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  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

    1. 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.

  5. 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.

    1. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. I remember learning about Loretta Chapel in Catholic school when I was growing up! Reading about it in your article brought back some memories!

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

    1. We instantly liked it the first time we went to both places. They are so different from what we’ve been to.

  10. 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.

    1. 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.

  11. 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

  12. 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.

  13. 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!

  14. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

  15. 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!

    1. I feel guilty if I don’t spread the words about these places. Haha… They are great places for families.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

    1. 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.

  18. 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!

  19. 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

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

    1. 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..

    1. 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.

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