Local Culture & Entertainment
New Mexico weather is usually sunny and warm. The largest city of Albuquerque, for example, gets approximately 310 days of sunshine on an annual basis, and it's not too different throughout much of the state. The higher mountains get more clouds and precipitation, and in the winter, even snow.
Spring: When spring rolls around in New Mexico, the winds pick up across the state. As such, it's not widely considered to be the best time to visit. However, the temperatures are pleasant, the hotel rates lower, and the activity options plentiful. You can ski and snowshoe into the early spring in New Mexico, and as the snows melt, activities such as hiking and biking start to replace skiing and snowshoeing. Golfing and fishing are just two more options for things to do in the spring, and thanks to the melting snow, this is peak white water rafting season.
There is literally never a lack of things to do in New Mexico. The state has got it all from optimal leisure and relaxation choices, lake, river and ocean activities, sky-high adventures, recreation and fitness to lots of sightseeing opportunities. The only pain in planning out things to do in New Mexico is deciding between all different activities!
Perhaps one of the most interesting and different of things to do in New Mexico is to take part in are the llama treks where the coarsely furred animals carry all your gear while you concentrate on the scenic background. Guided tours are also popular along the winding pass's historical and architectural sights.
Fly fishing guest ranches offer more selection for things to do in New Mexico with comfortable lodging with some of the best angling in the area.
Other New Mexico tourist attractions include a flood of bicycle tours and art, archaeological and cultural expeditions and hiking and biking trails in locations such as the Jemez Mountains.
Guided and self guided walks are quite popular in and around Santa Fe and Taos.
Get pampered and feel completely rejuvenated amid the luxurious surroundings in one of New Mexico's resorts and spas.
Visit one of New Mexico's famous hot springs and soak your worries away in warm, therapeutic waters.
Another of the many New Mexico tourist attractions is Bandera Volcano and the Ice Caves located near Grant, New Mexico. Settled on the continental divide the trek includes walking through knotted old juniper trees over the ancient lava trail to the Ice Caves where the natural layers of ice are a favorite among New Mexico attractions.
The Rio Grande is normall
y included in most tours of New Mexico. In New Mexico the name Rio Grande corresponds with some very beautiful scenery. The Rio Grande Gorge is an area defined by incredible landscape and favorable cold stream fishing. After a year of substantial snowfall the historic Rio Grande River comes alive with fast water and sizable waves perfect for an exciting rafting trip along plunging canyons and towering cliffs.
One of the most exciting ways to view the canyon, rift and river is by hot-air balloon, which will take you careening through the area and dipping down into the canyon itself for some astonishing views. Hot air balloon tours are readily available in New Mexico and particularly in Albuquerque where the famous Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is held.
Skiing is a definite highlight of tours of New Mexico during the winter season and ski tours of New Mexico are often taken by visitors. Less then half an hour from Taos, Angelfire is a fantastic ski resort in winter.
For golf fanatics a favorite thing to do is hit one of New Mexico's many golf courses and play to their hearts content.
Ski Santa Fe is ne
stled high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is 16 miles from the center of Santa Fe. Taos Ski Valley offers alpine skiing in optimal conditions and is 100% snowboard-free. Other New Mexican ski resorts include Red River, Ski Pajarito Mountain, Snow Canyon, Sandia Peak and Sipapu.
For a solely cross country experience check out Enchanted Forest which is New Mexico's largest full service cross country ski area and is groomed for classic and freestyle skiing.
New Mexico events are inviting, entertaining and unique. The state is host to several different kinds of exciting festivals, celebrations and gatherings. The 9th Annual Taos Solar Music Festival in Kit Carlson Park, downtown Taos is just one of the New Mexico events definitely worth checking out. Taos itself is hailed as the 'Solar Capital of the World' and is home to many energy conserving activists and environmental leaders. It draws music lovers and eco-friendly folks from all around and is actually two different yet closely tied events that are put on simultaneously. One is the Taos Solar Music Festival, a ticketed and for-profit festival and the other is the Solar Village, which occurs side-long with the music festival. This one of many New Mexico events takes place each year around solstice and features alternative and interactive energy exhibits with an exceptional backdrop and boasts plenty of tickets available at the front gates.
Other New Mexico festivals include the Santa Fe Thirsty Ear Festival and the Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival. The Santa Fe Thirsty Ear Festival happens toward the end of August and beginning of July and is host to a stew of music on 3 stages such as folk, roots rock, bluegrass, country and good 'ole blues and kicks off at the renowned Eaves Movie Ranch near Santa Fe. Of all the New Mexico festivals, this one draws many musicians from all around.
