Best Road Trips in New Mexico
New Mexico is a dazzling state with plenty to see and do. We’ve compiled some of the best road trip destinations you can find in the Land of Enchantment.
Written by Michelle Ballestrasse
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
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The Land of Enchantment,
New Mexico
, earned this name from its stunning landscapes, rich Indigenous history, and diverse art scene. New Mexico features rugged terrain that includes both mountains and desert plains, so be prepared for inclement weather!If you want to ski in Taos, head there between November and April. Otherwise, stick to spring or fall to make this trip, as summers can be excessively hot (trust us).
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Santa Fe
The capital of
New Mexico
takes a spot on this list not only for its vibrant nightlife but for its fantastic food and eclectic art scene, which puts Santa Fe on the map as one of the world’s great and often under-appreciated art cities.What to do in Santa Fe
- Georgia O'Keefe Museum: The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum pays homage to the famous painter who captured New Mexico’s landscape in many of her most popular works.
- Museum of International Folk Art: Meanwhile, the Museum of International Folk Art focuses instead on the works of local and international folk artists.
- Santa Fe Opera: If you can time your trip correctly, try to take in an opera at the world-class Santa Fe Opera.
- Explore downtown: No matter when you're in town, take a stroll through Santa Fe’s historic downtown to look at the architecture.
Where to eat in Santa Fe
- Sazón($$): Many spectacular eateries in Santa Fe focus on the Latin flavors that give the state its cultural flair, including Sazon, for classic Mexican food.
- Santa Fe also offers many food and drink tours, allowing you to sample a wide variety of flavors and textures, including coffee tours for lovers of the sacred bean.
Taos
If you’re a history buff, the Pueblo town of Taos is an absolute must-see. And if you’re a skier, you’re still in the right place! Taos is close to a nearby ski valley, making it the perfect place to escape the otherwise typical desert heat.
What to do in Taos
- Taos Pueblo: There are over twenty historical sites registered on the National Registry of Historic Places within Taos’ city limits. This includes a UNESCO Heritage Site: the thousand-year-old Taos Pueblo. This well-preserved Pueblo is a fantastic example of Taos’ culture and architecture and provides insight into the rich history of the region.
- Taos Plaza: Once you’re back in town, walk around in the walled Taos Plaza, which features not only shopping and good eats, but also some artisan walking tours.
- Taos Resort: If the heat is getting you down, go up! There’s a free shuttle service to nearby Taos Resort, where you can get in some skiing and snowboarding.
Where to eat in Taos
- La Cueva($): If you’re looking for regional flavors, look no further than La Cueva Cafe for inexpensive and delicious Southwestern cuisine.
- The Love Apple($$$): For something on the lighter side, head on over to The Love Apple, which serves up healthy American classics.
Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences’ two claims to fame are its legendary hot springs and the fact that its unusual name came from a radio show. Truth or Consequences is a small town with a laid-back vibe, thanks in no small part to its more than 70 natural hot springs.
What to do in Truth or Consequences
- Hit the hot springs: Besides its excellent name, Truth or Consequences features some amazing hot springs, and it makes a great resting stop. Stop in for a soak and soothe away those driving aches and pains before you get back on the road.
- Cultural spots: For a taste of culture, there’s also plenty of art galleries, restaurants, andhistory museums.
- Very Large Array observatory: For the space lovers in your life, you can also drive two hours north and check out the Very Large Array, the iconic radio astronomy observatory.
Where to eat in Truth or Consequences
- Pacific Grill($$): After you’ve dried off, head to the Pacific Grill for fresh seafood in a variety of cultural flavors, including Asian and Mexican-inspired.Passion Pie Cafe($$): Or stop off at the Passion Pie cafe, whose claim to fame is dessert, but they also offer up diner-style American food that can’t be beaten.
Tucumcari
Although it’s now called Highway 40, Route 66 was one of the most famous stretches of highway in America, and Tucumcari was the traditional starting point for any good road trip. The whole town exudes vintage charm and classic Americana.
What to do in Tucumcari
- Route 66 Museum: Step back into the town’s past at the Route 66 Museum and relive the bygone era of early American road travel.
- Dinosaur and Natural Science Museum: If that isn’t quite far enough into the past, check out the Dinosaur and Natural Science Museum.
- If you’re feeling cultural, check out the town’s famous murals, or hit up one of the town’s many local art galleries.
Where to eat in Tucumcari
Why you need roadside assistance
New Mexico
combines windy mountain roads with the scorching desert heat, terrain that can often be hard on your car, and harder on you if you find yourself on the side of the road. Roadside assistance is a great tool to have on a road trip, but what if your insurance company doesn’t offer it?That’s easy! Just call on
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