Things to Do When Visiting New Mexico
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In terms of things to do and see, New Mexico is one of the most underrated states in the country. There are tons of things to do in New Mexico!
It is also a frugal traveler’s dream state as it is so much more affordable than many other places to visit which means you can still reach your financial goals and stick to your budget. But that doesn’t make it any less amazing of a trip!
This state is rich with history and culture while at the same time outdoor adventure abounds!
Joel and I lived in New Mexico for 2 years and tried to cram in as much as we could during that time. Almost every weekend was spent driving miles and miles across the state.
But for those of you with less time, here is our list of the top ten things to do in New Mexico.
Top 10 Things to Do in New Mexico
1) Balloon Fiesta
First on our list is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta which is hosted every October. It is a sight unlike any other as hundreds and hundreds of brightly colored hot air balloons from all over the world dot the sky as far as the eye can see.
What is extra special about this event is that not only can you watch the balloons in flight, but you can actually walk around among the balloons as they are getting set up for take off.
This event is one of the best things to do in New Mexico hands down. Because nearly 1 million visitors come to Albuquerque for this event every year, be sure to book your lodging accommodations in advance! And trust me, you’ll want to attend one of the morning mass ascensions and the evening night glow.
Balloon fiesta is definitely an affordable event at $10 per person per session plus parking. If you really want to save money, you could skip going to the field and can still see all the balloons during their mass ascension. However, in my frugal opinion, it is worth the money!
2) Bisti Badlands
As you step into the Bisti Badlands you will feel like you are stepping onto another planet.
This remote location has no established trails so you must use GPS coordinates to determine your trail. But, the extra work is worth it for the amazing views. Additionally, there will be little or no crowd to contend with. Unique rock formations such as hoodoos, petrified wood, and large egg-like rocks can be seen throughout this hike.
When venturing into the Bisti Badlands, it is 100% necessary to bring your own water and lots of it! There is no water in the badlands or nearby, and shade is hard to come by. You will definitely need to bring a hydration pack for each member of your party to ensure you stay well hydrated throughout the hike.
You should also make sure to have a pair of sturdy hiking boots as the terrain in the badlands can be quite rocky or uneven. The same is true for some of the other activities on our top ten list, so your boots will definitely be a good investment.
Bonus points to the Bisti Badlands, because it is 100% free to hike there!
3) Carlsbad Caverns
Deep beneath the surface of the earth in southwest New Mexico is another amazing place to visit. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is an extensive network of caves with at least 119 caves and more areas that are still unexplored.
When going down into the caves, there is some lighting, but you would definitely benefit from a headlamp to illuminate the path as well as to shed light on some of the more unique formations.
Not only are the caves themselves amazing, but when evening rolls around, you can see another extraordinary event. Nearly half a million bats call Carlsbad Caverns home, and each night they leave the cavern in what I can only describe as a bat tornado.
Some of the bats flew so close to us in the viewing area that we could hear their wings beating. This sight was by far one of the most unique experiences I have ever had.
The cost to attend the Carlsbad Caverns is $12 per person for a day pass. If you want a tour you will have to pay extra, and the cost can vary depending on what you choose. Make sure you make your reservations early though, because these tours tend to fill up fast!
One financial downside of attending the Carlsbad Caverns is that there aren’t many inexpensive hotels in the area.
We made the mistake of choosing one of the more affordable hotels to stay at (around $120), and it definitely could have been the scene of a horror film.
I felt so unsafe that we elected to cancel our reservation and drive about an hour and a half north to Roswell for a more affordable, much safe hotel option!
4) Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks
Tent Rocks is a great day hike within about an hour’s drive of Albuquerque. The hike itself is easily accomplished by most moderately in shape individuals. In total, it takes about and hour and a half to two hours (including time to stop for pictures which you will definitely want to do!)
At the top of this out and back hike, you can see mountains, a lake, blue skies, and the amazing tent-like rock formations for a truly panoramic view!
As with the Bisti Badlands, you will want to be sure to have lots of water and a pair of study hiking boots as the trail can be quite rocky in places.
Cost to attend is $5 per vehicle (be sure to bring cash) making this an extremely affordable thing to do in New Mexico.
5) White Sands National Monument
This National Monument constitutes the largest gypsum sand dunes in the world. The white sand, which unlike most sand, is not made hot by the sun. When visiting this place, you can take your shoes off and hike up the dunes.
People even sled down the dunes, so be sure to bring a sled along with you for some added fun!
Cost of admission is $10 per person or $20 per vehicle, so load up your friends to save a few bucks!
6. Bandelier National Monument
One of the coolest cultural sites we saw while living in New Mexico was Bandelier. This was the settling site of an ancient civilization that dwelt in caves carved into the cliff side.
The caves still exist today and can be accessed by climbing up tall wooden ladders sprinkled throughout the park.
This is one of the more expensive things to do in New Mexico coming in at $25 for a vehicle pass lasting 7 days. However, this pass is also valid at some other sites around the state.
7. Petroglyph National Monument
For a culture and nature combo right within the city limits of Albuquerque, look no further!
Hundreds of petroglyphs drawn on rocks thousands of years ago can be seen with just a quick hike. There are several different sites where you can see petroglyphs, but my favorite is the Piedras Marcadas Canyon.
This is a great free activity, but be sure to bring a hydration pack or hydroflask as like most of New Mexico it is hot and dry. A drink of ice cold water really hits the spot on this hike.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for roadrunners and jackrabbits while you are here!
8. Santa Fe Arts District
Santa Fe’s Art district is another one of my favorite things to do in New Mexico! The unique landscapes and jaw dropping sunsets of New Mexico provide inspiration for artists originating from all over the country. You can walk up the streets all day and find art in every style you can imagine.
There are some cute cafes where you can stop to get a quick bite to eat. If you choose to just window shop, there is no cost associated with this activity.
9. Albuquerque’s Old Town
Albuquerque’s Old Town district centers around the historic plaza established by Spanish colonists in the 1700s.
The Church of San Felipe is on one side with cute shops surrounding the rest of the plaza. There is a mix of touristy shops selling mostly knick knacks and high end art galleries, so there truly is something for everyone in Old Town.
10. Pecos Wilderness
Last but not least on our list of things to do in New Mexico is the Pecos Wilderness area.
Just north of Santa Fe, this protected area is home to mountains, mesas, forests, waterfalls, and canyons. For natural beauty, the Pecos Wilderness area is the place to go.
Time to Adventure
As you can see, there is an abundance of things to do in New Mexico.
Although these are my top picks, even more adventures exist in this state. If you find time to get down to the Land of Enchantment, I know you won’t regret making the trip! (WARNING: Be sure to look both ways at every stoplight. Albuquerque is notorious for car accidents!)
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