Descend 250m (830ft) into the Carlsbad Caverns down a steep, slippery path, and explore the many chambers and passages. Over 300 known caves have been discovered since the world-famous caverns were explored in 1922 (www.nps.gov/cave).
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New Mexico things to see and do
Tourist offices
New Mexico Tourism Department
Address: 491 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, United States
Tel: (505) 827 7336
www.newmexico.org
Carlsbad Caverns
Cliff's Amusement Park
Launch high into the air above Albuquerque on wild thrill rides at Cliff's Amusement Park (www.cliffs.net).
Coronado State Monument
Explore history at the Coronado State Monument (www.nmmonuments.org), where Spanish explorer Coronado and his men stayed while searching for the seven cities of gold.
Hot air balloon
Take off in a hot air balloon in clear blue skies and mild temperatures, then tour the Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. The world's largest hot air balloon festival takes place in Albuquerque every October, when over 700 colourful hot air balloons fill the skies (www.cabq.gov/balloon).
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (www.indianpueblo.org), tracing the history of the state's 19 Native American Pueblos. See exhibits featuring contemporary works by pueblo artists and catch seasonal performances of traditional dances.
Museum of New Mexico
Explore Santa Fe's Museum of New Mexico (www.museumofnewmexico.org) and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian (www.wheelwright.org), which display jewellery, weavings, pottery and paintings of Native American cultures.
Navajo
Visit the largest Indian reservation in the United States, now home for the Navajo. The Navajo are noted for their beautiful silver and turquoise jewellery, sand paintings and other crafts (www.discovernavajo.com).
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway
Ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway (www.sandiapeak.com), 4.3km (2.7 miles) above the deep canyons of Albuquerque on the world's longest single-span tramway.
Santa Fe
Tour the southwestern town of Santa Fe, the 'City of the Holy Faith', with its adobe-style buildings and quaint town square filled with galleries, Native American crafts and jewellery. The oldest and highest capital in the country, it boasts more than 150 art galleries.
Santa Fe Trail
Travel the Santa Fe Trail (www.nps.gov/safe) and visit the San Miguel Mission, one of the oldest churches in the country, and Loretto Chapel (www.lorettochapel.com), with its 'Miraculous Stairway', so called because elements of its design baffle experts to this day.
Ski and snowboard
Ski and snowboard fresh powder snow at one of the nine major skiing areas in the state. The high mountains and dry air make for great downhill and cross-country skiing (www.skinewmexico.com).
Taos
Rediscover the Old West in Taos at the home of 19th-century scout, Kit Carson. When Carson's brother-in-law and governor of New Mexico Territory was murdered in a nearby house, the governor's wife and children escaped by digging through the wall of their adobe home using kitchen utensils.
Traditions Festival Marketplace
Enjoy the Traditions Festival Marketplace (www.traditionsnewmexico.com), dedicated to selling products and services made in New Mexico. Performances and exhibitions in the outdoor plaza and gazebo showcase New Mexico culture.
Trout fishing
Cast your line in the Animas and San Juan rivers known to provide some of the best trout fishing in the nation.
Turquoise Trail
Travel through deserted mining towns on the Turquoise Trail (website: www.turquoisetrail.org). Ghost towns Madrid and Golden were abandoned when supplies of gold, turquoise and coal mines ran dry.
White-water rafting
Go white-water rafting on the wild rapids of the Rio Grande or calmer waters of the dam-controlled Rio Chama rivers.
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