NMVD 2026 FINAL New Mexico's best Vacation Guide

2026

travelnewmex.com • summer/fall 2026

New Mexico's Back Roads

Are Calling

page 30

VACATION GUIDE TM

Hidden Parks: New Mexico’s

Best-Kept Secrets

page 27

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad delivers one of New Mexico's most unforgettable mountain adventures. See page 5.

Your Guide to Explore New Mexico!

“Last Light on a Winter Day”

8" x 16" Pastel

“Churro”

20" x 24" Pastel

“Earth”

12" x 24" Pastel

NATASHA ISENHOUR

VENTANA FINE ART

400 Canyon Road • Santa Fe, NM 87501 • 505-983-8815 • 800-746-8815 • www.ventanafineart.com

Close Out – Better Hurry!

New Mexico’s

Best Buy!

If You Snooze You Lose!

Scenic 20 Acre Parcels

Located 1 1 /2 hours

south of Albuquerque

Ranches shown by appointment 7 days a week.

CALL NOW: 877-273-8868

MyNewMexicoRanch.com

*Prices and inventory subject to change. Ben Brooks, New Mexico,Harold Hammack-Broker

www.travelnewmex.com | 2026

3

Five New Mexico Regions Offer Boundless Exploration

Whether you’re seeking a brief change of scenery, a family vacation, or an adventurous getaway, New Mexico’s five

distinct regions offer a bit of everything - natural beauty, rich history, outdoor activities, cultural diversity, and authentic

cuisine. Below is just a sampling of the experiences awaiting staycationers and vacationers alike.

Northwestern New Mexico: Rocks, Roads and Bling

NORTHWEST

FROM the Four Corners

monument (where you can stand

in four states simultaneously), to

the ancient mysteries of Chaco

Canyon, and the 1960’s vibes of

historic Route 66, which celebrates

its 100th anniversary this year,

the northwestern section of New

Mexico takes tourists from prehistoric times to the

“Mad Men” era and beyond depending on your

interests.

Amid 200-million-year-old cliffs outside Gallup is

Red Rock State Park and Museum. It chronicles the

lives and culture of the ancestral Puebloans as well as the

present-day Zuni, Hopi and Navajo through a treasure trove

of artifacts and artwork. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Its website

provides the following driving instructions: If you use a GPS,

enter 825 Outlaw Road. However, once in the park, follow the

left road at the fork, not the right. The 825 Outlaw address is

located inside the campground area, and the museum is on

the other road.

Bluewater 4 www.travelnewmex.com Lake State Park | 2026

Another opportunity to immerse yourself in antiquity is at El

Morro National Monument, (south of Interstate 40, west of

Ramah on NM 53) where fragments of history and ancient

cultures are embedded in the great sandstone promontory.

Over hundreds of years, Spanish and American travelers

rested and carved their signatures, brief messages and

the dates they were there. For operating hours and trail

information, call the visitor center at 505-783-4226, ext. 801,

for the most up-to-date information. Campground sites are

available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Art gallery walks are among the most popular activities in

Farmington. Start at Orchard Park for maps and other helpful

information, then meander to your heart’s content among

artists selling their creations in shops, in the park, and outside

along the art walk route. While walks are offered year-round

virtually through the Farmington Convention Center at

farmingtonnm.org/virtual-art-walk, the seasonal downtown

guided walks from 5-8 p.m. on the first Fridays of April, June

and October are not to be missed if you can make one. For

dates, visit https://farmingtonnm.org/events/art-walk.

A downtown Makers Market also occurs downtown at

Orchard Park from 3-7 p.m. Thursdays from June 4 through

September 24. It features vendors of fresh produce, baked

goods, handmade leather products, and art, as well as live

entertainment.

Venture along historic Route 66 where you can see the motels,

diners, and neon of the era as the "Mother Road" winds its

way west out of Albuquerque toward Gallup. (Check out our

story on the Route 66 anniversary in New Mexico on page 27.)

For railway buffs and those interested in the history of the

Southwest, Gallup’s historic railway depot is worth a photo

op. The Southwest Indian Foundation also operates the Gallup

Cultural Center (https://gallupculturalcenter.org/) inside the

depot, 201 E. Highway 66. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-

Friday, its Storyteller Museum, Master's Gallery, and exhibits

(continued on Page 6)

NORTHWEST

NORTHEAST/

NORTH-CENTRAL

4: Five New Mexico Regions Offer

Boundless Exploration

4: Northwestern New Mexico:

Rocks, Roads and Bling

INDEX

6: Northeastern New Mexico:

A Raucous Past Among Varied Vistas

CENTRAL

9: Southwestern New Mexico:

Frontiers Old and New

SOUTHWEST

SOUTHEAST

12: Vacation 2026: Alamogordo is the Gateway

to White Sands National Park

16: Discover Socorro in 2026

20: Southeastern New Mexico: From Caves

to Casinos and Sand Dunes to Space

9400 Holly Avenue NE

Albuquerque, NM 87122

MAP COLOR INDICATES REGION IN DIRECTORY

PUBLISHER

MATT GANTNER

ADVERTISING

REPRESENTATIVE

SCOTT SIMMONS

GRAPHIC

DESIGNERS

ASHLEY CONNER

DANA BENJAMIN

The New Mexico Vacation Directory is published once a year in

May by Moon Dog Publishing, Albuquerque, N.M. Every effort has

been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented in this

guide. The publisher does not take responsibility for the accuracy or

legitimacy of the advertisers’ messages or that of the guest writers/

columnists or any aspect of the business operation or conduct of the

advertisers in the magazine. For information and advertising rates,

call (505) 350-8695 or (505) 259-7969.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.TRAVELNEWMEX.COM

24: North-Central New Mexico: History,

Art, Culture

26: One Land, Many Stories: New Mexico

Celebrates America's 250th

27: Miles of History: New Mexico State Parks

at the Crossroads of Route 66 and

America 250

30: Take the Scenic Route: Two Northern

New Mexico Drives Worth Every Extra Mile

33: New Mexico is Ready to Party as Route 66

Turns 100

Cover photo courtesy of Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

The Spirit of the

San Juan Mountains

2026 SEASON DATES: MAY 23 – OCTOBER 25

Experience the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the crown jewel of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado

history. As a National Historic Landmark, our authentic steam train journey is a “must-do” for any New Mexico vacation.

Scale the 10,015-foot Cumbres Pass and trace the edge of the 800-foot-deep Toltec Gorge on 64 miles of untouched

1880s narrow-gauge rail. Depart from Antonito, CO (just an hour from Taos) or Chama, NM for the ride of a lifetime.

book now at cumbrestoltec.com 1-888-286-2737

NMVacationDirectory_RIDE_8.25x3.indd 1

America’s most historic scenic railroad

4/9/26 12:46 PM

www.travelnewmex.com | 2026 5

Northwestern New Mexico: Rocks, Roads and Bling

(continued from Page 4)

on the Navajo Code Talkers, Route 66, and Fred Harvey

hotels offer a unique glimpse at the history of the Southwest.

Displays about trains, coal mining, weaving, Native sand

paintings and silversmithing are also included.

A scenic drive off I-40 east of Grants escorts you to the otherworldly

volcanic flows of El Malpais National Monument,

located on exit 85 off I-40 in Grants. Trails and parking areas

outside the Visitor Center are open 24 hours a day, seven

days a week, except for the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook, which

is open from sunrise to sunset. The Visitor Center is open 9

a.m. to 5 p.m. daily but closed major holidays. Stop in for

maps, information, orientation, cave permits, a Western

National Parks Association bookstore, museum exhibits, and

park movies. For more information and updates on operations

and closures, visit https://www.nps.gov/elma/planyourvisit/

conditions.htm.

For a uniquely New Mexico experience in contrast, visit "The

Land of Fire and Ice," featuring an ice cave and the Bandera

Volcano, located right on the Continental Divide. According

to its website, you can walk through the twisted old-growth

Northeastern New Mexico: A Raucous Past Among

Varied Vistas

NORTHEAST

NORTHEASTERN New Mexico's

diverse terrain includes everything

from the state’s highest mountain

to the valleys and clear water

streams of the Pecos River. As

a result, this quadrant of New

Mexico has some of the most

breathtaking scenery to be found.

As expansive as the mesa is the area’s history, which

includes outlaws, Rough Riders, a raucous cow town

and the dwellings of ancient civilizations. Experience

the mystery and intrigue of the historic St. James Hotel

in Cimarron, a tiny community with a storied past that

includes Buffalo Soldiers and train robbers.

Make a stop along the legendary Santa Fe Trail into the oncebustling

cattle town in Las Vegas. It was there that President

Teddy Roosevelt recruited a cavalry regiment to fight in the

Spanish-American War. Called the Rough Riders, the group

was composed of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds,

including cowboys, businessmen, and Native Americans.

The City of Las Vegas Museum and Rough Rider Memorial

Collection tell the stories of Roosevelt’s charge on San Juan

Hill in the war.

Venture to nearby Fort Union and walk through the Territorial

style adobe remnants of the region’s largest 19th-century

military fort. Recognized for its antique shopping opportunities,

Las Vegas also provides a chance to learn the New Mexico

Harvey House story. Entrepreneur Fred Harvey built a series

of iconic hotels and restaurants along the railway routes of

juniper, fir, and Ponderosa pine trees, over the ancient lava

trails, into a dormant volcano, and down into a perpetual

ice cave. Inside, the natural layers of ice glisten blue-green

in the reflected rays of sunlight, illuminating natural arctic

algae. Take a walk around Bandera Volcano, a cinder cone,

and view one of the best examples of volcanic eruption in the

continental United States. Afterward, browse the Ice Caves

Trading Post. The sites are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and

take about an hour total to view at a leisurely pace. Visit

https://www.icecaves.com/ for more details.