When deciding which New Mexico festivals to attend you won't want to miss the equally popular Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival. This three-week long festival features internationally acclaimed jazz and world music artists and happens in the summer season toward the end of July.
Some other fun and exciting events in New Mexico include the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque in October, which is a colorful explosion of hot-air balloons from designers around the world.
The Whole Enchilada Fiesta is another of the fun events in New Mexico, which is held in October in Las Cruces where a chef proudly creates the biggest enchilada in the world and locals and tourists eagerly devour the massive creation! These two events in Mexico are known around the world and many tourists travel from many different regions to take part in the festivities.
The Santa Fe Film Festival is yet another of the many great festivals in New Mexico and occurs at the end of November and continues into the beginning of December. The organization promotes presents significant global film in non- commercial conditions. As far as festivals in New Mexico, this one champions New Mexican, new American and foreign film to festival-goers including favored independent creations and mini-festivals. Another of the many varied festivals in New Mexico is Globalquerque and seems to be quite favored and a definite labor of love for the promoters. Globalquerque is a really distinct world music and cultural celebration held in Albuquerque in September. The festival is host to a Global Village, which offers an assortment of food and handicrafts from around the world. There are no-cost daily activities offered for families and children during the day including crafts and live shows and workshops on music and traditional folklore. Festivals in New Mexico are attended by many locals and provide visitors a glimpse into New Mexico’s charming hospitality.
Regional cuisine tells an important story about every area. Like curry is synonymous with India and sushi with Japan, the chile is the fruit of the pepper plant and was incorporated into New Mexico foods after the first Spanish settlements in the state. The chile is the exclusive ingredient imported from Mexico that characterizes New Mexico foods and it's no secret that New Mexicans use different varieties of chiles to spice and flavor their food until it's fiery-hot!
New Mexico foods revolve around 3 distinct cultures of the Mexican, Native American and European people. Though Southwest cuisine as a whole is often seen as very similar, New Mexico foods are quite different from those of Texas and Arizona. There are over 40,000 acres of soil being cultivated with New Mexican chiles in four states including New Mexico itself.
Though chiles are definitely one of the main staples in foods of New Mexico, there are other significant ingredients added to the regions dishes to make them distinctly New Mexican. From a handful of simple ingredients, a number of foods of New Mexico are made in cafes, restaurants and local homes. Foods of New Mexico are carefully created by adding different variations of the following ingredients; beef, pork and chicken, corn and flour tortillas, cheese, onions, pinto beans and chiles. Lots and lots of chiles!
Many ethnicities that eat fierce and flaming spicy foods normally east something that will cool the palate when necessary. Sweet and spicy, or cool and spicy offer a gastronomical balance unlike no other. The opposites offer a yin and yang of culinary delight and make the dishes that much more enjoyable. Spicy foods of New Mexico are often eaten with more cooling foods such as sour cream as a topping and lettuce and tomatoes are mixed into the dishes to create a somewhat cooling affect. When your mouth is burning a glass of milk can be just the thing to bring your senses back into symmetry.
Salsa is also a popular condiment and can be had mild, medium and hot. There are many different ways to mix up a batch of salsa and many recipes are held dear to the heart, kept top-secret and passed along from generation to generation in New Mexican families. You'll find salsa to be popular side dish at most any New Mexico restaurant you choose to eat at.
There is a dizzying variety of the New Mexican restaurant serving up dishes from the traditional assortment to international cuisine. To have the most authentic New Mexican dining experience try a genuine New Mexican restaurant. Located in Albuquerque New Mexico, El Pinto Restaurant has been serving diners since 1962. Josephine Chavex-Griggs was the cornerstone in building this restaurant to its acclaimed status today. This New Mexico restaurant serves award-winning cuisine that has been internationally noticed for being 'the flavor of New Mexico'.
Located in central Santa Fe La Casa Sena is also a highly recognized restaurant and features cutting-edge American southwestern cuisine. This New Mexico restaurant also procures a fabulous wine list and a relaxing outdoor patio. From its Green Chile Stew to its Coriander-Chimayo Red Chile Crusted Halibut, this restaurant delights and engages guest after ravishing guest.
At The Old House Restaurant in Santa Fe guests can savor award-winning contemporary American cuisine in a casual dining atmosphere. This acclaimed restaurant is a favorite among locals and offers up a unique and distinctive menu featuring delightful plate presentations in a stylish and comfortable atmosphere.
Many of New Mexico's better known restaurants reflect the unique combination of the state's diverse cultures and traditions. A visit to an acclaimed New Mexico restaurant can open the doors to a unique and gastronomically delightful experience that may very well keep you going back to try different dishes with sumptuous twists on Southwestern flavor.
Additional Links
