r/NewMexico • u/Mental_Protection228 • 1d ago
Never Been
Hi all, I plan on traveling here for the first time for my birthday. I’m wanting to travel to one new place a year. I did a randomizer and landed on New Mexico! I’m from Indiana and I’ve never been to the west coast so this will all be brand new to me. I know pretty much nothing about what to do in Albuquerque so any tips or information you all could give me would be amazing! I love museums, aquariums, etc. I want to also try food and different spots we don’t have in Indiana. Thanks in advance!
Edit: Thanks everyone for all the info and the advice! I’ll save this for when I go in July and i’ll be sure to post some pictures!
Edit 2: Haha sorry i’m a bit of an idiot 😂 New Mexico definitely isn’t the west coast. Thanks for all your help again everyone!!
26
u/door-harp 1d ago
Albuquerque’s aquarium is pretty small and cute BUT the ticket covers both the aquarium and the botanic garden, and the botanic garden is literally my favorite spot in the city. It’s prettiest in spring and summer but still a wonderful stroll year round.
22
u/Adorable_Birdman 1d ago
Well. New Mexico is a long ways from the west coast. It depends on what time of year. If your bday is summer, I’d stay north of I40. Winter/south. Enchanted circle is amazing.
11
u/Mental_Protection228 1d ago
Haha yea i’m dumb I meant the western side of the country. But i plan on going in July for my birthday. Thank you!
3
u/RobinFarmwoman 1d ago
It's going to be hot. The best way to get out of the hot is to go uphill. Find the mountains.
1
u/Adorable_Birdman 1d ago
Yes. I would recommend the enchanted circle. ABQ to Santa Fe to Taos and then angel fire and red river.
18
u/betothejoy 1d ago
Old Town, Acoma/Sky City, the Sandias (tram way, hiking, look at them when the sun sets), the Coronado historic site/Bernalillo, Santa Fe, get fry bread at Laguna Pueblo and/or Jemez Pueblo.
4
u/kolaloka 1d ago
The Jemez are really beautiful and there are many trails that won't be too hard (coming from a low elevation will reduce your endurance up here) and July is a good time to be in them Las Conchas trail along the creek is really lovely.
Taos and Chama arre really something also.
9
u/OT_fiddler 1d ago
In the summer, go to Santa Fe and Taos, and drive around the area. Visit Abiquiu (and stop at Bode's gas station for a breakfast burrito - red chile and chorizo), do the High Road/Low Road to Taos loop, stop in Espanola at La Cocina for a meal. (Northern NM cuisine is amazing.) Head out US64 west from Taos toward Chama and experience the mountains and high valleys. Do the Enchanted Circle loop to Eagle's Nest from Taos for more mountains, valleys, and amazing vistas. Visit Valles Caldera and Bandelier National Monument. Head over to Cuba and grab a burrito at the Chaco Grill (it's inside a gas station - get the shredded beef burrito smothered in green chile. Trust me.) Then take the really rough road to Chaco Culture National Historical Park and visit the ancient sites. (Plan a full day for this just because of all the driving.)
3
2
u/protomex 1d ago
Surprise! Altitude, get ready. Bode’s doesn’t sell chorizo burritos anymore. I was just there and asked specifically for chorizo. Bacon and sausage only, go for the bacon red chile.
1
9
u/hombreguido 1d ago
Yeah, ditch ABQ. Go to Chaco Canyon or Acoma Pueblo if you can. Northern New Mex is great in summer too, Taos Pueblo also...
3
u/maweegabee 1d ago
While here, make sure to eat some good New Mexican cuisine and sample both red and green chile. I agree with coming during Balloon Fiesta - it really is magical. But t if you’re going to do that, you’ll need to make your hotel reservations now - places fill up and get crazy expensive. Looking forward to seeing your photos whenever you come visit.
3
u/tlbs101 1d ago
Since you are continuing to the coast? Acoma/Sky city is further west off of I-40.
