I never thought that a road trip from Texas to New Mexico will be one of my best road trips ever. The only thing that really intrigued me about visiting New Mexico was “The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta”. Being this yearly event, somehow our trip never materialized. But this year we decided to finally take the plunge and discover New Mexico’s other attractions that honestly left a deep impression of the State’s rich Native American culture and the varied landscape truly makes it”The Land of Enchantment”.
Our trip originated from Austin, Texas and as expected it’s a long drive to get out of Texas but we also got to taste the wild west’s rugged beauty of barren deserts and the sight of Texas oil fields. Our 7 days itinerary was filled with exceptional wonders of nature and a different side of Texas that you don’t see while living in big cities.
In this post, I will be sharing all the places that we visited, where we stayed, and all the tips for an enjoyable road trip. Throughout our trip, we preferred to stay in an Airbnb or a hotel with a small kitchen. We wanted to have the flexibility of cooking our meals when traveling with a young kid. It was much easier to make a simple dinner and relax in our room rather than wandering for food after a long travel day. And now, without further ado let’s get started.
Day 1: Austin, Tx to Carlsbad, NM
Today is driving day from Austin, Tx to Carlsbad, NM which was our base city for visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park. On this route, you won’t find many gas stations or towns for stopovers. Be prepared to start your day early, fill up your gas, and pack your food.
San Angelo, Tx
Our first stop for the day was at San Angelo Visitor Center where we enjoyed a picnic-style lunch in their gardens and stretch out a bit walking The San Angelo Riverwalk. The San Angelo Riverwalk starts right at the Visitor Center, Located on the banks of the Concho River, you will stroll past luscious gardens, numerous water fountains, art installations, pedestrian bridges, and a big playground for kids of all ages across the river.
The staffs at the visitor center are so helpful and they go all the way with information so that your every minute is well worth the visit. We really had a great time here and my daughter got a good break playing in the playground and walking the Riverwalk which also made the further drive easier. Recommended time 1-2 hrs.
For the remaining part of the journey, we stopped at gas stations for bathroom breaks or to get some fresh air. Let me tell you, if you find a gas station on your way, and need to take a break, just take it.
Carlsbad, NM
As I said before, a long driving day, but finally we made it to Carlsbad, NM. Carlsbad city has modest accommodations and few restaurants around. We stayed at MainStay Suites in Carlsbad city which has a stocked-up kitchen, spacious rooms, and a decent selection of breakfast provided with your stay. Overall it was a pleasant experience considering the options available.
Day 2: Carlsbad Caverns NP to White Sands NP
Finally, the adventure day is here and we are exploring the two most unique National Parks of New Mexico. I suggest starting your day early as there is a lot on your plate for today. The plan for the day was to spend 2-3 hrs exploring the caverns in the morning, have lunch at Catus Cafe in White City and then drive to White Sands National Park in the afternoon.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
This is one of the places that top the list when visiting New Mexico. Nestled in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico, the cave’s limestone formations are some marvelous landscapes that will boggle one’s mind away. Recommended time 3hrs to a day depending on what time of year you are visiting. You can read my blog post on Carlsbad Caverns National Park in detail here.
White Sands National Park
Welcome to the shimmering fairyland of White Sands National Park. I bet you have never seen something like this because there is no place like it in the whole World.
The pure white gypsum sand is home to 275 square miles of desert, creating the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Surrounded by the San Andreas Mountains (to the west) and the Sacramento Mountains (to the east), the wave-like sand dunes are real-life fantasy. Recommended time 3hrs to a day depending on what time of year you are visiting. Our stay for the night was in Alamogordo, which is also the base city for visiting White Sands National Park. You can read my blog post on White Sands National Park in detail here.
Day3: Alamgorgo to Albuquerque to Santa Fe
Today, we are venturing into the largest city of New Mexico, Albuquerque where modern and historic Albuquerque exists a few miles from each other. We spent the day at Petroglyph National Monument and the Old Town Plaza before heading to Santa Fe for the night. We decided to do Sandia Peaks Tramway and Turquoise scenic drive while returning back from Santa Fe to Albuquerque.
Petroglyph National Monument
Travel back 400-700 years back into the life of Native Americans and early Spanish settlers where art was expressed in the forms of design and symbols on volcanic rocks. The most fascinating thing about Petroglyphs is that no one knows the exact meanings or significance behind these carvings but are considered sacred and hold a unique essence of the indigenous past. The other alluring thing is that now the Petroglyph National Monument is in the busy residential neighborhood of Albuquerque.
