Field Notes: New Mexico Travel Guide
Explore what to do in New Mexico
What do aliens, hot air balloons, red chiles, and Georgia O’Keeffe have in common? New Mexico. Get ready to be convinced why this wildly underrated state should be the next stop on your travels.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT NEW MEXICO
New Mexico sits high and dry in the American Southwest, where the southern Rockies meet the vast desert. It shares the legendary Four Corners with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, but it’s got something special going for itself.
New Mexico belongs on your road trip shortlist + here's why: The combination of adobe style architecture, authentic food, love of art, and multitude of terrain makes it a hot destination.
While the desert heat can present challenges in the summer, the cool mornings and evenings are its saving grace. If you want to avoid heat altogether, New Mexico winters offer cold temps with access to ski resorts.
Grab yourself enchiladas Christmas style, pull up a chair, and start planning your trip. If you don’t know what enchiladas Christmas style means, you will by the end of this travel guide. But first, check out New Mexico’s cheat sheet below.
STATE PROFILE
Capital: Santa Fe
Language: English; Spanish is widely spoken
Currency: USD. Most places accept cards, but keep cash on hand for small towns and roadside stops
Voltage: 120 V / 60 Hz. Plug types A and B
Helpful Apps: AllTrails (hiking trails), Weather Underground (for fast-changing desert forecasts), and GasBuddy (fuel up on your road-trip)
Fun fact: Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the U.S.
PACKING LIST FOR NEW MEXICO
What you pack for this Southwest travel destination depends on what you plan to do there. Whether city exploring or discovering outdoor adventures, we've got you covered.
GlobeRider35 Travel Backpack
The GlobeRider35 is built to keep up in extreme conditions. Its ultra-comfortable carry harness, stowable hip belt, and durable materials make it a worth travel companion.
SEG45 Travel Pack
Stay organized with this innovative pack's zippered segment compartments. This versatile bag doubles as a duffle bag and a backpack, adapting to your travel needs.
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE DESERT
- Layered clothing: Temps swing hard—think t-shirt, tank tops, and shorts by day, light jacket and pants by night
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, refillable toothpaste tubes, hygiene products
- Lightweight shell or packable jacket (rain jacket or light jacket)
- Comfortable walking shoes (trailheads + gallery strolls. Bring a pair you don’t mind getting a little messy with the desert dirt)
- Sun protection: sunglasses, hat, SPF 30+ (elevation means extra exposure)
- Refillable water bottle (stay hydrated at almost 7,000 ft elevation)
- Smart casual outfit (for dinner or drinks in town)
- Notebook or sketchbook (Santa Fe inspires creativity)
- Phone charger (no matter where you’re coming from, check out our Global Travel Adapter to charge more devices at once)
- Swim suit (cool down at the pool or hit up the hot springs)
View All Recommended Travel Gear Here
TAOS, NM
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get to the fun stuff. We’re talking adventures, packing pro tips, and unfiltered hot takes from one of our very own Matador team members.
Armed with recommendations from a fellow Matador traveler, kick off your adventure in Taos, New Mexico.
Taos is a small but charming town. You don’t need a lot of time to see it, but the surrounding areas keep boredom at bay. Easily find yourself in rugged terrain just a few miles outside of downtown.
WHAT TO DO IN NEW MEXICO
Depending on how much time you have, you may need to decide between a city-centric trip or a more adventure-oriented trip. Keep in mind, outdoor activities such as Los Alamos, Bandelier National Monument, Red River, and San Antonio Hot Springs are ideal in a shoulder season when it’s not so hot during the day. Let's get to it.
- Visit Taos Pueblo: As of 2025, the admission cost is $25 USD per person at time of booking. However, there are discounts available for students, etc.
- Rio Grande Gorge: A 3.7 mile out-and-back trail with famous view of the bridge crossing the gorge. Head to this spot for sunrise or sunset.
- Wheeler Peak: A challenging 8 mile loop hike in the mountains outside Taos. This will take up half a day at least. Make sure to bring plenty of water, food/snacks, and sun protection.