From the Laguna Pueblo village of Mesita you can hop on a 50+ mile stretch of old Route 66 that is now maintained as a NM state road. It will take you all the way to the continental divide staying parallel with I-40, (and pass by the road to Sky City).
South of Grants, NM is the El Morro National monument and along another road south of Grants is the La Ventana natural arch formation. North of Grants is 11,301’ Mt Taylor where you can drive to within a couple-mile hike of the summit.
North of Albuquerque if you take NM state Hwy 14 you pass through the kitch town of Madrid on your way to Santa Fe. It’s a way more scenic drive than taking I-25.
(Note: I’ve done all of these things many times since I live near Grants.)
3
u/dreezxlivefree 1d ago
Aquarium in the summer time is refreshing, the botanical garden is not. Museums are always good. The heat is not kind in the southwest, especially high elevation. If you're planning to do so, drink more water than you think you need and sunscreen.
3
u/andythefir 1d ago
I lived 3 years in Indiana and 30 years in NM. The huge skies will blow your mind, as will the openness of both the terrain and the people.
2
u/S14xDrifter 1d ago
Taos, Red River, eagles nest. The whole enchanted circle is beautiful. Northern New Mexico is a must imo
2
2
u/Overall_Lobster823 1d ago
Everything already listed with an emphasis on:
Make a reservation (early) at Tent Rocks. Go to Santa Fe.
ps: prepare for the high elevation. Drink plenty of water.
2
5
u/actual_fack 1d ago
I'd wait until October and see the balloon fiesta. Then head out to see Acoma, El Malpais, swing north to the Taos Gorge.
2
u/Mental_Protection228 1d ago
Balloon fiesta? That sounds fun i’ve never heard of that!
5
u/actual_fack 1d ago
Hit the Google It's the most amazing event you'll ever see. Hundreds of hot air balloons aloft at once
2
3
u/Tricky-Mastodon-9858 1d ago
I second this recommendation. We have the largest hot air balloon fiesta in the world here every October. The weather is usually perfect, cool evenings and mild afternoons. July can be really hot. It’s a higher altitude and very arid so make sure to stay hydrated and pace yourself. If you drink, alcohol hits a lot harder than your used to. Bring good sunscreen and moisturizer. There’s tons to explore here, especially outdoors. Have fun!
1
u/LucyCat987 1d ago
Just make your reservations early enough. I went to the Balloon Fiesta last year & it was even better than I hoped.
2
u/-Petunia 1d ago
Depends on what you’re into but: Taos and the surrounding northern NM mountains, desert, and river are, in my incredibly biased opinion, perfection.
ABQ… less so… (but like I said, I’m a biased cunt)
Even if you don’t base your whole trip up north here, I’d really advocate for a daytime drive up the gorge and at least a day or two kicking around. It’s a far cry from Indiana.
1
u/No_Spare_9233 1d ago
New mexico has 3 World Heritage sites. My favorite is carlsbad but it is a long drive with not much to see along the way.
1
u/allflour 1d ago
Santa Fe has a lot of museums and good tourist walking in town center..
I liked albq 30 years ago when I threw a dart at a map to decide where to honeymoon. Last time I went it was too city. Our first trip there was to locals selling stuff they made, the rattlesnake museum, the biodiversity park, green chile on a burger, iced coffee, and fun camping.
We decided to move to the state that trip. It’s a big state with petroglyphs, food, bats, wine, ruins, and zip lines, it’s hard to pick what to do! Check out operation days and hours so you don’t go somewhere closed for the season.
1
1
u/SofiaDeo 21h ago
New Mexico isn't the West Coast, it's the Southwest so look at climate, etc. for the Southwest when packing. If you are looking for a "West Coast" experience this is the wrong area. The humidity in the Southwest is much lower than the West Coast, for instance.
-5
32
u/SlowMolassas1 1d ago
My advice would be get out of Albuquerque and see some of the amazing landscape the state has to offer, and explore the old ruins and national monuments.