Regions of New Mexico Akin to Five States in One

NEW MEXICO’S wide-open spaces are ready to welcome you. Whether you are merely seeking a change of scenery or are in need of a more extensive getaway with a touch of adventure, there has never been a better time to look to the stunning four regions of picturesque New Mexico. The state’s natural beauty, rich history, outdoor activities, and diversity of cultures offer experiences of a lifetime for staycationers and vacationers alike.

Northwestern New Mexico: Rocks, Roads and Bling

WHETHER you venture to the Four Corners monument (where you can stand in four states simultaneously), are drawn to the ancient mystery of Chaco Canyon, join in the annual Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremony in August, or cruise historic Route 66, there is much in this region of New Mexico to heighten the senses and stir dormant primal connections.

Amid 200-million-year-old cliffs outside Gallup is Red Rock State Park and Museum, featuring interpretive displays of ancient Anasazi culture alongside modern art from the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes. Consider with each step that you are walking on land once occupied by the ancient Anasazi Indians.

Immerse yourself in antiquity at El Morro National Monument, (south of Interstate 40, west of Ramah on NM 53) where fragments of history and ancient cultures are embedded in the great sandstone promontory. Here, over hundreds of years, Spanish and American travelers rested and carved their signatures, brief messages and the dates they were there. For operating hours and trail information, call the visitor center at 505-783-4226, ext. 801 for the most up-to-date information. Campground sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Art gallery walks are among the most popular activities in Farmington. While they are offered year-round virtually through the Farmington Convention Center at farmingtonnm. org/virtual-art-walk, the seasonal self-guided walks are not to be missed if you can make one or more of them in person. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. and go till dusk June 2, October 6, and November 25. Start at Orchard Park where maps and other information can be found. Meander to your heart’s content among the artists in shops, in the park, and outside along the route. See the Northwest New Mexico Arts Council website, nwnmac.org, for details. A downtown Makers Market also occurs Thursdays, June 2-September 29, from 3 p.m. to dusk, with food, music, and artisans from around the state.

Venture along historic Route 66 where you can see the motels, diners, and neon of the era as the "Mother Road" winds its way west out of Albuquerque toward Gallup. For railway buffs and anyone interested in the history of the Southwest, Gallup’s historic railway depot is worth a photo op. The Southwest Indian Foundation also operates the Gallup Cultural Center inside the depot, 201 E. Highway 66. It contains a storyteller museum and displays about trains, mining, weaving, Native American sand paintings and silversmithing, as well as the stories of Route 66.

A scenic drive off I-40 east of Grants escorts you to the otherworldly volcanic flows of El Malpais National Monument, located on exit 85 off I-40 in Grants. Its surface trails and Visitor Center are open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, closed major holidays. Stop in for maps, information, orientation, cave permits, a Western National Parks Association bookstore, museum exhibits, and park movies. For more information and updates on operations, visit https://www.nps.gov/elma/ planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

Take a stop from your scenic tour of the region at Sky City Casino Hotel on I-40, east of Grants. Sky City offers 24-hour gaming with more than 640 of the newest and hottest slot and video poker machines, Las Vegas-style table games, bingo, and live entertainment, with fine accommodations and dining all in one place.

Trading posts and shops throughout Northwestern New Mexico offer a variety of new and old Native American arts and crafts, including painting, pottery, jewelry and carved fetishes.

The New Mexico Vacation Directory is published once a year in May by Moon Dog Publishing, Albuquerque, N.M. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented in this guide. The publisher does not take responsibility for the accuracy or legitimacy of the advertisers’ messages or that of the guest writers/ columnists or any aspect of the business operation or conduct of the advertisers in the magazine. For information and advertising rates, call (505) 350-8695 or (505) 259-7969.

4: Regions of New Mexico Akin to Five States in One

4: Northwestern New Mexico: Rocks, Roads and Bling

6: Northeastern New Mexico: A Raucous Past Among Varied Vistas

6: Southwestern New Mexico: Frontiers Old and New

9: El Rancho de Las Golondrinas Receives Funding for ADA-Accessible Trail System

10: Southeastern New Mexico: Caves, Casinos and Culture

14: North-Central New Mexico: History, Art, Culture

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