Many of our new year’s resolutions focus on things we want to change or achieve. While important, these goals often involve hard work. So why not balance out your plan for 2017 with a bucket list of fun? We’ve gathered the top spots featured in 2016 and created a to-do list that you’ll want to start right away. Here are 24 unmissable places in New Mexico to visit in 2017:
We’re starting with towns that are great for a day trip or weekend getaway.
- Lincoln
Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Mayer Today, the tiny town of Lincoln is a tranquil place to visit, but that wasn’t always the case. During the 19th century, the Lincoln County War ignited here. Lincoln belongs on your bucket list for its unique history and because it truly seems frozen in time. For more info.
- Jemez Springs
Wikimedia Commons/Larry Lamsa From hot springs to tunnels to historic landmarks, you won’t get bored in this recreational wonderland, nestled in the Jemez Mountains. For more info.
- Red River
Flickr/Dave Hensley The snowiest place in New Mexico is picture perfect year round. Break out your skis in winter and your hiking shoes throughout the rest of the year. The western vibe here is particularly enchanting in fall, when the aspens are changing color. For more info.
- Ruidoso
Flickr/Philip Shoffner Ruidoso has it all: wineries, indie stores, divine restaurants, and the natural beauty of the Lincoln National Forest. For more info.
- Mesilla
Flickr/Jasperdo The plaza is the heart of many New Mexican towns and Mesilla’s is a national historic landmark. Take a break from the bustle of everyday life with a stroll through this town, which has historically been traded back and forth between Mexico and the U.S. For more info.
- Truth or Consequences
Flickr/Michael Swigart The town that renamed itself for a radio show is still true to its former name of Hot Springs. Truth or Consequences is a soaking mecca, with its abundance of hot springs hotels. If your resolutions involve less stress, then this is the spot for you. For more info.
- Mogollon
Flickr/mlhradio Mogollon is a well preserved ghost town that is worth the drive into the middle of nowhere. The town retains many of its old structures and mining equipment. For more info.
And now for hotels…
- Bavarian Lodge and Restaurant, Taos
Facebook/The Bavarian Lodge and Restaurant Think you have to travel to Europe to experience authentic German food served against a mountain back drop? Think again. The Bavarian Restaurant lies in the scenic Taos Ski Valley where you can also stay in one of the unique, themed suites. Bring on the lederhosen! More info here.
- Inn of the Mountain Gods, Mescalero
Facebook/Inn of the Mountain Gods Try a little resort living at Inn of the Mountain Gods, an oasis where you can go zip lining, try various water sports, or simply admire the stunning grounds. The resort hosts music concerts and puts on fireworks displays throughout the year. For more info.
- Sunrise Springs Spa Resort, Santa Fe
Facebook/Sunrise Springs Spa Resort If the idea of a puppy petting studio doesn’t win you over then the concept of forest bathing certainly should. This thoughtfully designed retreat will have you blissed out in no time. For more info.
New Mexico’s natural attractions are boundless but these gems are especially unusual.
- Blue Hole, Santa Rosa
Flickr/Tony Hisgett The Blue Hole is a renowned scuba destination where you can stand on the bottom and see the faces of people at the top - 81 feet above you. It’s also a popular swimming hole. For more info.
- Catwalk Trail, Glenwood
Flickr/Denny Armstrong A hike along this partially accessible catwalk trail steers you through a canyon, along the path of an old water pipeline. This short hike features a suspension bridge and a waterfall. For more info.
- Bisti Badlands, near Farmington
Wikimedia Commons/Bureau of Land Management The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is one of New Mexico’s most stunning secrets and, even though we’re singing its praises, these badlands are remote enough to deter casual passersby. Those who persevere are rewarded with the sight of rock formations so strange that you’ll think you’re traveled to another planet. For more info.
- Sitting Bull Falls, near Carlsbad
Flickr/Dan Lang Water may be a scarce resource in New Mexico but we still manage to have this swimming hole, where you can take a dip in a pool below a waterfall. For more info.
- El Malpais National Monument, near Grants
Wikimedia Commons/Fredlyfish4 El Malpais is a seriously underrated national monument that boasts a lava field, a natural arch, the ruins of a large pueblo, inscription rock, and lava tubes that you can hike through. For more info.
- White Sands National Monument, near Alamogordo
Flickr/Diana Robinson Don’t miss the opportunity to sled down the dunes at White Sands, the world’s largest gypsum dune field. For more info.
- Carlsbad Caverns, near Carlsbad
Flickr/Mathieu Lebreton Our only national park is one of the most gorgeous places above or below ground. For more info.
Some of these attractions are an integral part of New Mexico’s identity, while others are lesser known treasures.
- Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque
Flickr/Brian Sterling Perhaps you’ve already ridden the nation’s longest aerial tramway, but go again during a different season. The views when snow carpets the Sandia Mountains are vastly different but no less spectacular than the panoramic vistas you can savor in summer. For more info.
- New Mexico Mining Museum, Grants
Flickr/Kelly Michals Welcome to the world’s only uranium mining museum. Since we have the second largest identified uranium ore reserves, it’s fitting that this museum is in New Mexico. Explore a recreated mine and imagine what life underground was like. For more info.
- Shidoni Sculpture Garden, Tesuque
Flickr/Enrique A Sanabria At this sculpture garden you can actually watch the weekly bronze pours that give form to the artwork. For more info.
- Taos Pueblo, Taos
Flickr/Jenni Konrad Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo are the oldest settlements in the state. Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dates back over 1000 years and it’s right in your backyard. For more info.
