10 TOP Things to Do in New Mexico August 2026

A large bronze sculpture of a horse and rider in front of a building with adobe architecture.

A building with a tower, a flag, and a clear blue sky.

A church with a cross on top, a bell tower, and a sign that reads "Welcome to the Church."

A bronze eagle sculpture with outstretched wings, set in a stone basin surrounded by a brick wall and greenery.

A Gothic-style church with a large rose window and a statue on top.

Activities

Hot Air Balloon Rides in Santa Fe

NZ$545

per adult

PistachioLand Farm Tour

NZ$9

per adult

Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - Albuquerque, NM

NZ$137

per adult

Albuquerque Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

NZ$362

per adult

96% of travellers recommend

Santa Fe: Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return Ticket

Santa Fe: Meow Wolf The House of Eternal Return Ticket

NZ$92

per adult

100% of travellers recommend

Meow Wolf's House of Eternal Return

NZ$65

per adult

80% of travellers recommend

Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Tour and Tasting

NZ$43

per adult

100% of travellers recommend

Make Your Own Stained Glass Honeycomb

NZ$173

per adult

100% of travellers recommend

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Top places to visit

1. Santa Fe Plaza

Santa Fe Plaza is a spacious gathering point with markets, a bandstand and a park at the heart of the city. At the square’s center find an arts stage and a statue that acts as an American Indian War Memorial. Many musical performances and political events take place in the lively square. Around the plaza are restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Use the benches and tables in this tranquil, grassy haven for a picnic.

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A historic church with two towers, a large circular window, and a statue in front.

2. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Explore Carlsbad Caverns National Park’s underground ecosystems. Rainwater passing through soil has formed acids. These solutions dripped through native limestone, picking up minerals and then creating fascinating deposits called speleothems.

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A person standing on a reflective water surface surrounded by large, irregularly shaped ice formations in a cave.

3. White Sands National Park

Spectacular dunes of snow-white gypsum sprawl as far as the eye can see at the White Sands National Monument. This spectacular natural landscape lays claim to being the largest gypsum dune field in the world and extends for 275 square miles (712 square kilometers) of desert.

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A vast salt flat with a mountain range in the background.

4. Loretto Chapel

The origin of the helix-shaped staircase in the 19th-century Loretto Chapel continues to baffle historians more than a century after its construction. The Sisters of Loretto and the site’s many visitors consider the enigmatic construction of the stairs a miracle. Others offer more practical explanations. The former church, which is of Gothic Revival design, is now primarily used as a wedding chapel and a museum for the staircase.

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A church interior with a spiral staircase, pews, stained glass windows, and a large cross on the wall.

5. ABQ BioPark Zoo

Learn about the animal kingdom at Rio Grande Zoo. The 64-acre (26-hectare) zoo is home to hundreds of animals, including elephants, polar bears, lions, alligators and roadrunners, all living in naturalistic habitats. The zoo offers a range of scheduled activities throughout the day including talks from experts, children’s storytelling sessions and the chance to watch some of the animals being fed.

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A gazebo, a pond with flamingos, and autumn trees.

What to do in New Mexico

Stay near popular New Mexico attractions

Santa Fe Plaza

9.4/10 (6,885 reviews)

Home to many landmarks in the heart of the city, this spacious square evokes echoes of the Spanish colonial era with its markets, bandstand and live music.

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Our guide on where to stay in New Mexico

Find the best New Mexico areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about New Mexico

A sculpture in front of a building with a unique architectural style.

Downtown Santa Fe

Visitors to Downtown Santa Fe rave about its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries. You might also want to make some time to see Santa Fe Plaza or Lensic Performing Arts Center while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

A hot air balloon over a grassy field with trees and mountains in the background.

Northeast Heights

If you're spending some time in Northeast Heights, Cliff's Amusement Park and ABQ Uptown are top sights worth seeing.

A building with the sign 'Palace of the Governors' and flags hanging overhead.

Southside

Southside is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Meow Wolf and Recursos de Santa Fe, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Fe.

A Turner Carroll Gallery with a red door and a metal roof.

Historic Eastside

While visiting Historic Eastside, you might make a stop by sights like Canyon Road and ViVO Contemporary.

A church with two towers and a central entrance.

Old Town Albuquerque

Unique features of Old Town Albuquerque include the historical sites and restaurants. Make a stop by Old Town Plaza or New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science while you're exploring the area.

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