Take a break from outdoor exploration at Sky City Casino

Hotel on I-40, east of Grants. Sky City offers 24-hour gaming

with more than 550 of the newest and hottest slot and video

poker machines, Las Vegas-style table games, bingo, and live

entertainment, with accommodation and dining all in one

place.

Trading posts and shops throughout Northwestern New

Mexico offer a variety of new and old Native American arts

and crafts, including painting, pottery, jewelry and carved

fetishes.

the Southwest, attracting tourists to the area from around the

world at the turn of the 20th century.

Nestled among the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains just

six miles from the Colorado border, hospitable Raton offers

fresh air, expansive scenery, a variety of recreational activities,

a vibrant art scene, and regular downtown events.

A dozen miles northeast of Raton, you’ll find camping, fishing

and hiking in Sugarite Canyon.

About 40 miles west of town, enjoy abundant wildlife, luxurious

spa amenities and fine dining amid the ultimate outdoor

adventure on Ted Turner’s 585,000-acre Vermejo Park Ranch.

Finally, don’t miss the National Rifle Association’s largest

shooting range in the country. The NRA Whittington Center,

located southwest of Raton, offers guided hunts, shooting,

camping, firearms training and pistol courses. Call ahead at

800-494-4853 to create your experience.

6


Sugarite Canyon State Park

Experience Over

300 Years of History

El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, “The Ranch of the Swallows,” is the premier

living history museum of the Southwest with 500 acres to explore,

34 historic buildings, and hands-on experiences for all ages.

2026 Festival Dates

Santa Fe Spring Festival

June 13–14

Santa Fe Wine Festival

July 4–5

Santa Fe Beer Festival

August 8–9

Santa Fe Renaissance Faire

September 12–13

Santa Fe Harvest Festival

October 3-4

Spirits of New Mexico

October 23-24

Season begins June 3

Wednesday–Sunday | 9 am–3 pm

Scan or visit golondrinas.org for information about tours,

tickets, and events.

505-471-2261 | GOLONDRINAS.ORG | 334 LOS PINOS ROAD, SANTA FE, NM

Partially funded by the city of Santa Fe Arts Commission and the 1% Lodgers’ Tax,

County of Santa Fe Lodgers’ Tax, and New Mexico Arts.

Southwestern New Mexico: Frontiers, Old and New

SOUTHWEST

STANDING in stark contrast to the

many historical landmarks dating

back hundreds of years throughout

this quadrant of New Mexico is the

commercially licensed Spaceport

America. Built as a hub for future

space travel on 18,000 acres of

desert, the facility is situated along

a path followed centuries ago by other like-minded

souls seeking a new frontier. Visiting and touring the

secure, futuristic facility requires prior authorization

and a minimum 24-hour advance reservation. To

inquire about private tour availability, call (915)

355-9702 or email: cr@finalfrontiertour.com.

Nearby, the tiny agricultural community of Hatch proudly

produces New Mexico’s famous green chile. Name recognition

of New Mexico’s beloved signature crop from Hatch is growing

nationwide. The region is also home to many pecan orchards

as well as vineyards.

In fact, New Mexico is the oldest wine-growing region in

the country – more than 100 years older than California.

Franciscan monks brought vines over from Spain in the

17th century to make sacramental wine during Spanish

colonization.

An ideal place to stop for a glass of award-winning wine or

to pick up a fine vintage to take home is Rio Grande Winery,

City of Rocks State Park

5321 N Highway 28, outside of Las Cruces. The winery

produces nearly 20 wine varietals, including Mission wine

(a variety that dates back about 500 years), pinot grigio,

sauvignon blanc and malbec, on its 23 acres. The sweet oasis

in the desert has for decades provided panoramic views of the

Mesilla Valley. The winery is open daily, but operating hours


There’s more to Roswell, New Mexico than our other worldly reputation. Explore

Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge with unforgettable sunsets. Wander downtown

for one-of-a-kind finds. Or escape to Bottomless Lakes State Park for swimming

and hiking. Experience a galaxy of fun at

down-to-earth prices.

SeeRoswell.com


9

Life is a

Highway!

NEXT STOP: ROUTE 66 CASINO HOTEL

Albuquerque's premier gaming destination never closes. With over 1,000

slots and best variety of table tames, there's always a reason to play.

Experience world-class Live Entertainment at the award-winning Legends

Theater. Catch every play and place every bet in Stadium 66 Sports Bar at

Caesars Sportsbook with over 70 HD screens, live betting windows, and

self-serve kiosks to make every game day unforgettable. Savor hand-cut

steaks at Thunder Road Steakhouse & Cantina or go all-in at Buffet 66.

Then unwind in our modern 154-room hotel or New Mexico's only

10/10/10+ RV Resort.

At Route 66 Casino Hotel, you'll find everything you need for the ultimate

escape just minutes away from downtown Albuquerque.

Get Your Kicks!

Must be 21+ to gamble. 14500 Central Ave. SW • I-40 Exit 140 • RT66Casino.com

ic route. Visit Route 66 Casino Hotel!

space. pet frIendly modern

amenItIes

secure

fun for

everyone

SCAN QR

CODE FOR

MORE DETAILS.

I-40 EXIT 140 | ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87121 | 505-352-8000

Vacation 2026: Alamogordo is the Gateway to White Sands

National Park

WHEN you are looking for a new territory to explore, set

your sights on Alamogordo, the small enclave in the southern

central region of New Mexico that deserves a second look.

Whether attending the annual Balloon Launch at White Sands

National Park or chasing waterfalls in the Lincoln National

Forest, this unique city at the foothills of the Sacramento

Mountains places you right on the doorstep of nature’s

playground.

Did you know White Sands National Park can be seen from

outer space? The good thing is that you’re only 13 miles away

from this iconic national park when you're in Alamogordo.

Love photography? From Alamogordo, a city nestled at the

foothills of the Sacramento Mountains, it’s easy to capture

your trophy shots of this gypsum wonderland. Head northeast

on Highway 82 from Alamogordo, and you can be in the

Lincoln National Forest at 9,000 feet elevation in 20 minutes.

Abundant wildlife lives among the majestic aspens and the

numerous trails. Birds-eye views of the breathtaking Tularosa

Basin will captivate you and your camera.

While in Alamogordo, learn and play at the oldest zoo in the

Southwest, the Alameda Park Zoo, where over 200 animals

await your arrival. Catch a glimpse of the newest colorful

residents, the mandrill monkeys. Learn all about how these

brilliant primates communicate through their colorful fur! The

historical zoo features over 12 acres of shady, grassy areas,

a duck pond, a walk-through aviary, playground space, and

picnic tables.

Love sports? How about golf at the Desert Lakes Golf

Course? Friendly, affordable, and challenging year-round golf

amenities at Alamogordo’s fairways await. Or try your hand

at archery with both indoor and outdoor ranges in the area.

They are perfect for beginners and seasoned archers.

12

Alameda Park Zoo


World’s Largest Pistachio

Ready to learn more about the birthplace of space history

and exploration? The New Mexico Museum of Space

History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum, is right

here in Alamogordo, offering spectacular views from high

in the northeast part of the city. Dress up as an astronaut

on the moon and pilot a space shuttle. Afterward, view an

unforgettable show at the New Horizons giant screen dome

theater and planetarium adjacent to the museum.

Alamogordo boasts a region ripe for growing fruits and nuts.

Pistachios, pecans, and grapes flourish here. Orchards of

lavender, apricot, peach, apple, cherry, and pomegranate

thrive in the high desert. Tour the nearby pistachio farms and

vineyards and pick-your-own fruit during harvest season in La

Luz, Tularosa, and High Rolls. Foraging foodie tours with a

stop at the local community garden are great ways to enjoy

agriculture near the newly revitalized downtown Main Street

area. Don’t miss the two Farmer’s Markets in town. And, be

sure to indulge in some local pistachio ice cream or awardwinning

wine while you’re here.

Alamogordo’s Mainstreet area highlights more of the town's

treasures. The Tularosa Basin Museum of History, Otero Arts,

the Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts, the Toy Train

Depot, and the delightful murals are all enlightening, budgetfriendly

stops. Craving a little paranormal activity? A historic

tour in the Downtown area will fulfill all your ghostly desires.

It may be difficult to decide where to dine out in Alamogordo,

and the local eateries are packed for good reason. Whether

you crave a sit-down full-service meal, an al fresco bite from

a food truck, or a craft brew, Alamogordo has you covered

for hearty, satisfying local eating and drinking. Live music is

often included.

Even one of Alamogordo's grocery markets has enough

food and activity for a day. See a working tortilleria; enjoy

a locals bar with 20+ brews on tap; delight in a coffee shop,

grill, a deli, or sushi stall; and enjoy live music all in one spot.

VisitAlamogordo.com

Never over it.

VisitAlamogordo.com

NM MUSEUM OF SPACE HISTORY

NEXT STOP

SPACE!

Celebrate Our

50th Anniversary!

Visit the Museum & Join Us for:

• Science Saturdays

• Rocketeer Academy

• Sleepovers in Space

• Homeschool Groups

• Field Trips... and

so much more!

