New Mexico has sweeping landscapes that make you feel like you’ve climbed inside an oil painting. But the state is also filled with sites that showcase its lengthy and complex history. Whether you live here or are simply visiting, you’ll be sorry if you miss these amazing places to visit in New Mexico.

19. Clayton Lake State Park
Flickr/Sue Ruth
It's one thing to know that dinosaurs roamed Earth. It's another to actually see the footprints from 100 million years ago, located just outside the town of Clayton. Learn more by clicking here.
18. Four Corners National Monument
Flickr/rjcox
This is the only place in the United States where you can simultaneously stand in four separate states. Learn more by clicking here.
17. Fort Union National Monument
Flickr/Ben Simo
This military fort, in Watrous, played an important role in both the development of the Santa Fe Trail and the Civil War. Learn more by clicking here.
16. Lava Flow at El Malpais, Near Grants
Flickr/Jason Cross
How many people can say that they've hiked across a lava flow? Learn more by clicking here.
15. Aztec Ruins, Near Farmington
Flickr/MyEyeSees
Explore the remains of a 900-year-old Pueblo "Great House" that includes a massive, reconstructed kiva that was used in ceremonies. Learn more by clicking here.
14. Earthships, Near Taos
Flickr/RONg
These surreal examples of eco-architecture have been around since the 1970s. The walls are typically made from rubber tires, filled with dirt! Learn more by clicking here.
13. Old Town, Albuquerque
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
Travel back in time to see what 18th century New Mexico looked like, with a stroll around this historic section of Albuquerque. Learn more by clicking here.
12. Mountains of New Mexico
Flickr/Samat Jain
Many people don't realize that the Rockies begin (or end) in New Mexico. Wheeler Peak is 13,161 feet high!
11. San Miguel Chapel, Santa Fe
Flickr/David Baron
Bet you didn't know that the nation's oldest church is in Santa Fe. Learn more by clicking here.

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10. Rio Grande Gorge, Outside Of Taos
Flickr/Neal Wellons
This area of natural beauty puts the gorge in gorgeous.
9. Santa Fe Plaza
Flickr/Frank Chambers
The Plaza, which is the heart of Santa Fe, is particularly enchanting around the holidays. Learn more by clicking here.
8. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, In The Mogollon Mountains
Flickr/Doc Johnny Bravo
The Mogollon Peoples created homes halfway up the face of a sheer cliff. Learn more by clicking here.
7. UFO Museum, Roswell
Flickr/T.Novotny
More than just a kitsch-fest, this museum provides detailed displays to help you decide what really happened. The truth is out there... Learn more by clicking here.
6. View from Sandia Peak, Overlooking Albuquerque
Flickr/cap_tain Tom
Whether you ride the tram or drive along the Sandia Crest Byway, the panoramic view from the top is stunning. Learn more by clicking here.
5. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Near Nageezi
Flickr/John Fowler
One thousand years ago, Chaco Canyon was home to a great civilization. This site provides an awe-inspiring insight into the life, commerce, and culture of the Chacoan People. Learn more by clicking here.
4. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, Near Cochiti
Flickr/Enrique A Sanabria
Climb among the hoodoos at Tent Rocks to immerse yourself in an other-worldly landscape. Learn more by clicking here.
3. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
During migration periods, geese and sandhill cranes swoop down to this refuge, south of Socorro, in massive flocks. Definitely go yourself, because a picture cannot capture the soundtrack of thousands of honking geese. Learn more by clicking here.
2. Carlsbad Caverns, Near Carlsbad
Flickr/J.J.
So far, 119 caves have been discovered in the Carlsbad complex. This is fortunate because, in summer months, the caves house almost 400,000 bats! Learn more by clicking here.
1. White Sands, Near Alamogordo
Flickr/Ryan Bowman
New Mexico may be landlocked, but there's plenty of sand (technically gypsum crystals)—275 square miles of it, to be precise. Learn more by clicking here.

What other places are on your New Mexico bucket list? Check out more of New Mexico’s most beautiful places here.

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More to Explore

Places To Visit In New Mexico

Leah | March 27, 2020

What are the best local attractions in New Mexico?

If you're looking for something other than popular attractions in New Mexico that might have some more local flair, we've got some great options. Truth or Consequences, also known as T or C, is a small town known for its incredible hot springs. Along with rustic charm and inexpensive accommodations, you could easily make a memorable weekend out of a visit there. If you enjoy the history and vibe of Route 66, there are plenty of great places to stop along the drive within New Mexico, such as the town of Tucumcari, which still has a lot of the old signs, lights, and look of the 1950s.

What places in New Mexico should I see before I die?

You'll definitely want to add these to your New Mexico bucket list. A must-see for natural wonders is definitely the Bisti-Badlands, located near Nageezi. Not many people known that New Mexico has its own badlands, with uniquely and naturally carved out rock formations that have colorful stripes of sediment built up and eroded down over time. Take what is considered the best train ride in America Chama to Antonito on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad for the experience of a lifetime. It is especially enchanting in the fall because it'll take you through gorgeous mountain forests full of color on a steam train.

What are the most beautiful places in New Mexico?

It's no secret that New Mexico has some absolutely spectacular natural beauty. From the White Sands to the Organ Mountains, there is no shortage of lovely spots to hike, take some photos, camp, and more. A great example of this is the Angel Peak Scenic Area near Bloomfield, New Mexico. The rugged, colorful terrain almost seems like something from another world. If you love canyons, then Cimarron Canyon State Park is a must. The towering, rocky canyon walls are incredible to see in person, and there is tons of opportunity for outdoor recreation within the park.

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Featured Addresses
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways, 141 Clayton Lake Rd, Clayton, NM 88415, USA
597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514, USA
Fort Union National Monument, 3115 NM-161, Watrous, NM 87753, USA
El Malpais National Monument, 1900 E Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020, USA
Aztec Ruins National Monument, 725 Ruins Rd, Aztec, NM 87410, USA
Earthship Biotecture, 2 Earthship Way, Tres Piedras, NM 87577, USA
The Plaza Square, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
San Miguel Chapel, 401 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico 87529, USA
Plaza Central, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049, USA
Chisum Trail, Roswell, NM 88203, USA
Sandia Mountains, New Mexico 87122, USA
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, 0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, USA
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832, USA
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM, USA
White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA