48 days in New Mexico Itinerary

Famed as the site of a purported UFO crash in 1947, the Roswell of today offers much more than alien research opportunities.

Roswell is known for museums, shopping, and nature. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: examine the collection at International UFO Museum and Research Center, do a tasting at Pecos Flavors Winery, look and learn at Roswell Museum, and find something for the whole family at Roswell Space Center.

For where to stay, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Roswell visit planner.

Newark to Roswell is an approximately 8-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. You'll gain 2 hours traveling from Newark to Roswell due to the time zone difference. While traveling from Newark, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Roswell, ranging from highs of 87°F to lows of 61°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to drive to Carlsbad.

Carlsbad is a city in and the county seat of Eddy County, New Mexico, United States. Get out of town with these interesting Carlsbad side-trips: Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Lion's Tail, Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour, &more). There's still lots to do: explore the fascinating underground world of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, take an in-depth tour of Carlsbad Museum and Art Center, take a memorable drive along Walnut Canyon Desert Drive, and view the masterpieces at The Artist Gallery.

To see ratings, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, you can read our Carlsbad online itinerary builder.

Getting from Roswell to Carlsbad by car takes about 1.5 hours. In September, plan for daily highs up to 86°F, and evening lows to 63°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) to allow time to drive to Las Cruces.

Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. Get out of town with these interesting Las Cruces side-trips: Shattuck Vineyard (in Caballo), Land of Enchantment Fishing Adventures (in Elephant Butte) and Truth or Consequences (Dukatt ’71 & Riverbend Hot Springs). There's still lots to do: take an in-depth tour of Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, stroll around Dripping Springs Natural Area, learn more about the world around you at New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, and appreciate the history behind Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture.

For ratings and other tourist information, you can read our Las Cruces road trip app.

You can drive from Carlsbad to Las Cruces in 3.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 78°F in October, and nighttime lows around 50°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Sat) early enough to go by car to Alamogordo.

Alamogordo is the seat of Otero County, New Mexico, United States. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Alamogordo: Cloudcroft (Trestle Recreation Area, State Route 244, &more) and Three Rivers Petroglyph Site (in Tularosa). There's still lots to do: take in the dramatic natural features at White Sands National Monument, learn about winemaking at Heart of the Desert, engage your brain at International Space Hall of Fame, and hike along Dog Canyon Trail.

To see more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, use the Alamogordo holiday website.

Traveling by car from Las Cruces to Alamogordo takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Alamogordo can reach 78°F, while at night they dip to 49°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 12th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Ruidoso.

Ruidoso is a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, adjacent to the Lincoln National Forest. Step out of Ruidoso with an excursion to Lincoln State Monument in Lincoln--about 38 minutes away. There's still lots to do: delve into the lush surroundings at Lincoln National Forest, pause for some photo ops at Free Spirits at Noisy Water, explore the activities along Seeping Springs Trout Lakes and RV Park, and try your luck at Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

For traveler tips, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Ruidoso trip maker tool.

You can drive from Alamogordo to Ruidoso in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. When traveling from Alamogordo in October, plan for slightly colder days in Ruidoso, with highs around 67°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 45°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) early enough to drive to Santa Fe.

Santa Fe continuously ranks among the world's top holiday destinations, attracting visitors with its unusual combination of scenic beauty, rich history, cultural diversity, and high concentration of performing arts venues, fine restaurants, and interesting attractions.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Santa Fe: Los Alamos (Bradbury Science Museum & Los Alamos History Museum), Pecos National Historical Park (in Pecos) and Canyon Trail (in Cochiti Pueblo). There's lots more to do: pause for some serene contemplation at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, admire the masterpieces at Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, get to know the fascinating history of Canyon Road, and savor the flavors at Food & Drink.

To find more things to do, maps, ratings, and more tourist information, read Santa Fe trip itinerary builder website.

Getting from Ruidoso to Santa Fe by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and train; or take a bus. In October, plan for daily highs up to 69°F, and evening lows to 41°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 24th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Taos.

Many residents have shunned fast-paced city living for Taos's laid-back vibe and blend of Spanish, Native American, and Anglo cultures.

Explore Taos' surroundings by going to Philmont Scout Ranch (in Cimarron), La Chiripada Winery (in Dixon) and Cimarron Canyon State Park (in Eagle Nest). And it doesn't end there: take in the views from Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, view the masterpieces at Enchanted Circle Pottery, explore the activities along Williams Lake, and cast your line with Land of Enchantment Guides - Fly Fishing Trips.

To find maps, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, use the Taos itinerary builder site.

You can drive from Santa Fe to Taos in 1.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Taos when traveling from Santa Fe in October, with lows around 33°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Mon) so you can drive to Jemez Springs.

Jemez Springs is a village in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. Venture out of the city with trips to Bandelier National Monument (in Los Alamos), Abiquiu (Ghost Ranch & Plaza Blanca) and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (in Cochiti Pueblo). Spend the 4th (Fri) exploring nature at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. There's still lots to do: contemplate the geological forces at Jemez Mountains, look for all kinds of wild species at Ojito Wilderness, take a memorable drive along Jemez Mountain Trail, and hike along Jemez National Recreation Area.

To find maps, reviews, ratings, and tourist information, use the Jemez Springs trip itinerary maker.

You can drive from Taos to Jemez Springs in 2.5 hours. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Taos in October since evenings lows in Jemez Springs dip to 45°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) so you can go by car to Albuquerque.

Albuquerque remains one of the state's secret jewels, as its tourist attractions are often overshadowed by the more popular holiday destination of Santa Fe.

Venture out of the city with trips to Laguna Pueblo Mission (in Laguna) and Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum (in Pueblo of Acoma). There's much more to do: get to know the fascinating history of Albuquerque Old Town, get to know the resident critters at ABQ BioPark Zoo, take in the dramatic natural features at Petroglyph National Monument, and get curious at The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Albuquerque trip planner.

Traveling by car from Jemez Springs to Albuquerque takes 1.5 hours. While traveling from Jemez Springs, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Albuquerque, ranging from highs of 59°F to lows of 36°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sat) to allow enough time to fly back home.