12 Amazing New Mexico Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
New Mexico is a remarkable destination to visit at any time of year. Despite being one of the largest states by land mass in the U.S., it is surprisingly easy to get around, with tons of beautiful locations all within two to three hours of its largest city. That’s right, only a short drive from Albuquerque will get you to out-of-this-world national monuments and parks, charming desert towns, and the artsy city of Santa Fe. Albuquerque International Sunport is the biggest airport in the state and is the perfect spot to fly into if you’re looking to do some exciting day trips from Albuquerque.
El Malpais National Monument (1 hour and 15 minutes)
The first national monument worth visiting in New Mexico is the El Malpais National Monument. Just 1 hour and 15 minutes outside of Albuquerque, this monument features dramatic cliffs and panoramic vistas alongside lava tubes that were created millions of years ago. Several exits off of I-40 will take you to different parts of the monument. If you want to head to the cliffs overlooking the basalt lava flows, drive down Highway 117. However, if you want to go to the lava tubes and monument headquarters, Highway 53 is your best bet. While in the park, remember to keep your eyes peeled for the monument’s resident bats.
Petroglyph National Monument (15 minutes)
Petroglyph National Monument is not to be missed while in Albuquerque. The best part is that it’s only a 15-minute drive from the city center, which makes it a very easy spot to visit in a day. Petroglyph National Monument combines nature and history into one exciting attraction. The monument consists of about 24,000 petroglyphs or rock carvings that originated between 400 and 700 years ago. During this time span, Native Americans and Spanish settlers carved various designs and symbols into the volcanic rocks found here.
The best way to explore this monument is on foot. There are several popular trails that will allow you to see hundreds of petroglyphs via a short trail. For example, the Piedras Marcadas Canyon is a 1.5-mile round trip loop that features 400 petroglyphs, Rinconada Trail has over 300 petroglyphs in just 2.2 miles, and Boca Negra Canyon allows visitors to go on a very short walk and see 100 petroglyphs.
Santa Fe (1 hour)
One hour from Albuquerque is where you will find the lively city of Santa Fe. Santa Fe also happens to be the state capital, so you can bet that there is plenty to do and see here. If you want to enjoy a day of culture, you can head to one of the city’s many museums or historic sites, like the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, the Palace of the Governors, Meow Wolf Museum, The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, or the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.
If you would rather spend your day trip in the great outdoors, you can also do so in Santa Fe. This city of New Mexico sits at the base of the Southern Rocky Mountains, and there are tons of hikes nearby. A few of the most popular include the Atalaya Mountain Trail, which offers panoramic views of Santa Fe and the surrounding area, the Picacho Peak Trail, and the Nambe Lake Trail.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (Within the city)
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is a fantastic place to explore for a day while in Albuquerque. One of the top museums in New Mexico’s largest city, it was founded in 1986 and features a range of fascinating and interactive exhibits, like a recreation of an active volcano, an Ice Age cave, and dinosaur skeletons and fossils. There is also a planetarium and theater on-site called the Planetarium Powered by Meta and the Versus Research Dynatheater, respectively. A number of events and documentaries take place in these two venues.
Beyond the three main permanent exhibits, Fossilworks, the Naturalist Center, and Alamosaurus: A New Mexico Icon, there are several rotating temporary exhibits.
Las Cruces (3 hours)
Just three hours from Albuquerque lies the second largest city in New Mexico, Las Cruces. In the Chihuahuan Desert, near the dramatic Organ Mountains, there is so much to see and do here, such as visiting the New Mexico Museum of Space, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, the Las Cruces Farmers Market, the Museum of Nature and Science, or the Mesilla Valley Mall.
You can also head into the Organ Mountains, which have jagged, steep peaks that reach as high as 9,000 feet, or go for a drive along the world-famous Rio Grande and stop at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, which has a number of hiking trails and wildlife.
Bandelier National Monument (1 hour and 45 minutes)
Yet another New Mexico national monument worth taking a day trip to is the Bandelier National Monument. Roughly 84 miles from Albuquerque, this destination takes roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive to. Once there, you will be rewarded with ancient Native culture and breathtaking scenery. The monument comprises a steep canyon that features petroglyphs from Native American tribes dating back over 10,000 years. There are plenty of hiking trails in the park - over 70 miles of them, to be exact, which makes it a fantastic place to explore. A few of the most popular trails include the Main Loop, the Falls Trail, and the Alcove House Route.
