New Mexico is the land of enchantment, and to see it best, you will want to drive to its most compelling locations. Begin in the north center of the state and make your way southward, to see these wonderful places that are sure to become your personal favorites.
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Take a ride on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, a 3-foot narrow gauge railroad that covers the sixty-four miles from Chama, New Mexico to Antonito, Colorado. The steam trains travers the 10,015 feet high Cumbres Pass and wind through the Toltec Gorge, offering fabulous scenery as they cross the state borders eleven times. This longest and highest narrow gage railroad in the USA is a shared project of the states of New Mexico and Colorado and New Mexico, there are a number of travel options, including half day trips and sunset trips. Most popular are the Full Day Trips, that stop at historic Osier, Colorado, for lunch. The Thanksgiving dinner is what to order for lunch. The trains run between the end of May and October.
Taos, NM
Next, take Route 64 and drive to Taos, which draws visitors from all over the world to the remarkable Taos Pueblo a World Heritage Site. This is a living community as well as an ancient settlement. Ancestors of the current residents have lived here for more than a thousand years. Located at the base of the magnificent Taos Mountain, the setting is absolutely gorgeous. Admission is $16.00 per person. Some of the pueblos are small shops. Remember you are guests here, and follow the instructions on the various posted signs, regarding photography and what areas are private. Also plan ahead to be sure that it is open.
Additionally, Taos offers attractions including the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, a dramatic, elegant steel deck high bridge across the Rio Grande Gorge. It is often the setting for motion picture filming and may look familiar to you from its role in movies. The bridge was completed in 1965. The span is 1,280 feet in length.
Taos is also home to the Millicent Rogers Museum, where you can see prehistoric pottery, modern jewelry, and discovery the heritage of the Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo arts of the Southwest. Millicent Rogers collected superlative turquoise jewelry which is on display, including the “Tab Necklace”. The museum’s permanent collection also has wonderful Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo pottery. While in Taos, dine at La Cueva Café for Mexican and Southwest specialties. Have the Plato Combinado which included a taco, chile relleno and enchilada. Or visit Bella’s Mexican Grill for the Chile en Nogada or shrimp enchiladas.
Los Alamos, NM
From Taos, via Route 570 and Route 68, head for Los Alamos and the Bandelier National Monument, a thirty-three thousand acre preserve the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloans. Highlights include the Alcove House and Bandelier Rock. If you enter the park before 9 a.m., you can travel about in your own car; later, and you must travel by shuttlebus. Early arrival means having some of the trail time to yourself. As well as the main loop, consider doing the Falls Trail as well; pace yourself and you will be rewarded with wonderful views. The Tsankawi Trail is a bit more challenging, but highly worthwhile. Now, take Routes 4, 502 and 285 to Santa Fe.
Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe (the name means “Holy Faith”) is one of the oldest cities, and the oldest state capital, in the USA. It was a bustling city of more than a thousand inhabitants at the time when only a handful of Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving. Faith has long been part of the city evidenced by one of its most beautiful landmarks, the Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi. Built by Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy between 1869 and 1886 in the Romanesque Revival style. The interior seems light filled and spacious, thanks to its round arches and Corinthian columns and truncated square towers. Visit the Museum of International Folk Art and take the free docent led tour. The Museum was founded by Florence Dibell Bartlett in 1953; she came from Chicago, and fell in love with New Mexico in the 1920s. Located on Museum Hill, its collection showcases artifacts from around the world.
Next, you should also visit the New Mexico Historic Museum, presenting the culture and history of New Mexico. There are exhibits about the Spanish Mission era and the Wild West, the Fred Harvey restaurants and hotels, the influence of Sephardic Jews. Admission price includes the Palace of Governors. For art gallery shopping or window shopping, as well as delightful dining and lodging options, head for Canyon Road. If you enjoy dramatic open air performances, visit the Santa Fe Opera House. For dining, splurge at Geronimo, which some people consider the best restaurant anywhere. Yes, it is pricey, but they are famous for their elk, scallops and banana cream pie. Or go to Rawal’s Raaga, for authentic East Indian cuisine such as chicken korma or the chicken tikka masala with rice and the stuffed potato naan bread.
Cochiti, NM
From Santa Fe, drive to Kasha-Katie Tent Rocks National Monument, at Cochiti, taking Routes 599, I-25, 16 and 22. Here you will see hoodoos, compelling cliff formations, ancient caves, and a slot canyon, among other dramatic scenery. The erosion of the volcanic rock makes for drama around every turn. On busy days, the slot canyon requires one way hiking or waiting. Sometimes the monument is not open, so check before you go. Take plenty of water, and visit the restroom before you start the trail, because there aren’t any after that. The admission is a modest $5 per vehicle. Next, make your way to Albuquerque, on Routes 22 and I-25.
Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque, founded 1706 and named for Spanish administrator and viceroy of Mexico Francisco Fernández de la Cueva, Duque de Albuquerque. See it all from high up on Sandia Peak; ascend the Sandia Peak Tramway to the crest of the Sandia Mountains. Talk about drama, the tramway is the world’s third longest single span. Once you are down from the mountain, go to Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum. This place is the center of interactive fun for kids of all ages. The exhibits explore how natural phenomena work; such as, how gravity works, how water flows, how air affects objects.
In Albuquerque, have a meal at Antiquity Restaurant, order their steak, and gazpacho, and enjoy their delicious bread; or dine at the Grove Café and Market, voted the best café in the state. Try their Tomato and Peach Salad or their Roasted Tomato Soup. After Albuquerque, drive Routes 25, 380 and 54 to Alamogordo.
Alamogordo, NM
Alamogordo’s White Sands National Monument in the northern Chihuahuan Desert is famous for a striking landscape of unusual white gypsum sand dunes. You can follow trails through the dunes. The Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail, are highly recommended. Enjoy the wildlife exhibits. Or drive the Dunes Drive, a looped road from the White Sands Visitor Center to the dune field. For a meal, go to Rockin’ BZ Burgers, and order their green chile burger topping and cheese. Finally, head for your next New Mexico Drive destination, Carlsbad Caverns, following Routes 82, 285, 180, 62, and 7.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in the southern New Mexico Chihuahuan Desert features more than a hundred caves. Enjoy the drama of the Natural Entrance, and the Stalactites on the roof of the Big Room, a huge underground chamber. On the surface, take the Walnut Canyon Desert Loop drive to see with desert views, primeval sea ledges, yawning rocky canyons, blossoming cactus in season, and elusive desert wildlife. On your way there, be sure to stop for a meal in Carlsbad, at the Trinity Hotel Restaurant; start with the Caliente Goat Cheese with blueberry-habanero sauce, and then have one of the steak or pasta dishes, like their signature lasagna with chicken and New Mexico cheese sauce
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