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New Mexico

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2025

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Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

© Jack Pearce/Lonely Planet

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Overview

The Land of Enchantment casts a bewitching spell and the easily explored landscape is undeniably mesmerizing.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The Milky Way galaxy over Fajada Mesa at Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.

    Chaco Culture National Historical Park

    New Mexico

    A 9-mile drive loops through ‘downtown Chaco,’ passing six major sites, with further opportunities to hike to more remote ruins and petroglyphs.

  • Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico.

    Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

    New Mexico

    New Mexico's newest national monument consists of several separate components, totaling almost 500,000 acres and all lying within a 50-mile radius of Las…

  • Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

    Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

    New Mexico

    A relatively small site, these remarkable 13th-century cliff dwellings were only occupied by a small Mogollon group (30 to 80 people) for 20 years…

  • Santa Fe, New Mexico– April 30th, 2017: Meow Wolf art collective in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. Open to the public the main exhibit is the The House of Eternal Return..; Shutterstock ID 632888321; Your name (First / Last): Alexander Howard; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Southwest POIs

    Meow Wolf

    Santa Fe

    If you've been hankering for a trip to another dimension but have yet to find a portal, the House of Eternal Return by Meow Wolf could be the place for…

  • Just after sunset in Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico.

    Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area

    New Mexico

    This undeveloped realm of multicolored hoodoos, sculpted cliffs and balancing rocks is a surreal dream for photographers. Off the beaten track, it's well…

  • Santa Fe, NM: People outside the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in downtown Santa Fe, NM on a winter day.

    Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

    Santa Fe

    With 10 beautifully lit galleries in a rambling 20th-century adobe, this museum boasts the world's largest collection of O'Keeffe’s work. She’s best known…

  • The facade of the Albuquerque Museum.

    Albuquerque Museum

    Albuquerque

    Formerly known as the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, this showpiece museum shouldn't be missed. With an engaging Albuquerque history gallery that's…

  • Snow geese take flight at sunrise in Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

    Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

    New Mexico

    Renowned among wildlife photographers the world over, these fields and marshes, 18 miles south of Socorro, are the wintering ground for over 100,000…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

The Land of Enchantment has a unique culture and unparalleled natural wonders. Here are eight ways to get to know New Mexico.

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Best Places to Visit

New Mexico has been enchanting visitors for centuries. Here are 14 of the best places for getting to know this marvelous state.

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Best Time to Visit

Large areas of New Mexico are covered by desert, but it isn't hot everywhere all year round. Here are the best times to visit the 47th state.

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Day Trips

Trek the trails, learn Native history, peruse and purchase art and be back in time for dinner.

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Best Road Trips

Tour desert landscapes, artsy villages and New Mexico's wilderness on these five unforgettable road trips.

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