Santa Fe, a vibrant, cultural city, is among the Best Places to Visit in New Mexico. This city is overflowing with history and festivals that honor it all. This is the "City Different," with a distinctive culture built on a wide range of odd components, such as Gothic cathedrals, a passion for the great outdoors, chile-infused cuisine, and a strong emphasis on the arts. Although Santa Fe has structures that were constructed in the 16th century and have architecture with Spanish influences, one of the biggest draws for tourists is the art. The galleries are filled with the works of painters like Georgia O'Keeffe, Peter Hurd, Miro Kenarov, and Gustave Baumann, who were greatly influenced by the city's spectacular, lively, and changing nature.

Many of these well-known pieces may be found along Canyon Road, which is lined with galleries, whenever you visit Santa Fe. Visit an artisan market, explore The Railyard Arts District, or drop by Liquid Light Glass to observe glass-blowing demos for a taste of the next generation of artists. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and the Museum of International Folk Art are two institutions in Santa Fe that highlight the city's eclectic art scene. There's more to Santa Fe's artistic side, right? It has music. Talented performers are welcomed at the Santa Fe Opera's site in the mountains.

The same settings that inspired O'Keeffe beckon adventurers all year long. Exploring the 1.6 million acres of the Santa Fe National Forest, skiing in the powder at one of the local slopes, and hiking the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are all options for active vacationers. Looking for a way to end your day? Santa Fe is also a fantastic location to try something new: Choose from any of the upscale restaurants that are located all throughout the city.

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico
  
• #7 in Best Cheap Winter Vacations
  
• #11 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.
  
• #13 in Best Fall Vacations

Location: New Mexico

Reading the rings on a tree trunk is like reading the history of Albuquerque, which has grown outward over time. Old Town, where the first city was formed in 1706, is at its center. This area is characterized by cobblestone streets and adobe walls, where Native American and Spanish cultures still coexist. In the heyday of the genuine Route 66 that passes through the center of town, you'll also discover a certain amount of kitsch. Expansive mansions and verdant vineyards may be found in the North Valley and Corrales as you travel further afield.

Albuquerque, is one of the Best Places to Visit in New Mexico, maintains its origins despite the ongoing urban development. Many of the city's restaurants provide food with Hispanic influences; nevertheless, be prepared for the chile pepper's ear-splitting intensity. Many gallery windows include works of art made by Native Americans. Albuquerque is a 300-year-old city, but despite this, it is cosmopolitan in every sense of the word, with hip stores, world-class theaters, and a vibrant nightlife. And to top it all off, the city serves as a fantastic base for exploring the Southwest because to its closeness to the magnificent Sandia Mountains.

Rankings:

• #2 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico
  
• #15 in Best Places to Visit in October

Location: New Mexico

Taos, which is situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, has a thriving arts community and a deep cultural history, earning it the moniker "Soul of the Southwest." The town has several options to participate in outdoor summertime activities like rock climbing, hot air ballooning, and even llama trekking. Skiers are welcomed in large numbers during the winter at Taos Ski Valley, Angel Fire Resort, Red River Ski & Summer Area, and Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort. Visitors can go to one of the several nearby hot springs to relieve their hurting muscles.

When it comes to providing a variety of attractions and activities inside a city, Taos is unmatched. At the renowned Taos Pueblo, a multi-story adobe complex, you can explore over a thousand years of tradition and see how Native Americans lived several centuries ago before soaking up the atmosphere of this long-established artist colony by visiting some of the numerous galleries, studios, and museums that primarily feature local artists.

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico

The network of more than 100 caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park enthralls visitors with its amazing rock formations. Two self-guided routes allow visitors to explore the caves at their own pace, or they can join a ranger-led tour to explore other regions. Visit between May and October to catch a glimpse of the park's resident bats as they emerge from the cavern as part of the free evening Bat Flight Program. The trekking trails through the Guadalupe Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert at this UNESCO World Heritage Site are particularly beautiful during the warmer months.

Near the center of the Chihuahuan Desert, in the city of Carlsbad, New Mexico, you will find a lush green paradise along the Pecos River. The region boasts almost ideal weather all year long, making it a terrific location for outdoor enthusiasts who can engage in activities like hiking, bicycling, golf, and water sports there.

A trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where you may explore an amazing maze of tunnels that are more than 250 million years old, is not complete without going there. Both young and old can learn about the wildlife of the desert at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens National Park before cooling off at the Carlsbad Water Park or Lake Carlsbad Beach Park during the summer.

Rankings:

• #4 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico

Despite being one of the newest national parks in America, White Sands has long been a popular destination for tourists. The park, which is located in the Tularosa Basin, boasts more than 73,000 acres of white gypsum sand, making it the largest gypsum dune field in the entire world. The park can be explored on foot, by horse, by bike, or by car. Visitors can also slide down the dunes. But keep in mind that when missile tests take place at the park's missile range, Dunes Drive, the park's picturesque thoroughfare, periodically closes.

In the center of the Tularosa Basin in New Mexico, White Sands National Monument protects a 275-square-mile region of wave-like white gypsum sand dunes. The variety of plants and animals that have adapted to these challenging environments will astound you.

