Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

New Mexico is huge. Time there?
1. Mesilla, Eat at the Double Eagle restaurant, Billt the Kid was there and see the famous NM Chili fields and the other historic places there. (1 day)
2. White Sands (1/2 day).
3. Silver City, fascinating city, restaurants and a huge canyon from a flood through the middle of old town. Great architecture and history. (1/2-1 day).
4. Alamogordo, Space Museum and other points of history. (1 day).
5. Mission San Gregorio de Abó, on 513 just above Highway 60. The drive up the eastern side of the Manzano Mountains is absolutely stunning with so many side roads (1/2-1 day).
6. Las Vegas, the wholwe area around it has great shots. Shot an old adobe church there that won a national competition. (1/2 day).
7. Silver Springs and definitely Faywood Hot Springs, great area and great hot springs. (1 day).
8. Santa Fe, the Governors Mansion, churches, art museum,the plaza, and hundreds of streets to explore and the area. (3 days).
Taos, pueblo and town, famous and worth the visit though. (2 days).
9. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, great trip (1 day)
10. These are a few items, the proper exploration of what is there is about 2-3 years. I avoided Albuquerque. Is has some interest but I found it too urban and crime ridden.

RoswellNM Loc: SW Indiana

Bright sun and wide open spaces. Sun glasses a necessity and NDs helpful. Angle Fire’s worth a side trip.
(“Born” there, Roswell - my space craft didn’t crash, the one three years later did.)

RoswellNM Loc: SW Indiana

Bright sun and wide open spaces. Sun glasses a necessity and NDs helpful. Angle Fire’s worth a side trip.
(“Born” there, Roswell - my space craft didn’t crash, the one three years later did.)

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

And downtown Albuquerque, old 66, lots of street ops.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I second Capulin Volcano. I visited it in 2012. I hadn't planned on it, just came across it while driving home from a trip, but it was a nice stop. I did take a few photos, of course: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157631278161144/. It is possible to walk down into the crater, but it's about a mile walk and I'm not able to do that.

DesignOrc

The the drive from Santa Fe through Los Alamos National Laboratory toward Valle Caldera National Preserve is mostly pristine tall pines. Really nice. Valle Caldera is exactly what the name sounds like it might be; an ancient caldera valley.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Bisti Badlands, surrounds of Carlsbad Caverns, late evening/early morning around Ruidoso, and Albuquerque zoo are acceptable. While not near as large as Texas, its still a lot of acres. Plan for a couple of weeks.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

When I lived in Los Alamos fifty years ago, "Valle Caldero" was very attractive, but not developed in any noticable way. Are there now places in the area where one can stop to photograph??

Bob Link

I went looking for the Bisti badlands but never found the real interesting stuff. I may try again this year along with my trusty garmin

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Bosque Del Apache is a preserve with Sandhill Cranes and a lot more wildlife and they are there this time of year. I would go there. And try out VLA (Very Large Array) which is a farm of those HUGE dishes that they used on the movie starring Jodie Foster called Contact.

cwp3420

Go north from Santa Fe a short drive stance and visit Bandelier National Monument. It’s beautiful and very historic.

rlovaglio Loc: Augusta, Maine

I've spent years in New Mexico-- It's a photographers paradise. I think Dave gave you the best comprehensive list, "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!"

But I'll add to not forget to see Shiprock if in the Northwest corner (just below 4 Corners and trips through any of the National Forests.

Ron

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

WOW! What a wonderful statement on the State of New Mexico. Of the 13 replies only one was from a fellow New Mexican and how complementary the twelve were. We who live here take the Land of Enchantment for granted, and what nice reminders of the beauty of Enchantment. Mr/Mrs Jones all the locations are special so come and take time to absorb the opportunities. Gracias Norm

Badgertale Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Salinas National Monument. The drive is beautiful and you'll come across four early adobe pueblo ruins. Old Town Albuquerque is nice. Travel on the world's longest tram in Albuquerque. There's a great restaurant at the top. Next, take a trip to the Jemez mountains and take great shots of Jemez springs, Soda Dam (although it caved in), Battle Ship Falls...

...I'm a New Mexican, too!

davejann Loc: Portland Oregon

Don't forget the Toltec Cumbres scenic railroad. The better views are on the right side if the train.

Dave