26 Exciting Things to Do in New Mexico in 2026 (You’ll Want to Save This List)

Well, folks, what is your heart set on doing in 2026 in the Land of Enchantment? Is this the year you'll finally make it to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October, like I hope to do? Are you ready to explore a national park like White Sands? We have compiled a list of adventures to add to your 2026 New Mexico bucket list. You can plan an unforgettable few months for this year, from hiking trails to events, getaways, and attractions, so here are the best things to do in New Mexico:

1. Attend a Candlelight Concert in either Santa Fe or Albuquerque

Imagine listening to orchestrated renditions of your favorite artists' tunes while surrounded by thousands of candles in an epic venue. Whether it's Vivaldi's Four Seasons or songs by The Beatles, Taylor Swift, or Whitney Houston, attending a candlelight concert, a Fever exclusive event, is a must! Several dates are scheduled for 2026 in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Attend one or attend them all!

2. Immerse Yourself in an Experience Like No Other at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe

I love art museums and galleries, but I vow that 2026 will be the year I will finally visit Meow Wolf in Santa Fe. This unique art gallery is immersive, making you feel as though you are part of another world as you explore its rooms and art by local artists.

3. Head Underground at One of the State’s Most Awe-Inspiring National Parks

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is worthy of a spot on everyone's bucket list. Why? Well, it's home to over 100 caves, including the Big Room, where visitors will discover a series of stalactites. When you visit, you can download a helpful walking tour and learn all about Carlsbad's unique system of caves. Make sure you have your National Parks Pass with you.

4. Take a Weekend to Relax at El Monte Sagrado Resort & Spa in Taos

Whether you're here for skiing in winter or want to spend time hiking in the mountains to enjoy nature, there's nothing wrong with a relaxing stay at El Monte Sagrado Resort & Spa. However, with two on-site restaurants, a saltwater pool, and one of the top spas in the country, there's little reason to leave the property. This may be one of the best places to stay in New Mexico.

5. Dine at One of the Best New Mexican Restaurants in the State

Anytime I visit Santa Fe, I have to visit La Choza; it's a non-negotiable. Located within a historic adobe structure on Mercer Ranch, this family-owned eatery uses local ingredients and offers guests a homey atmosphere. Its red and green chile has won awards, and its sopapilla is to die for. Okay, who wants to meet me for dinner here in 2026?

6. Taos Winter Wine Festival in Taos

For those who love learning about and tasting a variety of wines, the Taos Winter Wine Festival is for you. Held in the Taos Ski Valley from January 5, 2026 to January 8, 2026, enjoy a long weekend at one of the best winter festivals in New Mexico. You can learn more on the Taos Winter Wine Festival website. If you missed the 2025 wine festival, 2026 is the year!

7. Hike the Stunning Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks Near Santa Fe

There's no denying how fascinating the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is. With its rock formations and slot canyons, the Tent Rocks Slot Canyon Trail will meander 2.8 miles through the otherworldly landscape. This hike is bucket list-worthy indeed! Just make sure you download the AllTrails+ app before you hit the trail.

8. Take in Mountain Views and Soak in a Hot Tub at a Log Cabin in Santa Fe

Stay in a vacation home where rustic meets modern at La Escapada Encantada in Santa Fe. This Airbnb "Guest Favorite" has a 2,000-square-foot patio, a hot tub, one bedroom, and one bathroom, and can accommodate up to four guests. It's also in close proximity to the mountains and Santa Fe's famous Plaza. You can book your stay on Airbnb.

9. Attend a Cultural Spring Festival at a Living History Museum in Santa Fe

For over 20 years, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, a living history museum on the Camino Real, has hosted an annual spring festival featuring cultural demonstrations, activities, sheep shearing, arts and crafts vendors, food, wine, and more. The dates have yet to be announced for 2026. Stay up-to-date on announcements for one of the best spring festivals in New Mexico by following the El Rancho de las Golondrinas Facebook page.

10. Take a Ride on the Longest Aerial Tramway in North America

Did you know that the longest aerial tram in North America is located right here in New Mexico? The Sandia Peak Tramway is 2.7 miles long and takes visitors to an elevation of 10,378 feet in the Sandia Mountains. Just imagine the views!

11. Reserve a Table at a Top Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Los Ranchos

Using organic and locally sourced ingredients, the food at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm is outstanding, to say the least. The menu rotates with the seasons, so you can come back several times a year and try something different each time. Take a look at the current menu and make a reservation through the Los Poblanos website. It's one of the best places to dine in Albuquerque.

12. Stay Overnight in the Landscape That Inspired Georgia O’Keeffe

Once you spend time in the village of Abiquiu, you'll quickly realize why famous artist Georgia O'Keeffe found it so alluring. In fact, she used the landscape here as a muse for many of her paintings. When you're here for a remote and peaceful getaway, I suggest you spend the night at Abiquiu Inn. Located on a horse ranch, you'll have views of the nearby mesas before retiring to your well-appointed room, complete with a cozy fireplace. The inn also has an on-site cafe featuring Southwest-inspired dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

13. Go to Roswell and See If the Truth Is Out There

Roswell, New Mexico, is home to the International UFO Museum and Research Center, where you can learn all about the infamous Roswell Incident. Now, if you were a fan of the "X-Files" like I was growing up, you would probably find this museum as fascinating as I did when I visited for the first time many years ago. Not only are there exhibits on the potential UFO crash that occurred in Roswell in 1947, but also sightings and alien encounters from across the globe.

