44 days in New York City, New Mexico & Los Angeles Itinerary

Explore hidden gems such as Ground Zero Museum Workshop and Food Tours. Step out of the city life by going to Valley Forge National Historical Park and Speed Boats Tours. Venture out of the city with trips to Fort Washington State Park (in Fort Washington), Princeton University Chapel (in Princeton) and World of Scouting Museum (in Valley Forge). There's lots more to do: explore the world behind art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, steep yourself in history at 9/11 Memorial, pause for some serene contemplation at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and take in panoramic vistas at Empire State Building.

To find traveler tips, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our New York City trip itinerary planner.

Paris, France to New York City is an approximately 11.5-hour flight. Traveling from Paris to New York City, you'll gain 6 hours due to the time zone difference. December in New York City sees daily highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Wed) to allow enough time to fly to Santa Fe.

Get in touch with nature at Bandelier National Monument and Jemez Mountains. Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Loretto Chapel and Canyon Road. Change things up with these side-trips from Santa Fe: Cochiti Pueblo (Canyon Trail & Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument). The adventure continues: take in the architecture and atmosphere at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, see the interesting displays at Palace of the Governors, explore the galleries of Keshi, and admire the masterpieces at Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Santa Fe itinerary planning site.

Getting from New York City to Santa Fe by flight takes about 8.5 hours. Other options: drive; or do a combination of bus and car. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to Santa Fe is minus 2 hours. Traveling from New York City in December, plan for slightly colder nights in Santa Fe, with lows around -6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) so you can drive to Taos.

On the 19th (Mon), take in the exciting artwork at Enchanted Circle Pottery, take a memorable drive along High Road to Taos, then snap pictures at Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, and finally admire the masterpieces at Millicent Rogers Museum. On the next day, identify plant and animal life at Wild Rivers Recreation Area and then see what you can catch with Land of Enchantment Guides - Fly Fishing Trips.

Start your trip to Taos by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

Drive from Santa Fe to Taos in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Traveling from Santa Fe in December, expect little chillier with lows of -12°C in Taos. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 20th (Tue) so you can go by car to Carlsbad.

Visiting Big Room and Walnut Canyon Desert Drive will get you outdoors. Step off the beaten path and head to Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour and Giant Dome. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Carlsbad: Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Bottomless Pit, King's Palace, &more).

To see ratings, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, go to the Carlsbad planning tool.

You can drive from Taos to Carlsbad in 6 hours. Traveling from Taos in December, expect Carlsbad to be somewhat warmer, temps between 17°C and 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to drive to Alamogordo.

On the 24th (Sat), do a tasting at McGinn's PistachioLand, then explore the world behind art at Tularosa Basin Museum of History, then take in the dramatic natural features at White Sands National Monument, and finally admire the majestic nature at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. Keep things going the next day: explore the striking landscape of White Sands National Park.

To find more things to do, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, you can read our Alamogordo itinerary app.

Traveling by car from Carlsbad to Alamogordo takes 3 hours. In December, daytime highs in Alamogordo are 15°C, while nighttime lows are -1°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Pueblo of Acoma.

On the 26th (Mon), get engrossed in the history at Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum.

To find where to stay, maps, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Pueblo of Acoma online travel route builder.

Drive from Alamogordo to Pueblo of Acoma in 4 hours. Traveling from Alamogordo in December, things will get a bit cooler in Pueblo of Acoma: highs are around 10°C and lows about -10°C. You will have some time to spend on the 26th (Mon) before leaving for Albuquerque.

Step off the beaten path and head to Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Balloon Rides. Get in touch with nature at Petroglyph National Monument and Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals. And it doesn't end there: get to know the fascinating history of Albuquerque Old Town, admire the majestic nature at Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, explore by horseback at The Stables at Tamaya, and explore the engaging exhibits at Explora Science Center and Children's Museum.

For reviews, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, use the Albuquerque trip itinerary builder app.

Traveling by car from Pueblo of Acoma to Albuquerque takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Expect somewhat warmer evenings in Albuquerque when traveling from Pueblo of Acoma in December, with lows around -2°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 30th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Los Angeles.

Get in touch with nature at Indian Canyons and Dolphin & Whale Watching. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Wine Tours & Tastings and The Getty Center. Explore Los Angeles' surroundings by going to Stagecoach Inn Museum (in Newbury Park), Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum (in Simi Valley) and Palm Springs (Palm Springs Art Museum, Frank Bogert Trail, &more). There's lots more to do: brush up on your military savvy at Battleship USS Iowa Museum, walk around La Jolla Shores Park, kick back and relax at Coronado Beach, and examine the collection at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

To find reviews, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Los Angeles road trip planning site.

You can fly from Albuquerque to Los Angeles in 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Mountain Standard Time (MST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST) is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Albuquerque in December, you will find days in Los Angeles are somewhat warmer (24°C), and nights are much hotter (11°C). Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) to allow time to fly back home.