Outlaws and Folklore in New Mexico
New Mexico doesn't just sizzle from the dry desert sunshine. This is chili country and the cuisine, which blends Mexican, Spanish and Native American, is famously spicy. A good place to start is the gorgeous capital, Santa Fe. Here, you'll find an intriguing blend of Spanish colonial and indigenous adobe architecture. After you've had your fill, you can drive out to stay in remote New Mexico vacation rentals which sit among mountain villages, ancient Indian Pueblos and cactus-studded deserts. Legends of outlaws and native folklore only add to this fascinating place, which feels like nowhere else in the U.S.
Sightseeing in and around New Mexico
Are you hoping to discover things to do in the city? Venture out of your cozy vacation rental and check out everything that New Mexico has to offer. These are some of the most popular attractions to see, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Ski Santa Fe (10.7 mi / 17.3 km)
- Pajarito Ski Mountain (29 mi / 46.7 km)
- Recursos de Santa Fe (1.9 mi / 3 km)
- Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe (7.3 mi / 11.8 km)
- Towa Golf Resort (12.6 mi / 20.3 km)
- Quail Run Golf Course (3.1 mi / 5 km)
New Mexico desert hikes
One of the best ways to see New Mexico is from the seat of an open-top car, as you drive along the world's most famous road – Route 66. As you rev along this dusty road, flanked by desert and towering rock formations, you can imagine the brave souls who once used it to get out West during the gold rush. Along the way, you can pull off to hike along desert trails, take to the skies in one of the hot air balloon flights in Albuquerque, or spend a night under the starry New Mexico night sky.
No season is off limits in New Mexico
There's no season that's off limits in New Mexico. Summer sees the most sizzling temperatures and the biggest influx of travelers booking up New Mexico vacation rentals. Both spring and fall are arguably more comfortable, particularly if you're looking to hit the trails on foot or bike. With plenty of fall festivities, you're not going to be short of things to do if you visit between September and November. Winter nights get chilly, but the days can often be bright and sunny. If you don't mind wrapping up, you can score some rock-bottom deals on rentals.
New Mexico is an animal lover's paradise
Wildlife enthusiasts will surely nod approval at the sheer number of wildlife preserves which are easily accessible from your New Mexico vacation rental. Down at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, you'll find more than 32,000 snow geese and the winter grounds for 1,000s more sandhill cranes, who use it as a stopping point during their migration. If you're lucky enough to be near the Valles Caldera National Preserve, you'd better bring your camera, because you're not going to want to miss snapping pics of elk herds, black bears and elusive coyotes slinking around the Jemez Mountains.
Transportation options to and around New Mexico
Fly into Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF), the closest airport, located 9.5 mi (15.2 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could book a flight to Los Alamos, NM (LAM-Los Alamos County), which is 23.2 mi (37.3 km) away.
If you're traveling by train, Santa Fe Depot, Lamy Station and Las Vegas Station are the main stations that serve the city.
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