New Mexico has all of the geographical elements that lure travelers to the American Southwest, from red rocky medians to snow-capped mountains. However, no other state offers a pallet of light and color like New Mexico, which is why so many artists call it home.

Native Americans, Hispanics, and Mexicans all claimed it before it became a state in 1912, and few locations have a past as rich in cultural variety as New Mexico. The following is a list of the most fantastic places to visit in New Mexico,  as we hand-picked.

1. Santa Fe

Santa Fe, founded in 1610 by Spanish explorers, is one of America's oldest towns and undoubtedly one of its most beautiful. It also serves as the state capital. Building laws mandate that new development adheres to the "Santa Fe Style" of pueblo architecture, guaranteeing that tourists will be able to take in the city's breathtaking scenery from every vantage point.

The Palace of the Governors museum is one of Santa Fe's cultural attractions, situated in the country's oldest public structure. The New Mexico Museum of Art is another must-see sight, with a permanent collection of 20,000 works of art that includes works by Ansel Adams, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Francisco de Goya.

2. Albuquerque

The Palace of the Governors museum is one of Santa Fe's cultural attractions, situated in the country's oldest public structure. It also serves as the state capital. Building laws mandate that new development adheres to the "Santa Fe Style" of pueblo architecture, guaranteeing that tourists will be able to take in the city's breathtaking scenery from every vantage point.

The Palace of the Governors museum, situated in the country's oldest public structure, is one of Santa Fe's cultural attractions. The New Mexico Museum of Art is another must-see sight, with a permanent collection of 20,000 works of art that includes works by Ansel Adams, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Francisco de Goya.

3. White Sands National Monument

The White Sands National Monument, located in the southern part of the state, is one of the state's most distinctive landscapes. It encompasses a large expanse of dunes. The sands comprise 8 billion tons of gypsum crystals blown in over millions of years from a mineral-rich ephemeral lake in the Monument's western portion.

Near the tourist center, the well-marked 16-mile (26-kilometer) Dunes Drive contains designated parking spots where visitors may pause and explore the dunes. 

4. Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway

A journey on the historic Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway is the best way to appreciate vistas of some of New Mexico's most magnificent scenery while remaining comfortable. Built-in 1880, the country's tallest narrow-gauge steam railroad covers 64 miles (103 kilometers) between Chama and Antonio, Colorado, traveling through the Toltec Gorge and over the 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass. There are other two-hour journeys from Chama to Cumbres Pass. Passengers can choose between coach, premium, or parlor cars, and the open-air gondola is available to all.

5. Taos

The grandeur of the tiny pueblo village of Taos, located in a magnificent valley of the Rocky Mountains near the Rio Grande, has drawn artists to the region for hundreds of years. The Tiwa tribe of Pueblo Indians manufactured beautiful pottery long before the town drew celebrities such as author D.H. Lawrence, painter Georgia O'Keeffe, and photographer Dorothea Lange.

The town also acts as a basis for other localities in the region with "Taos" in their name. Taos Pueblo, just north of town, is arguably the most well-known, an old American Indian settlement in a charming environment. Ranchos de Taos is a tiny community located south of Taos known for its well-photographed church. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) north of town, is home to Taos Ski Valley. Finally, the Taos Box is a portion of the Rio Grande in Taos famous for its excellent whitewater rafting.

6. Very Large Array

As its name suggests, the Very Large Array is a massive array of massive antennas that combine all of their power into a single radio telescope. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory lies in central New Mexico, and it features 27 massive antennas that create one of the most breathtaking views in the state.

The Very Large Array is located just under 7,000 feet above sea level, with the arid desert surroundings providing astronomers with incredible visibility. Astronomers may use these antennas to investigate the vastness of space and learn about quasars, black holes, and cosmic gases. There are self-guided tours available to get up close and personal with the massive antennas, as well as a museum and theater.

7. Carlsbad Caverns

The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a complex network of over 100 caves teeming with stalactites, natural history, and, yes, lots of bats. The caves were built 250 million years ago when the inland sea drained, and the limestone deposits were left to their own devices.

Erosion raced through like a master craftsman, forming miles of navigable caves with icicle-like hanging stalactites dripping from the ceiling above. Stalagmites emerge from the cave floor to your left and right, giving a terrifying sensation appropriate of such a site. You may join a ranger on a tour of the Carlsbad Caverns or explore the limestone chambers on your own. During the free nightly Bat Flight event, which runs from May to October, spectators may observe the bats fly out in synchrony.

8. Taos Ski Valley

The spectacular Taos Ski Valley, which reaches a height of 12,500 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain, is the greatest of its sort in the state. It's challenging to imagine desert-strewn New Mexico as a ski resort, but Taos Ski Valley's average annual snowfall of 25 feet will rapidly alter your view.

Under the New Mexico sky, bluebird powder days are typical. Choose from 110 courses served by 14 lifts, totaling over 3000 feet of vertical. Almost half of the lines have black or double black diamonds; the mountain is popular with expert skiers. However, the variety of green and blue courses is plenty to keep beginners skiing all day.

9. Lincoln National Forest

The Lincoln National Forest, established in 1902, was built over many years to unite various mountain ranges and a diverse range of landscapes that are an adventurer's dream. On the other hand, the national forest is most recognized for being the birthplace of Smokey the Bear.

Capitan, Sacramento, and Guadalupe are the three mountain ranges available to adventurers. The elevation ranges from 4,000 feet to 11,500 feet on the highest summits. Several pathways across the mountains will suit hikers of all levels. From subalpine woods to the Chihuahuan desert, go across five unique living zones.

10. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Chaco Canyon was home to Native American Puebloan people from the 9th through 13th century. The town was an important trading and economic center, and hundreds of impressive remains may still be seen today.

Chaco Canyon National Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located northwest of Albuquerque. The most significant way to appreciate its preservation is to stand in front of the 15 massive structures that once made up this historic metropolis. 

Chaco Canyon is known for its spectacular starscape, despite its remote location. Several astronomical activities are held at the park and overnight camping.