New Mexico
Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

Travel Back To 1150 CE By Visiting New Mexico’s Very Own Bandelier National Monument

Explore the life of ancestral pueblo people by visiting Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, featuring historic structures, hiking trails, and stunning views.

Published Jan 28, 2021

Written by 

Marla S.

If you've always wanted to know what life was like for ancestral pueblo people in New Mexico, satisfy your curiosity by planning an outing to Bandelier National Monument. From 1150 CE through 1550 CE, this national park was home to pueblo people - nomads who settled in New Mexico because of its ideal climate and landscape for gathering food.

Due to an extreme drought, the ancestral pueblo people were forced to leave their home of 400 years. However, remnants of their community remains for visitors like you to explore. So, when you check out Bandelier National Monument, be prepared to be "wowed" by the impressive structures and tools built by the former habitants to provide shelter and gather food.

Bandelier National Monument is about an hour from Santa Fe and a 30-minute drive from Los Alamos.

alt
flickr/Greg Gjerdingen

To reach the park, head to New Mexico 4 towards White Rock and follow the signs.

advertisement

To begin your adventure, take the 1.2 mile Main Loop trail.

alt
flickr/Greg Gjerdingen

Along the hike, you'll see lots of wildlife and stumble across some interesting views.

Aside from the Main Loop Trail, there's an additional mile-long hike that'll take you to the Alcove House.

alt
flickr/mark byzewski

The Alcove House was a community home for approximately 25 families.

alt
flickr/Sarah Stierch

In this compound, check out the tools built by the ancestral pueblo people to help them thrive in their society.

advertisement

One of the highlights for people visiting is climbing the ladders leading to man-made caves.

alt
flickr/Jim Bowen

Remember to wear good hiking shoes and to bring a flashlight when you peek into the caves.

Imagine waking up to this scenery from the Alcove House every morning.

alt
flickr/Drew Tarvin

Along with being transported back in time, take advantage of the hiking trails and stunning views of the steep cliffs throughout Bandelier National Monument.

alt
flickr/Mike Lewinski

To plan your time travel adventure, visit the National Park Service's site for additional information about Bandelier National Monument.

Have you visited this incredible place? You're more than welcome to tell us all about your experience in the comments! You can also suggest your other favorite attractions here in our home state on our nomination page.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Experiences|Attractions

The Completely Free Attraction Hiding in a Small New Mexico Town Is a Must-Visit

Published Sep 2, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

The Land of Enchantment is home to numerous natural wonders, roadside attractions, and endless adventures, some of which cost money. But luckily, not everything has a price tag attached. In fact, there's one free attraction in New Mexico that's hiding in a small town that I think everyone should visit at least once. Honoring war veterans, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire is worth a visit.

advertisement

Dedicated in 1971, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, NM, was built to honor the memories of 17 men who died near Con Thien in South Vietnam on May 22, 1968. It was built by Dr. Victor and Jeanne Westphall whose son, First Lietenant Victor David Westphall III of the U.S. Marine Corps who was one of the 17 who died.

alt
Barbara Chase/Stockbyte via Getty Images

This memorial's striking appearance makes it a work of art, albeit a somber one. It was originally called the Vietnam Veterans Peace and Brotherhood Chapel. Its dedication date on May 22, 1971 marked the third anniversary of First Lietenant Westphall's death.

Eventually, on Veterans Day in 2005, the memorial was taken over by the New Mexico State Parks and was renamed the Vietman Veterans Memorial. Improvements and additions were made since that time including an amphitheater and a Visitors Center/Vietnam War Museum. There's also the original chapel along with a cemetery you can visit while you're here.

alt
Diann Bayes/Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial gives great insight as to the sacrifices troops made during the Vietnam War. It's an important part of history that we should all visit. While the memorial is free to visit, donations are accepted. You can also show your support by making a purchase in the gift shop.

alt
Ed Schipul/Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

As this was the first Vietnam Memorial of its kind, Washington D.C. took note of it and built its own.

Have you ever visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a free attraction in New Mexico? What was the experience like? Tell us about it in the comments. For location, hours, and information on ways to give, visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial website.

If you plan on exploring more of what the town of Angel Fire has to offer and looking for accommodations, make a reservation at the highly-rated condo known as Mountain Spirits on VRBO. And if you're taking a road trip to Angel Fire, make sure you take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Packing List for everything you

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

The Incredible Trading Post In New Mexico That Has Been Left In Ruins

Published Mar 26, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

In one of those long-forgotten Route 66 towns lies a relic from the past. The Budville Trading Company was once a thriving business but that changed with a gruesome incident in 1967. What happened turned this stretch of Mother Road upside down, and the Budville Trading Company eventually joined the long list of abandoned places in New Mexico.

advertisement

Behind every abandoned building is a story, and, wow, does this building have a storied history! It all began in 1928 when a man named Howard Neal "Bud" Rice and his wife Flossie opened up a trading post that sold gas and groceries and had a service station catering to travelers along the Mother Road.

alt
Linda Suskie/Google Reviews

The business was orginally called "Bud's Service Station," but as the business grew, the name was changed to "Budville Trading Post." A small community expanded around the trading post and the area became known as "Budville."

alt
Mário Henriques/Google Reviews

Bud Rice himself became a pillar of the community. He befriended local law enforcement and even the governor of New Mexico. Talk about friends in high places! These friends even got him out of a few scrapes with the law.

alt
Jeff Thisted/Google Reviews

While known for his caring nature towards members of the community, he also became quite greedy. The more his business grew, the greedier he got to the point where he started overcharging customers for car repairs among other underhanded ways to line his pockets.

alt
Lee Lundberg/Google Reviews

The year was 1967 when Bud Rice and one of his employees were murdered by a stranger who came to town. The assailant not only murdered these men but robbed the trading post's cash register of several hundred dollars.

alt
TheVancePants/Google Reviews

Because of this incident, Budville was nicknamed "Bloodville." Although the trading post experienced tragedy. Flossie Rice took over and ran it until she passed away in 1994. It has been abandoned ever since and the area surrounding it is now considered a ghost town.

alt
Jeff Thisted/Google Reviews

What are your thoughts on the story behind the Budville Trading Co.? What are some other abandoned places in New Mexico you find fascinating? Let us know!

advertisement

Have you ever taken a road trip along Route 66 through New Mexico? If you're making plans to do just that, take a look at the Ultimate Road Trip Essentials Packing List as well as the list of road trip snacks before you hit the road.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature
Wildlife & Farms

The Audubon Center in New Jersey Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

by Raymond Goldfield
on Oct 12
alt
Food
Restaurants

This Pennsylvania Dining Experience Has Been Called One of the Best Restaurants in the U.S.

by Raymond Goldfield
on Oct 12
alt
Food

The Best Apple Cider Donuts in Connecticut Come From the Country’s Last Steam-Powered Cider Mill

by Beth Price-Williams
on Oct 12
alt
Stays
Hotels & Resorts

I Enjoyed a Perfect Coastal Retreat at This Mid-Century Hotel and San Diego’s Newest Restaurant

by Natasha Kayes
on Oct 11
alt
Nature
Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

Explore One of Alaska’s Deepest, Cleanest Lakes Near Two National Parks

by Megan McDonald
on Oct 11
alt