3198 State Route 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310

NMSpaceMuseum.org

HOURS: SUNDAY Noon–5pm

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY to SATURDAY

10am–5pm | Closed on TUESDAYS

Follow us on &

@NMSpaceMuseum

Southwestern New Mexico: Frontiers, Old and New


vary. Visit https://www.riograndewinery.com or call (575)

201-3744 for more information.

Once a railroad hub, Las Cruces is home to New Mexico State

University and serves as a center for agriculture, science, and

technology research. A jaunt to the southwest part of Las

Cruces and you’ll find yourself in the quaint village of Old

Mesilla with its distinctive central plaza and shopping venues.

Head west toward New Mexico’s bootheel and enjoy the rustic

ambiance of Deming, Lordsburg, and border-town Columbus.

Check local listings in these areas for reenactments of life on

the frontier.

Civil war history, mining, prospectors, and the Wild West are

all part of the texture of Silver City, located just three miles

east of the Continental Divide. No trip to this area is complete

without a visit to Catwalk National Recreation Area, five miles

off the highway from the village of Glenwood. Suspended

dramatically along a beautiful canyon and over a cool creek

that borders the Gila Wilderness, the catwalk is a half-mile

bridge that is universally accessible for all visitors.

In the Mimbres Valley, volcanic ash shaped by wind 35 million

years ago created the geologic formations that comprise City

of Rocks State Park, halfway between Silver City and Deming.

Fort Bayard offers a glimpse at Civil War Life. The spectacular

Gila Cliff Dwellings, Gila National Monument, and Gila

Wilderness are an indescribable must-see. Travelers will

Rockhound State Park

enhance their experience by making time to drive the Trail of

Mountain Spirits, a 93-mile National Scenic Byway that winds

around the southwest corner of New Mexico and past ancient

cliff dwellings.


15

Discover Socorro in 2026

NESTLED in the heart of New Mexico, Socorro is a charming

town rich in history, natural beauty, and vibrant community

spirit. Its name, meaning "help" in Spanish, dates back to

1598, when the Piro Indians aided Spanish settlers led by

Juan de Oñate as they emerged from the arid Jornada del

Muerto. Today, Socorro remains a welcoming destination

known for its scenic landscapes, outdoor adventures, and

world-class research institutions like the New Mexico Institute

of Mining and Technology (NM Tech) and the National Radio

Astronomy Observatory (NRAO).

Visitors can explore Socorro’s breathtaking outdoors, from

the rugged beauty of Box Canyon and San Lorenzo Canyon,

to the serene trails of Water Canyon and the Magdalena

Mountains. The iconic 'M' on the mountain west of town

signals that you’ve arrived at a place where history and

adventure intertwine. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast,

history buff, or festival-goer, Socorro offers something for

everyone.

Come experience Socorro’s small-town charm, rich heritage,

and exciting events. Stay in one of the cozy hotels, charming

B&Bs, or RV parks, and immerse yourself in the warmth and

hospitality that make this town a true hidden gem. Plan your

visit today at socorronm.org.

ANNUAL EVENTS

ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

JULY 4th

SOCORRO RODEO & SPORTS COMPLEX

SOCORRO CHILE HARVEST TRIATHLON

AUGUST

CITY OF SOCORRO & NEW MEXICO TECH

SOCORRO COUNTY FAIR & PRCA RODEO

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

SOCORRO COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS &


SOCORROFEST

OCTOBER

SOCORRO’S HISTORIC PLAZA

THE GREAT NM CHILE TASTE-OFF

OCTOBER


49ERS ALUMNI CELEBRATION

OCTOBER

NEW MEXICO TECH

TRINITY SITE OPEN HOUSE

OCTOBER

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE

FESTIVAL OF THE CRANES

DECEMBER

BOSQUE DEL APACHE WILDLIFE REFUGE

HOLIDAY ELECTRIC LIGHT PARADE

ART & MUSIC STROLL

LUMINARIAS ON THE PLAZA &

SFD MATANZA

DECEMBER

SOCORRO'S HISTORIC PLAZA

S O C O R R O N M . O R G

V I S I T S O C O R R O

V I S I T S O C O R R O N M

Visit Socorro


16


This is

winning.

This is God's country.

Throughout the year, winning comes in

many forms here. Taking on the fairways.

Hitting the slopes. Exploring the lake.

Or simply admiring an epic sunset

from the comfort of your own

deck. However you define

winning, find it here.

INNOFTHEMOUNTAINGODS.COM | MESCALERO, NM

SKIAPACHE.COM | ALTO, NM

Clockwise from top left: Ladder leading

into Coronado Historic Site’s painted kiva,

photograph by Eric Moldonado. Jar, Acoma

Pueblo or Laguna Pueblo, ca. 1910, gift of Juan Olivas,

MIAC 12024/12, photograph by Addison Doty. Navajo

woman taking photograph, New Mexico, ca. 1945,

courtesy of Palace of the Governors Photo Archives

(NMHM/DCA), neg. no. HP.2007.20.707. River House

at Los Luceros Historic Site, photograph by Gene

Peach. Image courtesy of Baila! Baila! Dance Academy

and Lozoya Studios. Jaguar mask, ca. 1960, Mexico,

gift of the Girard Foundation Collection (A.1979.17.768),

Museum of International Folk Art. An astronaut on the John

P. Stapp Air and Space Park, courtesy of New Mexico Museum

of Space History.

.

new mexico museum

of space history

Alamogordo • 575-437-2840

nmspacemuseum.org

new mexico museum of

natural history & science

Albuquerque • 505-841-2800

nmnaturalhistory.org

national hispanic

cultural center

Albuquerque • 505-246-2261

nhccnm.org

new mexico farm & ranch

heritage museum

Las Cruces • 575-522-4100

nmfarmandranchmuseum.org

museum of indian arts

and culture

Santa Fe • 505-476-1269

indianartsandculture.org

museum of

international folk art

Santa Fe • 505-476-1204

internationalfolkart.org

new mexico history museum

Santa Fe • 505-476-5200

nmhistorymuseum.org

new mexico museum of art

Santa Fe • 505-476-5063

nmartmuseum.org

new mexico historic sites

Statewide • 505-476-1130

nmhistoricsites.org

18


Explore DCA Museums and Historic Sites

One Pass to See It All

New Mexico CulturePass is

your passport to 16 museums

and historic sites. Available online at:

nmculture.org/visit/culturepass


19

Southeastern New Mexico: From Caves to Casinos and

Sand Dunes to Space

SOUTHEAST

FOR those interested in outdoor

adventures at national parks,

exploring the possibility of UFOs,

learning about the Space Age,

or even about atomic warfare, a

trip to Southeastern New Mexico

promises all of that and much

more.

Especially since release of the Academy-award winning

movie Oppenheimer in 2023, interest in the Atomic

Age has increased. Anyone wanting to step back

to that period of our nation’s history should start in

Alamogordo. The town is famous for its connection with

the first atomic bomb test explosion, conducted at the Trinity

Site in 1945. Guided tours of the site are offered through the

International Space Hall of Fame Foundation in support of the

New Mexico Space Museum, also in Alamogordo. For details

on Trinity Site tours, visit https://www.spacehalloffame.org/

trinity-site-tour-reservation/. The next tour date is set for Oct.

17, but reservations are being taken now.

Be sure to also make time for the Space Museum, which has

exhibits on rockets, what it’s like to live and work in space,

and the significant role that space science in New Mexico has

played in America’s Space Program. It’s closed on Tuesdays.

Visit https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/ for information.

Hearing Loss & Tinnitus are neurological

conditions that impact your risk of declining

brain health.

Bottomless Lakes State Park

Alamogordo’s pioneering history is celebrated at the Toy

Train Depot, a museum dedicated to restoration, acquisition,

display, and interpretation of railroads of all scales and

gauges, including full-scale train items. There’s a little

something for everyone - young, old, history buffs, train

enthusiasts, Southwest adventurers, and souvenir seekers.

Visit https://toytraindepot.org/ or call (575) 437-2855 for the

most recent information. Operating hours are normally 11

a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Before heading out of the area, take a nutty photo at the

World's Largest Pistachio, 7320 US HWY 54 70. The 30-foot

structure, built in 2007, stands outside PistachioLand, where

nuts and pistachio bobbleheads can be purchased.


505-300-2932

Albuquerque: 10200 Corrales Rd. Suite C2

(Las Tiendas Center next-door to Little Anita's restaurant)

Santa Fe: 150 Washington Ave. Suite 201

(In the Regus Business Center)

“Before treatment, conversations were

exhausting and I worried about my

memory. After starting treatment, my

Tinnitus has diminished, I hear clearly

again, my confidence is back, and I

feel connected to life again.”

20


YOUR PASS TO

summer adventures!

Summer fun starts here!

Go to ExploreRaton.com/Explore or

scan the QR code to start planning

your unforgettable summer!


21

Farmers’ Market - Cafe - Gift Shop

Open Year-Round!

For Market Days, Hours, and Info:

SantaFeFarmersMarket.com

1607 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501

CK Arimes

Bodid

Artful Artisan

Imogene Arquero

Fine Arts - Crafts - Home Goods - Jewelry - and More!

