Unique Things to Do in New Mexico

After traveling across New Mexico’s deserts, mountains, and adobe towns, I’ve come to appreciate just how many one-of-a-kind experiences this Southwestern state has to offer. From otherworldly landscapes and ancient cultural sites to colorful art hubs and quirky roadside stops, New Mexico is full of surprises. These are the unique places and activities I’ve personally explored and would recommend to anyone looking for something truly different.

1. Standing on Sacred Ground at Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum

We drove west from Albuquerque, about an hour on I-40. The desert stretched wide and golden, mesas rising like fortresses in the distance. As we neared Acoma Pueblo, the sandstone cliffs stood tall, the kind of landscape that made me quiet without trying.

My plan for the day was to step into history: visit the cultural center, walk the mesa-top village, and take in the stories carried through this land. I wanted to see not just the scenery but the roots of life here.

Acoma felt sacred and enduring, the “Sky City” perched high above the desert floor, homes and history woven directly into the stone. The air was still, and the horizon stretched farther than I could measure.

I stood outside the Haak’u Museum, the red earth warm underfoot, and thought, “This place has held people far longer than memory can hold.”

I enjoyed exploring the museum’s galleries, where pottery, photographs, and oral histories gave life to the Pueblo’s centuries-old traditions. The artistry of the pottery, with its fine lines and earthy tones, felt deeply tied to the land itself.

Where We Ate: After the tour, we stopped at the cultural center café. I ordered a traditional fry bread taco, piled with beans, green chile, and lettuce.

A downside? Photography was restricted in much of the Pueblo.

2. Diving into Meow Wolf Santa Fe

We drove north from Albuquerque, about an hour along highways that cut through desert and low hills. The land glowed in rust and gold, and as we reached Santa Fe, adobe walls and bright murals appeared, setting the tone for something creative. Just outside the city center sat Meow Wolf, its warehouse-like exterior hiding what felt like another universe.

My plan was to lose myself in the installation, wander through rooms, follow the story hidden in its walls, and give myself space to be surprised. It wasn’t about a checklist, it was about curiosity.

Santa Fe felt like a city where tradition and imagination were always in conversation. At Meow Wolf, that spirit erupted into full color, sound, and texture.

I stepped into the House of Eternal Return, the first room glowing with neon light, and thought, “This is what it feels like to walk inside a dream.”

I enjoyed crawling through a refrigerator door into another dimension, stumbling into rooms filled with glowing forests, musical bones, and shifting lights. Every space carried layers of story and strangeness, equal parts playful and eerie.

Where We Ate: After the exhibit, we stopped at Second Street Brewery nearby. I ordered green chile stew with warm tortillas. The stew was earthy and spicy, the chile carrying just enough heat to linger without overwhelming. It felt deeply New Mexican, comfort food wrapped in fire and history.

A downside? The crowds were heavy, especially in the afternoon. At times, moving through narrow rooms meant waiting in line, and it broke the flow of discovery. Going earlier in the day might have kept the magic uninterrupted.

3. Rolling Through the Quirky Heart of Albuquerque with ABQ Trolley Co.

We drove from Santa Fe to Albuquerque in just under an hour, the desert highway carrying us past mesas glowing orange in the afternoon light. As we rolled into the city, hot air balloons floated faintly in the distance, a reminder of Albuquerque’s playful skies. The trolley waited downtown, painted bright and welcoming.

My plan was easy: ride the ABQ Trolley, see the city through local eyes, and let the stories unfold. It wasn’t about rushing to check things off, but about being carried along at the city’s pace.

Albuquerque felt open and textured, part Route 66 nostalgia, part modern energy, and always tied to the desert and mountains that framed it. The trolley amplified that sense, its speakers mixing humor and history while the city slid by outside.

I sat back in my seat, the wind lifting my hair as we turned past neon signs, and thought, “This is the way to meet a city, rolling slow enough to listen.”

I enjoyed the mix of sights: Old Town with its adobe buildings, murals tucked into alleyways, and the glow of Nob Hill’s retro signs. The guides wove stories of film sets, local legends, and Albuquerque quirks, and the whole ride felt both informative and playful.

Where We Ate: After the tour, I stopped at Church Street Café in Old Town. The café’s adobe walls felt cool and timeless, a match for the food’s deep roots.

A downside? The open-air trolley was warm under the midday sun. Shade helped, but I found myself wishing I’d brought a hat and extra water for the ride.

4. Finding Stillness Among the Sage at the The Santa Fe Botanical Garden

We drove across town from the plaza, just a short 10-minute ride up Museum Hill. The adobe walls and winding streets gave way to open sky, and the mountains stood quietly in the distance. The entrance to the botanical garden felt understated, but beyond it lay a landscape shaped by desert artistry.

My plan was to walk along the paths, see how native plants thrived in this high desert climate, and find a quiet pause in Santa Fe’s creative rhythm.

Santa Fe always felt like a city of contrasts, earth tones against bold color, tradition beside experimentation. The botanical garden carried that same balance, blending desert plants with stonework and art installations.

I stepped onto the trails, the scent of sage brushing past me, and thought, “Even in dry places, life finds ways to bloom.”

I enjoyed wandering among cacti, yucca, and lavender, the gravel crunching underfoot as butterflies drifted from one patch of flowers to another. Sculptures dotted the paths, giving the garden the feeling of an outdoor gallery woven into nature.

A downside? The midday sun was strong, with little shade along the trails.

Hi, I'm Ema. I'm the face behind Vacation Idea. I'll help you with travel itineraries, weekend inspiration and local tips. I love to chase unique experiences, anything from great sunsets to the best places to stay. I have 30 years of experience, over 400,000 social media followers, and my work as a travel expert has been mentioned on abc6 Morning Show, Best of the Web, and USAToday. When I'm not traveling around the USA, I live in Austin, TX with my husband and son. Click for more.

 

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