Things to do in New Mexico
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El Norteño
True Mexican - not New Mexican - cuisine is the thing here, with fantastic pollo norteño, chicken mole and the must-have cabrito al horno (oven-roasted goat).
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Frontier
An Albuquerque tradition, the Frontier boasts enormous cinnamon rolls, addictive green chili stew, and the best huevos rancheros ever. The food and people-watching are outstanding, and students love the low prices on the 24/7 breakfast, burgers and Mexican food.
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Tucanos Brazilian Grill
Next to Century 14 Downtown, Tucanos serves an all-inclusive Brazilian-style BBQ with skewered meats and a comprehensive salad bar.
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Loretto Chapel
The gothic chapel is modeled on St Chapelle in Paris, and was built between 1873 and 1878 for the Sisters of Loretto, the first nuns to come to New Mexico. St Chapelle has a circular stone staircase, but when the Loretto Chapel was being constructed, no local stonemasons were skilled enough to build one and the young architect didn’t know how to build one of wood. The nuns prayed for help and a mysterious traveling carpenter, whom the nuns believed afterward to be St Joseph, arrived. He built what is known as the Miraculous Staircase, a wooden spiral staircase with two complete 360-degree turns and no central or visible support. He left without charging for his labors and…
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- New Mexico, USA
- Sights › Other
Scores of wondrous caves hide under the hills at this unique national park, which covers 73 sq miles. The cavern formations are an ethereal wonderland of stalactites and fantastical geological features. You can ride an elevator from the visitor center or take a 2-mile subterranean walk from the cave mouth to the Big Room, an underground chamber 1800ft long, 255ft high and over 800ft below the surface. For claustrophobics and those prone to panic attacks, the chamber and the elevator ride down to it (which descends the length of the Empire State Building in under a minute) may be a less than enjoyable experience.
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Sadie’s
Make sure to snap a photo in front of the sign at Sadie’s that says, ‘in 1897 in this location, nothing happened.’ A massive place with a barn-like atmosphere, Sadie’s is a local institution. One author makes this her first stop in Albuquerque – bar none. Recite along with us: ‘a carafe of grand gold margaritas, please, and the enchilada dinner with blue corn, rolled, chicken, green vegetarian, no onions and a side of guac. Great. Thanks.’
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Golden Crown Panaderia
[ourpick] Golden Crown Panaderia Who doesn't love a friendly neighborhood bakery? Especially one with gracious staff, fresh-from-the-oven bread, fruit-filled empanadas, smooth coffee and the frequent free cookie. Make time in your schedule to sample the goodies inside this beloved adobe oasis, and call ahead to reserve a loaf of quick-selling green chili bread.
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Gabriel’s
It’s worth the 12-mile drive north of Santa Fe to eat at Gabriel’s. The scenic patio and beautiful interior, hung with Miguel Martinez’s art, are fabulous spots to enjoy fresh guacamole, made to order at your table, excellent New Mexican cuisine and even better ribs. Plan to drop by if you’re headed to the flea market or points north.
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Cloud Cliff Bakery
Slip on some Birkenstocks and drop by for a stack of groovy blue corn pancakes (around US$6). Rainbow trout wraps (around US$9), organic lamb and quinoa (around US$9), and soups and sandwiches are served alongside organic wines and microbrews. As for side helpings, look for lefty commentary, live music, poetry or lectures.
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La Plazuela
Make reservations to dine on pork medallions in prickly pear-Tecate barbecue sauce, chipotle-glazed filet mignon and other gourmet goodies at this lovely spot in the painted-glass heart of La Fonda hotel, where local artist Ernest Martinez has graced more than 400 windows with his paintings over the last 50 years.
reviewed
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La Cantina at Coyote Café
This lively rooftop cantina atop famed sister restaurant, Coyote Café, welcomes budget gourmets to sample chef Mark Miller’s cut-rate creations. Try the Oaxacan chicken mole ($11), spit-roasted pork tacos with pineapple ($13) and the signature mango margarita ($8). Sunsets are fabulous.
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Joseph's Table
Chef Joseph Wrede doles out unique and creative Southwestern dishes with an emphasis on ingredients from local farms. The dining room sprouts pussywillow chandeliers and a lush flowery mural painted by his wife and his mother. Couples should go for a 'loveshack, ' one of the cozy, romantic window booths.
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La Crepe Michele
Tucked in the corner of an adobe courtyard near Old Town Plaza, this intimate restaurant is the place to enjoy a quiet romantic dinner. A variety of crepes are served for lunch and dinner, while French specialties, ranging from beef Wellington to barramundi au champagne, change nightly.
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Ten Thousand Waves
This gorgeous Japanese spa offers a host of attractive public and private outdoor soaking tubs, kitted out in a smooth Zen style with cold plunges and saunas. A host of treatments from prenatal, hot stone and Thai massages to herbal wraps are offered. Massages start at $85.
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San Francisco de Asís Church
Four miles south of Taos in Ranchos de Taos, the oft-photographed San Francisco de Asís Church was built in the mid-18th century but didn't open until 1815. It's been memorialized in Georgia O'Keeffe paintings and Edward Weston photographs.
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Seasons Rotisserie & Grill
With bright-yellow walls, high ceilings, fresh flowers and a creative menu, this contemporary place provides welcome relief from the usual Old Town atmosphere. Try the hearty red-chile-dusted chicken burgers or Baja tacos inside or on the rooftop cantina.
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Georgia O'keeffe Museum
Possessing the world's largest collection of her work, the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum features the artist's paintings of flowers, bleached skulls and adobe architecture. Tours of O'Keeffe's house require advance reservations.
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Il Vicino Pizzeria
Sure, you can come for simple traditional fare like wood-fired pizza, sandwiches and pasta. But the real bread and butter here is spectacular award-winning microbrewed beer, including the Wet Mountain IPA and Slow Down Brown.
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Blue Corn Café & Brewery
This friendly brewpub wins awards for its Atomic Blonde Ale, High Altitude Pale Ale and others, served alongside burgers (around US$8), carne asada (around US$14) and Chuy's chalupas ($8). Live music, too.
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Bobcat Bite
Often voted as serving the Best Burger in Santa Fe by locals, this relaxed roadhouse beneath the neon really does an outstanding green chile cheeseburger ($7). The steaks are pretty darn good too.
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Shohko Cafe
Did you expect anything less? Even sushi comes Santa Fe-style - try the cream cheese and green chile roll. They also serve bento boxes at lunch and teriyaki dishes for folks who don't do raw fish.
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Railyard Restaurant & Saloon
Housed in a corrugated tin warehouse in the up-and-coming, gritty-artsy Railroad District, this conventional steaks-and-chops house also offers pastas, sandwiches and a bar menu. Service is good.
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Tesuque Village Market
In the wooded, horsy, upscale village of Tesuque, grab gourmet groceries or an excellent lunch - from subtle cheeses to various fajitas - and enjoy them on the pleasant outdoor porch.
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Taos Chamber Music Group
For classical and jazz, this group performs at venues throughout the region.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Drive for hours across the desert just to see a cave? But it’s not just any cave; it’s a truly astonishing and immense system of caves, one of the world’s greatest. Once visitors get a glimpse, even the most skeptical are impressed. A visit is, without a doubt, a highlight of any Southwestern journey. But wait, there’s more. The cave’s other claim to fame is the 250,000-plus Mexican free-tail bat colony that roosts here from April through to October. Visitors flock here at sunset to watch them fly out to feast on a smorgasbord of bugs. The park covers 73 sq miles and includes almost 100 caves. Visitors can take a 2-mile subterranean walk from the cave mouth to an under…
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