This was such a cool hidden gem to see on the way to Santa Fe. The staff was welcoming with our…read morelast minute stop one hour before it closed. We were able to see the Pueblo site, informative displays and view the gift shop before they closed. It did rain while we were there but that didn't stop us from enjoying the beautiful view around here. They have informative displays inside the park so you'll learn a lot about the area. We enjoyed our time here.

One of our favorite national historic parks since it is so beautiful and a nice walk around its…read moretrail. Dogs are allowed which is a plus and the gift store and staff great. There is so much history that is within this park to include Native American dwelling and Spanish church remnants, and even an area where the Santa Fe trail passed by. The 2 kivas you can climb down inside are a bonus, fun and interesting. Not too far away is also Glorieta Pass, the site of a American Civil War skirmish which has a monument. There is plenty of easy parking here as well as an overflow area. Definitely worth the stop if you are passing by and no park entrance fee.

On my way to coffee nearby, I walked around the Guadalupe County courthouse. The county courthouse…read morewas originally in Puerto de Luna, the initial county seat. But with the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad, the focus of attention moved from there to here and the county seat was relocated to Santa Rosa. The center of Shelbyville Court Square, it was build in 1909. It was designed by Frank Ogden and John C. Hill, who used a Richardson Romanesque-style architecture. The style is used in other regional courthouses from the era. The two-story building is built from locally sourced red sandstone. The court functions were moved to another building in 1924 but now functions as the Guadalupe County Youth Drop-In Center. That was closed today during my visit, so I simply walked the exterior and appreciated this beautiful classic structure. [Review 21099 overall - 145 in New Mexico - 62 of 2024.]

Guadalupe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico…read more As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,687, making it the fifth-least populous county in New Mexico. The original courthouse was built in 1909 and adjoins a newer section.

Interesting and free local attraction (a little further away from downtown Santa Fe) that drives…read moretoday's needs for environmental awareness. Ethyl isn't super huge and as well known in Santa Fe yet, but it's hopefully making Santa Fe (and the US heading in the right direction with the use of recycling! Check this free local quirky attraction out if you have some time in Santa Fe!

While planning our day trip to Santa Fe from Albuquerque, we discovered Ethyl the Whale, a…read morelife-sized blue whale sculpture made entirely from single-use plastics to raise awareness about reducing plastic waste and encouraging recycling. She's located at the end of the track at Santa Fe Community College. We parked across the street and walked over for some great photo ops. It's an impressive and meaningful sight, definitely worth a quick stop on your way to or from Santa Fe!

My friend Bob had never been to New Mexico before and wanted to see an "iconic" pueblo. Taos…read morePueblo immediately came to mind and a place that Gayle and I had not been for over 18 years. It was a bit of a drive up (via the High Road), but well worth the time and effort. These multi-story homes are more than a thousand years old. None of the homes in the Taos Pueblo are vacant - five or six families live on the Pueblo full time, while the others live in town (with running water and electricity) but stay in their ancestral home many weeks throughout the year for important celebrations. We about the history of the Taos (or Tewa) people from our guide, Riley. That started at the Saint Geronimo Chapel and onward to the old church grounds, that hold the crumbling ruins of the original San Geronimo Chapel. Built in 1619 by Spanish priests using forced Native labor, it was destroyed during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt and again in 1847 by the U.S. Army (with women and children inside). In between were information on Pueblo ovens, family ties, and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. There were also various shop sprinkled throughout, with a few pleasant surprises, like one run by an established Santa Fe painter, and some nicely done local jewelry and other art. There was a lot to see here and I appreciated the leisurely pace, while being respectful of restricted areas and honoring any cultural-related requests by our hosts.

've always wanted to visit Taos Pueblo, even though it's quite out of the way. From Santa Fe, it's…read moreabout a 70-mile drive through winding mountain roads and small towns, which made the trip feel longer than it actually was. When I arrived, a staff member stopped me at a stop sign before I reached the exact location on the map. He explained where to park--either in the main lot or the one just ahead--and pointed out that the admission office is directly across the street, which was helpful. Adult admission is $25. I had seen complaints about the price beforehand, but honestly, I didn't feel that way at all. This isn't a state park or a monument--people are still living here--so the experience feels very real and meaningful. I picked up a brochure at the admission office. The highlights for me were the church (no photography allowed inside) and the cemetery, as well as the famous North House and South House. The air was crisp, and there was the smell of burning wood everywhere, which added to the atmosphere. I also stopped by a small shop selling handcrafted jewelry and decorations. I bought a hummingbird for $20 and was glad I had cash, since the seller told me I'd need to step outside to use Venmo (not sure why--my reception was fine). If you're interested in Pueblo history, this is absolutely a must-visit. It may not appeal to everyone, but for those who appreciate culture and history, it's a very special place. This lady was selling bread across from the office where they charge admission. It's $5 each absolutely delicious and no additive! Horno style bread," or Pueblo oven bread, is a traditional, dense white bread with a crunchy crust, historically baked in a beehive-shaped, outdoor adobe oven called a horno in the American Southwest. The term "horno" comes from the Spanish word for "oven

One of my favorite national parks that I have ever been to and hiked! STUNNING. I love that you can…read morehike up the ladders on one of the hikes here. That hike definitely is not for the faint of heart and pushed my limits at the top (you are high and it seems scary) but it is one of my most memorable hikes all around for the scenery and unique experience. A must visit! For those who don't to do the ladder hike, you can still walk to the bottom of it and look up and get a good view. So there is something for all levels here. The scenery is gorgeous. It does get windy here sometimes (we had a lot of wind blasting us as we were climbing the ladders) so be careful and be prepared for that. The nature all around is beautiful. Additionally, there are some tables so you could bring a picnic. Staff in the visitor center is very friendly and has lots of great recommendations of what to do here or nearby. A must do! This was the highlight of my trip to this area and I can't recommend it enough :)

Without a doubt one of the best national parks or monuments I've ever been to! Highly, highly…read morerecommended if you are in the Santa Fe area. A couple notes: 1. Parking looks like it might get tough on busy weekends, mid-week we didn't have an issue early, and but when we left in the early afternoon, the main lot was pretty full. 2. The main Pueblo Loop trail was well maintained and quite accessible up to and just past the Big Kiva and Tyuonyi. The top-back part of the loop was a little more broken up, but still a pretty easy stroll. 3. The trail out to the Alcove House was absolutely beautiful! It's not paved, but it's a well maintained gravel. The ladders to the alcove itself are an interesting experience. If you don't love heights, there are some benches at the bottom of the ladder to sit on and relax. 4. Helpfully, there is a well-maintained pit toilet about halfway out, in case you need it. 5. The restaurant at the visitor center might not be the most efficient place, but the food was much better than you would expect!

A short detour from the High Road to Taos. The Pueblo is set in a valley and surrounded by…read moremountains, quite serene. Our visit was to view the Buffalo Herd, the Pueblo is a member of the intertribal buffalo council. We saw about 8 grazing in the field. Would be even lovelier in the snow. New Mexico is full of history and spirituality and any opportunity to see the buff pleases us.

We visited the Picuris Pueblo while in Taos for an night. This is a bit of a drive outside of…read moreTaos, but it was gorgeous. You think of New Mexico as being a desert, and this drive shows you that New Mexico is not just sand and sage. There is not much to see at this Pueblo. We got there after the museum closed. There are a few buildings left, and the church. We didn't get out of the car, we just drove through since it is so small. It is said that this Pueblo is well over a thousand years old. It moved me to be around a structure that is that old. It's a bit overwhelming at first. If you are in Taos and looking for something outside of the art galleries and the Plaza, take the drive to see this Pueblo.

A spiritual and WONDERFUL experience watching Tribal members do the Turtle Dance. And what an…read morehonor to be escorted by one of the Kachina Clown Men. Thank You for letting me be there.

I hate that we couldn't access the sidewalk to be on the bridge. The area next to it does have…read moreparking but it is limited. They have a nice trail you can walk on and different areas to take cool photos. The best part is that it is free. They also have vendors selling goods in the parking lot.

Located about 10 miles from Taos, NM stands this majestic bridge!…read more While on vacation, we decided to come see the gorge, the Rio Grande River, and the bridge that spans it. And what a sight it was to behold! We parked in the Rio Grande Gorge Rest Area. The bridge & gorge are viewable from here. There are sheltered picnic tables and restrooms here. In 1963 the bridge was started and was completed in 1965. It is part of the US Highway 64. There are three spans connected to create one bridge 1,280 feet long (two 300-foot-long approach spans with a 600-foot-long main center span). September of 2012, the bridge underwent a $2.4 restoration which included structural steelwork, a new concrete deck surface, new sidewalks, ramps, curbs, and gutters. We were unable to walk out onto the bridge, but we did walk out to the rim. The dirt path was easy to navigate. Once near the rim, it becomes rocky and there is no barrier to keep you safe from falling off the edge, so watch your step! Since I am not very steady of my feet, I didn't go out as far as I would have liked to. A few more steps and I would have had a better view, but I stopped. Sadly, the bridge was closed to pedestrians in Sept. 2025 due to suicides. I feel that by not getting to walk across the bridge, my experience was hindered. I would have loved to get a full head on view of the gorge! For me, having the view from here would have been safer and more ideal! You've probably seen this bridge since it has appeared in a few movies including Natural Born Killers, Twins, White Sands, She's Having a Baby, The Signal, Paul, Vacation, Wild Hogs, and Terminator Salvation. Locals call this bridge the "High Bridge" or the "Gorge Bridge". It is the seventh highest bridge in the U.S. It is located in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. If we make it back here in the future, I hope we will be able to walk to the center of the bridge!

Every time I come back to visit Española, I make sure to stop at Chimayo Trading Post and they…read morenever disappoint. Their red chile is hands down the best I've ever had. Perfectly rich, flavorful, and consistently amazing with every visit. A true New Mexico treasure! Good selection, and great value. Very welcoming, I appreciate you all..

Very interesting trading post with many quality items. The owners are personable folks. I'm just…read moresorry I have not stopped before. Trust me, it's worth a stop!