Whether you’re taking the ultimate road trip through the Southwest or along Route 66, or you’re here for the weekend and looking for a fun excursion, these unique stops throughout the city will make any drive one to remember. 2 months ago Val. Whether you’re driving the length of Route 66, traversing the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, visiting White Sands National Park, or vacationing in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, you won’t want to miss these fifteen must-see places to go in New Mexico... Road trips aren’t about the destination, they’re about all the stops along the way. Today, El Vado is a unique blend of retro style and modern comforts and amenities. This roadside site isn’t located on Route 66, but it definitely gives Route 66 vibes.

The tradition, which started in a parking lot in 1973 with only 13 balloons, has grown to occupy a 365-acre park with more than 500 balloons participating.

Guided tours are available.

There are fantastic photo opportunities, as well as regular markets. Although the city is safely and slowly reopening, restrictions are still in place on gatherings of more than 5 people. Tours of the cliff dwellings are available, although visitors should take note that the tours start at the cliff dwellings themselves, and it takes about a half hour to walk up to them from the trailhead.

The ride offers stunning views of the surrounding land, from grassy, deer-filled, hillside meadows to stream-laced mountains. If you want more Route 66 neon, and some delicious food too, make a stop at the Dog House. Find a sculpture of a giant rattlesnake, over 400 feet long, as you drive south from Albuquerque.

The 15 Best New Mexico Roadside Attractions.

This national park has an educational museum, hiking trails, and campsites. If restored, retro hotels are on your road trip list, make a stop at El Vado, one of New Mexico’s first motels on Route 66. Thank you for visiting our website. The area is home to a variety of wildlife and visitors may be lucky enough to see marmots, pikas, elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and golden eagles. Address: 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Are you planning a New Mexico road trip and want to find all the best New Mexico roadside attractions along your route? © Copyright 2020 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. The mountain is next to Moreno Valley near Angel Fire in the Carson National Forest, in the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. Located off Central Ave (Route 66) in Historic Old Town, this unique museum is home to the world’s largest collection of live rattlesnake species. Visitors can also experience bat tours, trips to specific caves, and walks through the outlandish geological formations. 11 Strange Spots In New Mexico That Will Make You Stop And Look Twice.

Traveling Route 66, the famous Mother Road, from Chicago to California has been a rite of passage since 1926.

This nine-day festival is kicked off by the breathtaking "Mass Ascension" and continues with unique displays of coordinated ballooning and nighttime presentations. Comprised of nearly 120 known caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is hidden mostly underground. Stop here for drinks, food, sweets, shopping, yoga, and more - all in a multi-use complex built entirely out of storage containers. From Route 66’s golden age, this restored hotel was built in 1946 and is a must-photograph on a Mother Road drive through Albuquerque. This hill has always been known as a skiers' hill, with outstanding intermediate and advanced terrain. An additional 2,000 reside on the 95,000-acre property in a variety of traditional and modern homes. Today, New Mexico offers the visitor fantastic nature experiences, distinctive cuisine, and an impressive fine arts scene. Home to the nation’s longest continuous stretch of Route 66 within a single city, a diverse art scene, and countless quirky personalities, Albuquerque has a long list of must-see roadside oddities and landmarks you don’t want to miss. The Park Service offers self-guided audio tours and ranger-led tours. The museum hosts the Kid's rifle, horse-riding equipment and the original Wanted poster.

Friday, March 29, 2019 11:00 AM Among the remains of the indigenous habitats are structures such as masonry walls and dwellings that were carved from the volcanic rock, as well as petroglyphs that illustrate the Pueblo culture and daily life. Pecos National Historical Park encompasses what was once one of the largest Native American pueblos in the state. For many travelers through this part of New Mexico, Tiny Town sticks in our memories of quirky road fun that once was.

by Rachel. So, if you want to experience the quirky side of Albuquerque, check these off your list: Find the image of the Virgin de Guadalupe carved into a cottonwood tree at the San Felipe de Neri Parish in Albuquerque’s Historic Old Town. White Sands National Monument is one of the most stunning landscapes in the state, located a half an hour's drive southwest of Alamogordo in the south of New Mexico.

These apartment-style homes are up to five stories high, and around 150 people live within the old town full-time. We strive to post the most current and accurate information, but changes and cancellations are occurring. Exhibits take an objective look at local events, as well as numerous others around the world, inviting visitors to come to their own conclusion. North of the old mining town of Silver City are the Gila cliff dwellings: 42 rooms in six caves, built into the cliff face by the Mogollon Native Americans around the year 1300. Visitors can also experience bat tours, trips to specific caves, and walks through the outlandish geological formations.

