15 Things To Do In New Mexico When You Thought You've Done Everything
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Brandie Erisman
Author
A lot of us have lived in New Mexico forever! Sometimes it seems like we have been everywhere and done everything that New Mexico has to offer. Fear not! We put together a list of things to do that are either brand new or maybe you have forgotten. So, pick an activity, grab your best buddy, and be prepared to see New Mexico like you haven’t seen it before. Here are some of the best things to do in New Mexico to rekindle your love of this beautiful state.
Rattlesnake Museum & Gift Shop, 202 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
Not all museums are stuffy and dull. Here are eight museums in New Mexico that are just too weird for words. There are probably some museums you missed too. Try these 11 fascinating New Mexico museums you never knew existed.
Check out one of the strange and wonderful museums in New Mexico. The American International Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque is one of our favorite hidden gems in New Mexico. Let's look around in this video from Crafty Coaster:
Check out one of the strange and wonderful museums in New Mexico. The American International Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque is one of our favorite hidden gems in New Mexico. Let's look around in this video from Crafty Coaster:
Pack a lunch and hit the road. Here are the 10 best places in New Mexico to go on an unforgettable picnic. Need a direction? Take these nine country roads in New Mexico for an unforgettable scenic drive.
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These days we are so busy driving around and playing on our cell phones. Go for a walk and reacquaint yourself with your city. Here are the best, most beautiful walking trails in all of New Mexico. Try these easy and beautiful river trails in New Mexico that we are sure you'll love.
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Prairie Dog Glass, Inside Jackalope, 2820 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA
Grab a hammer and build a birdhouse. Play with watercolors or blow some glass. Even if you have never done it, it's never too late to try. Check your local entertainment publications or websites for creative opportunities. Local colleges and libraries are good too.
Map out New Mexico movie locations and head out for an adventure. If you spot a yellow sign with an arrow, you might be able to follow it to an active filming location. Meanwhile, head to a New Mexico town that is the nation’s oldest continuously used movie location and see if you can figure out which flicks were shot there.
Montezuma Castle, Las Vegas, NM, USA
Outside of Las Vegas (NM), find a 90,000-square-foot castle. Montezuma Castle, on the campus of the United World College, has more than 400 rooms. The campus is usually closed, but check the UWC website for tour dates. If you're looking for a castle with dragons and giants, visit the New Mexico park that will make you feel like you walked into a fairy tale.
Book a spa day or go for a soak. There’s no better place to be than these 12 hot springs in New Mexico. If you really want to try something good for you, look for a tai chi class or a drop-in yoga. You might be surprised how good you feel afterward. Find movement class info on the bulletin board at the local health food store or cafe. Check your community center too.
The San Antonio Hot Springs is one of those unique places in New Mexico where you can find zen-like relaxation. Take a sneak peak in this video from WanderLust06:
The San Antonio Hot Springs is one of those unique places in New Mexico where you can find zen-like relaxation. Take a sneak peak in this video from WanderLust06:
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Madrid, NM 87010, USA
Remember Wild Hogs, shot in Madrid? A lot of those gruff bikers and bar patrons were extras. Honestly, being an extra is a lot of waiting and repetition, but experiencing a movie behind the scenes is still a cool opportunity. The New Mexico Film Office has what you need to know about being a movie extra.
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Caliche's Frozen Custard, 590 S Valley Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA
There is always room for ice cream. Even if you're full, it just slides down between the cracks. Rent an RV and hit the road on this mouthwatering ice cream trail in New Mexico that is all you’ve ever dreamed of and more. There's always room for tacos, too. Go to a place you've never been to before. Your tastebuds will go crazy for this amazing taco trail in New Mexico.
Farmington Public Library, 2101 N Farmington Ave, Farmington, NM 87401, USA
Yep, this is the right photo! Of course, you can check out books and movies at the library, but these days libraries are so much more! Look on your library website for activities for all ages like reading groups, crafts, classes, movie nights and even hands-on projects.
What's your passion? People? Pets? Planet? Whatever you're into, there is probably a group out there looking for help. Whether it's a one-shot community clean-up day or a long-term commitment, there are opportunities for almost every schedule and ability. Get started at Volunteer Match.
We know you like ghost towns. We've got 'em and more! From underwater ghost towns to snake museums, check out this list of some of our state’s most creepy destinations. Creepy places to visit in New Mexico that’ll get your heart pounding.
This one's a dare! New Mexican's love tacos and chile-slathered everything, but there is some darn good food in the state that hails from around the world. Maybe a veggie masala chapati wrap or Kenyan-style beef kabobs? Try it! You might find a new favorite cuisine.
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New Mexico State Capitol, 411 S Capitol St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Remember that school trip to the state capitol? Kind of fuzzy, right? Maybe it's time to visit those places you went as a kid; this time with fresh eyes and an adult's appreciation and understanding. Here are some amazing field trips every New Mexican took as a kid (And should retake now).
If you can't find something on this list to do, maybe just being in New Mexico is enough! Kick back and have the most New Mexico day ever!
Find more fun things to do in New Mexico in this video from AKFasso:
Find more fun things to do in New Mexico in this video from AKFasso:
What else would you add to this list of the best things to do in New Mexico? Is there anything here that you have done and would recommend? Let your fellow New Mexicans know where they should go and what they should do if they think they have done everything.
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Things to do and see in New Mexico
What are some fun things to do in New Mexico?
If you can dream it, you can do it. New Mexico is a wonderful place filled with natural beauty, culture, and magic. There are always plenty of unique things to see and do. Here are a few of our favorite fun things to do in New Mexico:
- Visit the UFO Capital of the World: Roswell, New Mexico is well-known for its strange and mysterious UFO sightings and phenomena. One of the best times to visit Roswell is during the UFO Festival held each July. If you love everything extraterrestrial you'll love a trip to Roswell.
- Giant Roadrunner Statue, Las Cruces, NM: A 20-foot-tall, 40-foot-long roadrunner sits in the middle of the desert in Las Cruces. It is one of those things in New Mexico you just have to put on your bucket list just to say that you've been there. The statue was created in 1993 by Olin Calk to promote awareness of recycling.
- Staircase in the Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe, NM: This beautiful marvel of architecture is simply stunning. It is a wooden spiral staircase that has two 360-degree turns without any kind of visible support. If you aren't an architecture nerd, that is something that shouldn't be able to be done - but it exists. Even more amazing and mysterious is the story of its creation.
- Be amazed by a hot air balloon festival: New Mexico has a number of hot air balloon festivals throughout the year. One of our favorites is the one in Angel Fire. (That's not to say the ones in Albuquerque, White Sands, Elephant Butte, and Taos aren't just as exciting) Imagine hundreds of colorful hot air balloons rising high into the sky. It is truly a sight to behold, even if you never work up the courage to ride one yourself.