Travel To New Mexico: Open For Exploration

New Mexico is a state in the United States, known for its rich history and diverse culture. From its breathtaking natural landscapes like the White Sands National Park and Bandelier National Monument to its vibrant cities such as Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico offers a unique and captivating experience for travellers. The state is easily accessible by road and rail, with Amtrak offering a magical train ride to New Mexico from Los Angeles, making it a popular destination for those seeking a different and enchanting travel adventure.

Travel by train to New Mexico

New Mexico offers a plethora of destinations for rail fans, from historic railways to 21st-century commuter trains. Here is a guide to help you plan your train journey to this captivating state.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Head to the village of Chama, 107 miles north of Santa Fe off U.S. 84, to visit the C&TSRR. Constructed in 1880, this railway is one of the United States' highest railroads, reaching an elevation of over 10,000 feet. It is also the longest narrow-gauge railway, with rails only three feet apart. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad offers stunning views of the vast and contrasting landscape, giving you the impression of seeing the wild west just as it was in the old days.

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express

Departing from the Santa Fe Depot, the Rail Runner offers commuter train service to Albuquerque and Belen. With a style reminiscent of the Super Chief trains that once toured the southwest, the trains feature double-decker seating, providing passengers with views of the Río Grande and Native American reservations. You can board at any of the train's dozen stations and purchase your ticket on board before embarking on your adventure.

Sky Railway

If you're looking for entertainment, the Sky Railway offers train rides from Santa Fe that combine the excitement of live performances with the thrill of a train ride. As you journey towards breathtaking desert landscapes and mountain views, local performers will entertain you with songs, stories, and jokes. The Sky Railway offers a variety of themed adventures, including the Sunset Serenade, the New Mexico Ale Trail, and the Margarita Rail, where you can enjoy amazing views, live music, and Santa Fe's famous cocktails.

Albuquerque by Rail

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a perfect destination for those seeking rich culture, heritage, and outdoor activities. By travelling to Albuquerque by rail, you can immerse yourself in the city's captivating surroundings and explore the surrounding desert, shop for authentic Native American jewellery, or even try hot air ballooning. The city also hosts the famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October, making it an ideal time for a visit.

Albuquerque attractions

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a hub of Southwestern culture. It is home to more than a dozen museums, a variety of public art, and a thriving food scene. Here are some of the top attractions to visit:

Sandia Peak Tramway

The Sandia Peak Tramway is a must-visit attraction in Albuquerque. It is North America's longest aerial tram ride, taking visitors on a 2.7-mile journey up to the Sandia Mountains. At the summit, you'll be greeted with breathtaking views of over 11,000 square miles of New Mexico landscape. The tramway offers excellent hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult, and during winters, you'll find snow-covered ski slopes.

Old Town Albuquerque

Old Town Albuquerque, founded in 1706 by Spanish settlers, is a historic site with traditional Spanish colonial architecture. The central plaza is anchored by the San Felipe de Neri Church, the city's oldest building. The surrounding streets are lined with colourful adobe buildings that house art galleries, shops, and cafes. Old Town also hosts various tours, including food, historic, and ghost tours, allowing visitors to delve into the rich culture and history of the area.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a world-class museum and cultural centre owned and operated by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico. It showcases the art and history of Pueblo people, featuring traditional Native American dances, lectures, workshops, and other cultural events. The centre also includes the award-winning Pueblo Harvest restaurant, offering Native Sourced, Pueblo-inspired cuisine.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Albuquerque has strong ties to the birth of the Atomic Age, situated between Los Alamos and the Trinity Site. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History takes visitors on a journey through nuclear developments, from early pioneers to modern applications. The museum explores the decision to drop the first atomic bomb and its influence on pop culture. Outside, the Heritage Park displays rare aircraft and missiles, such as the B-29 Superfortress.

Petroglyph National Monument

The Petroglyph National Monument is a 7,239-acre park located on the west side of the Rio Grande. It preserves over 25,000 carved images left behind by Native Americans and Spanish settlers. Visitors can explore three primary hiking areas to interpret the petroglyphs, with trails ranging from 1 to 6 miles in length.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque's dry climate makes it ideal for hot air ballooning, and the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a spectacular event. During the first week of October, hundreds of thousands of visitors gather to witness over 500 colourful hot air balloons filling the sky. The festival includes mass launches at sunrise and "Balloon Glows" in the evening, illuminating the balloons against the night sky.

Santa Fe attractions

Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the US, is a great destination for history and art lovers. Here are some attractions to visit in Santa Fe:

Canyon Road Arts District

Canyon Road is a renowned art hub in Santa Fe, located less than a mile east of the Santa Fe Plaza. It is home to over 80 art galleries showcasing works from famed creatives, such as members of the Taos Society of Artists, as well as handmade Pueblo pottery and kinetic sculptures. Along with the galleries, you will also find boutiques and eateries lining the street. Canyon Road hosts various events throughout the year, including the Canyon Road Art Stroll on Fridays during the summer and the annual Canyon Road Farolito Walk on Christmas Eve.

Santa Fe Opera House

The Santa Fe Opera House is a world-renowned venue that hosts a variety of operas each summer. The open-air theatre is surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountain ranges, offering gorgeous views. Visitors can arrive up to three hours before the show to tailgate with picnics, gourmet meals, and drinks. The opera also offers special dining options like premade tailgate picnics and preview buffet dinners.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Constructed beginning in 1869, this breathtaking French Romanesque Revival cathedral stands out among the city's adobe skyline. Adjoining the cathedral is a small adobe chapel—all that remains of a previous church destroyed during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. The chapel contains the oldest representation of the Virgin Mary in the United States.

Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum celebrates the career of the famed artist, Georgia O'Keeffe, who was inspired by Santa Fe's landscape. The museum has a collection of 3,000 pieces, including 140 oil paintings and 700 drawings. Visitors can enjoy a free audio tour of the museum.

Loretto Chapel

The Loretto Chapel is a standout architectural masterpiece in Santa Fe, located just south of the Santa Fe Plaza. Legend has it that the chapel's renowned Miraculous Staircase was constructed by a mysterious stranger who vanished before he could be compensated.

Museum of International Folk Art

The Museum of International Folk Art showcases more than 130,000 pieces of folk and traditional art from societies worldwide. Visitors can view African, Asian, Middle Eastern, European, and North American art, including household objects, ceramics, paintings, puppets, and costumes. The museum also has a large collection of colorful toys that will spark children's interest.

Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return

Meow Wolf is an arts and entertainment collective that created the "House of Eternal Return," a major permanent attraction in Santa Fe. This immersive installation features hidden doorways, portals to other worlds, mysterious hallways, strange music, and fascinating artwork. It offers a unique and trippy experience for visitors of all ages.

New Mexico's unique landscape

New Mexico is known for its dramatic natural scenery, which has inspired artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, who once remarked:

> "I shouldn't say too much about it because other people may be interested and I don't want them interested."

Well, the secret is out, and New Mexico's landscape plays out like a painting: vast skies with bright sunlight and stark shadows leaving silhouettes on the desert's wide expanse. Here are some of the unique landscapes that New Mexico has to offer:

White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park offers a waterless sea of glistening white sand dunes that stretch for 275 square miles. Visitors can enjoy driving, hiking, visiting a museum, and sledding down the dunes.

Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier National Monument spans 50 square miles of ruggedly beautiful canyon and mesa country. It contains over 70 miles of hiking trails and protects Ancestral Pueblo archaeological sites, a beautiful landscape, and the country's largest Civilian Conservation Corps National Landmark District.

Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is the second-highest suspension bridge in the country, offering dizzying views of the river 565 feet below. It also provides stunning views of Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico.

Ghost Ranch

Ghost Ranch, a former home to Georgia O'Keeffe, encompasses 21,000 acres of towering rock walls, vivid colours, and vast skies. It offers a variety of activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and kayaking, with breathtaking scenery.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Located 40 miles southwest of Santa Fe, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks is a series of mind-blowing, conical sandstone formations that resemble indented ocean waves. Visitors can choose from two trails: one on the ground level and the other through slot canyons.

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness

Located in northwestern New Mexico, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is a geological wonderland of sandstone, mudstone, and shale formed by thousands of years of wind and water. The result is mind-bending formations like hoodoos and cap rocks, creating a landscape straight out of a sci-fi movie.

New Mexico's rich history

New Mexico has a rich and diverse history, shaped by various indigenous cultures, Spanish and Mexican colonisation, and Anglo-American settlement. Here is an overview of some key aspects of New Mexico's history:

Indigenous Cultures

New Mexico was first inhabited by members of the Clovis culture, with footprints suggesting a human presence in the region as early as 21,000-23,000 BC. Later indigenous cultures include the Mogollon, Ancestral Puebloans, and ancestral Ute. The Ancestral Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, are known for their sophisticated pottery and urban development, with remnants of their dwellings found at sites like Acoma, Taos, and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The vast trade networks of the Ancestral Puebloans led to legends of a prosperous northern empire among Mesoamerican cultures, which later influenced Spanish exploration.

Spanish Exploration and Colonisation

Spanish explorers and settlers arrived in the 16th century, naming the region north of the Rio Grande "San Felipe del Nuevo México" in their search for wealthy indigenous cultures. While the indigenous cultures of New Mexico proved unrelated to the Mexica (Aztecs), the name persisted. Santa Fe, the oldest state capital in the US, was established in 1610 by Pedro de Peralta as a permanent capital. Isolated by its rugged terrain, New Mexico was a peripheral part of the viceroyalty of New Spain, dominated by Comancheria.

Mexican Rule and US Annexation

Following the Mexican independence in 1821, New Mexico became an autonomous region of Mexico. However, centralising policies from the Mexican government led to the Revolt of 1837. After the Mexican-American War in 1848, the US annexed New Mexico as part of the New Mexico Territory, playing a central role in westward expansion. During this period, there were conflicts between various indigenous groups and Spanish settlers, with periods of trade and cultural exchange interspersed with warfare.

Statehood and Modern Era

New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912, after a delay due to perceptions of its majority Hispanic population being "alien" to US culture and political values. The state has a unique demographic and cultural character, with a high percentage of Hispanic and Latino Americans, as well as the second-highest percentage of Native Americans. New Mexico's flag reflects its eclectic origins, featuring the ancient sun symbol of the Zia Pueblo tribe and the scarlet and gold of the Spanish flag.

Today, New Mexico's economy is diversified, including cattle ranching, agriculture, lumber, scientific research, tourism, and arts. The state offers a range of attractions for visitors, from its diverse landscapes and protected wilderness areas to its rich cultural heritage and unique cuisine.

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