Guest post by Sabrina at Shades of Summr
Are you wondering whether or not New Mexico is worth visiting? Then this post has got you covered!
New Mexico is known as the land of Enchantment – for many good reasons. The landscape, architecture, and culture is beautiful, colorful, and totally worth seeing.
New Mexico does not have a reputation as a major vacation destination – and I want to change that. We moved to New Mexico in 2024 and have been traveling the state ever since – and we absolutely love it!
Get ready to read about my 10 biggest reasons why this state is absolutely worth visiting! Let’s get to it!
Is New Mexico Worth Visiting? Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Beautiful landscapes | Weather extremes |
| Interesting art | Long drives |
| Stunning sunsets | Remote areas |
| Delicious cuisine | Limited public transportation |
| Fun festivals | Bad cell service |
| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Altitude adjustments |
| Friendly people | |
| Rich history | |
| Awesome hiking trails | |
| Good weather |
1. Beautiful Landscapes
New Mexico’s landscapes are like a big, beautiful painting that changes colors and shapes wherever you go. You won’t believe your eyes when driving through the state. It’s got everything – from vast deserts with white sand gypsum dune fields to high mountains covered in snow.
The White Sands National Park, Taos Pueblo, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are only a few examples of beautiful spots you can see. The reason it’s so diverse is because of its unique location and the mix of different natural features. You have the Rio Grande cutting through the state on one hand. But there was also ancient volcanic activity that shaped the land long ago.
2. Lots of Art Everywhere You Go
New Mexico is an amazing place for anyone who loves art like me. It’s full of different kinds of art, from old Native American pottery to modern paintings and even folk art.
Pretty much any smaller town has colorful murals and some Native American shops where you can buy paintings, pottery, and textiles.
Santa Fe is definitely the place with the most art. It’s got loads of art galleries on a street called Canyon Road. There are also lots of museums and even a big outdoor art market called the Santa Fe Indian Market. This one is all about Native American artists.
Taos is another cool art spot, especially if you like being around nature. It is especially nice to visit in winter.
3. Best Spot to See Stunning Sunsets
This is one of my favorite reasons why New Mexico is worth visiting. Every single evening, we have a one of-a-kind sunset to see from our kitchen window.
The colors are unreal—pinks, oranges, purples, and blues all melting together. It’s like the whole sky is on fire with beauty.
What makes these sunsets so special is the wide-open spaces and clear skies. There’s a lot of desert in New Mexico, and that means you can see for miles. With no buildings or trees in the way, the sunset views are amazing. Plus, the mountains add an extra cool silhouette against the colorful sky.
Sabrina’s Tip: My favorite spot to watch the sunset in New Mexico is the White Sands National Park
4. Delicious Food
New Mexico food is super tasty – and it is all about the chile peppers. When you eat here, people will ask if you want “red or green?” That’s because lots of dishes come with red or green chile sauce. If you can’t choose, just say “Christmas” and you’ll get both!
The cuisine is mostly a mix of flavors from Native American, Mexican, and Spanish cooking. You’ve got to try enchiladas, burritos, and something called posole – it’s a hearty soup that’s really good. You’ll also find lots of other restaurants, especially BBQ and American cuisine is popular as well.
However, authentic New Mexican dishes are usually the best and are also pretty affordable.
You might also find lots of pistachio-flavored food and drinks. They grow here as well, which makes it a popular flavor to add everywhere (pistachio latte is my favorite).
5. Friendly People
I haven’t found a state with people who are friendlier than New Mexico. This is the number one reason why New Mexico is worth visiting for me for sure. Most people are friendly, polite, and helpful. Everyone is happy to chat and people are proud of their state and heritage. You can learn a lot here – and get great insider tips to must-see places.
Many people have interesting family history, so there is usually a lot to chat about. The state is pretty slow-paced, so no one is in a rush and everyone is happy from all the sunshine.
6. Awesome Hiking
Hiking in New Mexico is amazing because you can explore all kinds of cool places. There are mountains, deserts, and even forests.
You’ll see different kinds of plants and animals on your hikes. One day you might be walking through a forest with tall trees and snow, and the next day you could be in a desert, looking at cacti and clear blue skies (which totally happened to us).
The weather in New Mexico is usually sunny, which is perfect for hiking. In the fall, the leaves change color, making the forests look like they’re painted with bright yellows and reds. In the spring, the desert flowers bloom, and everything looks colorful and alive.
Some of the best places to hike are the White Sands National Park, where you walk on white sand dunes. It is my favorite place in the state.
Then there’s the Bandelier National Monument, where you can see old caves that people lived in a long time ago.
7. Cultural Heritage
New Mexico is a super interesting place, especially if you are interested in history and culture. You’ll have a mix of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo influences there. You can see it in the food, art, architecture, and festivals, making the state a vibrant place to explore.
Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Pueblo, and Apache, have lived here for thousands of years. Their traditions, art, and ceremonies are a big part of New Mexico’s cultural heritage. You can see this in the pottery, weaving, and jewelry sold in markets and galleries.
The Spanish arrived in the 1500s, leaving behind their own traditions, like the fiestas and dances that are still celebrated today. While New Mexico is not part of Mexico, there is a common history there.
I love the cultural mix here – and it definitely makes the beautiful landscape so much more interesting.
8. Fun Festivals
New Mexico is full of fun festivals all year round. Imagine hundreds of colorful balloons filling the sky at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October. What an amazing photo opportunity.
Then, there’s the Santa Fe Indian Market in August, where you can see beautiful Native American art and watch traditional dances.
In September, Santa Fe has a big party called Fiesta de Santa Fe, where they burn a giant puppet named Zozobra to get rid of bad vibes. Let’s be honest – who doesn’t need that?
The Gathering of Nations in April in Albuquerque is a huge gathering where Native American people dance and sing.
Plus, there are lots of other festivals with music, food, and wine, like the New Mexico Wine Festival in September (probably my favorite).
9. Rich in UNESCO World Heritage Sites
New Mexico has three special places recognized by UNESCO. All of those national historic landmarks make New Mexico worth visiting for sure.
First up is Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Imagine a place in the middle of nowhere with huge old buildings made of stone and big circles in the ground for ceremonies. It was built by Native Americans long ago.
Then, there’s Taos Pueblo. This is a village where people have been living for over a thousand years without stopping. The houses are made of mud bricks, and they look pretty much the same as they did centuries ago. People still live there today, keeping their traditions alive.
Lastly, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is all about exploring underground. It’s got these giant caves that you can walk through (as the name already suggests). There are also some amazing rock formations hanging from the ceiling and growing from the floor.
10. Good Weather Year Round
New Mexico has really nice weather because it’s sunny most of the time. Even in winter, you can mostly enjoy bright, clear days.
The state is pretty dry (thank god), so you don’t have to worry about lots of rainy days spoiling your plans.
This makes it great for being outdoors, whether you’re hiking, exploring, or just chilling in a park.
Summers can get hot, but it’s a dry heat, which feels more comfortable than being sticky and sweaty. Plus, if you go up into the mountains, it’s cooler and really pleasant. At night, even in the summer, it cools down a lot, so you can sleep comfortably.
Also, stargazing is incredible here, with so many stars visible every night. My favorite spot for stargazing is the White Sands, of course.
Downsides of Visiting New Mexico
Yes, there are a few downsides to visiting New Mexico. For me personally, they don’t really make a difference and I love to visit regardless. But I do need to mention them, for full disclosure.
First, the weather can be a bit wild, with really hot summers and chilly winters, so pack your bags with that in mind. It’s also a place with lots of wide-open spaces, which means you might be driving a lot to get from one cool spot to another.
If you’re visiting places like Santa Fe, the high altitude might catch you off guard and make you feel a bit off, so drink lots of water.
Sadly, it is hard to get around New Mexico outside the big cities since public transport isn’t great. Cell service and the internet are not always that great either. The good news is that some of the long-distance drives are quite beautiful like Highway 82 through the Lincoln National Forest.
But even with these downsides, New Mexico’s beauty and unique spots make it worth the trip.
Conclusion: Is New Mexico Worth Visiting?
To sum it up, New Mexico is totally worth visiting in my opinion. The landscapes alone are so stunning that they are worth the trip. There is much to see and do, and the land is so rich in history and culture. You can see that in the food, the art, and even the festivals around the state.
Of course, there are a couple of minor downsides. There is barely public transportation and some areas are really remote, without cell service.
New Mexico is definitely worth visiting, and I hope you’ll have a lovely time here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do tourists go to New Mexico?
Tourists go to New Mexico for its blend of stunning landscapes like the White Sands National Park and rich history seen in places like Taos Pueblo. It’s a haven for foodies craving authentic New Mexican cuisine, art lovers exploring Santa Fe’s galleries, and adventurers hitting the trails or ballooning over the desert.
What’s so great about New Mexico?
New Mexico is a treasure trove of diverse cultures and unique landscapes. It’s where the ancient meets modern, with Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences. There’s spicy cuisine, stunning adobe architecture, and skies that become an artist’s pallete come sundown. It’s an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, from the heights of Taos to the depths of Carlsbad Caverns.
What is the prettiest part of New Mexico?
Personally, I find the south around the White Sands National Park the prettiest part of New Mexico. You’ll have stunning canyons, white gypsum deserts, snowy mountain villages, and beautiful sunsets all in one place.
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