6 Best Places To Visit Around Santa Fe & Albuquerque, New Mexico, This Summer.
Are you planning to visit Santa Fe & Albuquerque this summer but do not know where to go or what to do?
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For out-of-state people like us, it is hard to choose what places to visit when we are in Santa Fe & Albuquerque for only 2-3 days. Both cities have so much to offer.
One other thing, everyone in the family has their preferences. There is one like nature, one like art and museum, one like food, and one like history.
And Santa Fe & Albuquerque have plenty of them.
What to do? Where to go?
But no need to worry! It happened to our family before.
After five visits to Santa Fe & Albuquerque during summertime, I came up with this list of places to visit around Santa Fe & Albuquerque for your first visit to the towns.
I hope this suggestion on what to visit in and around Santa Fe & Albuquerque will help you.
6 Best Places Around Santa Fe & Albuquerque, New Mexico, This Summer
1. KASHA-KATUWE TENT ROCKS NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is where you can see remarkable cone-shaped tent rocks formation. There are three hiking trails here: Slot Canyon Trail (3 miles round trip), Cave Loop Trail (1.2 miles), and Veterans Memorial Trail (1 mile.).
First off, hike the Slot Canyon Trail. It starts with a flat trail, turns steep, and requires climbing at the last part of the trail.
This path is famous. Despite its above-average difficulty, most people made it to the top. It is where you can see the cone-shaped tent rock formations that look amazing from above.
Even within minutes of your hike, you will be faced with incredible rock formations.
After that, you can hike the Cave Loop Trail or skip it if you must move to another location.
When someone in your group travels with a wheelchair, a few sections in Cave Loop Trail are ADA-accessible. The Veterans Memorial Trail is wheelchair accessible.
Best time to visit Early morning when it is not too hot and not crowded. There aren’t too many shades on the trail and New Mexico’s sun is not too friendly.
Hours of Operation Mon-Sun: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closing procedures begin at 3.30 p.m. to clear the Monument by 5 p.m. All visitors must leave the fee booth area by closing time.
What to bring/wear – Good hiking/walking shoes – Comfy outdoor clothing – Hiking poles – Hat/sunglasses – Plenty of water – Snacks – Sunscreen – Camera
Admission is $5 per vehicle unless you have a big group. $25 up to 25 individuals. $100 25-100 individuals. Or, free with your National Park Pass.
Address Between Albuquerque and Santa Fe on Indian Service Rte. 92, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072. Ph: (505) 331-6259.
Note: dogs are not allowed on the trails.
(Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is still closed as I updated this post on April 3, 2024.)
2. BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT
Bandelier is a good place in Santa Fe to see cliff dwellings built by the Pueblo people. You can also see Pueblo village ruins and petroglyphs.
Although Bandelier has over 70 miles of trail, the Main Loop Trail (1.2-mile loop trail) is the right choice for your first visit. This trail will take you through the archeological sites.
In addition, ladders along the path allow visitors to climb into cavates (small human-carved alcoves).
Unfortunately, they closed one of the cavates and took the ladder off because of vandalism. I just back from Bandelier in June 2023 and it made me mad. I just can’t understand why people vandalized this park.
If you’re not afraid of heights, instead of taking a turn towards the visitor center, continue to Alcove House for another ½-mile.
The Alcove House is located 140 feet above the floor of Frijoles Canyon. You can reach it by climbing four wooden ladders and several stone stairs. The ladders are almost vertical, and they are reasonably high.
At the top, you will see a reconstructed kiva, the underground room used for religious ceremonies and other purposes. But since 2011, tourists have no longer been going down the kiva.
The view from the top is beautiful. But it is a bit windy up there. Do not go to the edge.
If you still have time and the energy, do the three miles round-trip Falls Trail to one of the coolest waterfalls in New Mexico.
The best time to visit is in the morning. However, between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., you must take a shuttle bus provided by the park. The bus runs approximately every 30 minutes on weekdays and 20 minutes on weekends. There are exemptions for vehicles displaying a disability tag, vehicles with a pet on board, or overnight backpackers.
What to bring/wear – Good hiking/walking shoes – Comfy outdoor clothing – Hiking poles – Hat/sunglasses – Plenty of water – Snacks – Sunscreen – Camera
Admission is $25 per vehicle for a 7-day entry permit, even when you arrive between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Or, free with National Park Pass.
