Highest-rated things to do in New Mexico by visitors

Written by:
August 25, 2025
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Highest-rated things to do in New Mexico by visitors

When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.

If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.

Indeed, even if you've lived in New Mexico your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for New Mexico reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated 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 Aug. 15, 2025.

Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in New Mexico, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

1 / 30
Tripadvisor

#30. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

- Rating: 4.6/5 (905 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

2 / 30
Tripadvisor

#29. ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden

- Rating: 4.6/5 (870 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

3 / 30
Tripadvisor

#28. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (778 reviews)
- City: Nageezi New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

4 / 30
Tripadvisor

#27. Riverbend Hot Springs

- Rating: 4.7/5 (565 reviews)
- City: Truth or Consequences Sierra County New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

5 / 30
Tripadvisor

#26. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,020 reviews)
- City: Chama New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

6 / 30
Tripadvisor

#25. Turquoise Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (575 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

7 / 30
Tripadvisor

#24. Santa Fe Opera House

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,100 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

8 / 30
Tripadvisor

#23. Museum of International Folk Art

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,147 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

9 / 30
Tripadvisor

#22. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,151 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

10 / 30
Tripadvisor

#21. Ghost Ranch

- Rating: 4.5/5 (944 reviews)
- City: Abiquiu New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

11 / 30
Tripadvisor

#20. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

- Rating: 4.7/5 (734 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

12 / 30
Tripadvisor

#19. High Road to Taos

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,309 reviews)
- City: Taos Taos County New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

13 / 30
Tripadvisor

#18. International UFO Museum And Research Center

- Rating: 3.8/5 (2,812 reviews)
- City: Roswell New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

14 / 30
Tripadvisor

#17. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,381 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

15 / 30
Tripadvisor

#16. Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,279 reviews)
- City: Carlsbad Caverns National Park New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

16 / 30
Tripadvisor

#15. Petroglyph National Monument

- Rating: 4.3/5 (2,022 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

17 / 30
Tripadvisor

#14. McGinn's PistachioLand

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,919 reviews)
- City: Alamogordo New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

18 / 30
Tripadvisor

#13. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,571 reviews)
- City: Cochiti Pueblo New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

19 / 30
Tripadvisor

#12. Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

- Rating: 4.3/5 (5,260 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

20 / 30
Tripadvisor

#11. Loretto Chapel

- Rating: 4.4/5 (5,251 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

21 / 30
Tripadvisor

#10. Santa Fe Plaza

- Rating: 4.4/5 (3,272 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

22 / 30
Tripadvisor

#9. Canyon Road

- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,084 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

23 / 30
Tripadvisor

#8. Albuquerque Old Town

- Rating: 4.2/5 (5,407 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

24 / 30
Tripadvisor

#7. Taos Pueblo

- Rating: 4.3/5 (3,196 reviews)
- City: Taos Taos County New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

25 / 30
Tripadvisor

#6. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,020 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

26 / 30
Tripadvisor

#5. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,725 reviews)
- City: Taos Taos County New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

27 / 30
Tripadvisor

#4. Meow Wolf Santa Fe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (3,134 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

28 / 30
Tripadvisor

#3. Bandelier National Monument

- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,320 reviews)
- City: Los Alamos New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

29 / 30
Tripadvisor

#2. Sandia Peak Tramway

- Rating: 4.6/5 (7,239 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

30 / 30
Tripadvisor

#1. White Sands National Park

- Rating: 4.8/5 (4,419 reviews)
- City: Alamogordo New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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