10 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in New Mexico

Of course, no New Mexico town is without its natural wonder. The Big Ditch is a small canyon park where tourists can walk along a trail alongside a big ditch with rushing water. Amazingly, this gentle wash was once Silver City's booming central business district! It is a great space for you to relax for a while and take a walk while listening to the sounds of the rushing water below and the birds singing as they fly amongst the clouds.

For the best blend of nature and history, Silver City acts as the launching point for exploring The Gila Cliff Dwellings, in the Gila Wilderness (also home to the Gila Hot Springs). At this astounding National Monument, park-goers can explore the caves that were once home to the people of the Mogollon culture. These homes and rooms carved directly in the rock are a testament to the ingenius nature of an ancient people, used for only a generation or two before moving on to a better situation. After a long day exploring Silver City, you can rest and relax in your room at The Murray Hotel, the premier historic independent hotel in New Mexico, which was built in 1938 following the Great Depression. The hotel also hosts art events and offers its guests various amenities.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of Los Alamos' history is that the town played a pivotal role in the creation and development of the atomic bomb, a primary objective of the Manhattan Project during World War II under the leadership of J. Robert Oppenheimer. If you want to learn more about the historic moment in time, then take a trip to the Bradbury Science Museum, where museum-goers can immerse themselves in the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer's life and how he created and launched the very first atomic bomb through a series of interactive exhibitions. They can even imagine how it must have felt assisting Mr. Oppenheimer develop the atomic bomb as they wander from one exhibit to the next.

Another historical site just outside town is the Tsankawi Prehistoric Sites, where you can walk a 1.5-mile trail that was once the grounds where the Puebloan people lived in their ancient village of Tsankawi. Along the way, you can learn about their way of life and the traditions they followed long ago. Alongside learning about the history of the Puebloan people, hikers can take in the magnificent scenery above the former soft volcanic rock roofs that the Puebloan people once built. It may be the perfect, less crowded tourist destination you have been looking for.

Consisting of ten acres of grassy, gentle slopes is Ashley Pond. The pond serves as a venue for annual concerts and events, but it is also a wonderful place to take a walk or enjoy a picnic lunch in the sunshine while the ducks and geese glide gracefully through the water, and fish swim and splash in their home beneath the waves. The pond is a well-known community hub and is within walking distance of the Wingate by Wyndham Los Alamos, so, after enjoying the hotel's complimentary free breakfast, you can spend the day at the pond taking in the fresh air and sunshine.

Cradled along the rocky, red landscapes is the town of Gallup, which is highly praised for honoring the traditions and lifestyles of Native American culture and the stunning, scenic views visitors can see in Red Rock Park. The park's namesake comes from its striking red sandstone cliffs that were formed during the Mesozoic Era. Keeping alive the traditions of Native American cultures, the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial that takes place in the park every August puts Native American art, crafts, dances, clothes, and songs on display as tribes come down to showcase their culture and honor each others' performances.

Aside from the history of how Native American culture influenced the town of Gallup, there is a lot to learn about the town itself, as it once had major connections to mining and railroads. While in town, be sure to check out the Navajo Code Talkers Museum to learn about the essential role that native Navajo language speakers from the region played in World War II, and their proud culture before and beyond the war.

On the way to the famous El Rancho Hotel, which is known for being the "Home of the Movie Stars" and a base for Hollywood productions in the 1940's and 50's, stop to grab a bite to eat at Glenn’s Bakery. In these walls, you will find an assortment of cakes, pies, cookies, and doughnuts, along with sandwiches, breakfast burritos, hot dogs, burgers, and salads. Everything is made fresh every day, from the tortillas to the sausages. If you are in a rush to get somewhere important, the bakery offers quick service and a drive-thru so that you will be able to make it through your daily commutes.

Many know Madrid as the capital of Spain, but in the case of New Mexico, Madrid means a former coal-mining town that is now an artist community, home to unique roadside attractions and galleries that display the work of some of the city's many original artists. And for those in the know, the name is pronounced MAD-rid.

For something truly unique, which you cannot find anywhere else in the world, come on down to Connie’s Photo Park. You know those life-size face-in-a-hole signs you might find at the fair? Well, you will find an abundance of these hand-painted signs at this roadside attraction. You can take a picture of yourself asan alien, a hippie, or a cowboy in front of a Western saloon. If you are feeling hungry after taking all of those pictures, then Mine Shift Tavern is the place to not only get scenic views of Madrid and try some of their award-winning burgers and margaritas, but also learn about the town around the time it was considered a ghost town.