While in Albuquerque, tourists will enjoy sightseeing in the city's old town, where the Spanish first settled, also home to the Albuquerque Museum, which contains historical artifacts and exhibits about the area. The area encompasses 7,244 acres consisting of a basalt escarpment, five dormant volcanoes, and an expansive mesa. Due to the elevation, Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area enjoys moderate summer temperatures and cold winters, when temperatures regularly fall below freezing. The Pueblo is closed to the public during several of its annual traditional events. Just outside the city of Taos, the Taos Pueblo has the oldest continuously inhabited dwellings in the United States. There are three main hiking routes, the least strenuous being Boca Negra Canyon, which has 100 petroglyphs along one mile of trails. There are a total of approximately 20,000 petroglyphs within the park, many of which can be viewed from the hiking trails.

New Mexico Route 66. Former home of ancestral Pueblo people, the area was occupied from AD 1150 to 1600. The highest point in New Mexico is the summit of Wheeler Peak, at 13,161 ft. Checkout Retrograde Tours for a guided walking tour, Mid-Mod Home Tour, or even a “Retro Risqué” tour. Accommodation: Where to Stay in the Taos Ski Valley.

Location: 15 Entrance Road, Los Alamos, New Mexico, Accommodation: Where to Stay near Bandelier National Monument. More, 20 First Plaza NW, Suite 601, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 Address: 114 N Main Street, Roswell, New Mexico, Anasazi dwellings in Bandelier National Monument, Ancient Native American rock art along the Rinconada Trail, International UFO Museum and Research Center. Due to the spread of COVID-19, some attractions may be closed or have restrictions.

Accommodation: Where to Stay near White Sands National Monument.

This neon archway sign on Central Ave. located on Albuquerque’s west side, where Route 66 intersects with Coors Blvd. The visitor center contains exhibits and park information and also offers an Ancestral Sites Walking tour, a guided 1.25-mile hike that explores evidence of the area's indigenous peoples. These adobe structures have stood for more than 1,000 years, constructed of straw-reinforced mud bricks and timber-supported roofs. It can be hard to spot, but if you take a look around the Village Shops of Los Ranchos, you'll find the plaque. The 15 Best New Mexico Roadside Attractions, Ivar Feeding the Gulls statue in Seattle, Washington, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Hikers should be aware of local wildlife, especially rattlesnakes, and should be well prepared with water for the longer treks. At Silly America we embrace the detours – from weird roadside attractions to iconic motels to vintage diners to national treasures. Location: Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Located off of Central Ave in the historic Nob Hill neighborhood (Monte Vista Blvd and Marquette Ave) are several private homes that have very unique architecture, including the Spaceship/Bug House.

With strong influences of both Native American and Hispanic culture, the state offers the visitor a multitude of unique attractions both in large cities like Santa Fe and Albuquerque, as well as the smaller hubs of UFO-focused Roswell and the artists' colony of Taos. Southwest, offers the perfect 50’s kitsch for any trip down the Mother Road. The Park Service offers self-guided audio tours and ranger-led tours. After being moved out of an actual cemetery, TV’s Walter White’s tombstone can now be found at a strip mall in the Duke City. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to the use of cookies. If restored, retro hotels are on your road trip list, make a stop at El Vado, one of New Mexico’s first motels on Route 66. Owl Cafe has a classic Route 66-diner feel, with 20 flavors of milkshakes, breakfast all day and a mini jukebox at each table. Passengers will see many of the Railroad's original structures along the journey and have the chance to stop in the rustic Osier, Colorado halfway through the trip for a lunch break and some exploring. July and August are the rainy months, so be sure to bring a rain jacket to deal with passing showers.

Constructed in 1880-81, this cozy train ride traverses the 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass and heads through the dramatic Toltec Gorge. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a narrow gauge heritage railroad that runs between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito, Colorado. The museum also has a collection of cavalry swords, old firearms, and antique cars and trucks. For some authentic 50’s, Route 66 era dining and décor, make a stop at the iconic 66 Diner on Central Ave. A must-experience on any trip to Albuquerque, the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway stretches from the northeast edge of the city to the crest line of the Sandia Mountains and has the world’s third longest single span. The sculpture is located on the northwest corner of San Mateo Blvd SE and Gibson Blvd SE.

It is the longest aerial tram in North America. Have a bite in a giant owl-shaped restaurant.