
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.

#30. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
- Rating: 4.6/5 (905 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
- Rating: 4.6/5 (870 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (778 reviews)
- City: Nageezi New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Riverbend Hot Springs
- Rating: 4.7/5 (565 reviews)
- City: Truth or Consequences Sierra County New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,020 reviews)
- City: Chama New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. Turquoise Museum
- Rating: 4.6/5 (575 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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

#23. Museum of International Folk Art
- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,147 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,151 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Ghost Ranch
- Rating: 4.5/5 (944 reviews)
- City: Abiquiu New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
- Rating: 4.7/5 (734 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. High Road to Taos
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,309 reviews)
- City: Taos Taos County New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. International UFO Museum And Research Center
- Rating: 3.8/5 (2,812 reviews)
- City: Roswell New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,381 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on 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

#15. Petroglyph National Monument
- Rating: 4.3/5 (2,022 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. McGinn's PistachioLand
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,919 reviews)
- City: Alamogordo New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,571 reviews)
- City: Cochiti Pueblo New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
- Rating: 4.3/5 (5,260 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Loretto Chapel
- Rating: 4.4/5 (5,251 reviews)
- City: Santa Fe New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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

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

#8. Albuquerque Old Town
- Rating: 4.2/5 (5,407 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Taos Pueblo
- Rating: 4.3/5 (3,196 reviews)
- City: Taos Taos County New
- Read more on 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

#5. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,725 reviews)
- City: Taos Taos County New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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

#3. Bandelier National Monument
- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,320 reviews)
- City: Los Alamos New
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Sandia Peak Tramway
- Rating: 4.6/5 (7,239 reviews)
- City: Albuquerque New
- Read more on 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.