To satisfy your sweet tooth and gaze upon the works of Tia Crystal, Ben Vickers, and Penny Winn, Jezebel Studio, Gallery, and Soda Fountain is another unique offering found in Madrid. After studying and buying a piece of the magnificent pieces of art, indulge yourself at the soda fountain where there are twenty flavors of ice cream to choose from for your sundae, milkshake, malt, root beer float, or ice cream soda. Head just outside of town in the sister town of Cerillos to watch the sunset from your own private patio at the Cerrillos Railhouse Guest Casitas, where, instead of the standard hotel room, you can book a stay in your own house away from home to get away from the hustle and bustle of a regular hotel in the middle of the city.

With a name like Truth or Consequences for a town, you would expect to have some quirky history, and it sure does. In 1950, the host of the popular radio show Truth or Consequences declared he would host the 10th anniversary program from the first town to rename itself after the show, and the town voted to do it! Aside from the name, this quaint little town in New Mexico is famed for its therapeutic hot springs like the Riverbend Hot Springs, where you can dip your toes in one of the many mineral water-filled pools and look out onto the views of the Rio Grande River and Turtleback Mountain.

Speaking of Turtleback Mountain, to catch more views of the mountain itself and have the opportunity to let your four-legged, furry friends run around and play, come to the Carole Wheeler Dog Park. The park is extremely spacious and has separate areas for your dogs to play: one for larger dogs, one for smaller dogs, and one for the dogs that just need a little more supervision than others. While the dogs run, jump, and enjoy the fresh air, the humans can enjoy the relaxing views next to the Ralph Edwards Fishing Pond.

Truth or Consequences excels in desert relaxation, but for more social thrills, head to Sidekixx: Kitchen, Bar, & Bowling. Aside from it being a regular bar and restaurant that serves things from pizzas to enchiladas, there is also a fully-functioning bowling alley where you and your group can take turns getting a strike and knocking down the pyramid of pins while music blasts through the aisle. After stuffing yourself up and doing a bit of bowling, you can enjoy a peaceful night's sleep at Sierra Grande before waking up to gorgeous sunrises in the morning, grabbing a luxurious holistic treatment in the afternoon at their spa, and enjoying some time out on the town in the evening, as the town is bustling with events all year round.

If you are looking to visit a ski resort but do not want to be stuck in winter cold, then Ruidoso is the place to go, as their Ski Apache mountain resort is open all year round. At Apache, you can go skiing, snowboarding, gondola riding, hiking, mountain biking, and zip lining down the powder-covered slopes. After playing hard in the cold, you can warm up at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, one of New Mexico’s top resorts. The resort is home to many amenities such as an indoor swimming pool, a golf course, a luxury spa, and exciting activities on Lake Mescalero.

The ski resort is not the only reason why people like to come to Ruidoso. Every summer, people from all walks of life come to this New Mexican town to see horse races take place at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track. It is basically New Mexico's take on the Kentucky Derby! Aside from the horse races, people also come to the race track for the casino slots and the delicious food served at the food trucks, like barbecue, burgers, chicken tenders, wraps, and wings.

And while Ruidoso is the spot for mountain access, you can also take a hike through Lincoln National Forest, a one-million-acre forest that consists not only of winding trees and grass but also of desert landscapes, subalpine forests, and everything in between. It will feel like you are taking a trip around the world without having to take out your passport. Perhaps one of the most unique facts about the forest is that it is the birthplace of one of America's most famous icons: Smokey Bear!

In the high desert of New Mexico, bordered by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, lies the town of Taos. The town is famous for housing the Taos Pueblo, an ancient, still standing pueblo complex that belongs to Taos-speaking Puebloan people. While exploring the pueblo, you can learn more about the rich history of the Puebloan people and how they lived, worked, and raised their families, and how they do today. You might be surprised at the different ways people can live!

For more history on Taos and to do some retail fun, come to Taos Plaza. The plaza has seen many changes since being granted to sixty-three families by Don Fernando de Taos in 1796. Now, the plaza is the central hub for live music performances, farmers' markets, and shops and galleries that keep the traditions of Taos alive. Then, when you are through with shopping and walking across historic pueblos, check in to your room at Hotel La Fonda Taos. The hotel was once a trading post and an inn that was established in 1820. Now, it is a luxurious hotel that offers an art gallery on site, an on-site coffee shop, sports massages, and some other special events that they host, like art classes, fly fishing, horseback riding, and hot air ballooning.