Address 15 Entrance Rd., Los Alamos, NM 87544. Ph.: (505) 672-3861 ext. 517.
Note: dogs are not allowed on trails. If you travel with a dog, make sure you are parking at the right place. Also, don’t forget to grab the Junior Ranger Program for the kids.
3. PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT
Do you want to visit one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America? It is in Albuquerque, next to a subdivision on the west side of town.
Here petroglyphs were carved on volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago.
There is three popular hiking trails area where you can see the petroglyphs. I recommend you do Boca Negra Canyon. You will explore three short trails that take about an hour to finish.
After you arrive at the Information Center, grab the map and Junior Ranger program for the kids. Then start with the Mesa Point Trail right next to the building. The trail requires climbing and there’s no shade at all. So, do it early in the morning and wear a hat and sunglasses, and bring plenty of water.
Then continue to Macaw Trail and Cliff Base Trail either by foot or car. Once done, go to the Information Center for your kids to get sworn in as Junior Rangers.
Best time to visit Early in the morning because this is an open area, and there’s no shade at all.
What to bring/wear – Good hiking/walking shoes – Comfy outdoor clothing – Hiking poles – Hat/sunglasses – Plenty of water – Snacks – Sunscreen – Camera
Admission A $1 parking fee on weekdays and $2 on weekends.
Location Off of Unser Blvd., ¼-mile north of Montano Road, west side of Albuquerque.
Note: dogs on a leash are allowed on the trails at Piedras Marcadas Canyon and the Volcanoes Day Use Area. Dogs are also welcome in the non-petroglyph section (middle section) in Rinconada Canyon.
4. LORETTO CHAPEL
In Loretto Chapel, you will see the Miraculous Staircase, which has two 360-degree turns and no visible means of support. Some believed St. Joseph, the patron of the carpenter himself, who came to build the stairs.
It was a former Roman Catholic church, but now it is a museum and wedding chapel. Visitors can still pray and light a candle inside the chapel.
Best time to visit Anytime between 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Monday to Saturday or 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. However, it may close without notice for special events. Call in advance. And make sure you stroll around the chapel area.
What to bring/wear – Proper clothes – Good attitude – Camera
Admission is $5. Children 6 and under are free of charge.
Address 207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Ph. (505) 982 0092.
Note: while here, venture to the neighboring Canyon Road. The street is full of art galleries and studios exhibiting a wide range of art. Then drive to Cowgirl for lunch or dinner on S. Guadalupe St. You can also visit San Miguel Mission (the oldest church in the US) or Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
5. EXPLORA – SCIENCE CENTER & CHILDREN’S MUSEUM of ALBUQUERQUE
As they said on their website, Explora is part science center, part children’s museum, part free-choice school, part grandma’s attic, part grandpa’s garage, part laboratory, a neighborhood full of interesting people, and part of many people’s lives. Furthermore, they designed the exhibits to engage visitors of all ages.
I couldn’t agree more with their description. We could have stayed at Explora until its close time.
Our family had fun exploring all the exhibits. From the engineering gravity, life of water, moving air, light, color, shadow, and math moves, to electricity and sound. And they have science experiments led by staff at least twice a day.
You must bring your family here.
Best time to visit When they open in the morning.
Hours of Operation Mon–Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sun: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
What to bring/wear – Your curiosity – Camera
Admission
Explora members: Free.
Children (under age 1): Free.
Children (1-11): $6.
Adults (12-64): $10.
Seniors (age 65+, with ID): $7.
Students or Military (with ID): $7.
Address 1701 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104. Ph.: (505) 224-8300.
Note: You can use your ASTC Passport Program to enter the museum for free.
6. NEW MEXICO MUSEUM of NATURAL HISTORY & SCIENCE
Another museum in Albuquerque that you should not miss on your visit. Its Location is right across from Explora.
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has extraordinary collections, research, exhibits, and programs. They want visitors to keep on learning.
We fell in love with this museum after we found ourselves face-to-face with Stan the T. Rex. He stands in full mode attack in the atrium.
You will learn different things from their permanent exhibits, the Naturalist Center, Fossilworks, and temporary exhibits.
Best time to visit When they just open.
Hours of Operation 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday through Sunday. Closed on Tuesdays.