- ABQ Biopark, Albuquerque
Flickr/Milomingo Go for the Japanese garden, stay for the butterfly pavilion and the children’s fantasy garden. Last year the Travel Channel ranked this public garden as the fifth best in the country. At Christmas, the ABQ Biopark hosts arguably the best light display in the state. For more info.
- Gila Cliff Dwellings, near Silver City
Flickr/Theresa During the 13th century, the Mogollon people inhabited these cliff dwellings. Clamber through the remains of these structures that lie deep in the Gila Wilderness. For more info.
- Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Chama
Flickr/Larry Lamsa According to “USA Today” readers, this is the best train ride in the country. Traveling between Chama and Antonito via steam train is definitely a memorable experience. For more info.
This article could easily have been twice as long because New Mexico is a state that takes years to fully explore. If you’ve already hit some of these places, use this list as a jumping off point for a customized 2017 bucket list. What New Mexico towns, attractions, and establishments do you plan to visit this year?
Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Mayer
Today, the tiny town of Lincoln is a tranquil place to visit, but that wasn’t always the case. During the 19th century, the Lincoln County War ignited here. Lincoln belongs on your bucket list for its unique history and because it truly seems frozen in time. For more info.
Wikimedia Commons/Larry Lamsa
From hot springs to tunnels to historic landmarks, you won’t get bored in this recreational wonderland, nestled in the Jemez Mountains. For more info.
Flickr/Dave Hensley
The snowiest place in New Mexico is picture perfect year round. Break out your skis in winter and your hiking shoes throughout the rest of the year. The western vibe here is particularly enchanting in fall, when the aspens are changing color. For more info.
Flickr/Philip Shoffner
Ruidoso has it all: wineries, indie stores, divine restaurants, and the natural beauty of the Lincoln National Forest. For more info.
Flickr/Jasperdo
The plaza is the heart of many New Mexican towns and Mesilla’s is a national historic landmark. Take a break from the bustle of everyday life with a stroll through this town, which has historically been traded back and forth between Mexico and the U.S. For more info.
Flickr/Michael Swigart
The town that renamed itself for a radio show is still true to its former name of Hot Springs. Truth or Consequences is a soaking mecca, with its abundance of hot springs hotels. If your resolutions involve less stress, then this is the spot for you. For more info.
Flickr/mlhradio
Mogollon is a well preserved ghost town that is worth the drive into the middle of nowhere. The town retains many of its old structures and mining equipment. For more info.
Facebook/The Bavarian Lodge and Restaurant
Think you have to travel to Europe to experience authentic German food served against a mountain back drop? Think again. The Bavarian Restaurant lies in the scenic Taos Ski Valley where you can also stay in one of the unique, themed suites. Bring on the lederhosen! More info here.
Facebook/Inn of the Mountain Gods
Try a little resort living at Inn of the Mountain Gods, an oasis where you can go zip lining, try various water sports, or simply admire the stunning grounds. The resort hosts music concerts and puts on fireworks displays throughout the year. For more info.
Facebook/Sunrise Springs Spa Resort
If the idea of a puppy petting studio doesn’t win you over then the concept of forest bathing certainly should. This thoughtfully designed retreat will have you blissed out in no time. For more info.
Flickr/Tony Hisgett
The Blue Hole is a renowned scuba destination where you can stand on the bottom and see the faces of people at the top - 81 feet above you. It’s also a popular swimming hole. For more info.
Flickr/Denny Armstrong
A hike along this partially accessible catwalk trail steers you through a canyon, along the path of an old water pipeline. This short hike features a suspension bridge and a waterfall. For more info.
Wikimedia Commons/Bureau of Land Management
The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is one of New Mexico’s most stunning secrets and, even though we’re singing its praises, these badlands are remote enough to deter casual passersby. Those who persevere are rewarded with the sight of rock formations so strange that you’ll think you’re traveled to another planet. For more info.
Flickr/Dan Lang
Water may be a scarce resource in New Mexico but we still manage to have this swimming hole, where you can take a dip in a pool below a waterfall. For more info.
Wikimedia Commons/Fredlyfish4
El Malpais is a seriously underrated national monument that boasts a lava field, a natural arch, the ruins of a large pueblo, inscription rock, and lava tubes that you can hike through. For more info.
Flickr/Diana Robinson
Don’t miss the opportunity to sled down the dunes at White Sands, the world’s largest gypsum dune field. For more info.
Flickr/Mathieu Lebreton
Our only national park is one of the most gorgeous places above or below ground. For more info.
Flickr/Brian Sterling
Perhaps you’ve already ridden the nation’s longest aerial tramway, but go again during a different season. The views when snow carpets the Sandia Mountains are vastly different but no less spectacular than the panoramic vistas you can savor in summer. For more info.
Flickr/Kelly Michals
Welcome to the world’s only uranium mining museum. Since we have the second largest identified uranium ore reserves, it’s fitting that this museum is in New Mexico. Explore a recreated mine and imagine what life underground was like. For more info.
Flickr/Enrique A Sanabria
At this sculpture garden you can actually watch the weekly bronze pours that give form to the artwork. For more info.
Flickr/Jenni Konrad
Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo are the oldest settlements in the state. Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, dates back over 1000 years and it’s right in your backyard. For more info.
Flickr/Milomingo
Go for the Japanese garden, stay for the butterfly pavilion and the children’s fantasy garden. Last year the Travel Channel ranked this public garden as the fifth best in the country. At Christmas, the ABQ Biopark hosts arguably the best light display in the state. For more info.
Flickr/Theresa
During the 13th century, the Mogollon people inhabited these cliff dwellings. Clamber through the remains of these structures that lie deep in the Gila Wilderness. For more info.
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
According to “USA Today” readers, this is the best train ride in the country. Traveling between Chama and Antonito via steam train is definitely a memorable experience. For more info.
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