historical center. It’s located in the high desert, surrounded by natural beauty. But the city is more than just the state capital; it is the oldest capital city in the U.S. It’s actually older than the U.S. since Santa Fe was founded in the early 1600s when the Spanish ruled the region. You can see the history up close and personal with a walk through the oldest building in the U.S., the Palace of the Governors, built in the early 1600s. And just a few blocks away, you can visit the oldest church in the U.S., the San Miguel Chapel.
The vibrant, colorful city of Santa Fe has a thriving artist market and creative vibe. UNESCO has designated it as a Creative City for its outstanding craft and folk art. Today, the city is home to many creative types, from writers to musicians to painters.
White Sands National Park
New Mexico has diverse terrain, and one of the truly unique areas is White Sands National Park. The park is the most visited of all of New Mexico’s national parks. Visitors come to hike, camp, and sled down the white sand dunes and explore the flora and fauna in the area. The park has been the backdrop of several films over the years, including ‘Young Guns,” “Transformers,” and “Year One.”
White Sands National Park is located in southern New Mexico and is surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range. The park periodically closes when they are testing, so make sure to check the dates before you visit.
Chaco Canyon
Chaco Canyon is a must-see spot to visit in New Mexico. The canyon is a peek into the history and people of the area. The canyon is known for the early inhabitants of Chaco, a culture that thrived from 800-1200 C. E. The people were at the center of trade and commerce in the area, and their architecture and masonry were considered advanced. As a tourist, you can come and see the canyon and experience its beauty and deep connections to the past. There are places to camp, hike, explore, and learn about the unique spiritual history of the canyon.
The International UFO Museum and Research Center
Whether you believe in extraterrestrials and UFOs or not, the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico, is worth a visit. The museum opened in 1992 as a place to gather information about the infamous 1947 UFO incident in Roswell and other UFO-related activities. The town is considered the capital of the UFO phenomenon, and the museum showcases the facts and fiction related to the UFO experience. A visit to the museum will leave you with more questions than answers and a fun story to tell.
New Mexican Cuisine
Ancient blue corn, red chilies, breakfast burritos, bizcochitos, green chili stew, carne adovada, prickly pears, and chile rellenos, are just some of the amazing food in New Mexico. The state brings together the best of Mexican cuisine with local touches. The state has its own take on classic Mexican dishes and a thriving food scene, from fine dining establishments that combine classic dishes with an elegant flair to local hole-in-the-wall eateries and food trucks. The food scene in New Mexico should be on your list of best eats in the country.
Taos Pueblo
According to their website, Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The beautiful terraced adobe structures have been inhabited for 1000 years. At one time, these structures could only be visited by ladders through the rooftop as the structures didn’t have doorways or windows. Now, historians and tourists can visit the historic site and learn more about the ancient culture that has been called home for the last century. If you visit in July, you can attend the Taos Pueblo Pow Wow. The Pow Wow is a cultural event with music, art, and entertainment celebrating the people and culture.
Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque
Are you a fan of hot air balloons? Then, head to the biggest hot air balloon festival in the nation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The annual festival takes place in early October and is one of the best times to visit the area. The vast blue sky is filled with bright hot air balloons, and the nine-day festival offers plenty of fun entertainment besides just watching the colorful balloons float overhead.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
One truly unique place in New Mexico is Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The park is located in southern New Mexico and consists of 119 caves of various sizes. Some caves are open to exploration, others are open to guided tours, and some are not open due to safety issues. Visitors from all over come to explore the caves and surrounding wilderness areas. The park is situated in the Chhauahan desert and is teeming with nature, from flowering cacti to wildlife to canyons and rock formations. The park is a great place to experience the beauty of southern New Mexico.
Bandelier National Monument
If you like hiking and history, you must visit Bandelier National Monument. The area is known for the many Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites. Visitors can learn more about the Ancestral Pueblo people and their lives and farming techniques while hiking and exploring. It is the place for an exciting history lesson about the Pueblo people and culture.
Turquoise
The blue stones are found throughout New Mexico, where jewelry-making and handmade artisan crafts are abundant. In New Mexico, turquoise is more than just a stone; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Ancestral peoples throughout the region believed turquoise to be a sacred stone that could bring health and happiness. Today, visitors can follow the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, which spans 50 miles from Albuquerque to Santa Fe on Highway 14 through mining and ghost towns. There are art galleries and museums along the way, and lots of turquoise trinkets, jewelry, and crafts.
Petroglyph National Monument
Just outside of Albuquerque is the Petroglyph National Monument, home to one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. The National Park Service runs the 7,236-acre area and offers a glimpse into the past. The site has several hiking trails where visitors can see firsthand the ancient petroglyphs that are thought to be from 400 to 700 years ago. The images are from the early Native American and pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the area and are protected for their historical and cultural significance.