Alamogordo (3 hours)
Alamogordo might be a three-hour drive from Albuquerque, but it’s well worth it. This city lies in southeastern New Mexico at the foothills of the Sacramento mountain range in the Chihuahuan Desert. Known for its year-round sun and warmth, the fascinating city has tons of attractions that you can easily spend the day exploring. The top tourist destinations are ideal for all ages, including the Alamogordo Zoo, the New Mexico Museum of Space History, McGinn's PistachioLand, Home of the World's Largest Pistachio, and the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts.
If you have the time to venture a little bit farther past Alamogordo, you will arrive at White Sands National Park. White Sands National Park consists of 275 square miles of sand dunes. More specifically, the dunes are composed of gypsum crystals and the park is actually the largest gypsum dune field in the world.
ABQ BioPark Zoo (Within the city)
If you’re an animal lover, you won’t be able to resist spending the day at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. Conveniently located in the city of Albuquerque, this 64-acre zoo was formerly called the Rio Grande Zoo. It first opened in 1927 and is home to a wide range of interactive and educational exhibits.
For example, it features exhibits on Africa, Australia, herpetology (amphibians and reptiles), and cats, called the “Cat Walk.” Animals that visitors can see include the Macaroni Penguin, Western Lowland Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and the Southeast African Cheetah, among others.
The ABQ BioPark Zoo also hosts a number of events throughout the year, such as Komodo Walks, Story Time at the Zoo, Tortoise Keeper Walkers, and BioPark Connections. Kids will love the Endangered Species Carousel ride.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (1 hour and 30 minutes)
Another way to learn and see animals for yourself while in New Mexico is by traveling to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. One hour and 30 minutes by car from Albuquerque, this wildlife refuge was founded in 1939 and is an excellent spot to view all kinds of waterfowl. The park spans over 50,000 acres, 30,000 acres of which are designated wilderness. It becomes a temporary home to thousands of cranes, geese, and ducks each year. Visitors flock to the refuge in the fall and winter when the sandhill cranes arrive.
Other animals you might find at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge include mule deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, lizards, snakes, and quails. Popular hiking and biking trails through the park are the 0.25-mile Bajada Loop Trail, the 11-mile Bike Trail, the 2-mile Canyon National Recreation Trail, and the 0.20-mile Boardwalk Trail.
Spaceport America (3 hours)
If you’ve always been fascinated by space, then don’t miss out on visiting Spaceport America. Three hours from Albuquerque and roughly 45 miles north of Las Cruces, this spaceport is FAA-licensed and sits on 18,000 acres of State Trust Land. It was the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport,” and today, it’s open to visitors. Despite it being an active test facility, guests can sign up for private tours through Final Frontier Tours. You can also sign up to witness a real live spaceflight. As of summer 2023, Spaceport America’s Virgin Galactic aircraft started taking monthly spaceflights. There is a public viewing lot on-site for visitors to watch as the aircraft takes off from Spaceport. Check the website regularly for an updated space flight schedule.
Madrid (1 hour)
Madrid, New Mexico, is another destination that is worth the day trip. A one-hour drive from Albuquerque and just 45 minutes from Sante Fe, this town was once known for coal mining. However, today, it is a tiny artsy community full of galleries and art installations, like Connie's Photo Park, Jezebel Studio and Gallery, Soda Fountain, Trading Bird Gallery, Chumani Gallery, Indigo Gallery, and the Madrid Old Coal Town Museum. You can easily spend an afternoon strolling through Madrid’s historic and eclectic streets. Pop into a gallery or boutique shop or grab food at a cozy tavern. The best way to get here from Albuquerque is by driving down The Turquoise Trail, a National Scenic Byway that connects Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Taos (2 hours)
Two hours northeast of Albuquerque is where you will find the small mountain village of Taos. Known for being a ski destination in the wintertime, Taos sits in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and boasts tons of outdoor recreation. Some of the most popular options include rafting, hiking, hot air ballooning, fishing, biking, rock climbing, and golfing. There are tons of rafting tours on the Rio Grande and plenty of hiking trails like Wheeler Peak, Williams Lake Trail, Trader's Trail, and Elliot Barker Trail.
However, if you’d prefer to stay indoors and learn more about Taos’ Native American culture, you can head to the Harwood Museum of Art and the Taos Art Museum, or walk by the town’s many historic adobe buildings, like the Taos Pueblo.
Explore New Mexico's Best Day Trips from Albuquerque
If you’re heading to New Mexico, don’t miss out on these wonderful day trips. There is so much to see around Albuquerque if you’re willing to go for a short drive. For example, three hours will take you to Spaceport America, Las Cruces, or Alamogordo, two hours will put you in the mountain village of Taos, and around an hour can get you to Santa Fe, El Malpais National Monument, and Madrid. Plus, there are plenty of ways to spend a day right in the city of Albuquerque, such as at ABQ BioPark Zoo or the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