The visitor center is a must-stop, please note that, unlike other parks, the visitor center at Petroglyph National Monument only provides information, the park brochure, and a gift shop. You have to drive further to the actual Petroglyph viewing trails. The park officials at the visitor center were very helpful in providing us with all the trail options, difficulty levels, and driving directions. Based on their recommendation we chose Boca- Negra Canyon trail as this trail has about 100 Petroglyphs and also was doable with our 3-year-old daughter.
Boca-Negra Canyon has 3 self-guided trails, Macaw and Cliff Base trails, which are short and easy. Mesa Point trail is short but strenuous but you get to see more petroglyph and the view of Albuquerque (especially in the Fall months) is beautiful. The average time to spend here is about 1-1.5 hrs.
There are a few other challenging Petroglyph viewing trailheads (Rinconada Canyon and Piedras Marcadas Canyon) and non-Petroglyph trails such as Volcano day-use area but definitely check first with the visitor center as these trails vary in difficulty level.
Historic Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque
You will know you are in Old Town Plaza of Albuquerque when you see wreaths made of chiles (ristras) and shops filled with hot air balloon merchandise. Old Town Plaza is an electric and colorful escape from modern Albuquerque. The Plaza is adorned with boutique shops, restaurants, jewelry artists, and historic landmarks like San Felipe de Neri Church. An afternoon walk around the streets is a pleasurable thing to do in Old Town. And when you get tired, sip your favorite drink in the park that has a cute Gazebo.
Santa Fe was our base for a 2-night stay. Now where to stay in Santa Fe is tricky but if you ask around, Santa Fe Plaza would be the top choice but your budget should also allow it. If you ask me, you can stay anywhere close and use the paid parking options available around the Plaza. We stayed in Villas de Santa Fe which was on the other side of the Plaza but still close.
Day4: Santa Fe
Santa Fe Plaza
The capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe is an artist sanctuary for all art enthusiasts. The prime attraction of Santa Fe is the Santa Fe plaza which has famous museums, art galleries, and boutique shops. Santa Fe Plaza Pueblo-style architecture is striking to look at and that’s what I loved the most about my visit. Not to miss Santa Fe’s most celebrated landmark, Saint Francis Cathedral right in heart of the plaza. You can go inside and spend some time. The Cathedral is a very warm and welcoming place and the architecture is stunning. The plaza is best navigated on foot so comfy shoes are a must when you are here.
Other feel-good must things to do are indulging in some good Mexican food with a twist, the chile sauces. In New Mexico, chiles and chile sauces add an extra flavor to Mexican cuisine. Homemade red and green chile sauces are predominant in meals and I suggest you try both. My pick was definitely the green chile sauce. We ended our Santa Fe plaza adventure with a dinner at Fiesta Oaxaca. Being from Texas, we are already familiar with the tex-mex taste but the green chile left a distinctive palate.
Bandelier National Monument
Less than an hour’s drive from Santa Fe plaza is the Bandelier National Monuments, an ancestral Pueblo dwellings site. From the visitor center, the Main (Pueblo trail) is 1.4 miles out and back and leads to the excavated archeological sites on the floor of Frijoles Canyon. While walking on the course you got to see the unique cavates produced by voids in the volcanic tuff of the canyon wall and carved out further by humans. Climbing on the ladder is a must to see these cavates.
The Main( Pueblo trail) is the most accessible trail for families with young kids. My daughter loved climbing the ladders and seeing the small caves. There are other short /long hikes in the park, do check with the visitor centers for more information. There are plenty of food options/gas stations on the way from Santa Fe to the Bandelier National Monument but nothing inside the park. We packed a picnic-style lunch from Santa Fe and enjoyed it at scenic overlooks while exiting the park.
On your way to Bandelier National Monument from Santa Fe, you can spot Camel’s head hoodoos from the highway. There is a small detour to see them close and grab a few clicks.
Day5: Santa Fe to Tucumcari
Saying goodbye to Santa Fe was the hardest, However, we had some great outdoors planned for the day. From Santa Fe, we took the scenic bypass ” The Turquoise trail ” for Alburquerque and then stop over for brunch at The Burrow Cafe before heading to The Sandia Peaks Tramway. Our halt of the night was at Tucumcari, the mecca of historic route 66. We stayed at Holiday Inn & Suites and had a great stay considering how small is the city of Tucumcari.
