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Weekend Trip Ideas
12
items A different kind of weekend - across New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. Routes that climb, curve and open into places you didn’t expect. Not far away, but far from ordinary.
Sections
3
NM favorite places to do a quick visit
Wildlife Refuges (NM & CO)
National Parks (NM, AZ & CO)
NM favorite places to do a quick visit
Weekend Get Aways
Check out the Petroglyphs, Sandia Mountain and Old Town. While there check out Garcias Kitchen for some great NM food.
Visit Albuquerque | Plan Your Trip & Explore the Southwest
Hatch is an unassuming small NM town with shops (Mexican crafts, NM Hatch Chiles and spices) along with the infamous Sparky’s for green chile hamburgers. 45 minutes from Las Cruces.
Hatch - New Mexico Tourism - Travel & Vacation Guide
Great quick stop for a bite and more importantly PIE! It’s quirky but worth the stop if you are out and about in central NM - perhaps visiting the Very Large Array Center.
Pie Town NM | Ghost Town & Annual Pie Festival
Wonderful day visit (or weekend) that is in the mountains and a way to escape the desert heat of southern NM. 90 +\- miles from Las Cruces and a beautiful drive.
Cloudcroft, New Mexico | Hotels, Forests, Museums & Businesses
An interesting place to walk around. Paved path making it accessible for everyone. Keep in mind - NM is a high desert so accessible doesn’t mean easy. There is a fairly steep grade in/out that again is paved to explore the lava field.
Carrizozo lava flow field - New Mexico Museum of Natural History
The mountains, fun tourist town and eateries! If you want a spot of “gambling” There are two or three in the area with Inn of the Mountain Gods as a favorite due to its location and scenery around (lake, hiking, picnic areas). The hotel, restaurant...
DiscoverRUIDOSO.com | Official Tourism Website for Ruidoso, NM
Wildlife Refuges (NM & CO)
These are perfect 1-3 (or more) hour stops to see wildlife, picnic, some offer fishing and most offer hiking. Take the time, it’s worth it!
Nine National Wildlife Refuges to See in New Mexico | SantaFe.com
Same note as NM, though in CO-different animals in particular. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal in the Denver area features Buffalo as a key sighting. Well worth the visit and drive if you are looking for something “different!”
Colorado National Wildlife Refuges | List + Map
National Parks (NM, AZ & CO)
National Parks - every chance I get. Just watch for the ones that require a timed entry like Rocky Mountain NP. I will add my favorites below and why 😁
NPS.gov Homepage (U.S. National Park Service)
I recently visited and used GuideAlong to step me through the 28 Mile drive. I highly suggest and recommend this stop between Gallup NM and Holbrook AZ along Highway 40. Easy hikes, can go at your own pace and frankly just “cool” to see.
Petrified Forest National Park
Phenomenal place to visit. White “sand” everywhere/ though it’s not really sand. The view of the mountains in the distance is stunning. If you are passing through Las Cruces / the detour is a must. Bring something to slide on and do some dune sl...
White Sands - National Park Service
Timed entry, high altitude, beautiful scenery, animals…. Who could ask for more? Spend time in Estes Park on the east entry side or Grand Lake on the West side. Trail ridge in-between. A winding road that takes you above the tree line. Not open y...
Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service)