The southwestern state of New Mexico is a tourism hotspot like no other offering unique travel experiences. Tourists mostly take flights to New Mexico to admire the archaeological remains of ancient indigenous communities dating back to 12th and 13th centuries; see the 19 Native American pueblos, especially those of the Taos Pueblo, the only community of its kind listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; explore the world-class museums in the state capital Santa Fe; get pampered at resorts, spas and hot springs; and indulge in great outdoors like hot air ballooning. Book cheap tickets to New Mexico at great discounts with best online travel agency like FlyOfinder and embark on an exciting, adventure packed vacation to the fabled Land of Enchantment.
Top Cities to Visit in New Mexico
Santa Fe: New Mexico’s capital city Santa Fe, also called the “City Different”, attracts tourists with its fascinating mix of Native American and Hispanic Anglo cultures. You will also discover more than 250 art galleries in this artistic city, with more than 100 galleries lining on the Canyon Road. Santa Fe is also home to some of the state’s best museums such as the Museum of International Folk Art and Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Don’t forget to satiate your appetite with local dishes made with red and green chillies.
Albuquerque: With its proximity to the Rio Grande River and the Sandia Mountains, the city of Albuquerque is a perfect base for all those seeking outdoorsy vacations. You can hike La Luz Trail to the top of Sandia Peak and then take the Sandia Peak Tramway to the city. You can also enjoy biking on the Paseo del Bosque Trail. History buffs should consider visiting the Albuquerque Museum and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to learn about the city’s history and culture. Take advantage of student flight discounts to visit the city with your college friends in early October to participate in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Taos: The rich cultural heritage and impressive arts scene has earned the city of Taos nickname of "Soul of the Southwest". Situated at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos offers ample outdoor options to the tourists such as ballooning, rock climbing and llama trekking. Winter sports are also attracted to the popular ski destinations in Taos such as Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, Red River Ski & Summer Area, Angel Fire Resort and Taos Ski Valley. You can also bathe at one of the many local hot springs. No matter whatever season you plan to visit Taos it will keep your hands full.
Silver City: Formerly a silver mining town, Silver City still continues to retain its charm with its Queen Anne-, Victorian- and Italianate-style buildings in the central Historic District. A visit to the Silver City Museum will acquaint you about this interesting town’s ties to legendary 19th-century figures like Geronimo and Billy the Kid. Outdoor lovers will enjoy trekking the path in boulder-filled City of Rocks State Park or hiking part of the Continental Divide Trail.
Roswell: The mysterious town of Roswell is a major attraction for tourists who want to learn about the aliens. Roswell shot into fame ever since a UFO crashed in a farm in 1947. With its alien culture running deep, Roswell continues to attract fans of the paranormal keen on searching for existence. Themed events and attractions such as the annual UFO Festival and the International UFO Museum and Research Center are set to thrill you whenever visiting Roswell. Among other major highlights worth visiting here include the Roswell Museum and Art Center, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, the Bottomless Lakes State Park and the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Best Time to Visit New Mexico
New Mexico is a year-round destination, and can be visited during summer, fall, winter and spring. Fly to New Mexico during peak summer season to participate in famous events such as the Taos Pueblo Powwow and the Santa Fe Indian Market. The weather is though quite hot, but low humidity makes the heat bearable. The higher elevations however make the weather cooler. Fall is also a great time for visiting the state. The light winds and clear skies make fall a perfect time for ballooning, especially in October when the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held. Winter is also the best time for travelling to New Mexico, especially for skiing and snowboarding. The mountain resorts like the Angel Fire Ski Resort attract skiing enthusiasts in a big way as the area receives nearly 300 inches of snow during the winter season. If you are planning to visit the state during springtime then look forward to popular activities like fishing and golfing.
Best Things to See and Do in New Mexico
Tourists planning to make New Mexico flight reservations can look forward to savouring the authentic taste of the American Southwest. Take advantage of our group travel deals to bring along your friends and family to this amazing pot of cultures which is ready to fascinate you with its stunning landscapes and archaeological sites. It’s no wonder that the Land of Enchantment is going to keep the visitors enchanted for a long time with its diverse offerings.
- Visit Los Alamos, the Atomic City in New Mexico, which is a premier center for scientific advancement. It was in this city that the atomic bomb was created. Los Alamos is also going to captivate you with its protected areas and parks. The Valles Caldera National Preserve is worth checking out, where you will discover miles of hiking trails, mountain meadows and a 13-mile-wide volcanic crater
- Explore the hidden mostly underground Carlsbad Caverns National Park comprising of nearly 120 known caves. The alien underground landscape carved from limestone deposited in an ancient sea is a top attraction for tourists visiting New Mexico. The park can be best explored through ranger-led tours and self-guided audio tours. You can also experience walks through the outlandish geological formations, trips to specific caves, and bat tours
- Visit the Taos Pueblo, home to the oldest continuously inhabited dwellings in the USA, located just outside the city of Taos. The adobe structures built with timber-supported roofs and straw-reinforced mud bricks standing for more than 1,000 years are ready to mesmerize you endlessly. The five-stories-high apartment-style homes within the old town accommodate around 150 people in a single building. You can see the lifestyle of the Pueblo community closely, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a National Historic Landmark
- See the archaeological ruins and some of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes at the 33,677-acre preserve Bandelier National Monument. It was formerly home of ancestral Pueblo people from AD 1150 to 1600. You will be amazed to see the remains of the indigenous habitats showcasing the daily life and culture of Pueblo people. The national park is also home to campsites, hiking trails and an educational museum
- Tour the culturally significant site Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque. The preserve is spread in an area of 7,244 acres, and comprises of five dormant volcanoes, a basalt escarpment and an expansive mesa. The major highlight of the park is approximately 20,000 petroglyphs images carved in basalt by early Spanish settlers and indigenous people centuries ago. You can view many images from the hiking trails
Airlines to New Mexico
Delta Airlines: Top routes served by Delta Airlines from New Mexico include Atlanta (ATL), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK) and Salt Lake City (SLC)
American Airlines: Top routes served by American Airlines from New Mexico include Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL) and Miami (MIA)
United Airlines: Top routes served by United Airlines from New Mexico include Denver (DEN), Dallas (DFW), Chicago (ORD), Newark (EWR) and Houston (IAH)
Alaska Airlines: Top routes served by Alaska Airlines from New Mexico include Anchorage (ANC), Spokane (GEG), Los Angeles (LAX), Sacramento (SMF) and San Diego (SAN)
Frontier Airlines: Top routes served by Frontier Airlines from New Mexico include Bozeman (BZN), Seattle (SEA), Salt Lake City (SLC), Orlando (MCO) and Denver (DEN)
JetBlue Airways: Top routes served by JetBlue Airways from New Mexico include New York (JFK), San Jose (SJC), Rochester (ROC), Boston (BOS) and Syracuse (SYR)
Southwest Airlines: Top routes served by Southwest Airlines from New Mexico include Austin (AUS), Baltimore (BWI), Chicago (MDW), Dallas (DAL) and Denver (DEN)