- Farmer’s market
- Outdoor activities in Red River
- La Chiripada Winery: Free tasting with local wines for purchase. No reservation was needed.
- Los Alamos
- Bandelier National Monument
- San Antonio Hot Spring
- Georgia O’Keeffe Museum
- Canyon Road District in Santa Fe: Local artist shops and charming houses.
- Santa Fe Plaza: Sometimes called 'The Square'.
- Find local art: Handmade pottery, paintings, musical instruments, and more.
- Rent or visit an earthship: An earthship is a structure built with repurposed materials, designed to live sustainably. You can book one as accommodation or check out the visitor center.
WHERE TO STAY: TAOS, NM
With such a small downtown, it's not hard to find accommodation in a great location.
- Casa Benavides Bed & Breakfast: An inn with quirky character that boasts a homemade breakfast that far surpasses a typical continental hotel breakfast.
- Historic Taos Inn: Located in the heart of Taos. This is a great option if you want to be right in the middle of Taos’ downtown main street.
- Sagebrush Inn & Suites: Simple accommodation located past the main strip. It makes a good affordable option.
WHERE TO STAY: SANTA FE, NM
- The Sage Hotel: A renovated motel turned hotel, its location and price point make it a great option for Santa Fe. It’s clean, no frills with a continental breakfast. Walkable to restaurants and just a short drive to Santa Fe’s historic downtown.
- Piñon Court by La Fonda: Accommodation with Santa Fe flair. Close enough to the action without dealing with all the noise and hassle. It’s a five minute walk to the center of Santa Fe from this hotel.
- Hotel St. Francis: Charming European feel, right in the midst of downtown Santa Fe. The people working here really elevate the experience. It’s simple but elegant accommodation if you’re looking for a special occasion or want to treat yourself.
ACCOMMODATION HOT TAKE:
Rather than break the bank on a nice place to stay, spend that money on adventures or unique souvenirs. Invest less in accommodation if you plan to spend little time in your hotel room.
With that said, in a hot desert destination, it is nice to opt for early mornings out, a quick nap in the heat of the day if needed, and cooler activities until the evening bring in pleasant temperatures. Find a convenient place to cool off between adventures.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK: TAOS
- Tacos Y Mariscos: Authentic, delicious southwestern Mexican food
- The Lounge by Rolling Still Distillery: Cocktail bar and restaurant
- The Coffee Apothecary: Get your coffee fix
- Chokola: Chocolate lovers paradise
- La Cueva Cafe: A pueblo style eatery for lunch or dinner with traditional Mexican dishes.
- Tomorrow and Tomorrow: Bakery and coffee shop with farmer’s market style produce.
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK: SANTA FE
- The Shed: Recommended dish is enchiladas Christmas style with blue corn tortillas. Enchiladas Christmas style involves both red and green sauce. Make sure to reserve a table in advance as it's a popular restaurant.
- Restaurant Martin: Great spot for a special occasion. It’s a fusion of Southwestern and new American dishes. Don’t sleep on the appetizers and sides. Fair warning, you may be full by the time your main course shows up.
- Crash Murder Business: Don't let the name scare you off. It’s a cool little spot with great coffee. The Google review images really downplay it. As for the coffee, you’ll just have to try it yourself.
- Modern General Feed & Seed: Step into a charming general store and brunch spot. The savory pancakes were unique and delicious.
- Henry & The Fish: Satisfy your sweet tooth with their baked goods or grab a coffee before you hit Santa Fe’s downtown.
- The Brakeroom Santa Fe Brewing: You may find yourself waiting in line for an eternity to get a drink, but it has a great vibe with food trucks and beer on tap and outdoor seating. It’s a great dog-friendly option.
NEW MEXICO WRAPPED
When it comes to short trips, prioritization is essential. With no time to lose, an efficient packing system is essential. From weekend bags to day packs and everything in between, Matador is the go-to choice for domestic and international travel.
When you return home, all that's left to do is dump your Packable Laundry Bag into the washing machine and plan your next adventure.
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