84 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in New Mexico - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico

House of Eternal Return

An immersive environment that is part haunted house, part choose-your-own-adventure, and part jungle gym.

caitlinrinn

Added by caitlinrinn

La Madera, New Mexico

Ra Paulette's Hand-Carved Caves

One man has carved a number of natural New Mexico caves into psychedelic sandstone temples.

Josh

Tularosa, New Mexico

White Sands National Monument

Explore the largest pure gypsum deposit in the world, and go dune sledding while you're at it.

Seth Teicher

Added by Seth Teicher

Roswell, New Mexico

International UFO Museum and Research Center

A museum dedicated to the alleged Roswell Incident.

Added by CPilgrim

Farmington, New Mexico

Bisti Badlands

Seemingly grown on some other world, these New Mexico rock formations look like a disused science fiction set.

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

Carlsbad, New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns

Second largest cave chamber in the world, discovered in 1898 by a sixteen year old and his friend known as "pothead."

Santa Rosa, New Mexico

Santa Rosa Blue Hole

A clear blue swimming hole that has hidden unexplored caves for over 40 years.

Added by jamienfruita

Bloomfield, New Mexico

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area

The land is full of geologic eye candy like otherworldly spires, mushroom-shaped hoodoos, and prehistoric fossils.

Added by syabek

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Atlas Obscura Trips

Santa Fe: Immersive Art and Otherworldly Landscapes

May 15—May 20, 2019

Join us, May 15–19, in the mysterious desert landscapes that have captivated artists from Georgia O’Keeffe to Judy Chicago.

Unique
Food & Drink
in New Mexico

Blue Corn Mush

Gastro Obscura

Blue Corn Mush

Adding juniper ash to this traditional Navajo dish gives it as much calcium as a glass of milk.

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Chocolate Daisy

Gastro Obscura

Ingredients & Condiments

Chocolate Daisy

This wildflower releases a cocoa fragrance each morning.

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Green Chile Wine

Gastro Obscura

Green Chile Wine

In Southern New Mexico, chiles add a kick to everything, including vino.

Gastro Obscura

Zoe Baillargeon

Added by Zoe Baillargeon

Pumpkin Spice Jalapeño

Gastro Obscura

Fruits & Vegetables

Pumpkin Spice Jalapeño

If you're expecting a fall-flavored latte, you're in for a surprise.

Gastro Obscura

Anne Ewbank

Added by Anne Ewbank

See all 5 things to eat in New Mexico See all 5 things to eat in New Mexico

Explore New Mexico

Launch Map

New Mexico Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent New Mexico Activity

gauchogirl7 wants to go to Cabezon Peak

Lady Albatross wants to go to White Sands National Monument

Ssshannon wants to go to Ra Paulette's Hand-Carved Caves

valdus1 has been to White Sands National Monument

valdus1 has been to International UFO Museum and Research Center

Stories
About New Mexico

Pepper plants made for a hotter holiday.

When the Christmas Plant Was a Pepper, Not a Poinsettia

Chilis were once holiday must-haves.

December 20, 2018

On the Extraterrestrial Highway, Nevada.

A Photographer’s Journey Through the Heart of UFO Country

From Area 51 to Roswell, a believer's-eye view of the desert.

Researcher Danise Coon examines some purple peppers.

Inside the World's Only Chile Pepper Research Institute

The center has spread spicy knowledge for decades.

<em>Grand View Motel, Raton, New Mexico; December 18, 1980.</em>

The Vanishing World of Neon Motel Signs

A photographer has spent decades capturing these symbols of Americana and the open road.

Sparks with the skull in situ.

A Kid Found a 1.2-Million-Year-Old Stegomastodon Fossil by Tripping Over It

It was a whole skull!

by Sarah Laskow

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New Mexico