Highest-rated free things to do in New Mexico, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in New Mexico, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in New Mexico.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in New Mexico using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Casa Rondena Winery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (462 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Roswell Visitors Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (187 reviews)
- Address: 426 North Main St. Roswell, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Heart of the Desert
- Rating: 4.5/5 (387 reviews)
- Address: 7288 Highway 54 70 Alamogordo, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Shiprock Rock Formation
- Rating: 4.5/5 (178 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. The Low Road From Taos and Santa Fe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (407 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Santuario De Chimayo
- Rating: 4.5/5 (278 reviews)
- Address: 15 Santuario Drive Chimayo, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Trinity Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (191 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
- Rating: 4.5/5 (316 reviews)
- Address: County Road 7297 Bloomfield, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. La Luz Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (249 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Bat Flight Program in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (594 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Williams Lake
- Rating: 4.5/5 (191 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. El Santuario de Chimayo
- Rating: 4.5/5 (660 reviews)
- Address: 6 Santuario Drive Chimayo, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. White Rock Overlook Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (316 reviews)
- Address: 700 Overlook Road Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Santa Fe Farmers Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (372 reviews)
- Address: 1607 Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. New Mexico State Capitol (Roundhouse)
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,064 reviews)
- Address: Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Plaza Blanca
- Rating: 5/5 (225 reviews)
- Address: 342 Co Road 155 Abiquiu, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church
- Rating: 4.5/5 (815 reviews)
- Address: 60 St. Francis Plaza Ranchos De Taos, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Lincoln National Forest
- Rating: 4.5/5 (359 reviews)
- Address: 3463 Las Palomas Road Ruidoso, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Bradbury Science Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (918 reviews)
- Address: 1450 Central Ave. Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Old Mesilla Village
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,006 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Nedra Matteucci Galleries
- Rating: 5/5 (364 reviews)
- Address: 1075 Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Enchanted Circle Drive
- Rating: 4.5/5 (623 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. High Road to Taos
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,298 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Petroglyph National Monument
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,002 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. McGinn's PistachioLand
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,871 reviews)
- Address: 7320 US Highway 54/70 37 Highway 82 Alamogordo, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,003 reviews)
- Address: 131 Cathedral Place Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Canyon Road
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,071 reviews)
- Address: Canyon Road Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Santa Fe Plaza
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,250 reviews)
- Address: 63 Lincoln Ave. 100 Old Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Albuquerque Old Town
- Rating: 4/5 (5,380 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,699 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
