1. Santa Fe

If you are visiting Albuquerque, it makes great sense to include the colorful and vibrant city of Santa Fe in your list of day-trip destinations. You can reach historic Santa Fe in about an hour along the scenic Turquoise Trail (State Highway 14).

One-Day Santa Fe Itinerary

2. Taos

Located approximately two hours and twenty minutes from Albuquerque, Taos offers each and every member of the family a fun day out or an excellent overnight adventure.

One-Day Taos Itinerary

3. Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway

• What is the Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway?
  • Jump aboard for the ride of your life on the historic Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway, which follows a steep and dramatic route along the New Mexico/Colorado border between Chama, New Mexico and Antonito in Colorado.
• What can I expect on the journey?
  • The historic old steam engines and their carriages leave daily from both cities, meeting approximately halfway at Osier, where you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch.
  • The return leg of your journey will take you back to your starting point by luxury coach.
  • Shorter, family-friendly half-day trips are also available.
• How long does it take to reach the railway from Albuquerque?
  • Drive time from Albuquerque to Chama or Antonito is about three and a half hours, so you will need to make an early start or consider staying overnight.

Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway, 500 Terrace Ave, Chama, NM 87520, Phone: 888-286-2737

4. Acoma Pueblo

• Where is Acoma Pueblo located?
  • Located about 70 minutes' drive from Albuquerque, Acoma Pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America and is a must on any visitor’s Albuquerque itinerary.
• What can I expect on the journey to Acoma Pueblo?
  • The scenic journey from Albuquerque will take you through astonishing landscapes enlivened by breath-taking rock formations.
• What will I experience on a visit to Acoma Pueblo?
  • As you take a guided walking tour through the village, which is dramatically located on the top of a high sandstone bluff, you will learn about the fascinating history and culture of the Acoma people.
  • The Acoma people are renowned for producing remarkable Native American pottery, which you can admire at the Sky City Cultural Center or the Haak’u Museum.
  • Visitors can also purchase authentic Acoma pottery at the Market Plaza.

Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, 87034

5. Bandelier National Monument

• What is Bandelier National Monument?
  • At the amazing Bandelier National Monument, you will have the chance to see how the Ancestral Pueblo people carved their homes out of sandstone, planted crops on the arid mesatops, and ground their maize by hand nearly nine hundred years ago.
• What outdoor activities are available at Bandelier?
  • Besides learning about ancient history and culture, you will find a large variety of excellent outdoor activities including boating, hiking, backpacking, interpretive tours, picnicking, and even camping.
• What hiking opportunities are there?
  • Hiking varies from short and easy family trails to demanding back-country hikes covering over 70 miles of trails.
• Can I stay overnight at Bandelier?
  • If one short day is not enough, you can camp overnight inside the Monument or find lodging in the nearby communities of Los Alamos or White Rock.

Bandelier National Monument, 15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544, Phone: 505-672-3861

6. Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge

• How far is Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge from Albuquerque?
  • Wildlife enthusiasts can reach the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge in around ninety minutes from Albuquerque.
• When is the refuge open?
  • The refuge is open all year around (please check their website for limited admission hours in summer).
• What wildlife and activities can I experience?
  • The refuge offers excellent opportunities to observe a wide variety of wildlife in a natural setting.
• What outdoor activities are available?
  • Energetic visitors can set off to explore along a selection of hiking trails or bring along their bikes to ride the eleven-mile gravel cycle trail.
  • An easier way to see the sights and wildlife is to follow the auto trail, which will take you deep into the peaceful refuge.
• Are there any seasonal activities?
  • Other seasonal activities in the refuge include photography, fishing, hunting, and bull-frogging.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, 1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832, Phone: 575-835-1828

7. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

• What makes Carlsbad Caverns National Park special?
  • Hidden under the surface of the Chihuahuan Desert, there lies an amazing network of more than one hundred caves, which are the main attraction of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
• How can I explore the caves?
  • There are two ways to explore the remarkable caves – you can explore at your own pace or join a ranger-guided tour.
• What is the Big Room, and how do I get there?
  • The main cavern (Big Room) is accessible by hiking or by elevator, and parts of the cave are wheelchair-friendly.
• How long does it take to explore the Big Room?
  • If you explore on foot, the reasonably flat trail through the Big Room takes about 90 minutes, but there is also a shorter circuit which takes around 45 minutes.
• Are there different difficulty levels for the ranger-guided tours?
  • The ranger-guided tours vary from easy to very challenging, to suit all fitness levels.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 757 Carlsbad Caverns Hwy, Carlsbad, NM 88220, Phone: 575-785-2232

8. El Malpais National Conservation Area

• What is El Malpais National Conservation Area?
  • Located 80 miles west of Albuquerque, the El Malpais (badlands in Spanish) National Conservation Area is a must-see destination for visitors to New Mexico.
• Why was the area established?
  • The area was established in 1987 to protect and showcase numerous natural wonders surrounding the Grants Lava Flows.
• What natural attractions can I see there?
  • Included in the area, you can admire La Ventana Natural Arch, as well as numerous dramatic sandstone rock formations, canyons, and cliffs.
• Where should I start my visit?
  • Your first stop should be the Ranger Station, where you can get information on current conditions and details about the various hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.
• What activities can I enjoy at El Malpais?
  • Activities in the conservation area include wildlife watching, hiking, walking, cave-exploring, and much more.
• Can I camp at El Malpais?
  • If you have an RV, you can easily spend a night or two in the Joe Skeen Campground.

El Malpais National Conservation Area, Grants, NM 87020, Phone: 505-280-2918

9. Jemez Springs

An easy and scenic 70 minute drive will take you from Albuquerque to the vibrant and interesting little town of Jemez Springs, which has something to offer for every visitor.

One-Day Jemez Springs Itinerary

Jemez Springs, New Mexico