Things to do / Travel Guide
The soaring mountains, broad mesas, and colorful vistas of this region provide an abundance of spots where visitors can be enchanted by the beauty and majesty of the area's landscapes. Along the multitude of hiking trails and high-mountain roads, almost any spot you stop to take a look around will provide a view of the enchanting, surrounding countryside.
Scenic Overlooks on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway
Right outside of Albuquerque, this nearly 3-mile aerial tramway, the longest in the world, takes you to the top of 10,678-foot Sandia Peak. From the observation deck you can see miles into the horizon and across the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway. Make sure to bring your binoculars and be on the lookout for all types of mountain wildlife, from bears to mountain goats, on nearby peaks. The stunning views will leave you breathless and light-headed, but that could just be the oxygen deprivation getting to you.
Scenic Overlooks on the Wild Rivers Back Country Byway
Several spots along this short, 13-mile byway offer fantastic views of deep, 800-foot gorges on the Rio Grande and the Red River. Views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains abound, and all of it can be taken in by merely pulling over at any of the many scenic overlooks on the route.
Scenic Overlooks around Los Alamos
This sleepy town northwest of Santa Fe is perched on the side of the Jemez Mountains and is covered with beautiful and steep desert canyons. A drive from the Los Alamos Visitor Center east out of town (on U.S. Highway 4) will take you to a series of scenic overlooks. Anderson Overlook and White Rock Overlook and Park are both within a few miles drive of the city limits and provide classic views of the town's dramatic setting.
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