Hills, mountains and desert plains speckled with flowers, cotton trees along the banks of the Rio Grande, adobe houses that speak of the past, and food combining the best of the old world and the new – New Mexico is a looker situated smack under a sky full of sparkling stars.
Truly monumental
There are parts of New Mexico that will take you aback with their beauty - and many of them have been shaped by the elements. Studded with wonderful national and state parks, there are riches to be unearthed here.
Start at Tent Rocks, a short way from Santa Fe. Kasha-Katuwe - as it’s known locally - is a mixture of ochre canyons only a few feet across opening out onto conical rocks known as ‘hoodoos’. They look like they might be manmade but are the result of volcanic activity millions of years ago.
Elsewhere, head for White Sands, glowing under the bright sun and once the site of atomic bomb tests, or explore Puebloan culture at Chaco Culture with its 1000-year-old ruin of a once mighty house. Banderlier is a national monument packed with houses carved into the cliffs by the Native Americans who once lived here. All are worth a visit.
Saluting Santa Fe
Santa Fe vies with Albuquerque for the liveliest place to visit in the state - and they’re close enough to take both in. The former is laidback and arty, teeming with museums and galleries. There’s one dedicated to Georgia O’Keeffe, who was inspired by the landscape of New Mexico. The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture dives deep into Native American life, including a focus on the differing traditions of differing tribes.
The heart of Santa Fe life is The Plaza, as it has been for more than four centuries. Pick up souvenirs here, including handmade pottery and jewelry - the square is alive with stalls, stores, food spots, museums and more. Pride of place goes to the Palace of the Governors, standing proud since the 1700s and thus one of the oldest buildings in the country.
Cuisine to savour
With so many traditions and cultures mingling here, it’s no surprise the food is a big draw. You can go traditional, opt for the places where chefs are updating the region’s classics or even choose an all-American diner on Route 66.
Blue corn is much-used in restaurants here for tacos and burritos, while green chili cheeseburgers are another much-loved state classic. Santa Fe has the highest density of good places to eat, with Tia Sophia’s on West San Francisco Street the best place for breakfast. Grab a breakfast burrito to go or sit inside for the perfect huevos rancheros.
For something more refined, Geronimo’s is highly rated. A Caesar salad comes spiked with wasabi dressing and local elk is served with a punchy sauce of mushrooms with brandy. It’s well-handled fusion, weaving influences with skill.
With New Mexico car rental you can eat lunch at the very best spot in Santa Fe, have dinner in Albuquerque and explore the amazing vistas in between.
