9 Ideal New Mexico Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2025

Majestic New Mexico, between the states of Texas and Arizona, is home to several awe-inspiring attractions, encouraging people from all over the world to return to the southwestern region of the U.S. over and over again. Whether you’re walking beneath the towering adobe walls at Taos Pueblo, winding through the murals and museums of Tucumcari, or marveling at the snow-white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park, not far from Hatch, the Land of Enchantment offers countless memories in every direction. Here are nine of the ideal New Mexico destinations for a three-day weekend in 2025 with family and friends or even by yourself.

Taos

One of the best destinations in New Mexico, the town of Taos is home to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, suspended an astounding 600 feet above the river below. The Enchanted Circle Drive is another scenic attraction within the area of Taos. This 84-mile picturesque drive passes through several spectacular towns, including Eagle Nest and Angel Fire.

Taos Pueblo, with adobe buildings first built over a thousand years ago, and Taos Plaza, the center of Taos Historic District, are two other attractions within Taos. Offering everything from restaurants and inns, like La Cueva Cafe and the Historic Taos Inn, Taos Plaza is constructed of several adobe homes from as early as the 19th century.

Silver City

Silver City is home to several natural attractions, like the Gila National Forest. Home to the Gila Cliff Dwellings and Lake Roberts, the Gila National Forest is the perfect way to experience nature. If you wish to sleep outside, two charming spots to camp overnight are Mesa Campground and Upper End Campground. From dining at Little Toad Creek Brewery to staying overnight at Murray Hotel, there is a quaint culture in downtown Silver City as well. Scott Park Golf Links is also close to Silver City. Hosting 9-hole and 18-hole games, as well as events and weddings for guests, Scott Park Golf Links is the place to visit. There is also some tasty food served year-round at the on-site Clubhouse Cafe.

Hatch

The tiny town of Hatch, best known for being the “Chile Capital of the world,” is home to the Hatch Chile Festival every Labor Day weekend with a parade, hot and mild pepper competitions, and multiple food and craft vendors. There are several farms and stores that cater to the Hatch chile pepper in Hatch as well, including Hatch Chile Express and Chile Fanatic. St. Francis de Sales Inn, named after the patron saint of writers and journalists, is also within Hatch, offering spacious rooms and great service.

White Sands National Park is also a must-see. An hour or so outside the town of Hatch and not far from Alamogordo, it offers phenomenal hiking and biking through the ever-changing snow-white gypsum dunes. The park covers nearly 150,000 acres, so one can spend multiple days taking in the scenery.

Carlsbad

Home to several great natural attractions, like Living Desert Zoo, a short drive to the west, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park, around 25 minutes to the south, the town of Carlsbad is the perfect destination for a three-day weekend. From the glorious aspects of the Living Desert Zoo, including forty animal species as well as hundreds of species of flora in its adjacent Gardens State Park, to the breathtaking views in the Carlsbad Caverns, everyone will be well-satisfied.

Downtown Carlsbad is also home to some awesome historic aspects, like the Carlsbad Museum. This great slice of history first opened in 1931 and has several exhibits featuring Native American and Southwestern art and artifacts. There are also several great lodging choices downtown, like Fiddler’s Inn, conveniently a ten-minute walk from Carlsbad Water Park.

Tucumcari

A popular destination on Route 66, the town of Tucumcari is home to several great attractions that are worth seeing, for the first time or over and over again. From Murals of Tucumcari, with around a hundred phenomenal wall paintings scattered throughout town, to numerous museums, including the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Laboratory, history is thriving within this southwestern town.

As it would be difficult to see even half of the museums or check out most of the murals in a single day, the town of Tucumcari is also conveniently home to some of the best restaurants and inns, so you can recharge your mind and body. From Del’s Restaurant, an excellent establishment serving American and Mexican food right on Route 66, to Blue Swallow Motel, also on Route 66, comfort and taste are important in this town.

Raton

Just below the southern border of Colorado, the town of Raton, with just under six thousand residents, is home to Sugarite Canyon State Park and Climax Canyon Park. While Climax Canyon Park has a moderate 3-mile trail that offers an amazing view of downtown Raton, Sugarite Canyon State Park offers fishing, boating, and camping options, as well as several easier trails, like the Lake Maloya and Lake Alice paths.

Some great attractions in downtown Raton include the Raton Museum, which features true western Native American history, and the Shuler Theater, which is now over a hundred years old. There are also several marvelous dining and lodging choices downtown. Portillo Restaurant offers delicious Mexican-American fare, while Heart’s Desire Inn, built in 1885, is situated only a couple of blocks from the museum.

Gallup

Another of the many small towns along Route 66, Gallup is perhaps best known for being the gateway to the Native American Experience. Having several awesome museums, like the George Galanis Multicultural Center and Rex Museum, history is thriving in the town of Gallup. The former features exhibits like the Navajo Code Talkers exhibit, while the latter honors the heritage of the people in the area. There are also various art galleries in downtown Gallup. Art123 features Native and non-Native art, while LOOM Indigenous has works from Indigenous artists from all over. El Rancho Hotel, also within Gallup, is on historic Route 66.

Moriarty

Named for the first family to settle in the area, the town of Moriarty is home to McCall’s Pumpkin Patch, a popular autumn destination for the entire family. Along with McCalls, which features common attributes like hay rides, a corn maze, farm animals, and pumpkin picking, Lewis Antique Auto & Toy Museum, an indoor/outdoor museum on eight acres of land, has thousands of toys inside and hundreds of antique vehicles outside.

Moriarty is also known for the U.S. Southwest Soaring Museum, an aviation museum featuring the history of gliding in the western United States. Lisa’s Grill is within blocks of both museums. They serve tasty Mexican-American fare for breakfast and lunch. Sunset Motel is also situated on Route 66 in town, with excellent service and comfortable rooms.

Mesilla

The tiny yet picturesque town of Mesilla, around fifty miles south of Hatch, is home to some great attractions, making it perfect for an ideal three-day weekend. From restaurants like Chala’s Wood Fire Grill to inns like Hacienda de Mesilla, both located on Avenida de Mesilla, taste and comfort are prevalent in Mesilla.

Also known for being home to Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, located along the Rio Grande, with three miles of trails for birdwatching and exploring nature, and Gadsden Museum, dedicated to the visual arts, the town of Mesilla caters well to natural, historic, and cultural values. Mesilla even has several vineyards, including Rio Grande Winery, for those who appreciate a good-tasting wine.

A Long Weekend In New Mexico

New Mexico, rich with the heritage of the American Southwest, provides a variety of awe-inspiring destinations for that perfect three-day weekend. Whether it is exploring McCall’s Pumpkin Patch in Moriarty with the kids, finding out more about the Navajo Code Talkers in Gallup, or checking out the Living Desert Zoo in sunny Carlsbad with a loved one, there is something for everyone within the majestic southwestern state of New Mexico, also known as the Land of Enchantment.