8 Perfect Destinations For A Long Weekend In New Mexico
New Mexico's many small towns and their big attractions are delightful destinations to spend a long weekend. Whether you’re planning an upcoming Fourth of July trip, Memorial Day trip, or even a long weekend in the fall or winter, you’ll have plenty of exciting options in the state. For instance, visitors will love exploring the Chihuahuan Desert in Las Cruces or Alamogordo, adventuring in the mountain enclave of Taos, or marveling at the artsy town of Madrid.
Plus, no matter what type of long weekend destination you’re looking for, you can rest easy knowing you’ll find it in New Mexico. There is something for everyone, from history buffs to nature lovers. Get ready to travel to New Mexico!
Los Alamos
Los Alamos is another prime location if you’re spending a long weekend in New Mexico, and that's because of its proximity to Bandelier National Monument. The monument is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and its fascinating history. The land that the monument now sits on was once home to over 23 tribal nations. It’s no surprise that visitors can still see Native American petroglyphs that date back over 10,000 years. There are also 70 miles of hiking trails to enjoy.
Even better, Bandelier National Monument is only 50 minutes by car from Santa Fe, which means that you can easily make it a day trip if you’re visiting Santa Fe. However, if you prefer to stay in Los Alamos, it has several hotels, like the Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock. You can also camp at Bandelier National Monument. There are two main campgrounds within the park: Juniper Family Campground and Ponderosa Group Campground.
Madrid
If you love exploring artsy towns, then Madrid, New Mexico, has to be on your list. Just 45 minutes from Santa Fe and roughly one hour from Albuquerque, this former coal mining town is extremely accessible. It’s also been transformed since its mining days and is now vibrant, colorful, and full of art galleries and exhibits.
A few galleries and sites worth a visit include Connie's Photo Park, Jezebel Studio and Gallery, and Soda Fountain, Trading Bird Gallery, Chumani Gallery, Indigo Gallery, and the Madrid Old Coal Town Museum. Given how tiny Madrid is (the population is roughly 300 people), there are only two main accommodation options in town, which are The Lotus and Java Junction.
Truth or Consquences
Truth or Consequences is a small town in New Mexico with roughly 6,000 residents. It is a wonderful place to visit given its close proximity to both White Sands National Park and Spaceport America. White Sands National Park comprises 275 square miles of sand dunes made of tiny gypsum crystals. You will be in awe of the park’s natural beauty. The tiny crystals that makeup White Sands National Park, the largest gypsum dune field in the world, are remnants of minerals that came from the surrounding mountains during the Ice Age.
Meanwhile, Spaceport America was the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport, and today, it is not only an active test facility, but visitors witness a live spaceflight. Private tours are also offered through Final Frontier Tours. Accommodation options in the town of include Sierra Grande and the Charles Motel and Hotsprings.
Alamogordo
Alamogordo is situated in the southeastern part of New Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert. Behind it lies the dramatic Sacramento mountain range and only a short drive away is White Sands National Park. Between the exciting activities to do in town and the many trails that await in White Sands National Park, Alamogordo is a fantastic destination for a long weekend in New Mexico. It also happens to get a lot of sun, which means visitors are likely to enjoy good weather while in town.
Attractions in Alamogordo include the Alamogordo Zoo, the New Mexico Museum of Space History, McGinn's, and PistachioLand, Home of the World's Largest Pistachio. Many hotels are in the area, such as the Quality Inn & Suites Near White Sands National Park and The Classic Desert Aire Hotel.
Las Cruces
Las Cruces is a city in New Mexico that sits roughly three hours from Albuquerque. The city is nestled in the Chihuahuan Desert, with the rugged Organ Mountain as the backdrop. There are a ton of attractions right in Las Cruces, as well as just outside of it, which makes it a great spot to spend a long weekend. In the city, you will find the New Mexico Museum of Space, the Las Cruces Farmers Market, the Museum of Nature and Science, and the Mesilla Valley Mall. Accommodation options in Las Cruces include the Days Inn by Wyndham Las Cruces and the Hilton Garden Inn Las Cruces.
If you still have some time left over during your trip, be sure to rent a car and drive into the Organ Mountains. There are tons of beautiful hikes here, especially in Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park.
Cloudcroft
Cloudcroft is one more long weekend destination in New Mexico that you won’t want to miss. This 125-year-old village is tucked away in the Lincoln National Forest, which spans a total of 1.1 million acres. This location is ideal for nature lovers who want to hike, bike, bird watch, or even snowshoe and ski during the winter months (Ski Cloudcrof - the town’s resident ski resort can be found here, and it also has a skating rink). Another attraction in town is the Sacramento Mountains Museum & Pioneer Village. As for where to stay, there are options for all budgets, ranging from the Dusty Boots Motel to the Grand Cloudcroft Hotel.
Taos
Taos is the next destination that is perfect for a long weekend in New Mexico. This cozy mountain village has so much to offer year-round. If you’re planning a long weekend trip in the winter, bring your skis because Taos is known for its excellent ski and snowboarding resorts (it sits on the Sangre de Cristo mountain). However, if you’ll be in Taos during the spring or summer, you can partake in all kinds of fun outdoor activities, like rock climbing, golfing, hiking, biking, and fishing. Hot air ballooning is another popular pastime here, as is learning about the Native American history of the village at the Harwood Museum of Art and the Taos Art Museum. Places to stay while in Taos include The Historic Taos Inn and El Pueblo Lodge.
San Antonio
San Antonio is worth visiting one long weekend if you’re traveling to New Mexico, and that is due to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is approximately one and a half hours by car from Albuquerque and spans over 50,000 acres. It first came to be in 1939, and ever since, has become a popular tourist destination. If you visit at the right time of year, you might be able to see thousands of migratory birds, like geese, ducks, and sandhill cranes (the cranes typically arrive in the fall and winter).
Beyond bird watching, hiking and biking are other popular activities here. There are miles of trails to suit all mobility levels, like the 11-mile Bike Trail or the 2-mile Canyon National Recreation Trail. There are two RV parks in San Antonio that you can stay at: Bosque Birdwatchers RV Park and Chupadero Mountain View RV Park. There is also a cafe, The Owl Bar & Cafe, and a pub, The Buckhorn Tavern.
Wrapping Up
Are you ready to visit New Mexico? No matter what holiday is coming up, this southern state is the perfect place for a getaway. There are activities that you can enjoy year-round, as well as destinations to suit people of all ages. Whether you’re planning a long weekend trip with your spouse, kids, or solo, you will surely fall in love with all that New Mexico has to offer.
If you want to dive into Native American culture, visit Taos or Los Alamos (near Bandelier National Monument), if you want to marvel at gypsum crystals, White Sand Dunes National Park is the spot, or if you want somewhere a little more metropolitan, consider Las Cruces.
