How many of these enchanted places have you seen?
New Mexico Department of Tourism’s Top 10 Attractions:
- Billy the Kid Museum
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
- International UFO Museum
- Sandia Peak Tramway
- Santa Fe
- Taos Ski Valley
- White Sands National Monument
Another ten enchanted places:
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
- American International Rattlesnake Museum
- Bandelier National Monument
- Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
- Chimayó
- Mesilla
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory Very Large Array
- Pecos National Historical Park
- Petroglyph National Monument
- Valles Caldera National Preserve
What’s worth seeing in New Mexico that isn’t listed? I’d include El Morro National Monument, Lincoln State Monument, Taos Pueblo, Acoma Sky City (the pueblo, not the casino), and a pueblo feast day.
NewMexiKen has been to 13 of the 20 listed and “sorta-kinda” to four more (been near, driven by, checked out the price of admission). And, obviously, I’ve been to those I would add to the lists.
Wow, I suck: only 8 of 20.
I’d add Turkey Creek, one of my favorite places around Silver City. It’s just about as secluded as you can get – either you raft in via the upper Gila, or you take the 1.5 hour, 4-wheel-drive journey in via Cliff/Gila.
Perhaps also the City of Rocks!
More shameless self-promotion:
White Sands
Sandias
Cliff Dwellings
I’ve seen 15 of the 20. And what about Madrid? It gets more touristy every day, but it’s still a cool little place.
sigh… Sadly, I’ve only flown over the great state of New Mexico. It was nice from 30,000 feet, though. Perhaps Mr. A and I will make it there in the not-to-distant future.
I’ll second Madrid. Everyone who visits me in NM loves Madrid. I get a coffee at Java Junction, sit at a table outside, and let the folks wander.
Tent Rocks/Kasha Katuwe. Photographers can spend eons there – as the light changes, so does the emotion the landscape evokes. Be sure your rental car (if you have one) has a clause for off-road damage. The gravel road throws rocks and leaves apache tears (volcanic glass) in windshields. I have about a half-dozen in my 626’s.
The Vietnam Vet Memorial up on the Enchanted Circle. The movie presentation is highly recommended, esp. for those who never lived through the Vietnam years. Seeing grown men cry is routine.
Cimarron. The St James Hotel’s a treat (with bullet holes in the ceiling), and the Aztic Mill is not to be missed. Walking the old cemetery (not on the tourist route) is an education in itself. Even the pastor died in a hail of bullets.
The catwalk down in the Gila (Glenwood, I think), and the Gila in general. First time I ever saw a Coatimundi in the wild. Emptier than the mountains in Northern NM, yet almost as high. You can hire horsepackers to drop you off at a nice alpine meadow, and camp at leisure without hauling all your stuff on your back. If you like to hike with no crowds, the Gila is your gig.
I’d also mention The Valley of Fires near Carrizozo. One of the weirdest landscapes I’ve seen yet in NM. Uneven crusted black lava for miles, punctured by yuccas and other plant life trying to grab hold. The heat in summer, coming off black rock, is incredible. Put a digital camera down on a rock, you’ll have a puddle of goo in about five minutes.
I’ll put in a plug for Spanish Market this weekend in Santa Fe (keep them tourist dollars rolling in)!
Next time the tourist bureau puts out that bid for State tourist websites and marketing, perhaps we should all collaborate and do it right. I’m on the bid list for web and print marketing, I’ll let you know! I’m sure we could come up with a concept less embarrassing than those dratted aliens.
I’ve seen most of those, and Garret’s suggestions of Tent Rocks and Valley of Fires are not to be missed.
I’m surprised that Ghost Ranch wasn’t on the list.
Closer to Albuquerque, I’d recommend seeing hoodoos and desert pavement in the Ojito Wilderness. Just don’t forget
your GPS, because its amazingly easy to get disoriented there.
Perhaps not up to the best statewide, but surely something every Albuquerquean should experience, is to hike to the volcanoes on the West Mesa shortly before dusk and watch the lights brighten across the city as the sun sets behind you. This is particularly delightful when a full moon is rising over the Sandias.
Access is from the west off Paseo del Volcan, the road that skirts Double Eagle II Airport. The land west of Paseo del Volcan here is part of Petroglyph National Monument.