12 Picture Perfect Fall Day Trips To Take in New Mexico

Autumn is here! This means a whole slew of new activities just waiting to be enjoyed. In case you haven’t noticed, New Mexico really thrives in the fall, with a bevy of exciting and entertaining ways to spend the day. If you’re looking for the best things to do in the fall in New Mexico, read on!

1. Take a scenic chairlift ride

Ride among the trees and receive magnificent views of the colorful leaves from above. To see this unique view, drive up to Ski Santa Fe and enjoy fall views from a whole new vantage point—on a chairlift. If the scenic ride through the vibrant fall foliage isn’t enough, catch some of the other autumn activities on the mountain, too.

2. Navigate a corn maze

Fall means we’re treated to spectacular foliage, pumpkin-flavored goodies, and, of course, adventures through a corn maze. There are several in New Mexico; however, McCall’s Pumpkin Patch in Moriarty stands out. This massive attraction feels like a farm and a fairground rolled into one. Plus, their corn mazes are amazingly intricate. It's one of the best things to do in October in New Mexico.

3. Visit this inviting town

Our small towns are particularly beautiful in the autumn season, but one place you may not think about—Los Alamos—is especially inviting this time of year. Not only does this part of New Mexico glow with exquisite fall color, but there is plenty of open space in which to enjoy it.

4. Peep at some leaves

If you are a New Mexico leaf peeper, get on the road! You can receive some of the best views of the vibrant foliage by road-tripping along the Enchanted Circle, one of New Mexico’s scenic byways. This 85-mile loop connects Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire.

5. Get some air at Balloon Fiesta

Fall is when the hot air balloons return to Albuquerque. While other states may have similar events, none of those spectacles are on the scale of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It’s the largest ballooning event on the planet and also the most photographed. Each October, thousands of people flock to Duke City to witness this once-in-a-lifetime sight, and you should be among them! Get up early and make a day of it.

6. Drive a scenic byway

There are many incredible scenic drives in New Mexico, and several of them really shine during the autumn months. While we have several recommendations, one of our favorites includes the Corrales Road Scenic Byway. Along this 6.7-mile scenic drive, you can admire the golden cottonwoods—it's a gorgeous adventure.

7. Pick a pumpkin

Pick a pumpkin at a corn maze? Sure! The whole family will enjoy the trip to the Mesilla Valley Maze. In addition to the pumpkin patch and corn maze, there are more than 30 regular attractions. This southern New Mexico attraction is open all of October. Find the Mesilla Valley Maze at 3855 West Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces.

8. Be king for a day

Take off work and plan a trip to Las Cruces for the Annual Renaissance Arts Faire. This weekend of merriment features entertainment, food, shopping, and contests of yore, like jousting and a kids' scavenger hunt. Adults can enjoy feasting and festing (with beer and wine) and an artist's market.

9. Stay in a cozy cabin

Fall is the perfect season to immerse yourself in nature. Cabins are typically situated in rustic locales, and renting one allows you to unwind while soaking in the fall colors. Here are a few cozy New Mexico cabins that you’ll want to stay in this fall.

10. Visit an eccentric town

There are clusters of artists’ communities throughout New Mexico, but one of the most fun and whimsical is the tiny town of Madrid. Located off the Turquoise Trail (Highway 14), between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Madrid is a convenient (and festive) destination for your next day trip. If you have never been, or want to visit again, fall is a perfect time.

11 Take a hike

Try the Bandelier hike to the Frijolito Pueblo archeological site. Be ready for 2.5 miles of fairly strenuous hiking. The Frijolito Loop Trail starts in Cottonwood Picnic Area, just across the creek from the Bandelier visitor center at 15 Entrance Road, in Los Alamos.

12. Watch the cranes

Each fall, the sandhill cranes return to New Mexico's Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, near Socorro. You don't need to be a birder to enjoy the sight of these magnificent birds blanketing the bosque, especially when they take off en masse just before dawn. The official Festival of the Cranes typically occurs in late fall or early winter, but the spectacle of the cranes can be seen most of the fall season.

What are your favorite things to do during the fall in New Mexico? If you need even more ideas, check out our list featuring several of our favorite bucket-list-worthy autumn activities in the Land of Enchantment.

Plan your own autumn day trip to New Mexico with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.