What to bring/wear – Curiosity – Camera
Admission
Children (3-12): $5.
Adults (13-59): $8.
Seniors (60+): $7.
There’s an extra charge for Dynatheater and Planetarium.
Address 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104. Ph.: (505) 841-2800.
Note: You can use your ASTC Passport Program to enter the museum for free.
If you have another day to spend in Santa Fe & Albuquerque, go to Pecos. It is a beautiful destination about 30 minutes drive from Santa Fe and a little over an hour from Albuquerque. You can find Pecos National Historical Park here.
Or, take high road to Taos to see historical churches along the road and the Taos Pueblo.
Do you think about expanding your New Mexico road trip?
You can continue south to Alamogordo to visit White Sands National Park. There are two other things that you must do in the city. Visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History and stop by McGinn’s Farm for everything pistachios (they also have a winery.)
Then move southeast to visit another National Park in New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns, before going home.
Great list, I’m going to Santa Fe this weekend. I’ll check out some of these spots.
I hope you will have a great time! I’m planning to go back next summer. Or, maybe this Christmas.
i really enjoyed your article. I love Santa Fe, but have never been to any of these places. KASHA-KATUWE looks so unique as do both Bandelier National Monument and the Petroglyphs. I will certainly have to visit these places on my next trip through New Mexico.
You must. I’m sure you will enjoy these places.
I’ve been to Albuquerque once and only for a few hours, so didn’t get to do much (besides the Petroglyphs, did see those!) But I really want to go back and stay longer and check out more of these things. That chapel looks gorgeous!
Oh, you really need to go back. There’s so much you missed both in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
We visited Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta and were glad we stayed for some extra time to explore around Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I can certainly see why you have visited several times. Once was certainly not enough. We are definitely sorry we missed the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks. Looks fascinating. Reminds me of Trulli houses in the Puglia area of Italy.
I’m sorry you missed the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks. Next time you go there, make sure you visit it.
Ah Bandelier! We really enjoyed this park, checking the different dwellings and infrastructure carved in the cliffs. We did not get to check Petroglyph National Monument though, too bad, as I would have loved to admire the rock art! New Mexico has so much to offer, and I remember fondly our trip there.
You are right! New Mexico has so much to offer. Last year we stopped again at the Bandelier, but we couldn’t stay long because our dog was in the car by himself. I would like to visit New Mexico at other season though.
I have 6 US states until I have visited them all and New Mexico is one of them. I have been collecting things to do there, so this is great! I would especially love to see that staircase.
You will be amazed by Loretto Chapel, and Santa Fe in general. I’ve been there 3-4 times, and it’s one of the city that I would like to go back again and again.
Where do you recommend staying/boarding around New Mexico/Albquerque?
I would recommend around Old Town, downtown, or West Albuquerque.
This is such an unusual place. The landscapes remind me of a place called Basgo in India – the same sandy constructions. I would love to climb those cavates and see if there is anything more to discover. Loved the variety with the Children’s museum.
Is it? You will like spending time in this area. Guaranteed!
I remember learning about Loretta Chapel in Catholic school when I was growing up! Reading about it in your article brought back some memories!
Aww… it’s nice to hear it.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks and New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science look really interesting to me. I would love to visit these places when I am around there. Kids would love it too. I will surely suggest my cousin about this. She has two daughters and she loves to travel.
I’m sure you will fall in love with New Mexico.
The cone and tent shaped rock formations at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument looks pretty remarkable! And oh so photogenic too. I also love the sound of Bandelier and being able to experience all the cliff dwelings that have been built by the Pueblo people – to see and learn about such history would be incredible. I have never been to New Mexico myself, but you definitely have shared some exciting experiences worth adding to the list.
We instantly liked it the first time we went to both places. They are so different from what we’ve been to.
Seems like there’s something for every family member to do! The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument looks pretty cool, sort of reminds me a little of the Love Valley in Cappadocia in Turkey. I also like the miraculous staircase of the Loretto Chapel.
You are right! There’s something for everyone in the family. I’ve never been to Cappadocia but saw lots of pictures, and Kasha-Katuwe reminded me of it.
I loved all the national monuments on the list. They are so intriguing that I just can’t wait to go inside. The miraculous staircases of the Chapel is indeed an architectural marvel. Thanks for sharing these breathtaking places to visit in New mexico
They are unique and intriguing!
