Things to do / Travel Guide
From the mountain valleys of Southern Colorado to the plazas of downtown Albuquerque, tourism in this region revolves around many beautiful, diverse, and spellbinding areas bursting with attractions. A short drive through the region will expose the visitor to a wide array of striking and shifting wilderness areas, interesting towns, and one-of-a kind historic sites. If you stay a little longer, you'll come to realize how jam-packed this area is with diverse attractions, and you'll come to see why so many people end up staying here a lot longer than they intended. These are some of the more interesting places to see in this region, from north to south:
Alamosa, Colorado
Near the headwaters of the Rio Grande, this city is the center of southern Colorado's San Luis Valley. Famous for its scenic railroad excursions on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and beautiful mountain landscapes, Alamosa is a great place to visit, with close proximity to Blanca Peak and a full range of outdoor activities.
Taos, New Mexico
A small town that's grown up quite a bit over the last couple of decades, Taos retains a sense of small town-magic, and no trip to the region would be complete without a stop here. The surrounding mountains have made Taos a premier skiing destination, while the postcard-perfect landscapes have inspired artists for years. The town of Taos is proud of its very prominent and renowned art scene and the amount of art galleries in this little town is staggering. The nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Rio Grande River help make the town a world-class outdoors playground, no matter what the season.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Well-known as a haven for artists and tourists, New Mexico's 2nd biggest city high in the southern Rocky Mountains has a knack for winning over visitors. Its inherent charm is one of the reasons that the city has such a diverse population atypical of a mid-sized city of the Southwest. People come, fall in love, and never leave. The historic Santa Fe Plaza is the star of downtown, and boasts charming Spanish colonial architecture, including the famous Loretto Chapel and Mission San Miguel.
Las Vegas, New Mexico
The other “Las Vegas,” situated in the wooded foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains east of Santa Fe, is something of an underrated travel find. The full range of New Mexico outdoor excitement is available, as well as the requisite historical and architectural wonders, without the throngs of tourists, or Vegas crooners performing twice a week.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
By far the biggest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque is the business center of the state, and home to over a third of New Mexico's population. A trip into downtown will give you a face-to-face view of the city's storied past in Albuquerque's Old Town. The Spanish churches, plazas, and adobe homes in the back streets of the Old Town will give you a greater appreciation of this multi-faceted city; it also paints a striking contrast to the strip malls and suburbs of the sprawling southwestern metropolis.
Places to Visit in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado
Places-to-Visit
Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
San Francisco de Asis Church
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway
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