If you want to gaze at a more scenic view of Taos, then visit the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, also called the "Gorge Bridge" or the "High Bridge". The bridge lives up to its name, drawing visitors from around the world to peer over the railings and gaze at the gorge, cliffs, and rushing river below (from the comfort and safety of their vehicles, of course). If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, the bridge is also home to a walking trail that will take you 1.4 to 8-miles along the edge of the gorge, where you can catch panoramic views of both the bridge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

If you or anyone in your party is a fan of conspiracy theories, then Roswell may be the ideal destination for you. Ever since the world-famous alien conspiracy theory of 1947, the citizens of Roswell claimed their town to be the place where UFOs, and possibly aliens, were spotted and photographed for the press. Now, true believers alike come to Roswell to hopefully see a UFO up close and come face-to-face with aliens. However, you will not have to wait until dark to see aliens, as the Alien Zone houses these strange and unusual creatures, who are available for photo-ops in hilarious situations, such as sharing a beer on the couch, baking in the sun, or at the movies, sharing popcorn.

On a side note, aliens are not the only reason that people come to Roswell.The town is also home to the Walker Aviation Museum, which not only displays all sorts of flying machines that tie into the history of aviation, but also the stories soldiers and aviators who used those machines throughout history. These tales of courage bring a perspective to what it takes to pilot something through the air in high-stress situations, especially at times when the technology is experimental.

At a different pace, Bottomless Lakes State Park has a lot to offer as well, and is completely different from most state parks, as it is actually a series of seven small park lakes that range from seventeen to ninety feet deep. The park is also a twenty-two-minute drive to the Rodeway Inn, where you can take a rest in either your room or in the lobby with a good book from the library in front of a roaring fire before heading back out to enjoy the park's many activities, such as picnicking, non-motorized boating, fishing, swimming, and even scuba diving.

Way up high in the Sacramento Mountains is the town of Cloudcroft. This charming little mountain town allows visitors to experience a blend of small-town hospitality and the glorious beauty of Mother Nature. The town is best known for its year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, golfing, and ice skating. If you are looking to get out on the ice, then come to James Sewell Ice Rink, where you can also grab rentals for sledding and tubing, if skating isn't in your wheelhouse.

People who have been bitten by the performing arts bug may want to grab a ticket, take a seat, and enjoy a performance at the Cloudcroft Pavilion. Here, you can watch performances put on by the Cloudcroft Light Opera Company. From melodramas to murder mysteries, you will be entertained with shows that will make you laugh, cry, and even leave you in suspense. The pavilion is also home to many events that take place throughout the year, so you never know what you might find whenever you come down.

If you want to have a unique retail excursion, then you might want to stop by the Burro Street Exchange. Once you set foot onto the boardwalk, you will find a multitude of treasures for you to take home, including western wear, Native American attire, and western-made jewelry. Just two minutes from the street exchange is the Grand Cloudcroft Hotel, a luxury hotel that you can unwind in after doing all of that shopping. The hotel’s amenities include Cloudcroft’s only indoor swimming pool and hot tub, king-sized beds in all the rooms, and a free continental breakfast every morning. However, the biggest amenity that is the most convenient of them all is that it is only a short drive to not just the street exchange, but to almost all of Cloudcroft’s attractions.

If you are looking for a place to reconnect with nature, then look no further, as you might find yourself in Jemez Springs. One way to reconnect with nature is to take a walk up Soda Dam. While you will not find any soda throughout the trail, you will find the rushing waters of the Jemez River below almost any time of year. While the river may be frozen by the time winter comes, the sight of the frozen river, along with the gigantic icicles that hang around as you walk up this 7,000-year-old rock formation, will be equally worth the hike.

Speaking of rocks, another rock you can get spectacular views from is Battleship Rock. The rock got its name due to its resemblance to the bow of a warship that sailed a long time ago, and at the rock’s ledge lies the horizon and the echoes of both the San Antonio Creek and the East Fork Jemez River. Its two-hundred-foot-tall formation greets visitors from far and wide to walk up and down its trail. Down below the rock’s point are picnic tables for picnickers, cooking grills to have a barbecue, and a family pavilion to hang out in if you want to get away from the rain.

Completed in the 1920s, the Gilman Tunnels are two tunnels that were carved through mountain and rock. What was once a way to transport logs from the mountains via the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway is now tunnels for vehicles of all shapes and sizes to drive through. Once you pass through the tunnels, book a room at Hotel Zazz. At this colorful, quirky hotel, you will be able to enjoy two luxury spas, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, and view the garden from the terrace. Enjoy sitting outside after grabbing a drink from the bar, and in the morning, you can sign up to take a daily yoga class. It is the perfect way to start your journey to your next destination in New Mexico.

Whether it's dipping your toes in the hot springs, taking pictures of other life forms outside our planet, or reconnecting with nature, New Mexico is both a unique and wonderful place to spend a long weekend away. While unique things that are outside of what you are used to may seem a bit strange, it is important to try these things, especially when you are coming to a place like New Mexico, because you never know, you might just end up having a good time.