Related Sponsors

Historic Day Trips

Home » New Mexico » Short Stays In New Mexico » Historic Day Trips

If you are staying in Santa Fe, you are not far from some historical treasures. Here are some examples of scenic trips that are sure to please:

o The Ancient Ruins Loop is less than an hour away from Santa Fe, and driving this route allows you to explore cliff dwellings and other Native American artifacts.
o Or, take the Turquoise Trail which is located between Santa Fe and Albuquerque that allows you to get out and visit ghost towns, a mining museum, interesting rock formations, have a picnic while overlooking one of the breathtaking vistas of the area, and even stop at a petting zoo.
o Los Alamos is also easily accessed from Santa Fe. Here you’ll see more well-preserved ruins as well as a museum that educates visitors on the coming of the nuclear age. If the season is right you could ski the Pajarito Plateau, or if it’s warmer you could visit local wineries. As with many areas in this region, there are unforgettable rock formations that are sure to delight you.
o The trip north to Chama will be a full day of taking in historic sights so get your rest the night before you embark. In this area, be sure to visit the Chuco Culture National Historic Park, Aztec Ruins National Monument and the Salmon Ruins for a good dose of pueblo history. If you are interested in landscapes, check out El Morrow National Monument and El Malpai National Monument for lava fields. Since there isn’t much local lodging in this rustic region, plan to drive back to Santa Fe that night or camp out under the stars like the Indians did in one of the local campgrounds.

If you would like to make Albuquerque your home base, there are also some great day trips sure to satisfy any history buff.

o The Jemez Mountain Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe is a great place to see Indian pueblos, visit some rare natural hot springs, discover a 17th century mission church and walk around a gigantic volcanic crater.
o For more Indian pueblos, travel to Laguna and Acoma Pueblos for some charming and magical Indian ruins.

If you are staying in Taos, take a day to walk through the Historic Houses of Taos which chronicle the lifestyles of the earliest Native Americans, Spanish colonizers and Anglo settlers and how their various cultures influenced the developed of the area. For another day trip, travel the High Road to Taos to pass through quaint mountain villages whose settings are still preserved from the 18th century. You’ll pass by historic adobe churches, galleries and of course, beautiful vistas. But if you’re staying in Taos, you will probably want to spend at least a day or so taking advantage of the great snow skiing regions around Taos County.

For a variety of historical excursions, base yourself in the Southeastern part of New Mexico and visit Roswell and Ft. Sumner. Although this area may seem like miles and miles of ranching country, you will be pleasantly surprised with the unusual attractions that seem to be located in the middle of nowhere. Roswell is supposedly where you can see UFOs and where the first outer space visitors landed. Travel through Ft. Sumner where the likes of Billy the Kid once did and even see where he is buried.

If you’d like to stay in Northeastern New Mexico, take a day trip to the Clayton area and visit the dinosaur tracks that are still intact from eight species of dinosaurs. Also, visit the natural wonder of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands and the Capulin Volcano National Monument.

Next Page: Exploring the Wild, Wild West

Related Short Stays In New Mexico Articles