New Mexico
is the land of enchantment
Welcome to New Mexico
They call this the Land of Enchantment for a reason. Maybe it's the drama of sunlight and shadow playing out across juniper-speckled hills, or the traditional mountain villages of horse pastures and adobe homes. Maybe it's the centuries-old towns on the northern plateaus, overlooked by the magnificent Sangre de Cristos, or the volcanoes, canyons and vast desert plains spread beneath an even vaster sky. The beauty casts a powerful spell. Mud-brick churches filled with sacred art, ancient Indian Pueblos, real-life cowboys and legendary outlaws, chile-smothered enchiladas – all add to the pervasive sense of otherness that often makes New Mexico feel like a foreign country.
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New Mexico activities
Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
Rise early to begin your hot-air balloon experience (optional pickup from your Albuquerque hotel is paid directly to the tour operator). Stop into the downtown headquarters for check-in, then ride to the balloon launch site. Your pilot begins the process of inflating the balloon when you arrive. Watch the fascinating transformation of the balloon as it fills up. You can even help out the crew during the inflation process for a more hands-on experience.After a safety briefing, step into the balloon’s basket and take to the skies with your professional pilot. As you float high above the ground, enjoy incredible birds-eye views of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley. Capture great photos of the Rio Grande River and the Sandia Mountains, the 17-mile (26-km) mountain range located to the east of Albuquerque.Your pilot determines the route for the day depending on the wind’s direction. You may fly over the city of Albuquerque and even dip low enough to wave at people or skim the Rio Grande River. Then soar back up into the air again to get panoramic views of the New Mexico landscape. Throughout your flight, your pilot shares informative commentary about the landscape beneath you. You can also hear first-hand accounts of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest hot-air balloon festival that takes place every October with some 750 balloons participating. After approximately one hour in the air, your pilot lands the balloon and the ground crew comes to meet you. Celebrate your flight with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a light continental breakfast. Then receive a flight certificate to commemorate your hot-air balloon experience before returning to the original starting point (with optional hotel drop-off paid to the tour operator).
Taos Highlights Private Tour
Your private tour of Taos's most famous tourist destinations begins at 1:00pm, picking up your tour guide at the Taos Plaza Gazebo. The Gazebo is the largest structure on the Plaza. Major sites include the Historic Taos Plaza at the heart of Taos, St. Francis de Asis Roman Catholic Church in Ranchos de Taos and the 'Most Photographed Church in North America", Taos Pueblo living and traditional Native American village on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the stunning and impressive Gorge Bridge towering over the Rio Grande, and the Historic Taos Plaza, where the tour starts and ends. An average of 3-hours should be allotted for this tour which may vary depending upon traffic conditions and destination lengths of stay. Note: Taos Pueblo closes to visitors for ceremonies and other traditional occasions, sometimes without notice. In the event the Pueblo is closed, we substitute a stop at a 200 year old Spanish colonial hacienda.
Santa Fe Half-Day Food and History Walking Tour
Meet at 1pm in front of First National Santa Fe Bank on the Plaza. Over the course of the tour, you'll walk approximately a mile and a half while visiting two sit-down restaurants, a winery tasting room, and one additional food or drink establishment. This is a walking tour. YOU MUST BE IN GOOD WALKING CONDITION AND ABLE TO WALK 1.5 MILES TO FULLY ENJOY THIS TOUR.What brings this tour to life is the stories behind the restaurants you'll get a chance to visit. You'll learn about how New Mexican food was shaped over centuries by a mixing of different culinary traditions. You will visit both Santa Fe's most traditional "must eat at" Mexican/New Mexican restaurants as well as some of the newest, currently "trending" restaurants. A few favorite stops on this tour are listed below. Please note we visit four of these per tour (not all). • Cheesemongers of Santa Fe • Sazon • Coyote Cafe • Gruet Winery Tasting Room • Noisy Water Winery • La Lecheria New Mexico Craft Ice Cream • El Callejon • Eloisa • Del Charro Saloon Historical and cultural sights you will see are listed below. Please note that we do not visit or go inside any of these sites, but rather they are seen from the exterior and discussed during the historical portion of the tour. • Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis • Loretto Chapel • Santa Fe Plaza • Palace of the Governors
Santa Fe Railyard Arts District Food Tour
Meet at 1pm at the Santa Fe Railyard water tower. Over the course of the tour, you'll walk approximately a mile and a half while visiting two sit-down restaurants, a winery or distillery tasting room (depending on the day), and one additional food or drink establishment. YOU MUST BE IN GOOD WALKING CONDITION TO ENJOY THIS TOURThis unique tour focuses on the up and coming Railyard District in Santa Fe. This is home of the new Santa Fe, and you'll get to meet many of the chefs, distillers and brewers that are shaping this area today. Home to one of the top weekly farmers markets in the country, the Railyard District is where the locals go. What brings this tour to life is the stories behind the restaurants you'll get a chance to visit. You'll learn about how the railroad redefined the American Southwest, who Fred Harvey is and how his legacy lives on to this day. You'll also get to explore some of the hidden corners of Santa Fe, learning about how the city has evolved over the last century and where it is heading into the next one. A few favorite stops on this tour are (you will stop at four only): • Joseph's of Santa Fe • Cafe Sonder • Santa Fe Spirits Downtown Tasting Room • State Capital Kitchen • La Choza New Mexican Restaurant • Vivac Winery • Second Street Brewery Historical and cultural sights you will see include: • Santuario De Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (church built in 1777) • Santa Fe Railyard Depot Building • SITE Contemporary Arts Museum • Gross, Kelly & Company historic warehouse building • Santa Fe Farmer's Market (Tuesday and Saturday tours only) • Historic ranchhouses and warehouses (including sites on National Register of Historic Places) PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A WALKING TOUR that covers approximately 1.5 miles (flat). YOU MUST BE ABLE TO COMFORTABLY WALK 1.5 MILES TO ENJOY THIS TOUR.
Taos Historic Downtown Guided Walking Tour in New Mexico
Meet your local guide under the gazebo at the Historic Taos Plaza for your 50-minute walking tour of this quirky and artistic northern New Mexico town. Walk a half-mile route from one historic point of interest to the next, as your guide recounts stories of characters from the past, including Padre Martinez and his offspring, Dona Luz and the lady of the night, Conquistador Juan de Onate's lost foot, Long John Dunn (Taos's very own Donald Trump), Mister Manby's mysterious beheading, the Pueblo Revolt, the scalping of New Mexico's first Governor, and a few ghost stories sprinkled in. Most of the walking is on sidewalks and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Dress appropriately for weather - sun, heat, rain, wind. Guide gratuities are not included.
Santa Fe Architectural and Interior Walking Tour
Meet your guide in the lobby of the Hotel St. Francis at 9:20am. Depart at 9:30am for your walking tour around historic Santa Fe. Explore small, winding back roads in the residential district intertwined with Canyon Road’s Gallery area to discover the traditional warmth of the New Mexican Pueblo style, the classic elegance of the Spanish Territorial style, as well as the tall and narrow pitched roofs of the Northern New Mexico style.As you walk along the traditional ‘acequia,’ learn about the history of these water ditches and how they continue to be used today to irrigate private residences and gardens.Cool off with a refreshing prickly pear cactus tea or ‘Cota’ Indian tea along with homemade biscochitos in a traditional inner courtyard. Then, enjoy a flight of Gruet champagne and still wine in the Gruet Tasting Room at the Hotel St. Francis to conclude your tour at approximately 12:30pm.