Turquoise Trail Scenic Bypass
The scenic bypass is a 52-mile byway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque that takes a little longer than the usual Interstate highway. The name comes from the rich turquoise deposits found in this area but that might be just in the past. The scenic route is blessed with mountains, valleys, and ghost towns named Cerrillos and Madrid. This was my first time hearing of and seeing the Ghost towns, which kind of look like small hippie towns but there was no presence of humans except us. So naturally, I was a little hesitant to get out of my car and even take pictures. The Turquoise trail is also an homage to many artsy studios and sculpture gardens which are private properties but you can take a peek from your car windows.
Sandia Peaks Tramway
When I asked a friend, what is the one thing that I cannot miss while in Albuquerque aside International Ballon Festival, she suggested the Sandia Peaks Tramway. Soaring above the deep canyons, the tram takes you to the observation deck at 10,378 ft overlooking the Rio Grande Valley. You will ride along with a knowledgeable guide for about 15 minutes one way, learning about the interesting history of tram construction and your surrounding.
While you are up there, stay as long as you want, and take the view of Sandia crest. About 11 % of Albuquerque is visible on a clear day. There are a few marked easy trails up there along with upscale dining and restrooms. The gift shop at the lower deck has a good collection of souvenirs. Tickets have to be purchased in advance of your arrival.
Day6:Tucumcari, NM to Lubbock, Tx
Tucumcari was our last city in New Mexico. Before making our way back to Texas, we drove around the downtown area to see the old deserted gas stations, the mural’s wall, and every sign boasting its old route 66 historic significance. We also made a short detour off Highway 40 for a photo op to Adrian, Tx which is so cool with midway signs painted on the road. There is a cafe in the middle of nowhere with route 66 signs and photo ops all over the place. The whole old historic route 66 was so hyped up that I couldn’t resist picking up a magnet souvenir at the gas station on Highway 40.
After all the historic route 66 boost, it was time for another out-of-the-ordinary thing of the wild west, The Cadillac Ranch and Palo Duro Canyon State Park for the day.
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Tx
The Cadillac Ranch celebrates the glory of the wild west on route 66, just west of Amarillo, Texas. The site features ten half-buried Cadillacs that are colorfully sprayed with graffiti. Although immersed in a peculiar history, this public art installation is free to visit and encourages you to leave your mark by spraying some colorful paint on the Cadillac. A must-fun stop to get some artistic texas vibe.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
It is so strange that we have been living in Texas for almost 10 years now and didn’t know about Palo Duro Canyon State Park until I started planning this trip. Palo Duro Canyon is the largest canyon in the US after the Grand Canyon. If you enjoy hiking and love the Canyons as much as we do, Palo Duro Canyon State Park is worth visiting.
If you are short on time and looking for just one hike, The lighthouse trail is the one. The Lighthouse trail is the park’s most popular trail leading to the iconic Lighthouse rock formation. Rated as a moderately challenging hike of 2.8 miles one way, this trail is quite the talk. While the Lighthouse trail is relatively flat throughout the entire hike, the last 0.5 miles (approx) is the challenging one. Our stay for the night was at Lubbock at La Quinta Inn & Suites.
Day7: Lubbock to Sweet Home
Oh wow, have you ever wondered how time quickly passes when you are on vacation? I swear it felt like we just left home yesterday and here we are en route home. I was feeling a little sad but the thought of sleeping in my own bed surely gave me some comfort. We were 5 hours away from home so we decided to take a pit stop at Abilene, Tx.
Abilene
Did you know that Abilene is the “Storybook Capital of America”? While this city in West Texas is known for its history, culture, and hospitality. I was fascinated by the fact that there are so many storybook sculpture gardens and museums for kids. We only visited The Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden (totally free) and my 3-year-old loved it. Recommended time 1-2 hrs.
The Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden is located on the grounds of the Abilene Convention Center. This shaded park features sculptures depicting various storybooks including the Three Kittens, Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web, The Three Bears, Mr. Tiger, Otis the Tractor, and a dinosaur representing ‘How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? Our 3-year-old was so happy to see her favorite character, 3 little kittens and 3 pigs, and a wolf that she was jumping with joy from one sculpture to another. It is a fun spot for kiddos and a joy walk for parents.
This concludes our 7 days road trip to New Mexico. Certainly, New Mexico has a lot more attractions that we couldn’t get to visit on this trip. On the other hand, I am glad that I got to know a little more about this unique State. Moreover, The International Balloon Festival is definitely on my radar for my next trip. Have you been to New Mexico recently and do you feel the world of travel has changed post-pandemic?
