30 days in New Mexico Itinerary

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

Get outdoors at Cibola National Forest and Balloon Rides. Get some cultural insight at San Felipe de Neri Church and Albuquerque Museum. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Albuquerque: National Radio Astronomy Observatory (in Socorro) and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (in Mountainair). Next up on the itinerary: learn more about the world around you at New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, get engrossed in the history at Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, browse for treasures at Tinkertown Museum, and examine the collection at American International Rattlesnake Museum.

For ratings, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, refer to the Albuquerque tour planner.

Tucson to Albuquerque is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. Prepare for slightly colder weather when traveling from Tucson in April: high temperatures in Albuquerque hover around 71°F and lows are around 43°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Grants.

Grants is a city in Cibola County, New Mexico, United States. On the 6th (Thu), explore the wealth of natural beauty at El Malpais National Monument. On the 7th (Fri), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: steep yourself in history at El Morro National Monument, stop by Chaco Canyon Trading Co, and then browse the exhibits of Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum.

To see photos, reviews, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Grants tour itinerary app.

You can drive from Albuquerque to Grants in 1.5 hours. Plan for a bit cooler temperatures traveling from Albuquerque in April, with highs in Grants at 66°F and lows at 30°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) so you can drive to Jemez Springs.

Jemez Springs is a village in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. Visiting Jemez Mountains and Valles Caldera National Preserve will get you outdoors. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Ghost Ranch and Jemez Historic Site. Venture out of the city with trips to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (in Cochiti Pueblo) and Plaza Blanca (in Abiquiu). There's still lots to do: witness a stunning natural landmark at Jemez Hot Springs and take a memorable drive along Jemez Trail National Scenic Byway.

Before you visit Jemez Springs, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

You can drive from Grants to Jemez Springs in 2.5 hours. When traveling from Grants in April, plan for a bit cooler days and a bit warmer nights in Jemez Springs: temperatures range from 60°F by day to 39°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Taos.

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

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church and Taos Pueblo. Get a sense of the local culture at Millicent Rogers Museum and La Hacienda del los Martinez. Get out of town with these interesting Taos side-trips: Land of Enchantment Guides - Fly Fishing Trips (in Velarde), Vietnam Veterans Memorial (in Angel Fire) and Horseback Riding Tours (in Red River). And it doesn't end there: admire the masterpieces at Blumenschein Home & Museum, cruise along The Low Road From Taos and Santa Fe, don't miss a visit to Taos County Courthouse Murals, and shop like a local with 203 Fine Art.

To see reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Taos day trip site.

Getting from Jemez Springs to Taos by car takes about 2.5 hours. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Jemez Springs in April since evenings lows in Taos dip to 29°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Santa Fe.

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

Your inner history buff will appreciate San Miguel Chapel and Santa Fe National Cemetery. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at El Santuario de Chimayo and Puye Cliff Dwellings. Change things up with these side-trips from Santa Fe: Los Alamos (Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos History Museum, &more). The adventure continues: see the interesting displays at Palace of the Governors, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Loretto Chapel, appreciate the extensive heritage of Canyon Road, and explore the world behind art at New Mexico Museum of Art.

To see traveler tips, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Santa Fe trip site.

You can drive from Taos to Santa Fe in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In April, Santa Fe is somewhat warmer than Taos - with highs of 67°F and lows of 35°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Carlsbad.

Carlsbad is a city in and the county seat of Eddy County, New Mexico, United States. Explore hidden gems such as Big Room and King's Palace. Do some cultural sightseeing at Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art and International UFO Museum and Research Center. Explore Carlsbad's surroundings by going to Roswell (Roswell Museum, Bottomless Lakes State Park, &more) and Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour & Lion's Tail). There's more to do: take in the dramatic scenery at Sitting Bull Falls.

For maps, reviews, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Carlsbad day trip site.

Traveling by car from Santa Fe to Carlsbad takes 4.5 hours. Plan for a bit warmer temperatures traveling from Santa Fe in April, with highs in Carlsbad at 80°F and lows at 48°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Alamogordo.

Alamogordo is the seat of Otero County, New Mexico, United States. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at White Sands Missle Range Museum and Heart of the Desert. Explore hidden gems such as Three Rivers Petroglyph Site and International Space Hall of Fame. Go for a jaunt from Alamogordo to Carrizozo to see Valley of Fires Recreation Area about 1h 15 min away. There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Trinity Site, explore the striking landscape at White Sands National Monument, and see the interesting displays at New Mexico Museum of Space History.

To see where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Alamogordo journey maker.

You can drive from Carlsbad to Alamogordo in 3 hours. Expect a daytime high around 76°F in April, and nighttime lows around 46°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Las Cruces.

Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. On the 28th (Fri), get engrossed in the history at New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, then pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica San Albino Catholic Church, then steep yourself in history at Old Mesilla Village, and finally appreciate the history behind Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture.

For traveler tips, photos, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Las Cruces trip itinerary maker website.

You can drive from Alamogordo to Las Cruces in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. In April, daily temperatures in Las Cruces can reach 77°F, while at night they dip to 46°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 28th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Deming.

Deming is a city in Luna County, New Mexico, United States, located 60 miles (97 km) west of Las Cruces and thirty-three miles north of the Mexican border. Kick off your visit on the 29th (Sat): take an in-depth tour of Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, then explore the striking landscape at City of Rocks State Park, and then contemplate the long history of Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark. Here are some ideas for day two: stop by Bowlin's Akela Flats Trading Post, then admire the majestic nature at Rockhound State Park, and then do a tasting at D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room.

To see maps, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, you can read our Deming tour builder.

Traveling by car from Las Cruces to Deming takes 1.5 hours. April in Deming sees daily highs of 78°F and lows of 44°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 30th (Sun) early enough to go by car back home.