Every Sunday 10am - 3pm

Owned and

operated by

For More Information:

SantaFeFarmersMarket.com

22


1607 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Southeastern New Mexico: From Caves to Casinos and Sand

Dunes to Space


Less than an hour from Alamogordo, walk through dunes of

glistening gypsum sand, and experience the unforgettable

beauty of White Sands National Monument. This is where

the first settlers came more than 10,000 years ago and the

U.S. military conducted research during World War II. The

Visitor Center and gift shop are open daily at 9 a.m. The park,

including the Dunes Area, hiking trails, and picnic areas open

7 a.m. to sunset throughout the year. Visit https://www.nps.

gov/whsa/planyourvisit/hours.htm for details.

The White Sands Missile Range Museum provides history of

the region and the Trinity Site, where scientists tested the first

atomic bomb in 1945. Due to missile testing on the adjacent

White Sands Missile Range, it is occasionally necessary for

visitor safety to close the road into the park for several hours.

U.S. Highway 70 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces is

also closed during times of missile testing. Visitors on a tight

schedule are encouraged to check the park closure web page,

https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/park-closures.htm,

on the day before arrival to confirm hours of operation. You

may also call (575) 678-2250 or visit https://wsmrmuseum.

com/ for updates.

A short drive away is Artesia, where downtown you can

experience art and culture on the street. A series of bronze

statues are positioned within the downtown district on

Artesia’s History in Bronze and Downtown Walking Tour. It

begins at the Artesia Chamber of Commerce and Visitors

Center in the historic train depot and stops at the impressive

Artesia Public Library, home to a 46-foot Peter Hurd mural.

The artwork was rescued from a downtown Houston building

slated for demolition. Call (575) 746-2744 for more details.

The diverse and dramatic geology in this region features

flat expanses of seemingly endless prairie connecting to the

foothills of the Sacramento Mountains, in which the villages of

Cloudcroft and Ruidoso nestle.

Cloudcroft, meaning “a pasture for the clouds,” is the highest

town in the state at 8,676 feet in elevation. Its location makes it

an ideal mountain town to visit year-round. Summers are mild,

offering the perfect weather for golfing, hiking and fishing.

In the winter, the village transforms into a snowy paradise,

providing ample opportunity for skiing, snowboarding, ice

skating and snow tubing.

For those seeking a more leisurely pace, charming shops

and dining options are walkable. The Burro Street Exchange,

for example, carries unique local crafts, and Mad Jack’s

Mountaintop Barbeque has earned a following for its slowcooked

dishes. For anyone planning to stay overnight, The

Lodge at Cloudcroft Resort is one of New Mexico’s most

renowned hotels. Built in 1899 and rumored to house a few

ghosts, it now has modern amenities that include a spa. The

newest addition to Cloudcroft’s lodging options is the 50-

room Grand Cloudcroft Hotel, which opened in fall of 2023.

Cloudcroft also has a full calendar of festivals and events,

including a beerfest June 13-14, an art and wine event Aug.

7-9 a Christmas in July event July 11-12 and a Christmas

Market from Nov. 27-28. For details and a full schedule, visit

https://www.coolcloudcroft.com/events.

Head over to Ruidoso for gambling, including the luxury and

amenities of the Inn of The Mountain Gods, and Billy the Kid

Casino and Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

To the south is Carlsbad, where Carlsbad Caverns National

Park invites visitors to trek beneath the earth’s surface to see

dozens of limestone caves. Bats that sleep in them by day

fill the evening sky as they head out in a cloud of black to

hunt insects. Reservations must be purchased online or by

calling (877) 444-6777. Reservations only secure an entry

time; entrance tickets must still be purchased upon arrival at

the visitor center. For more information, visit https://www.nps.

gov/cave/planyourvisit/index.htm.

In Lincoln County, see the courthouse where notorious outlaw

Billy the Kid shot his way out of jail. New Mexico’s most

visited historic site, Lincoln offers an immersive experience

hearkening back to a violent period in the state’s history, the

Lincoln County Wars.

A short drive away from Lincoln is Fort Stanton, established to

protect settlements along the Rio Bonito in the Apache Wars.

Built in 1855 as a U.S. military fort, this is the largest of New

Mexico’s state historic sites. Kit Carson, Billy the Kid, and

Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th Cavalry all lived at Fort Stanton.

Confederate forces occupied the outpost in the beginning of

the American Civil War, and later it served as America's first

federal tuberculosis sanatorium.

If possible, be sure to visit the International UFO Museum

and Research Center in Roswell – even if you’ve been before.

The museum underwent an extensive remodel and expansion

about three years ago. It is open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily, except

major holidays, with an admission fee of $4 to $7 depending

on age and military status.

Nearby, take a spin to Bottomless Lakes State Park. It lies 14

miles southeast of Roswell, where sinkholes range to 90 feet

deep. The park’s recreation area is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

There are hiking trails and during the summer, paddleboards

and pedal boats can be rented from the park! Check the

website for closures and construction updates: https://www.

emnrd.nm.gov/spd/find-a-park/bottomless-lakes-state-park/.

Brantley Lake State Park


23

North-Central New Mexico: History, Art, Culture

NORTH-CENTRAL

THE largest city in the state, the

oldest state capital in the country,

world-class art, and an authentic

railroad town can all be found

in New Mexico’s North-Central

quadrant cities of Albuquerque,

Santa Fe, Taos, and neighboring

towns.

Here, majestic mountains rise abruptly from great

expanses of plains, falling off to wooded river valleys.

This diverse terrain provides a wealth of outdoor

activities, including hiking, skiing, cycling and

mountain biking. Just as varied are the surrounding

communities, which comprise a mix of small-town

charm, bucolic serenity, and a sleepy mountain-ringed

village.

Make some time to experience the rich history and

culture of Belen, founded in 1740 and interwoven with

Spanish, German, and other cultures. The community boasts

an original Harvey House and offers a glimpse at what this

historic railroad town looked like in the early 1900s. There are

also plenty of shopping opportunities.

Birders, golfers, art lovers, historians, and campers will find

plenty of entertainment in Socorro. Check out the city’s

website, https://socorronm.org/, for a full list of activities

available in the area, including walking tours, dirt biking,

shopping and dining.

If you like games of chance, then try your luck at Route 66

Casino on Interstate 25, west of Albuquerque. The casino floor

features more than 1,000 slots, 15 Vegas-style table games,

a popular bingo hall, as well as full hotel accommodations,

food, and regular entertainment options.

The rich history of Los Lunas can be discovered with a stop

at its Visitors Center, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through

Friday. While there, look at the rich history of Los Lunas

through a photo display inside the building.

Don’t miss Albuquerque’s Historic Old Town Plaza, the

humble roots from which Albuquerque grew. Old Town offers

an impressive selection of New Mexico cuisine and the work

of local artisans in an area that surrounds historic San Felipe

de Neri Church. Nearby are the City’s BioPark, which is home

to Albuquerque’s aquarium, zoo, and botanic gardens, as

well as several museums, including the Albuquerque Museum

and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History. The plaza

also offers a therapeutic ambiance if you just want to sit and

watch the world go by.

Sixty miles north of Albuquerque on I-25, historic Santa Fe

has world-class art galleries, museums, and restaurants. It

is also the seat of state government. Explore the fascinating

history of the Palace of the Governors on historic Santa Fe

Plaza amid the city’s signature Pueblo Revival architecture.

Savor local cuisine at myriad restaurants, or grab a bite from

a food cart's tasty hand-held faire on the plaza.

Not to be missed is the original Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, which

calls itself a “cosmic adventure of explorable art” and “an

immersive art experience.” Tour its House of Eternal Return

to encounter strange beings, visit spectacular dreamworlds,

24 www.travelnewmex.com | 2026

Villanueva State Park

and discover uncharted realms. For details and tickets, visit

https://meowwolf.com/visit/santa-fe.

Step back in time just south of town at El Rancho de las

Golondrinas. The Southwest’s premier living history museum,

whose name means The Ranch of the Swallows, is dedicated

to the history, heritage, and culture of 18th- and 19th-century

New Mexico. Located at 334 Los Pinos Road, this historic site

was an important paraje, or stopping place, along the famous

Camino Real, the Royal Road from Mexico City to Santa Fe.

Daily tours from 10 a.m.-noon are available and free with

admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Private guided

tours are available by reservation April-October. The museum

is closed November through March. Call 505.471.2261, ext.

101, for more information, or visit https://golondrinas.org/.

North of Santa Fe in the town of Española, take a spin by

the Santa Claran Hotel and Casino; the Puye Cliff Dwellings,

which give visitors an immersive experience into the lives

of the ancients; and the Black Mesa Golf Course, a great

challenge to duffers.

Known as a world-class ski area for decades, Taos Ski Valley

has gained renewed attention since a $300 million Europeanstyle

redevelopment gave it a facelift that includes a hotel,

a spacious children’s center and other added amenities that

can be enjoyed year-round. Skiers and non-skiers alike benefit

from Taos' clean air and magnificent views, rich spiritual

traditions, creative inspiration, abundant outdoor recreation

and shopping.

For additional winter sports options, check out Angel Fire

Resort, which offers a memorable Rocky Mountain experience

for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Located 8,600 feet

above sea level, the resort has views of Wheeler Peak, the

highest point in New Mexico.

Eight miles south of the Colorado border, the small town

of Chama boasts elk habitats, clean rivers, hunting, fishing,

rafting, hiking and camping, as well as a must-see night view

of the Milky Way. Serious hikers can pick up the Continental

Divide Trail not far from town. Chama’s train depot is the

western terminus of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

The train is scheduled to operate a regular season May

23-October 25. Visit https://cumbrestoltec.com/ for tickets

and updates. It’s a good idea to book in advance.

Chama also hosts an annual Fourth of July fireworks display,

and in the fall, the area around Chama is one of the best

places in the state to see brilliant foliage.

Explore the original pre-1937 alignment of Route 66

LLOSSS LLUUUNASSS MMUUUSSSEUUUMM

LLOOSSSS LLUUUNAAASSSS MMUUUSSSSEEEUUUMM

Los Lunas was located on Route 66 from 1926 - 1937.

Check out and participate in our themed exhibits and

shows this year!

OF HEERRITTAAGEE & AARRTTS

OOF HEEERRITTAAAGEEE & AAARRTTSSSS

March 21 - May 9: Our Roots Are On the Route - Student Art Show

May 16 - July 11: Route 66 Through Los Lunas - History Exhibit

July 18 - Sept. 5: Straw Aplique Art Exhibit by Jordan Aguilar

November 2026: Our Roots Are On the Route - Adult Art Show

Submissions due October 2026, open to all art mediums.

Frreeeeeeee Admiiissssiiionn | *eeeenn /eeeessda3 - SSatt/rrda3 100 AM - 5555 M

35555222-777722200 | 22255551 Maiiinn SSttrreeeeeeeett SSE | 111Noss/nnassMN!o0SM/sseeee/m

(5555005555)

Call or check our website for tours and other offerings

E.J. Maestas operated a Gulf

Station on Historic Route 66 in Los

Lunas just west of the railroad

tracks (the current location of Blake’s

Lotaburger). He always had a pot of hot coffee

for travelers and locals who stopped in.

Photo courtesy of Nancy Maestas-Montoya, Museum Collection

One Land, Many Stories: New Mexico Celebrates America's 250th

WHEN the Declaration of Independence was signed in

Philadelphia in 1776, the land we now call New Mexico was

a remote province of the Spanish Empire, centuries removed

from statehood. That complicated, layered history is exactly

why this year's national milestone feels so distinctly New

Mexican and why the celebrations here promise to be unlike

anything happening anywhere else in the country.

As part of America250 — the bipartisan initiative spearheaded

by the congressionally-appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial

Commission — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

signed Senate Bill 106 in 2024, establishing the state's own

Semiquincentennial Commission to plan commemorative

activities leading up to July 4, 2026. The result is NM 1776,

a statewide program that doesn't simply echo the national

festivities but reframes them entirely. Visit https://www.

newmexicospirit.nm.gov/.

The initiative's theme, "One Land, Many Stories," is designed to

be inclusive, acknowledging the many communities — Native

and Puebloan, Spanish, Mexican, and later Anglo — whose

experiences of independence have never been monolithic.

"Our vision for NM 1776 is to bring context and color to the

founding of the United States by putting it in conversation

with New Mexico at the same historic moment in time," said

Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico

Department of Cultural Affairs, in a news release issued at

the initiative’s launch in July 2025.


IT'S LIFE CHANGING

Finally! A local practitioner is helping cancer

survivors live their lives free from the constant pain

and suffering associated with Peripheral Neuropathy!

Irreversible is not a word you want to hear

from your Doctor but it's a common one if

you've been diagnosed with Chemotherapy-

Induced Peripheral Neuropathy or CIPN.

Elliott S. of Los Lunas survived testicular

cancer only to be living life with constant

pain. He felt as though he was walking on

pins and needles, becoming weaker and

weaker every day. "I was beginning to be

worried that one day I would be wheelchairbound"

Nearly half of patients who undergo

chemotherapy will develop

Chemotherapy-Induced

Peripheral Neuropathy or CIPN.

Chemotherapy meds travel throughout the

body and attack cancer cells; sadly they can

also cause severe damage to healthy nerves.

CIPN can begin within weeks of starting

treatment and can worsen as treatment

continues. Many people will endure the

symptoms associated with CIPN for months,

even years after they've completed chemo.

When asked how CIPN was affecting his

quality of life, he responded, "It was difficult

to even walk up and down stairs and do

other things we usually take for granted."

The most common symptoms include:

pain, tingling, burning, weakness, or

numbness in arms, hands, legs or feet

sudden, sharp stabbing or shocking

pain sensations

loss of touch sensation

clumsiness and trouble using hands to

pick up objects or fasten clothing

loss of balance and falling

For some, their nerves will recover over time.

For most, the nerve damage is 'irreversible.'

Which is what Elliott had been told by a series

of Doctors and specialists. Essentially, they

could cure his cancer but couldn't fix the

damage done by the drugs used to cure his

cancer.

Elliott then made a call to Doctor Andrea

Brogdon of AAIM | Albuquerque Acupuncture

& Integrative Medicine, right here in

Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Andrea Brogdon is

using the time-tested science of Acupuncture

and technology originally developed by

NASA that assists in increasing blood flow

and expediting recovery and healing to treat

this debilitation disease.

After a series of treatments, Elliott was taking

stairs with stride!

Visit AAIM-ABQ.com to learn more

and to take advantage of the New Patient Offer!

"We have a house and it has stairs. This

morning I walked right down the stairs and

got in the car," Elliott shared.

"I remember thinking, 'that's becoming

mighty easy for me', I didn't have to hold on

to the handrail or anything! It's lifechanging

to have this mobility back!"

Again and again, we meet with patients who

were once diagnosed as "untreatable" or

"incurable" but after receiving Doctor

Brogdon's treatments they are now living

lives free from pain and suffering. For many

years she has been reversing the effects of

CIPN and other varieties of Peripheral

Neuropathy, including that caused by

diabetes without invasive surgeries and

medications that come with uncomfortable

side effects.

If you've recently beat cancer only to find that

you're living a life in constant pain and

discomfort or you're struggling with the same

symptoms as a result of either Idiopathic

Neuropathy or Diabetic Peripheral

Neuropathy, Doctor Andrea Brogdon and the

incredible team at AAIM can help!

Doctor Brogdon is now accepting new

patients but only for a limited time. In an effort

to protect her patients, both current and

future, she has made the difficult decision to

limit the number of patients seen in her clinic.

Call (505)355-1984 now to schedule a

consultation.

Miles of History: New Mexico State Parks at the Crossroads

of Route 66 and America 250

IN a state blessed with two of America's most-visited national

parks, a vibrant arts scene, and centuries of layered cultural

history, it might be easy to overlook the quieter backbone of

New Mexico's tourism industry: its 35 state parks scattered

from the volcanic grasslands of the northeast to the sunbaked

banks of the Rio Grande.

The New Mexico State Parks Division manages these lands

with a mission to protect and enhance natural and cultural

resources, provide first-class recreational and educational

facilities, and promote public safety to benefit and enrich

the lives of both locals and visitors. They are essentially

“gateway parks” — the places families stop between national

monuments, the campgrounds where road-trippers make

their base, and the day-use destinations that turn a quick

drive-through into a two-night stay.

“State parks allow you to pull off the highway and discover

something completely new,” said Diego Muñoz, marketing

and public relations manager for the New Mexico Energy,

Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)-NM

State Parks Division. “It could be about the park, or nothing

related to it at all, but you’ll take it away with you forever.”

In 2026, a year doubling as both the centennial of Route 66

and the nation's 250th birthday, New Mexico’s parks sit at the

crossroads of two of the most consequential tourism moments

in recent American history.

Route 66 at 100: State Parks in the Mother Road Moment

This year is by almost any measure the biggest for New Mexico

tourism promotion in recent memory — and Route 66 is the

engine. The New Mexico Tourism Department has described

2026 as one of the most important milestones for the state

in recent memory, noting that New Mexico holds one of the

longest stretches of Route 66, along with one of the richest

histories.

State parks near the Mother Road are natural beneficiaries of

this centennial surge.

Santa Rosa Lake State Park, just north of Santa Rosa, sits

minutes from the Blue Hole — a spring-fed, 62-degree diving

hole directly on the old Route 66 alignment that has drawn

travelers since cowboys on cattle drives stopped to cool off

in the desert heat. The circular, bell-shaped pool is located

along Route 66, east of Santa Rosa. It is considered one of

the most popular destinations in the country for scuba diving

and training. Santa Rosa is billing itself as a centennial

hub, with events planned throughout 2026. Visit https://

visitsantarosanm.com/route-66-centennial/#

Tucumcari — with its neon-splashed motel signs and deep

Route 66 lore — is one of the Mother Road’s most beloved

stops in New Mexico. Conchas Lake State Park sits about 32

miles northwest of the town, making it a natural base camp or

day-trip detour for Route 66 travelers. One of New Mexico’s

largest lakes, Conchas was created by a dam completed in

1939 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The New Deal–

era project, with its Spanish/Pueblo Revival architecture, is

listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ancient

petroglyphs and marine fossils mark the canyon walls, while

the lake draws boaters, anglers, and swimmers to its coves

and beaches.

Further west along the Route 66 corridor, near Grants,

Bluewater Lake State Park offers another unexpected

oasis. Set at 7,400 feet in the piñon-juniper foothills of the

Zuni Mountains, just seven miles off I-40 — itself built over

the old Route 66 alignment — the park surrounds a serene

reservoir formed by a 1920s concrete arch dam. A forest

of cottonwoods, piñon, and juniper lines the shore, and the

canyon below the dam opens into a succession of clear pools

and wildflower-rimmed walls of layered limestone.

Broader state infrastructure is in motion as well. In 2025, the

New Mexico Tourism Department instituted a specialized

grant program to support communities and tourism-related

entities along New Mexico's stretch of Route 66 with marketing

campaigns, infrastructure projects, and special events — all

in preparation for the 2026 Centennial. Visit https://www.

nmmainstreet.org/route66/.

America at 250: State Parks as Living History

Bluewater Lake State Park

Layered atop the Route 66 centennial is the nation's 250th

birthday on July 4. Parks throughout New Mexico’s state park

system hold petroglyphs, ruins, and landscapes that speak

to human presence in this land stretching back thousands of

years before 1776, uniquely positioning us to tell part of our

country’s story.

The National Park Service has partnered with America250 to

commemorate the nation's anniversary at parks across the

country, connecting Americans with their heritage during this

milestone year (https://america250.org/news/national-parkservice-kicks-off-6-year-america-250-celebration/).

New Mexico's state parks amplify that mission at the local

level, providing accessible, affordable entry points for families

who may not make it to Philadelphia or Washington, D.C., but

can drive an hour from Albuquerque or Santa Fe or Las Cruces

to stand on ancient ground and feel the weight of deep time.

For example, the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner

State Monument preserves one of the most painful chapters

in our nation’s history. In the America 250 moment, the

memorial stands as a necessary counterweight to celebration.

Between 1863 and 1868, the U.S. Army forcibly relocated an



Miles of History: New Mexico State Parks at the Crossroads

of Route 66 and America 250


estimated 9,500 Diné (Navajo) and 500 N’dé (Mescalero

Apache) people from their traditional homelands to a

reservation along the Pecos River. The march, stretching more

than 400 miles, became known as the Long Walk. Thousands

died during the journey or from the brutal conditions at the

camp — disease, starvation, contaminated water, and bitterly

cold winters with no firewood.

It was not until 1868, when U.S. Army generals arrived and

were appalled at what they found, that a treaty was negotiated

allowing the Diné survivors to return home. That treaty also

formally recognized the Navajo as a sovereign nation.

Designed by Navajo architect David Sloan, the memorial was

fashioned in the shape of a hogan and a teepee. It opened

in 2005, and has since worked in close collaboration with

Diné and N’dé community members to ensure their voices

shape how the story is told. As the United States marks 250

years, Bosque Redondo offers something essential: a place to

reckon honestly with the full arc of American history, not only

its triumphs.

Then there’s Clayton Lake in the remote northeastern corner

of the state. It once lay along the Cimarron Cutoff of the

Santa Fe Trail — one of the arteries of 19th-century American

expansion. Clayton Lake State Park draws paleontology

enthusiasts, amateur astronomers, and families who find in

this remote corner of the high plains something genuinely rare:

a place where the ancient past and the night sky intersect.

Visitors can walk a short trail to a spillway and stand faceto-face

with more than 500 dinosaur tracks pressed into

Cretaceous-era rock. The park features a fossil trackway

considered one of the most extensive dinosaur trackways in

North America.

Designated as New Mexico's first dark sky park in 2010, and

holding a Gold-level certification from the International Dark

Sky Association, the park also offers minimal light pollution

and houses the Lake Observatory, equipped with a 14-inch

Meade telescope for public stargazing, according to the State

Parks Division.

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, tucked at the base of the

Sacramento Mountains just south of Alamogordo, is the kind

of place Muñoz calls a hidden treasure — “the payoff for

anyone willing to follow the brown signs off the highway.”

Indeed, Oliver Lee is easy to overlook on a map but impossible

to forget in person. Set against the dramatic west-facing

escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains, the 640-acre park

surrounds Dog Canyon, where a perennial stream — a genuine

rarity in the Chihuahuan Desert — feeds year-round springs

and creates a lush riparian corridor of cottonwoods and ferns.

Visitors expecting stark desert arrive to find something closer

to a mountain oasis: a place where the landscape shifts almost

without warning from scrub and cactus to mossy canyon walls

draped in unexpected green.

The park’s history runs as deep as its geology. Dog Canyon

served as an Apache stronghold for centuries, its permanent

water drawing people to the area long before the arrival of

28 www.travelnewmex.com | 2026

Anglo settlers. The canyon and cliff faces record nearly 570

million years of geologic time, offering visitors a literal crosssection

of history.

By the late 19th century, the site had a new kind of settler:

Oliver Milton Lee, a rancher and New Mexico state legislator

who arrived in 1893, and built an extensive ranch headquarters

at the canyon’s mouth. Lee’s influence shaped the region. He

developed water infrastructure for the dry Tularosa Basin

and helped bring the railroad to Alamogordo in 1898. His

authentically restored ranch house remains open for guided

tours today.

That convergence of water, wildlife, Indigenous history,

frontier-era ranching, and jaw-dropping scenery is precisely

what Muñoz has in mind when he speaks about what New

Mexico’s state parks contribute to the nation’s 250th birthday

celebration: “When you really dive in,” he says, “you see how

diverse our environment is and how that connects to our diverse

history — you get a real, in-the-moment representation.”

Oliver Lee Memorial, with its layered stories of water, survival,

and settlement, is among the clearest expressions of that

promise.

Beyond the Celebrations

Beyond parks that can be tied to the 2026 celebrations, New

Mexico’s state park system is distinguished by the sheer

improbability of its offerings. Three parks in particular stand

apart from anything found elsewhere in the country.

At Rockhound State Park near Deming, the state parks system

offers something almost unheard of anywhere in America:

It is one of the only parks where visitors are encouraged to

collect minerals — up to 15 pounds of jasper, agate, thunder

eggs, and quartz per visit. Known as “participatory geology,”

this kind of engagement can turn a routine park visit into a

lifelong memory.

Then there is City of Rocks State Park near Silver City,

where bizarre volcanic pinnacles rise from the desert floor

— a 35-million-year-old volcanic ash formation eroded into

a labyrinth of stone columns. A desert botanical garden on

site adds a layer of horticultural education to what is already

one of the most visually surreal landscapes in the American

Southwest.

Near Roswell, Bottomless Lakes State Park draws visitors

to nine sinkholes filled with turquoise water, formed when

underground salt and gypsum dissolved and collapsed. Only

Lea Lake allows swimming, but the eerie clarity of the water

and the surrounding red bluffs make even a shoreline walk

feel otherworldly.

Sources: New Mexico State Parks Division (emnrd.nm.gov/

spd); New Mexico Tourism Department; Tourism Economics,

2024 Annual Report; New Mexico Office of the Governor;

America250.org; New Mexico Route 66 Association (rt66nm.

org); New Mexico MainStreet (nmmainstreet.org); Santa Fe

New Mexican; NM.news; International Dark-Sky Association;

Recreation.gov; NM Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources.

KOKOMAN

for all of your celebrations!

Est. 1981

- Competitive Prices, Largest Selection, Friendly Staff -

- Multiple Keg Varieties Available Daily -

- Wine Manager on Duty -

- Temperature Controlled Wine Cellar -

Presently Stocking Over 4,500 Wines • 1,000 Beer Choices

145 Single Malt Scotches • 217 Types of Vodka • 325 Tequilas

120 Types of Mezcal •185 Types of Rum • 326 Bourbons/Whiskeys

505-455-2219

KokomanFineWines.com

34 Cities of Gold Road,

Pojoaque 87506

One Land, Many Stories: New Mexico

Celebrates America's 250th


The anchor exhibit of the year is the New Mexico History

Museum's year-long exhibition, "Americana at 250: Eagles,

Flags and Uncle Sam," which runs through January 2027 in

Santa Fe. It highlights what it means to be both American and

Nuevo Mexicano.

On display are 17 symbols of Americana that speak to

freedom, citizenship, and national identity over 250 years.

They include a rare souvenir ribbon from President Theodore

Roosevelt's 1903 Santa Fe visit and a bronze figurative

sculpture of the Statue of Liberty by American artist Fritz

Scholder. Among the most striking pieces is a woven flag by

Mexican artist Adolfo Patiño, which substitutes the Virgin of

Guadalupe for the traditional stars — a quiet provocation that

encapsulates everything NM 1776 is trying to say.

Myriad events are being scheduled throughout the state.

A New Mexico Spirit Statewide Calendar tracks how New

Mexicans are gathering in village plazas, museums, and city

centers to honor history, culture, and a shared future. To

learn more, visit https://www.newmexicospirit.nm.gov/eventscalendar/.

Sources: America250.org; NM 1776 / New Mexico Spirit

(newmexicospirit.nm.gov); New Mexico Department of

Cultural Affairs; Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov);

Smithsonian Magazine; Santa Fe New Mexican.

Photo by John Fyfe - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://

commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72328688

Visit Taos

taos.org


29

Take the Scenic Route: Two Northern New Mexico Drives

Worth Every Extra Mile

The following has been compiled from information provided by

the websites of the New Mexico Tourism Department, the New

Mexico Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department

of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, America's

Scenic Byways, the National Scenic Byway Foundation,

TheArmchairExplorer.com, and the U.S. Bureau of Land

Management.

NEW MEXICO has 25 recognized scenic byways, totaling

2,900 miles of diverse landscape, history, and culture that will

have you yelling, "Road trip!" Committing to one or more of

these drives promises photos worthy of a glossy coffee table

album, infinite social media posts, and "remember when"

stories to last generations.

The New Mexico Vacation Directory has been delivering to

our readers detailed descriptions of a handful of byways

annually since 2023. Past issues can be found at our website,

https://www.travelnewmex.com/, so if you missed one — or

just need a refresher — we encourage tourists and locals alike

to go back and use those guides to help plan meaningful

adventures across all regions of the state.

Eight of our byways have earned National Scenic Byway

distinction from the U.S. Department of Transportation. There

are more than 1,200 national byways across the country,

all of which exhibit one or more of six core intrinsic qualities

— scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archaeological, or

natural.

The byway you select determines the theme and vibe of the

trip: Ancient cliff dwellings or wide-open grasslands. Colonial

mission churches or a mining town's bronze-cast history.

Regardless of your choice, the byways showcase some of

the most outstanding scenic beauty, historically significant

locales, cultural richness, and distinctive features of the state.

For 2026, we have chosen to highlight two byways at the

northern end of the state.

NORTHEAST

La Frontera del Llano State Scenic Byway

Length: Approximately 94 miles

Drive time: 3 hours to a full day, depending on stops

Primary roads: NM 39, NM 120, NM 419

The name says everything. La Frontera del Llano means the

edge of the plains, and from the moment you steer your car

north from Logan or south from Abbott, you feel it. The land

here is elemental, expansive, and largely unchanged since the

days of the Santa Fe Trail.

Designated as a State Scenic Byway, this 94-mile route cuts

through Harding and Mora counties in northeastern New

Mexico — one of the least densely populated corners of the

state. According to TheArmchairExplorer.com, “This is an area

where, except for paved highways and electric lines, things

haven't changed much since the days of the Santa Fe Trail.”

Cattle outnumber people by a wide margin, and the horizons

run on forever.

The northern portions of the byway pass through the Kiowa

and Rita Blanca National Grasslands, a unit of the Cibola

30


La Frontera del Llano State Scenic Byway

National Forest. These are working grasslands managed by

the U.S. Forest Service, where pronghorn antelope browse

the shortgrass prairie, and golden eagles circle on thermals

overhead.

The byway's largest town is Roy, once a vital shipping hub for

the region's farms and ranches. When the Dawson Railway

pushed through in the early 20th century, Roy became the

central point for loading cream, eggs, and crops bound for

markets to the east and west. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s

changed that, and the quiet that settled over the town has

stayed. Nearby, history buffs can detour to see the sacred

Wagon Mound, a prominent mesa that served as a landmark

and campsite for traders and soldiers on the Mountain Branch

of the Santa Fe Trail.

One of the byway's most quietly spectacular features is its

string of historic mission churches. According to the New

Mexico Tourism Department, “They stretch from Solano to

Gallegos like a string of pearls.” Some, such as the Our Lady

of Guadalupe Church in Guadalupita, date to the late 19th

century and remain active parish communities. Each reflects

the faith and tenacity of isolated Hispanic settlers who built

permanent, beautiful structures on the frontier.

A worthwhile side trip leads to Mills Canyon, carved by the

Canadian River into the mesa's red rock. The Bureau of Land

Management manages this dramatic gorge, which drops

some 800 feet below the caprock. Camping, picnicking, and

fishing are available at the canyon bottom, and the route

down offers views of the same dramatic geological transition

that ancient travelers on the Goodnight-Loving cattle trail

would have witnessed.

The southern end of the byway terminates at Logan, best known

as the gateway to Ute Lake State Park on the Canadian River.

According to the Tourism Department, the park's recreational

opportunities — camping, boating, picnicking, and fishing

for bass, catfish, crappie, and walleye — make it an inviting

reason to linger well past your planned departure time.

To the north, travelers who continue past Abbott to Springer

will find the Old Colfax County Courthouse, now a local


Take the Scenic Route: Two Northern New Mexico Drives Worth Every Extra Mile


history museum, and easy access to Maxwell National

Wildlife Refuge, Sugarite Canyon State Park, and Capulin

Volcano National Monument — all of which pair well with a

La Frontera day trip.

For a downloadable map of the byway, visit the New Mexico

Department of Transportation at https://www.dot.nm.gov/

travel-information/scenic-byways/.

NORTH/NORTH-CENTRAL

High Road to Taos State Scenic Byway

Length: Approximately 56 miles (Santa Fe to Taos via NM

503, NM 76, NM 75, NM 518)

Drive time: 2 hours to a full day

Of note: The route passes through several villages with limited

services. Plan fuel and meals accordingly.

There is no more evocative drive in New Mexico — and that

is saying something. The High Road to Taos State Scenic

Byway travels through an authentic remnant of old Spain, still

evident in the religion, architecture, topography, history, and

people along the route, according to the New Mexico Tourism

Department. The villages it passes through were established

centuries ago, and many have changed so little that walking

their plazas can feel like stepping through time.

One of eight New Mexico routes to earn National Scenic

Byway distinction from the U.S. Department of Transportation,

the High Road links Santa Fe and Taos by climbing through

the foothills and forests of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains,

trading the speed of US 84/285 for an experience worth every

extra mile and minute.

Most travelers begin the High Road in the village of Pojoaque

and head northeast on NM 503 toward Chimayó. That

village is home to the Santuario de Chimayó, one of the most

important pilgrimage destinations in North America. The

Santuario is known for El Posito, a small hole in the floor of a

side chapel said to contain healing earth. Pilgrims travel from

across the state and even the country, many on foot during

Holy Week, to visit it. Crutches and handwritten notes left by

the faithful line the walls.

The surrounding village of Chimayó is also home to some

of New Mexico's finest traditional weavers. The Ortega and

Trujillo families have operated weaving studios here for

generations. Their studios are often open to visitors, especially

during the annual High Road to Taos Art Tour, held the last two

full weekends of September. For a map and a list of artisans

on the 2026 tour, visit https://www.highroadnewmexico.com/

about.

From Chimayó, NM 76 heads east and begins to climb. The

village of Córdova, tucked down a short side road, is known

for its distinctive unpainted woodcarving tradition, with

several family studios open to visitors.

Further along, the village of Truchas is perched dramatically

on a mesa ridge below 13,100-foot Truchas Peak, the secondhighest

summit in New Mexico. Truchas was established by

royal land grant in 1754, as a buffer against Apache and

Comanche raids. Today, traditional farms and multiple

woodpiles share the village with a growing community of

galleries and artist studios. (Of note: Robert Redford filmed

“The Milagro Beanfield War” here in 1988.)

Just beyond Truchas, Las Trampas is a National Historic

District anchored by the Church of San José de Gracia, one

of the finest surviving examples of Spanish Colonial religious

architecture in the country. Built by 12 families between 1760

and 1776, the church was designated a National Historic

Landmark in 1970 and remains an active parish.

A rewarding side trip off NM 76 leads to Picurís Pueblo,

one of the smallest but historically most powerful of New

Mexico's Tiwa-speaking Pueblos. The Pueblo operates a small

museum and cultural center. Visitors should check in at the

administrative office and be aware that to take photos, a

permit costing $15 is required. (https://www.visitpicuris.com/

visitor-information)

Continuing through Carson National Forest, the byway

descends into the valley communities of Peñasco and Vadito

before picking up NM 518 toward Ranchos de Taos. The

journey concludes at the plaza in Ranchos de Taos, where

San Francisco de Asís Church — its massive adobe buttresses

painted by Georgia O'Keeffe and photographed by Ansel

Adams — stands as one of the most recognized images in

American art. A bronze figure of Saint Francis at the plaza

welcomes travelers. From there, the town of Taos is just four

miles north.

For a downloadable map, visit https://www.dot.nm.gov/

travel-information/scenic-byways/.

For a snapshot of all 25 of New Mexico's scenic byways,

including maps and images, visit https://www.newmexico.org/

places-to-visit/scenic-byways/. The New Mexico Department

of Transportation, at https://www.dot.nm.gov/travelinformation/scenic-byways/,

provides downloadable PDFs

describing each route, with historical context and noteworthy

stops. Before visiting any byway, always check current road

and weather conditions.

32


High Road to Taos State Scenic Byway

New Mexico is Ready to Party as Route 66 Turns 100

IT begins at the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago and ends

at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. In between, it crosses eight

states, winds through hundreds of small towns, and carries

with it a century of American memory — Depression-era

migrants and postwar dreamers, roadside diners and glowing

neon, the open road as myth and promise.

This is Route 66. And this year, the Mother Road turns 100.

The official centennial date is November 11, 2026 — exactly

100 years to the day from when Congress certified the

highway. But the celebrations are not waiting. According to

the New Mexico Tourism Department's Nicole Barker, the

centennial "officially started with the new year," and a full

slate of events, restorations, art projects, and community

gatherings is already underway across the state. "It's a really

critical piece of American history," Barker told KRQE News 13,

"and it attracts a lot of international visitors to New Mexico."

The Road Itself: Chicago to Santa Monica, 2,448 Miles

Route 66 was formally established in 1926, when the

American Association of State Highway Officials ratified the

first numbered U.S. Highway System. The diagonal route

running from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California

— spanning 2,448 miles across Illinois, Missouri, Kansas,

Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California — was

assigned the number 66. The designation was championed

by Cyrus Avery, a Tulsa businessman who recognized the

need for a reliable all-weather corridor linking the industrial

Midwest to the Pacific Coast. Avery's association gave the

road its first nickname, "Main Street of America."

On its opening day, only a fraction of those miles were paved.

Full paving across all eight states would not be complete until

1938. Still, the road quickly became the primary overland

route for commerce, military movement, and migration across

the southern half of the country.

The road's historical significance is inseparable from the

hardships it witnessed. During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s,

Route 66 carried an estimated 200,000 migrants westward

from devastated farmlands toward what they hoped would

be new lives in California. This earned the highway the

nicknames, "The Road of Flight" as well as its immortalization

as the Mother Road in John Steinbeck's famous book The

Grapes of Wrath.

After World War II, the same road carried the prosperous

postwar American family heading west on vacation, fueling

an explosion of motels, diners, trading posts, and tourist

attractions in every town it passed through.

By 1985, the federal government officially decommissioned

Route 66, replaced mile by mile by the Interstate Highway

System. Yet the road refused to disappear. Preservation

groups, local governments, and devoted travelers kept its

name — and much of its pavement — alive. In 1994, Route

66 was designated a National Scenic Byway. Today, the

Route 66 Centennial Commission (route66centennial.org) is

coordinating nationwide celebrations and initiatives, including

a new series of commemorative U.S. postage stamps issued in

partnership with the U.S. Postal Service.

New Mexico's stretch of Route 66 today spans approximately

265 drivable miles across the width of New Mexico —

through Gallup, Grants,

Santa Rosa, Tucumcari

and Albuquerque. (In its

heyday, the New Mexico

portion comprised about

double that.) Still, it is

unlike any other section of

the highway. Where Route

66 in the Midwest crosses

flat prairie and farmland,

New Mexico offers high

desert mesas, volcanic

landscapes, ancient

Pueblo ruins, and the kind

of sweeping sky that has

drawn painters, photographers and writers for generations.

Albuquerque: The Heart of the Centennial

No New Mexico city has invested more deeply in the Route 66

centennial than Albuquerque, and arguably, no city has more

at stake. According to Visit Albuquerque (visitalbuquerque.

org), the city’s Route 66 corridor along Central Avenue

stretches 18 miles, making it the longest continuous urban

stretch of the original Mother Road in the entire country.

The organization has built a dedicated centennial website,

visitalbuquerque.org/route-66-centennial/, offering event

calendars, self-guided itineraries, a neighborhood guide

covering Nob Hill, Barelas, Downtown, Old Town, West

Central, and the International District.

The centerpiece of the city's centennial programming is

Route 66 Remixed, described by the City of Albuquerque as

its “creative reimagining of its iconic 18-mile stretch of Route

66, celebrating the highway's 100th anniversary through bold

public art and immersive digital experiences."

The project was created in partnership with Meow Wolf and

Refract Studio and is led by the City's Department of Arts

& Culture (cabq.gov), with support from Visit Albuquerque,

the New Mexico Tourism Department, and local sponsors.

The result is a self-guided art tour featuring 18 large-scale

installations, murals, sculptures, and augmented reality

activations spanning the full length of Central Avenue. The

works reflect the full breadth of communities that have shaped

Albuquerque — Indigenous, Hispanic, African American, Asian

American and Pacific Islander, Greek, and more.

Among the Route 66 Remixed installations are "Buffalo Return

to Route 66," a checkered mural by Thomas Christopher Haag

and Jesse Raine Littlebird recalling when bison roamed freely

on this land, and "Cultural Crossroads" by Lynnette Haozous,

honoring the artist's Native American heritage with Navajo

(Diné) rug designs juxtaposed with desert landscapes and a

vintage car. Augmented reality activations along the corridor

bring animated scenes to life — a flamenco dancer projected

onto the street, bison crossing an intersection, a horseback

rider meeting a lowrider.

The City of Albuquerque's Department of Arts & Culture

describes the overall centennial effort as "a once-in-a-lifetime

celebration that honors Route 66's legacy in Albuquerque

and looks ahead to its future.” It maintains a full centennial



New Mexico is Ready to Party as Route 66 Turns 100


projects report and event calendar at cabq.gov/artsculture/

special-events-festivals/albuquerque-route-66-centennialcelebration.

Physical improvements to the corridor include a refurbished

Route 66 gateway sign completed at Central Avenue and

65th Street in November 2025 and a brand-new classic neon

gateway sign planned for the east end of Central Avenue

near Tramway Boulevard. As of deadline for this story, it was

anticipated to be complete in May.

Visit Albuquerque has also developed a series of themed selfguided

itineraries — covering neon signs, public art, Pueblo

Deco and Streamline Moderne architecture, and walking tours

of historic neighborhoods — available through the centennial

website. The Albuquerque Trolley Company is partnering

with the city on a speakeasy tour along Central Avenue, and

local businesses will distribute colorful maps guiding visitors

through themed activities along the route.

A Century On: Why It Still Matters

As University of New Mexico Honors College professor Troy

Lovata told the Daily Lobo earlier this year, "It's easy for some

people to stereotype Route 66 as just a moment of neon or

tail-finned cars. Those are incredibly significant things, but

they aren't all of the story." Route 66 in New Mexico is also

the story of Piro and Navajo and Zuni peoples whose ancient

pathways the highway followed. It is the story of Hispanic

families who built motels and diners and held onto them

across generations. It is the story of artists who came for the

light and never left, of Dust Bowl families who had nowhere

else to go, of postwar travelers for whom the Southwest was

still astonishing and new.

"Route 66 has played an important role in New Mexico

history, with an impact to the prosperity of Santa Fe,

Albuquerque, and cities and towns along the Route," Debbie

Post, president of the East Mountain Historical Society and a

member of the committee for the NM Route 66 Centennial

Speaker Series, wrote. "In turn, the unique culture of New

Mexico has an impact on travelers and how they understand

the American Southwest." (https://www.dailylobo.com/

article/2026/02/100-years-of-the-historic-route-66)

One-hundred years later, that exchange is still happening.

The neon still glows in Tucumcari. The El Rancho Hotel still

welcomes guests in Gallup. The Dog House still serves its chili

fries on Central Avenue. And on that avenue's 18-mile stretch,

a new generation of muralists, augmented-reality artists, and

community storytellers is adding its own chapter to a road

that, against all odds, refuses to become a ghost.

Plan Your Trip — Key Resources

34

• City of Albuquerque Centennial Page: cabq.gov

/artsculture/special-events-festivals/albuquerqueroute-66-centennial-celebration

• Visit Albuquerque Route 66 Centennial:

visitalbuquerque.org/route-66-centennial/

• New Mexico Magazine Route 66 Events:

newmexicomagazine.org/route66/

• New Mexico Tourism Department Route 66:

newmexico.org/route66/


• Route 66 Centennial Commission (national):

route66centennial.org

• Visit Gallup Route 66 Guide: visitgallup.com/aboutgallup/gallup-history/historic-route-66/

• National Park Service — Route 66 in New Mexico:

nps.gov/articles/000/route-66-new-mexico.htm

Events Across New Mexico in 2026

The centennial is not only an Albuquerque story. From

Tucumcari to Santa Fe, communities up and down the

route are marking the occasion with festivals, car shows,

art tours, speaker series, and more. New Mexico Magazine

(newmexicomagazine.org/route66/) has maintained a

statewide events calendar throughout the centennial period;

its Route 66 section is another recommended starting point

for trip planning. Below are confirmed highlights:

Albuquerque

• Route 66 Centennial Speaker Series — Ongoing

monthly events featuring historians, photographers,

authors, and community leaders. (https://www

route66speakers.org/)

• Route 66 Remixed — Self-guided art and augmented

reality tour. Ongoing throughout 2026. Free

(visitalbuquerque.org/route-66-centennial/explore/

route-66-remixed/)

• Route 66 Summerfest — Annual Nob Hill festival,

themed for the centennial. Summer 2026. Free.

(cabq.gov)

• Speakeasy Tour with the Albuquerque Trolley

Company — Guided tour along historic Central

Avenue. Spring/Summer 2026. (https://www.tourabq.

com/page/abqtrolley)

Santa Fe

• First Sunday Route 66 Market — The first Sunday of

each month throughout 2026. Music, artisans,

vendors. Free admission. (tumblerootbrewery

anddistillery.com)

Grants

• Spokes on 66 Car Show — June 5-6. Classic car show

in the heart of Cibola County. (grantsmainstreetproject.com)

Nationwide (accessible from New Mexico)

• Route 66 Centennial Monthly Speaker Series —

Second Tuesday of each month, 12 p.m. MST. Free

webinar. Notable authors, historians, and advocates

share stories of the Mother Road. (route66centennial.org)

• Route 66 Centennial Commemorative Stamp Series

— Available at U.S. post offices nationwide. (USPS /

route66centennial.org)

For a comprehensive national and state-by-state event

calendar, visit route66centennial.org/index.php/calendar/

upcoming-events-all.

Sources: Visit Albuquerque (visitalbuquerque.org), City of

Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture (cabq.gov), New

Mexico Tourism Department (newmexico.org), New Mexico

Magazine (newmexicomagazine.org), National Park Service

(nps.gov), National Scenic Byway Foundation (nsbfoundation.

com), Santa Fe New Mexican, Daily Lobo, KRQE News 13, Visit

Gallup (visitgallup.com), Route 66 Centennial Commission

(route66centennial.org)


35

Albuquerque, unique as its name.

Albuquerque is an adventurer’s playground—mountain trails, multi-use paths,

world-class hiking and biking, and high-altitude training routes all surround the city.

The Sandia Mountains glow pink at sunset, offering breathtaking views and endless outdoor exploration.

For over 50 years, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce has championed small business and

the cultural heritage that defines Albuquerque. Our Convention & Tourism team

promotes the city as a vibrant, culture-rich meeting destination.

Planning a Hispanic or Native American conference or event?

—we’re ready to collaborate!

36


FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.AHCNM.ORG/CT

NMVD 2026 FINAL New Mexico's best Vacation Guide

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?