mjones540

I'm new to this forum so hope I'm posting this in right place. Thinking of heading out to New Mexico soon. I know there's plenty of photo ops out there but any suggestions? places for best landscapes, sunsets, people, architecture, etc.? I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There's lots of different ways to go. In the southeast is White Sands. Due south of Albuquerque is the Basque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. West of Basque is the Very Large Array. In the Albuquerque area is the Petroglyph National Monument and a stretch of old Route 66. There's Santa Fe north of Albuquerque and the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks on the way to Santa Fe. The whole state is the Land of Enchantment, so just pick a direction / destination and pick whatever is along the route.

mjones540

Thanks so much! Appreciate the help! Sounds like there will be no shortage of photo ops.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Don't forget Capulin Mountain (a near perfect cinder come volcano) in the northeast, Carlsbad Caverns in the southeast, Four Corners in the northwest, several huge copper mines in the southwest, and all sorts of stuff in between. Having an all-access pass to National Parks and National Monuments will be well worth the price for you. They can easily be purchased online. You only need one for everyone (up to four) in the car.

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

Bisti Badlands in the northwest corner, Bandelier National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Valles Grande, El Malpais National Monument, and more

olddutch Loc: Beloit, Wisconsin

The Loretta Chapel, in Santa Fe is quite interesting. It has “The Miraculous Staircase” google it. There is quite the interesting story goes with it. Enjoy.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Tripadvisor.com

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

It really depends on your interests...

Sandia Peak and tram in Albuquerque;
Santa Fe;
Taos;
Taos Pueblo;
The roads in-between...

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Lots of good suggestions.

My own favorite: Acoma. Just check first and be sure it’s not closed to outsiders for a special feast day or event.

ralf Loc: NJ

The VLA has a big collection of radio telescopes on wheels. CONTACT was shot there. There was a very photogenic bull [in a fenced area] near where you turn off for the VLA. Also, got a shot of a rattlesnake in the VLA parking lot.

If u r not into science, SETI, or astronomy and such, try Roswell. They have many aliens there, or so I hear tell.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

These are my favorites in one of my favorite states.

Andy

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

My brother lives now in Albuquerque - I, myself, lived in the area one summer many months ago.
I find the following three to be the best sites:
1. Santa Fe for cultural and people photography.
2. Chaco Canyon for photos of ruins left by 'first people'.
3. Chama for their historic steam train.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I have only been to New Mexico and the nearby area a few times but enjoyed Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe National Park (although in Texas), Alamogordo, White Sands National Park and the UFO museum in Roswell. Robert H. Goddard spent the last part of his career in Roswell further developing rockets, I want to go back there and see if there are any memorials/sites about that part of his career.

Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ

Forget about it. The diversity of environment is so great you couldn't shoot it all in a lifetime, much less the people, the wildlife, the architecture and the traces of the past. Take along plenty of water and food, and plan to stay for a lifetime.

New Mexico Dave Loc: Corrales, NM

I agree with Tjohn! I have lived near Albuquerque for 19 years and have traveled to every corner of the state, and am continually amazed at the incredible beauty and diversity here. But here are some suggestions:

Historical/Cultural: Bandelier NM, Chaco Canyon, Petroglyph Monument, Pecos National Historic Park, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument (three distinct ruins), Gila Cliff Dwellings NM, Acoma Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, Taos and Santa Fe, Historic Route 66, Three Rivers Petroglyph Site....

Scenic and Landscapes: El Malpais NM, Carlsbad Caverns NP, White Sands NM, Chama and the steam train to Antonito (or reverse order), Taos area, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks NM, Valles Caldera National Preserve and the Jemez Mtns., Sandia Mtns and the Turquoise Trail drive to Santa Fe, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (October)....

Wildlife: Bosque del Apache NWR (winter), Bitter Lake NWR (Fall and Spring), Rio Grande Nature Center, Randall Davey Nature Center (Santa Fe)....

Just a few suggestions from a wildlife biologist and history freak... oh, AND an avid photographer of all of the above and more!