56 days in New Mexico Itinerary

Albuquerque remains one of the state's secret jewels, as its tourist attractions are often overshadowed by the more popular holiday destination of Santa Fe.

Get out of town with these interesting Albuquerque side-trips: Sandia Crest Byway (in Sandia Park) and Willow Creek Trail (in Rio Rancho). There's much more to do: get to know the fascinating history of Albuquerque Old Town, learn more about the world around you at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, soar above the sights with a balloon tour, and explore the engaging exhibits at Explora Science Center and Children's Museum.

To find traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, use the Albuquerque trip itinerary tool.

Exeter, UK to Albuquerque is an approximately 18.5-hour flight. Due to the time zone difference, you'll gain 7 hours traveling from Exeter to Albuquerque. In September in Albuquerque, expect temperatures between 33°C during the day and 18°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Tue) early enough to drive to Grants.

Grants is a city in Cibola County, New Mexico, United States. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Grants: Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum (in Pueblo of Acoma) and El Morro National Monument (in Ramah). Spend the 15th (Thu) exploring nature at El Malpais National Monument. The adventure continues: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Taylor, look for gifts at Chaco Canyon Trading Co, and explore the striking landscape at La Ventana Natural Arch.

To find traveler tips, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, go to the Grants tour website.

You can drive from Albuquerque to Grants in 1.5 hours. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Albuquerque in September since evenings lows in Grants dip to 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Fri) early enough to drive to Alamogordo.

Alamogordo is the seat of Otero County, New Mexico, United States. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Alamogordo: Cloudcroft (Trestle Recreation Area, Sacramento Mountains Museum, &more), Las Cruces (Veterans Memorial Park, Dripping Springs Natural Area, &more) and Mesilla Plaza (in Mesilla). There's still lots to do: explore the striking landscape of White Sands National Monument, learn about winemaking at McGinn's PistachioLand, relax in the rural setting at Heart of the Desert, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Dog Canyon Trail.

To see ratings, reviews, photos, and tourist information, go to the Alamogordo trip itinerary app.

You can drive from Grants to Alamogordo in 4.5 hours. Prepare for somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Grants in September: high temperatures in Alamogordo hover around 34°C and lows are around 19°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) early enough to go by car to Carlsbad.

Carlsbad is a city in and the county seat of Eddy County, New Mexico, United States. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Carlsbad: Street Sculptures (in Artesia) and Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Bottomless Pit, Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour, &more). Next up on the itinerary: explore the fascinating underground world of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, get to know the resident critters at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, view the masterpieces at The Artist Gallery, and cruise along Walnut Canyon Desert Drive.

To find ratings, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, use the Carlsbad trip builder website.

Getting from Alamogordo to Carlsbad by car takes about 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 35°C in September, and nighttime lows around 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) so you can drive to Roswell.

Famed as the site of a purported UFO crash in 1947, the Roswell of today offers much more than alien research opportunities.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Roswell: Seeping Springs Trout Lakes and RV Park (in Ruidoso Downs) and Spas (in Ruidoso). There's lots more to do: examine the collection at International UFO Museum and Research Center, head outdoors with Mescalero Sands North Dune OHV Area, take in the exciting artwork at Tokay Beaded Art, and explore the world behind art at Roswell Museum.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Roswell route builder site.

You can drive from Carlsbad to Roswell in 1.5 hours. In September, daytime highs in Roswell are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to drive to Tucumcari.

Tucumcari is a city in and the county seat of Quay County, New Mexico, United States. Explore Tucumcari's surroundings by going to Santa Rosa (Blue Hole, Santa Rosa Lake State Park, &more), Clovis (Hillcrest Park Zoo, Norman Petty Studios, &more) and Russell's Truck and Travel Center (in Glenrio). The adventure continues: don't miss a visit to Murals of Tucumcari, get a taste of the local shopping with Mother Road Old Time Photos, stop by Mesalands Community College's Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Laboratory, and pick up a one of a kind souvenir at Tucumcari Trading Post.

For traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Tucumcari day trip planning site.

Drive from Roswell to Tucumcari in 3 hours. In October in Tucumcari, expect temperatures between 29°C during the day and 10°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Taos.

Many residents have shunned fast-paced city living for Taos's laid-back vibe and blend of Spanish, Native American, and Anglo cultures.

Venture out of the city with trips to Land of Enchantment Guides - Fly Fishing Trips (in Velarde), Vietnam Veterans Memorial (in Angel Fire) and Cimarron (Aztec Mill & Philmont Scout Ranch). And it doesn't end there: take in the views from Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, don't miss a visit to Taos Plaza, take in the exciting artwork at Enchanted Circle Pottery, and look for all kinds of wild species at Wild Rivers Recreation Area.

To see maps, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Taos journey planning website.

Getting from Tucumcari to Taos by car takes about 3.5 hours. Traveling from Tucumcari in October, things will get a bit cooler in Taos: highs are around 21°C and lows about 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Nageezi.

Nageezi is a census-designated place in San Juan County, New Mexico, United States. Start off your visit on the 13th (Thu): explore the striking landscape of Chaco Culture National Historical Park. On your second day here, explore the striking landscape at Fajada Butte, explore the ancient world of Pueblo Bonito, and then explore the ancient world of Una Vida.

To find traveler tips, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, refer to the Nageezi visit planner.

Traveling by car from Taos to Nageezi takes 3 hours. Traveling from Taos in October, plan for somewhat warmer nights in Nageezi, with lows around 4°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Jemez Springs.

Jemez Springs is a village in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Jemez Springs: Bandelier National Monument (in Los Alamos), Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (in Cochiti Pueblo) and Abiquiu (Abiquiu Lake, Ghost Ranch, &more). The adventure continues: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Jemez Mountains, take in the natural beauty of Jemez Hot Springs, cruise along Jemez Mountain Trail, and look for all kinds of wild species at Ojito Wilderness.

To find traveler tips, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Jemez Springs road trip website.

You can drive from Nageezi to Jemez Springs in 2 hours. Traveling from Nageezi in October, you will find days in Jemez Springs are slightly colder (20°C), and nights are a bit warmer (8°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Santa Fe.

Santa Fe continuously ranks among the world's top holiday destinations, attracting visitors with its unusual combination of scenic beauty, rich history, cultural diversity, and high concentration of performing arts venues, fine restaurants, and interesting attractions.

Explore Santa Fe's surroundings by going to Chimayo (El Santuario de Chimayo & Santo Nino Chapel), Canyon Trail (in Cochiti Pueblo) and OrigamiintheGarden (in Cerrillos). There's lots more to do: pause for some serene contemplation at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, awaken your taste buds at some of the top wineries in the area, take an in-depth tour of New Mexico History Museum, and steep yourself in history at Santa Fe Plaza.

To see traveler tips, maps, photos, and other tourist information, use the Santa Fe trip site.

You can drive from Jemez Springs to Santa Fe in 2 hours. While traveling from Jemez Springs, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Santa Fe, ranging from highs of 24°C to lows of 5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Sun) early enough to travel back home.