New Mexico

"The Land of Enchantment"

The New Mexico Tourism Department’s mission is to market New Mexico as an enchanting, undiscovered and richly diverse State with an abundance of natural wonders, history, arts and culture. Within the UK and Ireland, McCluskey International represents the State. New Mexico is renowned for its rich and slightly unusual variety of activities, attractions and events. Choose from visiting the Rio Grande or cultural Santa Fe, one of the oldest cities in the USA, or take part in the great chilli debate, ‘Red, Green or Christmas’, to name just a few. 

Few places on earth offer the rich history and blend of cultures you’ll find in New Mexico. This is the home of Native American pueblos and tribes – and more than 500 years of Hispanic culture.

New Mexico hosts the world’s top two annual hot air ballooning events. October sees the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and at Gallup in December, the Red Rock Balloon Rally.

Land Area: 121,500 sq miles

Population: 1,920,000

State Capital: Santa Fe

Largest City: Albuquerque

Local Time: MST – 7 hrs behind the UK

New Mexico averages 256 sunny days a year, has four distinct seasons and due to geology different areas of the State can vary widely, with high temperatures in desert areas to snow fall for skiing in the mountains.

There are 15 National Parks and Monuments across the state of New Mexico. From volcanic fields to limestone bluffs and dunes of gypsum, the landscape of New Mexico’s National Parks is extremely diverse. You can explore Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings to learn more about the history and lifestyle lived by the inhabitants, or head to a historic fort or mission to experience more recent historical sites. All of these National Parks are an amazing way to immerse yourself in the history and landscape of the Land of Enchantment!

Travel to the Southwestern USA to explore an exquisite blend of culture and outdoor adventure in New Mexico, a dream vacation spot for those seeking new and different experiences. Discover a four-season destination full of authentic food, picturesque scenery and inspiring art to feed your soul.

A trip to New Mexico isn’t complete without quite literally getting a taste of New Mexico. Enjoy the official state crop – the chile pepper – baked, spread, topped, smothered and infused in flavourful stews, atop fresh enchiladas, alongside roasted vegetables and more. Dine at Indian Pueblo Kitchen at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, which specializes in traditional meals prepared by the state’s 23 tribes of Native and Indigenous people since long before European settlers arrived. Locals also claim that New Mexico is the origin of the breakfast burrito: Legend has it that Tia Sophia’s restaurant in Santa Fe first started serving breakfast foods wrapped up in a burrito in the 1970s. 

New Mexico is home to a significant stretch of Historic Route 66, with 860 kilometers of the Mother Road running through its heart. Enjoy a dose of Americana and nostalgia in curio shops, historic sites and national monuments from Tucumcari to Gallup – it’s just the beginning of your cultural journey. Visit Santa Fe to explore its expansive art districts and enjoy its distinct Southwestern flair. The city has a diverse heritage, and you’ll feel the influences of Spanish, Mexican and Indigenous Pueblo and Navajo cultures as you admire its Pueblo revival-style architecture. Spend some more time soaking in the eclectic vibes of artsy towns such as Taos, Silver City and Madrid. Go hiking, biking, horseback riding, off-roading and more in mountain communities like Ruidoso, Red River and Angel Fire, which combine incredible scenery with classic small-town charm. 

New Mexico’s diverse cities and towns offer plenty of opportunities to relax and rejuvenate, expand your horizons or experience new scenery. Find inner peace in a plethora of natural hot springs, as well as at wellness retreats like Ojo Caliente. Next, dive into New Mexico’s history of scientific discovery. Astronomical practices of the Ancestral Pueblo people are on display at Chaco Culture National Historical Park, while visitors can uncover the origins of the atomic era in Los Alamos, just north of Santa Fe. Visit Albuquerque during October to take part in the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta to discover why the state is nicknamed the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World. Year-round, you can schedule a ride with a local tour operator like Rainbow Ryders to soar high above New Mexico’s mountains, plateaus and plains on a private hot air balloon ride.