- Santa Fe is one of America's oldest and most beautiful cities
- Taos Pueblo has been lived in for around a thousand years
- White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns are two of the Southwest's great natural sights
- Ask for "Christmas" to try your enchiladas with both red and green chile
- Airports
- Albuquerque (ABQ), via a US hub such as Dallas, Denver or Chicago; Santa Fe is about 1 hour's drive
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October; early October for the Albuquerque balloon fiesta
- Type
- State
New Mexico calls itself the Land of Enchantment, and it lives up to the name. Spanish colonial history, Native American cultures and the Old West meet here in a way you find nowhere else in the US. Adobe churches glow in the late sun, pueblos keep centuries-old traditions, and the landscape runs from snowy mountains to white desert dunes.
Santa Fe, founded in 1610, is the cultural star, with galleries, museums and a celebrated food scene. Further afield are hot springs, ghost towns, ancient cliff dwellings and some of the darkest skies in America. For the wider picture, see our USA guide.
Things to do
- Santa Fe – the Plaza, the Palace of the Governors, Canyon Road's galleries, the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and the immersive Meow Wolf art space.
- Taos – Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site still home to its community, plus the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and ski slopes.
- White Sands National Park – rolling dunes of brilliant white gypsum; hire a sledge at the visitor centre and stay for sunset.
- Carlsbad Caverns – enormous underground chambers and, in summer evenings, a spectacular bat flight.
- Albuquerque – Old Town, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the Sandia Peak Tramway.
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park – remote, monumental ruins of ancestral Puebloan great houses.
- Bandelier National Monument – cliff dwellings you can climb into by ladder.
- The Turquoise Trail and High Road to Taos – two scenic drives linking art towns and old mining villages.
Where to stay
- Santa Fe – adobe hotels and inns near the Plaza; the best all-round base.
- Taos – historic inns and ski lodges in the north.
- Albuquerque – good-value hotels, especially for the balloon fiesta (book far ahead).
- Las Cruces or Alamogordo – practical bases for White Sands.
- Carlsbad – motels for the caverns.
Getting there
There are no direct flights from the UK. Fly to Albuquerque with one connection, usually through Dallas, Denver, Chicago or Houston; total journey time is typically 14 to 17 hours. From Albuquerque, Santa Fe is about an hour's drive and Taos about two and a half. Many travellers fold New Mexico into a longer Southwest trip from Denver or Phoenix. A hire car is essential, and you will need an approved ESTA.
Best time to visit
Late spring and autumn bring warm, sunny days and cool nights. Early October is famous for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, when hundreds of hot-air balloons fill the sky. Summers are hot in the south, with afternoon storms in July and August. Winter can be snowy in Santa Fe and Taos, which is lovely for skiing and quiet galleries.
Santa Fe sits at about 2,100 metres. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol for the first day and wear strong sun cream.
Top attractions in New Mexico
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
New Mexico on the map
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need in New Mexico?
A week covers Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque. Ten days lets you add White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns in the south.
Can I visit Taos Pueblo?
Yes, the pueblo is usually open to visitors for much of the year, but it closes for ceremonies and some periods. Respect photography rules and check opening before you go.
Is New Mexican food very spicy?
It can be. Green and red chile are in almost everything, and heat varies by batch. Ask for chile on the side if you are unsure.
Is the balloon fiesta worth planning a trip around?
If you can book well ahead, yes. The dawn mass ascensions are spectacular, but hotel prices rise sharply that week.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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