19 Places in New Mexico That Belong On Your Bucket List

New Mexico has sweeping landscapes that make you feel like you’ve climbed inside an oil painting. But the state is also filled with sites that showcase its lengthy and complex history. Whether you live here or are simply visiting, you’ll be sorry if you miss these amazing places to visit in New Mexico.

19. Clayton Lake State Park

It's one thing to know that dinosaurs roamed Earth. It's another to actually see the footprints from 100 million years ago, located just outside the town of Clayton. Learn more by clicking here.

18. Four Corners National Monument

This is the only place in the United States where you can simultaneously stand in four separate states. Learn more by clicking here.

17. Fort Union National Monument

This military fort, in Watrous, played an important role in both the development of the Santa Fe Trail and the Civil War. Learn more by clicking here.

16. Lava Flow at El Malpais, Near Grants

How many people can say that they've hiked across a lava flow? Learn more by clicking here.

15. Aztec Ruins, Near Farmington

Explore the remains of a 900-year-old Pueblo "Great House" that includes a massive, reconstructed kiva that was used in ceremonies. Learn more by clicking here.

14. Earthships, Near Taos

These surreal examples of eco-architecture have been around since the 1970s. The walls are typically made from rubber tires, filled with dirt! Learn more by clicking here.

13. Old Town, Albuquerque

Travel back in time to see what 18th century New Mexico looked like, with a stroll around this historic section of Albuquerque. Learn more by clicking here.

12. Mountains of New Mexico

Many people don't realize that the Rockies begin (or end) in New Mexico. Wheeler Peak is 13,161 feet high!

11. San Miguel Chapel, Santa Fe

Bet you didn't know that the nation's oldest church is in Santa Fe. Learn more by clicking here.

10. Rio Grande Gorge, Outside Of Taos

This area of natural beauty puts the gorge in gorgeous.

9. Santa Fe Plaza

The Plaza, which is the heart of Santa Fe, is particularly enchanting around the holidays. Learn more by clicking here.

8. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, In The Mogollon Mountains

The Mogollon Peoples created homes halfway up the face of a sheer cliff. Learn more by clicking here.

7. UFO Museum, Roswell

More than just a kitsch-fest, this museum provides detailed displays to help you decide what really happened. The truth is out there... Learn more by clicking here.

6. View from Sandia Peak, Overlooking Albuquerque

Whether you ride the tram or drive along the Sandia Crest Byway, the panoramic view from the top is stunning. Learn more by clicking here.

5. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Near Nageezi

One thousand years ago, Chaco Canyon was home to a great civilization. This site provides an awe-inspiring insight into the life, commerce, and culture of the Chacoan People. Learn more by clicking here.

4. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, Near Cochiti

Climb among the hoodoos at Tent Rocks to immerse yourself in an other-worldly landscape. Learn more by clicking here.

3. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

During migration periods, geese and sandhill cranes swoop down to this refuge, south of Socorro, in massive flocks. Definitely go yourself, because a picture cannot capture the soundtrack of thousands of honking geese. Learn more by clicking here.

2. Carlsbad Caverns, Near Carlsbad

So far, 119 caves have been discovered in the Carlsbad complex. This is fortunate because, in summer months, the caves house almost 400,000 bats! Learn more by clicking here.

1. White Sands, Near Alamogordo

New Mexico may be landlocked, but there's plenty of sand (technically gypsum crystals)—275 square miles of it, to be precise. Learn more by clicking here.

What other places are on your New Mexico bucket list? Check out more of New Mexico's most beautiful places here.