14. Attend Roswell’s Iconic Summer UFO Festival

Held July 4-6, 2025, the UFO Festival is an annual event that brings UFO and alien enthusiasts from around the world together for a weekend of fun. There will be speakers, authors, activities, costumes, live entertainment, and more, and it's one of the most unique family-friendly festivals in New Mexico to attend in the summer! If you missed it this year, add it to your 2026 bucket list.

15. Unwind in Ojo Caliente’s Famous Hot Springs

Hot springs are like nature's hot tubs, and soaking in one is utterly relaxing. At the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, you can soak in the healing waters of the springs and even stay the night. You may feel like a new person after a stay here, as it's one of the most. Relaxing places in New Mexico.

16. Hike Across White Sand Dunes on an Unforgettable Adventure

When I went to White Sands National Park years ago, I was absolutely taken by the bright white sand dunes, unlike anything I had ever seen. If you've never been here or have it on your list to revisit in 2025, grab your National Parks Pass, download AllTrails+, head to White Sands, and take a hike on the 4.4-mile Alkali Flat Trail through a dream-like landscape of white gypsum dunes. It's one of the best hikes in New Mexico.

17. Stroll a Half-Mile of Santa Fe and Find 100+ Local Businesses

With galleries, restaurants, boutiques, cafes, and even a teahouse, taking the half-mile walk along Santa Fe's Canyon Road could be one of the best day trips in New Mexico. So much is packed along such a short distance, and exploring this area will open your eyes to many talented artists, jewelry makers, and everything else that makes this city so great.

18. Enjoy a Night or Two at a Chic Bungalow in Carlsbad

This one-bedroom, 1.5-bath cottage called "The Bungalow on Blodgett" is set on a tree-lined street close to downtown Carlsbad. Not only is the space newly remodeled with customer furnishings, but there's a fireplace and a soaking tub. The relaxing space is an ideal getaway destination, and you can book your stay on Airbnb.

19. Dive Into the Crystal Waters of Santa Rosa’s Blue Hole

With a depth of 80 feet, the Blue Hole is a premier diving spot in New Mexico. Fed by a natural underground spring, the water is clear and fresh, and it's refreshing at 62 degrees Fahrenheit. When planning your adventure in New Mexico, I'd recommend this destination.

20. 2026 Is the Year for Your Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Adventure

Perhaps the best fall festival in New Mexico, and maybe even the country (or the world!), the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a much-anticipated annual event during which hundreds of hot-air balloons float through the sky. This colorful event lasts nine days, and the dates for 2026 are already set for October 3-11 2026. I have to admit, this fall festival has been on my New Mexico bucket list for a long time, and 2026 will be the year! If you can't wait until fall for a hot air balloon ride, you can book one on Viator in the meantime.

21. Enjoy a Picturesque Train Ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad

There's just something so alluring about traveling by train, especially a historic steam train like the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Traveling 64 miles along the border of New Mexico and Colorado, this National Historic Landmark train is a must!

22. See the Historic Commercial Spaceport in Truth or Consequences

Located near White Sands, Spaceport America has a 12,000x200-foot runway, a vertical launch pad, and 6,000 square miles of airspace, all ready for the future of space travel. Before that happens, the facility is used by companies like Virgin Galactic and EXOS Aerospace, and you may even be able to witness an upcoming spaceflight from the public viewing lot. Aside from that, you can book a guided tour.

23. Spot Birds at Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is home to wetlands along the Rio Grande in the high desert. Its fragile ecosystem makes it an ideal habitat for sandhill cranes, which typically stay here from September through late February before migrating north. While there are many other bird species here, the sandhill cranes bring in crowds of birdwatchers, especially during their migration. Before your visit, make sure you have a pair of binoculars so you don't miss a thing!

24. Get your kicks on New Mexico's Route 66

Take a scenic drive and enjoy the nostalgia as you travel along historic Route 66 through Central New Mexico. Stop in the small town of Tucumcari, one of the towns that served as inspiration for the fictional town Radiator Springs in the animated movie "Cars," and stop at any number of retro and historic New Mexico attractions along the way.

25. Visit the Underrated City of Los Alamos

If you've never been to Los Alamos, make 2026 the year to go. Home to the Manhattan Project, which created the first atomic bomb, you can spend a day exploring the museums and historic sites to learn all about it. Additionally, there's Bandelier National Monument, where you can explore petroglyphs and ancient cliff dwellings, and you can find restaurant options on its Main Street. Discover all that Los Alamos has to offer this year! And if you would like to make your trip to this charming city into an overnight getaway, consider spending a night at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Los Alamos Entrada Park.

26. Go Star-Gazing in the International Dark Sky Park at Lincoln

Did you know that here in New Mexico we have soem of the clearest skies in the country? Well, you you know. When you visit the Lincoln Historic Site you will get a chance to experience stargazing nights under the Milky Way. Whether you just love the night sky or maybe an amateur astronomer there's pletty to witness here. For instance gte an opportunity to see meteor showers, planets and much more.

What else would you add to the list of best things to do in New Mexico in 2026? I know, these are a few wonderful options, but I am sure you have some ideas of your own. Send us a message through our nomination page if you have any suggestions. Here's to adventure journey in 2026 and don't forget to use our itinerary planner to map out your stops!