Hatch Chile Festival
New Mexico is known for its place in the culinary world, and the star of New Mexican cuisine is the Hatch chile. The Hatch chile is a New Mexican staple and is used in a variety of ways, from salsa to chile rellenos. Hatch chiles can be used fresh from the harvest or roasted and turned into salsa. They can be pickled or frozen or dried and ground into a spice. There are so many ways to enjoy this flavorful chile that visitors may be surprised at this versatile vegetable. These green chilies are grown in the Hatch Valley, and the epicenter of production is the town of Hatch, New Mexico, which is located in the southern part of the state near the border with Mexico. In New Mexico, the Hatch Chile is so popular that there is an annual festival celebrating it every Labor Day weekend.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area
One of the most unique places in New Mexico is the badlands area of Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area. The landscape is dotted with impressive ancient geological formations made of sandstone, shale, silt, mudstone, and coal. The area is 45,000 acres, with extensive trails for visitors to explore. Visitors can hike and camp in the wilderness, but hikers are encouraged to exercise caution and bring a compass to orientate themselves. These badlands are easy to get lost in, so visitors are advised to come prepared. In addition, hikers and campers must bring in their own water as there are no water sources.
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is the infamous river that divides Mexico from Texas. It flows up through New Mexico and ends in Colorado. In New Mexico, travelers can follow the Rio Grande route from Santa Fe to Taos to get a glimpse of one of the longest and historically important rivers in North America. The scenic route follows the river through two old Hispanic Settlements Alcalde and Velarde, and the Oñate Monument Visitor Center. There are many interesting spots to see as you follow the river.
Four Corners Monument
The Four Corners Monument celebrates the spot where four states, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, meet. Visitors can get a picture and shop local Navajo artisans. The Navajo Parks and Recreation runs the monument, and they don’t accept Nation Park Passes, so come prepared. The monument is a popular place for photos.
Aztec Ruins National Monument
There is no need to go all the way to Mexico to see Aztec ruins. In the town of Aztec, New Mexico, you can visit the Aztec Ruins National Monument. The monument is free and open to the public. The monument is a World Heritage Site and a part of the Chaco Culture World Heritage Site because it showcases the architectural and engineering skills of the early Pueblo peoples. It makes for a great day trip to explore the 900-year-old ancestral site.
The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
One of New Mexico’s most famous inhabitants was the artist Georgia O’Keeffe. She was an American Modernist painter and sculptor who dedicated her life to the beauty of the New Mexican landscape. Her art reflects the vast colors and textures found in the wild terrain of New Mexico. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is a place to marvel at the famous artist’s career. Aside from her art, the museum has a library, research center, and an education annex offering classes for budding artists.
Ghost Ranch
Tucked away in north-central New Mexico, close to the village of Abiquiu, is the Ghost Ranch retreat and education center. The ranch sits on 21,000 acres and was formerly the home of the artist Georgia O’Keefe, but now it is owned by the Presbyterian church, and they have turned it into a spiritual wellness retreat. Visitors can enjoy hikes, paddling, snowshoeing, and more at the center.
Loretto Chapel Miraculous Staircase
The Loretto Chapel sits in the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The chapel is best known for its mysterious staircase, which is a marvel of woodworking. The helix-shaped spiral staircase was built in 1878 for the Sisters of Loretto. The chapel was part of the girls’ school. Some historians explain the mysterious staircase as a marvel of woodworking at a time of limited technology and tools. Other stories claim a mysterious carpenter came to construct the stairs and left without collecting his pay when he finished the job. The mysterious carpenter and the fact that the staircase has thirty-three steps have turned the staircase from the little Loretto chapel into a place of spiritual significance.
The chapel and school closed in 1968, and the chapel is under private ownership and is currently a wedding and events venue. The spiritually charged staircase has been the subject of a television movie and inspired episodes of the television shows UnXplained and Unsolved Mysteries.
Movies and Westerns
The silhouette of two cowboys riding their horses at dawn.
New Mexico has a long history, first as a culturally significant settlement of the indigenous population, later as a part of pre-Hispanic Mexico, and even later as a part of the United States. The unique landscape and colorful formations make this land the perfect backdrop for modern Hollywood. The film industry has made many films in New Mexico, from classic Westerns to Golden Age films to modern masterpieces. Some of the well-known films that have been filmed in the state are “Oppenheimer,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Silkwood,” “Lone Ranger,” “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” “True Grit,” “Natural Born Killers,” and many others (Read about the biggest musicians from New Mexico).
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