New Mexico

Test your mettle against the raw nature in the Gila National Park – from two-wheeling through trees on a mountainside or an endurance ride out on the road to climbing cragged cliffs, hiking the mountains, and rafting and kayaking the rivers. Sled down miles of shifting, ice-white gypsum dunes at White Sands National Park. Float high above cities, villages, and wide-open landscapes on a sunrise hot air ballooning trip. Descend into the depths of Carlsbad Caverns. Every round offers something different at New Mexico’s Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Course, Twin Warriors Golf Club Santa Ana Pueblo, and Black Mesa Golf Course. And end your day stargazing at Capulin Volcano and Clayton Lake State Park’s dark sky parks.

In its heyday, all 535 miles of New Mexico's Route 66 - aka The Mother Road - bustled with life and hosted American West’s most iconic experiences: herds of antelope on the high prairie, dramatic mountain vistas, and the tribal cultures of the native Puebloan people. Today, you can set out on your Route 66 adventure through New Mexico’s quirky towns and lively cities from Tucumcari, Santa Rosa, Pecos, and Moriarty to Gallup, Albuquerque, and Laguna Pueblo. And explore landmarks like Santa Rosa Blue Hole, Acoma Pueblo, and El Rancho Hotel; delve into the route’s history at New Mexico Route 66 Museum in Tucumcari; or stop at the much-photographed Blue Swallow Motel’s neon sign and the World’s Largest Flip-Flop in San Jon.

Artists of all walks exhibit their craft across New Mexico – from performances of the acclaimed Santa Fe Opera and the Chihuly-adorned Spencer Theater outside of Ruidoso to Santa Fe’s EVOKE Contemporary, New Mexico Museum of Art, and immersive Meow Wolf to Albuquerque’s New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. See more than 3,000 years of Hispanic history depicted in the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s “Mundos de Mesizaje” true fresco. Add to the line-up Santa Fe’s popular more than a 100 year old unique cultural event of Burning of Zozobra (Old Man of Doom) by fire spirits; Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and North America’s largest powwow at Expo New Mexico; and Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial.

Wind down while things heat up just a few steps off the beaten path at New Mexico’s iconic natural hot springs – from the Jemez Mountains’ 99°F Battleship Rock & McCauley Hot Springs and Spence Hot Springs in a natural grotto to Black Rock Hot Springs by the Rio Grande, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs with a backdrop of desert cliffs and cottonwood trees, and the hillside Montezuma Hot Springs. Or leave the stress of everyday life behind with pampering at El Monte Sagrado Resort and Spa, The Spa at Hotel Santa Fe, Tamaya Mist Spa and Salon, Jemez Springs Bath House, or The Spa Downtown. 

New Mexico’s cuisine is a blend of flavours from Spanish and Native American cultures; with red and green New Mexican Chiles used in everything from enchiladas to ice cream. From James Beard-awarded dining to an authentic dive off the beaten path, feast on mouth-watering Enchiladas Montadas, Carne Adovada, and Green Chile Cheeseburgers. Sip local flavours with Piñon Coffee, The New Mexico Paloma, Green Chile Vodka, and Colkegan Single Malt Whiskey. Fun and flavourful events like Hatch Chile Festival, 8750′ Music & BBQ Festival, and Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta and a variety of chef-led cookery classes dot the calendar.

Ride the aerial tramway to the top of Sandia Mountains. Walk across Rio Grande Gorge Suspension Bridge. Delve into New Mexico’s 19 pueblos at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Join a guided tour of Acoma Pueblo. Experience the Billy the Kid era at the Lincoln Historic Site. Visit Sangre de Cristo Mountains’ Santuario de Chimayo. Explore Bandelier National Monument’s carved cliff dwellings and canyon ruins. Wander Taos Pueblo’s 1,000-years-old adobe structures or Old Town Albuquerque. Meet Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary’s pack of wolves and wolfdogs. Drive to Ghost Ranch’s sandstone cliffs or along Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway.