24 days in New Mexico Itinerary
Created using Inspirock New Mexico visit planner
Start: Denver
Fly
1
Santa Fe
— 4 nights
Drive
2
Carlsbad
— 3 nights
Drive
3
Ruidoso
— 3 nights
Drive
4
Alamogordo
— 2 nights
Drive
5
Las Cruces
— 2 nights
Drive
6
Deming
— 1 night
Drive
7
Truth or Consequences
— 1 night
Drive
8
Albuquerque
— 3 nights
Drive
9
Nageezi
— 1 night
Drive
10
Taos
— 3 nights
Drive
End: Denver
Fri, Dec 23 - Sun, Jan 15
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View full calendar
Santa Fe — 4 nights
©
City Different
Your inner history buff will appreciate San Miguel Chapel and El Rancho de las Golondrinas. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like El Santuario de Chimayo and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. Explore Santa Fe's surroundings by going to Puye Cliff Dwellings (in Espanola) and Los Alamos (Los Alamos History Museum & Bradbury Science Museum). There's much more to do: hit the slopes at Ski Santa Fe, learn about winemaking at Estrella Del Norte Vineyard & Tasting Room, get some fabulous bargains at Fashion Outlets of Santa Fe, and examine the collection at Palace of the Governors.
To see reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Santa Fe holiday maker site.
Denver to Santa Fe is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Santa Fe can reach 45°F, while at night they dip to 22°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) so you can go by car to Carlsbad.
more
To see reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Santa Fe holiday maker site.
Denver to Santa Fe is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Santa Fe can reach 45°F, while at night they dip to 22°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) so you can go by car to Carlsbad.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Carlsbad — 3 nights
©
You'll discover tucked-away gems like Big Room and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Step out of the city life by going to King's Palace and Boat Tours & Water Sports. Venture out of the city with trips to Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour (in Carlsbad Caverns National Park) and Roswell Museum (in Roswell).
To find other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Carlsbad trip planning tool.
You can drive from Santa Fe to Carlsbad in 4.5 hours. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Santa Fe in December; daily highs in Carlsbad reach 58°F and lows reach 31°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Ruidoso.
more
To find other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Carlsbad trip planning tool.
You can drive from Santa Fe to Carlsbad in 4.5 hours. Expect somewhat warmer temperatures when traveling from Santa Fe in December; daily highs in Carlsbad reach 58°F and lows reach 31°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Ruidoso.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Ruidoso — 3 nights
©
Get outdoors at Lincoln National Forest and Horseback Riding Tours. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Ruidoso Winter Park and Lincoln State Monument. Step out of Ruidoso to go to Mescalero and see St. Joseph Apache Mission Church, which is approximately 30 minutes away.
To find traveler tips, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Ruidoso day trip planning tool.
Drive from Carlsbad to Ruidoso in 3 hours. Traveling from Carlsbad in December, you will find days in Ruidoso are a bit cooler (49°F), and nights are about the same (28°F). Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) early enough to go by car to Alamogordo.
more
To find traveler tips, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Ruidoso day trip planning tool.
Drive from Carlsbad to Ruidoso in 3 hours. Traveling from Carlsbad in December, you will find days in Ruidoso are a bit cooler (49°F), and nights are about the same (28°F). Cap off your sightseeing on the 2nd (Mon) early enough to go by car to Alamogordo.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Alamogordo — 2 nights
©
Start off your visit on the 3rd (Tue): admire the majestic nature at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park and then brush up on your military savvy at White Sands Missle Range Museum. On the next day, examine the collection at New Mexico Museum of Space History, do a tasting at Heart of the Desert, and then make a trip to Three Rivers Petroglyph Site.
To see other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Alamogordo online trip builder.
Traveling by car from Ruidoso to Alamogordo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Ruidoso in January, plan for somewhat warmer days in Alamogordo, with highs around 55°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 27°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can drive to Las Cruces.
more
To see other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Alamogordo online trip builder.
Traveling by car from Ruidoso to Alamogordo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Ruidoso in January, plan for somewhat warmer days in Alamogordo, with highs around 55°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 27°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Wed) so you can drive to Las Cruces.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Las Cruces — 2 nights
©
On the 5th (Thu), learn more about the world around you at New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica San Albino Catholic Church, then contemplate the long history of Old Mesilla Village, and finally appreciate the history behind Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 6th (Fri): steep yourself in history at Fort Selden Historic Site, walk around Dripping Springs Natural Area, and then gain insight at New Mexico State University.
For more things to do and tourist information, refer to the Las Cruces online trip builder.
Traveling by car from Alamogordo to Las Cruces takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 55°F in January, and nighttime lows around 29°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Deming.
more
For more things to do and tourist information, refer to the Las Cruces online trip builder.
Traveling by car from Alamogordo to Las Cruces takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 55°F in January, and nighttime lows around 29°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Deming.
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
Deming — 1 night
©
Kick off your visit on the 7th (Sat): take an in-depth tour of Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, then learn about winemaking at D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room, and then take in the dramatic natural features at City of Rocks State Park.
To see photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Deming day trip site.
Traveling by car from Las Cruces to Deming takes 1.5 hours. January in Deming sees daily highs of 56°F and lows of 27°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) early enough to drive to Truth or Consequences.
more
To see photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Deming day trip site.
Traveling by car from Las Cruces to Deming takes 1.5 hours. January in Deming sees daily highs of 56°F and lows of 27°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) early enough to drive to Truth or Consequences.
Highlights from your trip
Truth or Consequences — 1 night
©
On the 8th (Sun), take in the natural beauty of Hot Springs Bathhouse Historic and Commercial District, then get engrossed in the history at Geronimo Springs Museum, and then witness a stunning natural landmark at Riverbend Hot Springs.
To find photos, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, use the Truth or Consequences trip planning app.
Getting from Deming to Truth or Consequences by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive. In January, plan for daily highs up to 54°F, and evening lows to 29°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) so you can go by car to Albuquerque.
more
To find photos, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, use the Truth or Consequences trip planning app.
Getting from Deming to Truth or Consequences by car takes about 1.5 hours. Other options: drive. In January, plan for daily highs up to 54°F, and evening lows to 29°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) so you can go by car to Albuquerque.
Highlights from your trip
Albuquerque — 3 nights
©
Duke City
Explore hidden gems such as San Felipe de Neri Church and Albuquerque Museum. Do some cultural sightseeing at Explora Science Center and Children's Museum and National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Change things up with a short trip to Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum in Pueblo of Acoma (about 1h 10 min away). And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Unser Racing Museum, get a new perspective on nature at New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and stop by Chocolate Dude.
You can plan Albuquerque trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.
You can drive from Truth or Consequences to Albuquerque in 2.5 hours. Traveling from Truth or Consequences in January, expect nights in Albuquerque to be about the same, around 26°F, while days are slightly colder, around 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Nageezi.
more
You can plan Albuquerque trip in no time by asking Inspirock to help create your itinerary.
You can drive from Truth or Consequences to Albuquerque in 2.5 hours. Traveling from Truth or Consequences in January, expect nights in Albuquerque to be about the same, around 26°F, while days are slightly colder, around 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 11th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Nageezi.
Side Trips
Highlights from your trip
Nageezi — 1 night
©
Kick off your visit on the 12th (Thu): explore the striking landscape of Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
For traveler tips, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Nageezi trip planner.
Getting from Albuquerque to Nageezi by car takes about 2.5 hours. Traveling from Albuquerque in January, things will get slightly colder in Nageezi: highs are around 43°F and lows about 19°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Taos.
more
For traveler tips, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, read our Nageezi trip planner.
Getting from Albuquerque to Nageezi by car takes about 2.5 hours. Traveling from Albuquerque in January, things will get slightly colder in Nageezi: highs are around 43°F and lows about 19°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Taos.
Highlights from your trip
Taos — 3 nights
©
San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church and Blumenschein Home & Museum will appeal to history buffs. Get a sense of the local culture at Taos Art Museum and La Chiripada Tasting Room. Step out of Taos with an excursion to Horseback Riding Tours in Red River--about 48 minutes away. The adventure continues: cruise along The Low Road From Taos and Santa Fe, look for gifts at Mesa's Edge, soar above the sights with a balloon tour, and explore the world behind art at Millicent Rogers Museum.
To find reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Taos online trip maker.
Traveling by car from Nageezi to Taos takes 3 hours. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Nageezi in January since evenings lows in Taos dip to 10°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) so you can drive back home.
more
To find reviews, photos, maps, and other tourist information, refer to the Taos online trip maker.
Traveling by car from Nageezi to Taos takes 3 hours. Plan for a bit cooler nights when traveling from Nageezi in January since evenings lows in Taos dip to 10°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) so you can drive back home.
Side Trip
Highlights from your trip
New Mexico travel guide
Land of Enchantment
New Mexico is a land of distinctive regional cuisine and a thriving art scene, centered around the state's cosmopolitan urban centers. Once a Spanish colony claimed by 16th-century conquistadores, New Mexico remains the home of a large Spanish-speaking population and plenty of historical places to visit. The state also contains many Native American communities, sheltering a traditional way of life irretrievably lost in most other places in the country. With large tracts of sparsely inhabited land, the state is a great vacation destination for those who want to discover one of the world's last truly untamed regions, interspersed by only a few ancient pueblos and centuries-old missionary churches.