You can explore the area on foot, by bicycle, on horseback (in specific parts only), or by car or motorcycle along the 13 km picturesque Dunes Drive after picking up some information or an adventure pack at the visitors center. If you like to hike and camp, you can stay the night at one of the rustic backcountry campsites under the starry desert sky. Enjoy picnics, dune sledding, and shooting stunning pictures of the desert.

Rankings:

• #5 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico

The idea of visiting Silver City, New Mexico, could seem strange. You've heard of a town that is so far away that the normal person would never recognize it. However, it's a surprisingly well-liked vacation spot. Silver City is definitely worth the journey because of its strong local art scene, numerous locally owned businesses, and even an official state museum. Its renowned historical neighborhood is worth exploring if you enjoy green chiles.

Silver City, so named because it was formerly a silver mining town, still has some of its old beauty in its main Historic District, which is filled with Victorian, Queen Anne, and Italianate-style buildings. At the Silver City Museum, history buffs can discover more about the town's connections to illustrious 19th-century individuals like Billy the Kid and Geronimo. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike portions of the Continental Divide Trail and explore the routes in the City of Rocks State Park, which is home to many boulders.

Silver City has a lot to offer, whether you're seeking for a quiet vacation or a spot to camp. You can stay in one of the 50 Airbnb properties or in a residence in the community. At Walmart, you may camp without charge if you're camping in a car. As an alternative, you can travel two hours by car to Las Cruces and Deming, which are bigger cities. The best breakfast establishment in the city is Adobe Springs Cafe, which offers inexpensive Mexican food and classic American fare.

Rankings:

• #6 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico

Paranormal enthusiasts have gone to Roswell to look for proof that aliens exist ever since a UFO crashed in a field outside of town in 1947. The International UFO Museum and Research Center and the yearly UFO Festival are only two examples of Roswell's rich alien culture. However, there are other things to do in this enigmatic town besides studying about aliens. In addition to swimming and exploring the exhibits at Bottomless Lakes State Park and the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, visitors can search for wildlife at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Roswell is a fascinating New Mexico town where a manned alien spaceship is said to have crashed in 1947. Whether you believe in aliens or not, there is lots to do there. You can visit a variety of historical and cultural sites, such as the General Douglas L. McBride Military Museum, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, the Roswell Symphony Orchestra, and the Roswell Museum and Art Center.

You can take a Roswell UFO Tour or visit the International UFO Museum and Research Center to form your opinion regarding the alien presence. Families can go to Bottomless Lake State Park for fishing, hiking, camping, and boating or the Spring River Park and Zoo.

Rankings:

• #7 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico

Los Alamos, which is regarded as a hub for scientific development, is where the atomic bomb was developed. But the Atomic City is also renowned for being a starting point for wonderful parks and wilderness regions. Visit the Valles Caldera National Preserve, less than 17 miles southwest of Los Alamos, to see a 13-mile-wide volcano crater, mountain meadows, and miles of hiking paths. Alternately, stay in town and go to Ashley Pond Park, where free summer concerts are held every Friday.

In order to create an atomic bomb to end World War II, the Los Alamos National Laboratory was founded in 1943. The LANL focused on pursuing other disciplines once that goal was accomplished in 1945, and the facility is now at the forefront of scientific study.

The Los Alamos National Laboratory is multidisciplinary and studies areas such as medical research, space technology, and many more that will enhance the future lives of everyone on our planet, even while issues of national security are still a priority. Although the facility is not accessible to the general public due to security concerns, you may learn more about it by visiting the interactive Bradbury Science Museum in downtown Los Alamo.

Rankings:

• #8 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico

From Silver City, New Mexico, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is accessible through a 45-mile scenic journey. Before you walk out to see the amazing cave houses that the nomadic Mogollon people constructed in the late 1200s, you can stop at the visitor center. Each day at 11 am, you can either take a guided tour of the homes or pick up some information at the visitors center and explore on your own schedule.

The Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness Areas, which may be reached through trails beginning at the Gila visitors center, offer hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as the chance to explore some of the local hot springs.

When you visit Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, you can get a look into the way of life and culture of the Mogollon people who lived there in the late 1200s. You can tour the cliff houses while you're there, and the tourist center and contact station also have information about the site's previous occupants. Additionally, the nearby Gila National Forest offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and other activities. Bring a bathing suit with you because there are also other hot springs in the region.

Rankings:

• #9 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico

One of the greatest petroglyph sites in North America, Petroglyph National Monument has more than 25,000 carved figures from the region's early pueblo inhabitants and Spanish settlers. Start your visit in the visitor center to learn more about the monument and the activities it offers because the property has so much to see. Then, after a little drive, climb to several petroglyphs in one of three locations: Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon, or Piedras Marcadas Canyon. The monument is home to several different snake species, including deadly rattlesnakes, so take caution where you walk.

One of the most valuable collections of Native American and early Spanish petroglyphs in the nation is protected by the Petroglyph National Monument, which lies close to Albuquerque. Before beginning your on foot exploration along one of the four hiking routes, you can see a short movie and pick up trail maps at the visitors center.

The Boca Negra Canyon, the only built area at the moment with facilities and a picnic area, has three simple one-hour paths. These routes have about 100 petroglyphs, but if you're up for a longer trip, there are three other trails in the Rinconada and Piedras Marcadas Canyons that will expose you to hundreds of petroglyphs.

Rankings:

• #10 in Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Location: New Mexico