Great photos and lots of ideas on interesting places to see! I love national parks/monuments, so I think that Tent Rocks and Petroglyph NMs would be high on my “must see” list.
They are ones of the best!
I have never been to New Mexico, but your photos are so inviting. My favorite place is probably the children’s museum. And those red spices look so tasty! The food must have been incredible there!
Oh yeah. Food in New Mexico is fantastic with red or green chile of course!
I really like the rocks national monument, those cone-shaped rocks are so unique! I’ve never been to the state of New Mexico when in the US, and clearly I need to visit. I learned a lot about its rock monuments from reading this post.
Thank you, Lisa! I think you should put New Mexico on your next visit to the US.
We love Tent Rocks! Another place we like to take out-of-state visitors is Wildlife West in Edgewood, NM (https://www.kittydeschanel.com/2014/04/come-to-edgewood-zoo-with-me.html). We also enjoy having a meal at the Paa-ko golf course in Sandia Park, NM, which has scenery that no other restaurant can beat.
I still have to check Sandia Park out. It looks like we’ll swing by Albuquerque again this summer. Maybe this year is the time.
We love to explore new places around the US and New Mexico is a spot we haven’t been to yet. I love all the educational places you pointed out in your post.
US is really huge and there are so many places to explore. I hope you will make it to New Mexico one day and visit these places.
So many great ideas! I love that you have included a mixture of active outdoorsy things, but also great indoor options. All very educational too!
I feel guilty if I don’t spread the words about these places. Haha… They are great places for families.
We are headed to NM this summer, but staying a little north of Santa Fe as we trek over towards Arizona! These places look amazing and we will have to make a return trip to visit them soon.
You have to. You will enjoy it. We plan to go there again this summer.
Great guide! I’ve never been to New Mexico because I honestly wasn’t sure what there was to do there, but your post definitely makes me want to look into it more.
You won’t regret it! New Mexico is amazing!
New Mexico looks super cool through your clicks. And your post is so in-depth. I would love to visit KASHA-KATUWE – looks very interesting.
Thank you! New Mexico is super cool! This summer we will explore more of the state. Stay tune!
Very beautiful place. Those sandstone formations are simply amazing! We are avid trekkers, so we would love exploring those canyons, trails, and nooks and crannies there.
Thank you! You will like spending time there and New Mexico has more to offer for avid trekkers like you. We would like to explore more of NM one at a time.
This is really ironic I am reading this article. we have a convention in Vegas next month and I was just saying to my husband I wish it was somewhere where we have not gone, like Santa Fe! I really plan on going one day- great article, makes me want to go more now!
You will love it!!
santa fe albuquerque seems to be quiet rich in national monuments. And it makes me really happy to know that they are very much convenient to visit with a kid. And the kid friendly activities in explora are like a cherry on top of the cake. I would love to explore these sites when I head here with my kid
I can see our family out in the nature every weekend if we live there. 🙂
Thanks for sharing these awesome tips. I like that there seems to be something for everyone. Especially in reference to the beauty of the landscape.
Yes! It surprised me, too, when I searched for things to do and places to visit in NM.
Very good trips! I love the national monuments you visited. I plan to visit all the national park units someday. They are all so interesting, especially the ones in the nature. Looks like you had great time!
That’s our plan, too, to visit all the national parks in the U.S.
Rock mountain looks so appealing. We would definitely be adding it in our alley. This post is quite informative. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
I’ve never been to New Mexico, so this was a surprising list! I had no idea there was so much to do in the ABQ (Breaking Bad is really my only connection to this city…). Lots of natural parks in the area is always a great benefit, and that Explora place looks like it would be a wonderland for a kid of any age! Looks quite unique, glad to see people coming together and making something of use to the community.
I have no idea how New Mexico looked like until we made a road trip there. We love the nature there! And the more I dig about NM, the more we need to explore the state. And just like you, my husband only knew about Breaking Bad, too. He thought about making a drive there but changed his mind. Haha..
The amazing blog. Looks like you guys had a great time in New Mexico. Love the Miraculous Staircase.
We fell in love with New Mexico since the first time we went there. We never thought about it before and they’re the neighboring state. I love the Loretto Chapel, too.