New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment, possesses a powerful draw for artists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The western state is home to awe-inspiring desert landscapes, adobe-walled ruins, snow-peaked mountains, big-city amenities in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and small artist communities like Taos. In the south, you’ll be inspired by dazzling skies, snow-like sand drifts, and the Rio Grande’s blue waters. Wild caves, deep gorges, mineral springs, and soaring mountains offer hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and the opportunity to soak in healing mineral springs. Turn down one of Albuquerque’s cobblestone alleyways and discover hidden patios, the smell of roasting chilis, and isolated churches.

Santa Fe has adobe monuments, world-class museums, Native American galleries, and gourmet restaurants. Artist towns like Taos and the curiously named Truth or Consequences continue New Mexico’s creative heritage, from turquoise jewelry-making to folk art. Events like the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow introduce visitors to ancient rituals and ceremonial dances among ancestral ruins and settlements — a reminder of the state’s many Indigenous people, such as the Navajo and Pueblo. Diverse communities offer a unique blend of cuisines, cultures, and languages throughout the state.

New Mexico's weather is as varied as its landscape, with the largest temperature range of any state in the country. This is mainly due to elevation change between the north's high mountain ranges and the south's low-lying basins and desert plains. Spring is a great time of year to experience the national parks without the usual crowds when the weather is mild, and cabins in New Mexico are more abundant. New Mexico sees low rainfall and mild humidity throughout the year, and summers can get extremely warm. With skiers and snowboarders descending upon the mountains in the north during the winter months, New Mexico cabin vacation rentals tend to be more expensive this time of year. Visit between September and December, and you'll be treated to pleasant weather and the annual Albuquerque Balloon Festival.

Petroglyph National Monument

Approximately 20,000 petroglyphs can be found throughout the 7,244-acre park. The images were carved into the basalt escarpment by Indigenous peoples and Spanish settlers hundreds of years ago. Three main hiking trails can be found in the park, the easiest being Boca Negra Canyon, with over 100 petroglyphs viewable from the trail. The monument is managed jointly by the City of Albuquerque and the National Park Service to preserve the culturally significant site.

Bike Albuquerque

Spanning 200 square miles, Albuquerque is a paradise for cyclists. Dozens of lanes crisscross the city, connecting laidback neighborhoods with downtown along stretches of former Route 66. Travel along the Paseo del Bosque River Trail, or cycle to the filming locations of a famous Albuquerque-based TV show and the plethora of local breweries and wineries.

White Sands National Monument

Miles from the ocean and nearest river, White Sands National Monument is a desert playground. Gleaming white gypsum sand is formed into extraordinary sand dunes up to 60 feet tall. Set up a picnic amongst the haunting, snow-like sandscape or glide down the white dunes — the park store even rents out round saucers for doing just that. Explore the vast landscape with a drive around the 16-mile Dunes Drive, taking time to stop along the way to explore the hiking trails, picnic areas, and exhibits.