Some of these buildings are so old that histories are strictly oral, causing inaccuracies and fuzzy dates. No matter what their exact origin, they are absolutely marvelous. So, if you are looking for a new adventure steeped in history and beauty, follow along on our tour of New Mexico’s great architectural works of art. What follows is a true adventure guaranteed to feed your soul.

Utilizing the geothermal waters of the valley, the owners decided to start a Tilapia farm in 1977. They found themselves with fishy problem: a surplus of dead fish. Instead of throwing away the dead fish, in 1987 they bought 100 baby alligators to take care of the fish remains naturally. These baby alligators grew fast in the warm, geothermal waters and locals started asking if they could see them. The Gator Farm opened to the public in 1990, showcasing their tilapia ponds and enormous alligators.

A treasured landmark on the historic Santa Fe Trail, the St. James Hotel has been a gathering place for more than 140 years. You’ll find unrivaled peace and serenity at the St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico. It hasn’t always been that quiet. A community full of frontier history, Cimarron and its vintage Hotel are indelibly marked by the turbulent days of westward expansion in northeast New Mexico.

At 650 feet above the river, The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is the second highest bridge on the U.S. Highway System and the fifth highest bridge in the United States. During construction of the bridge in the 1960s, funding did not exist to continue the road on the other side, leading to its nickname, the “Bridge to Nowhere.”

Welcome! Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects the tallest dunes in North America… and a whole lot more. The park and preserve contain ecosystems ranging from wetlands to forest to tundra—each supporting specially adapted plant, animal and insect life. Make the most of your visit by taking the time to experience this diversity in your national park!

The byway travels through Chimayo, a community known for the beautiful Santuario de Chimayo and the El Posito, a hole in the floor of a side chapel filled with healing earth. Along N.M. 76, the byway follows through the creased and crinkled badlands, polka-dotted with scrubby pinon and juniper, with the Jemez Mountains enormous on the horizon.

ENJOY DELICIOUS BBQ AND POPULAR NEW MEXICO FARE. NO MEAL AT THE MILL CAFE IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A DELICIOUS SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM SUNDAE DRENCHED IN HOMEMADE RASPBERRY TOPPING AND FRESH RASPBERRIES PICKED RIGHT OFF THE FARM.

Latir Lakes is a lake located just 10.1 miles from Questa, in Taos County, in the state of New Mexico, United States, near El Rito, NM. Whether you’re spinning, baitcasting or fly fishing your chances of getting a bite here are good. So grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head out to Latir Lakes.

Thank you for your interest in Llamas del Sol. We began our llama adventures in February of 2009 when we learned of an abandoned farm in Southern Colorado which had two young llamas in need of a home. We did not know anything about llamas then but decided to see if we could settle them down from their wild state and maybe ready them for a happy adoption with another llama farm. Within a few weeks we were in love with our new llamas and could not imagine life without them. It was not long before Dalai and Daisy were halter trained and going for walks along our Bosque and were an integral part of our family. Now we support Southwest Llama Rescue and coordinate rescues and adoptions for the betterment of llamas and enjoyment of people.

Manby Hot Springs is located near the river Rio Grande in Arroyo Hondo. For all the hikers out there, this place is certainly a great adventure for u. With the warm geothermal springs to soothe your senses, this little place has few small pools between the rocks for you to relax in. The trail head is located a mile away from the Manby Hot Springs. Bring your family and friends along to enjoy the scenic beauty and panoramic views of New Mexico.

Winter Sleigh Ride Tours As long as there is ample snowfall along trails, our winter sleigh rides begin at the Elkhorn Lodge and travel along the foothills of the forest and throughout the Angel Fire Resort area. We stop for photo-ops and snow play. Our guests frequently see deer, elk, bunny rabbits, and other wildlife, and it's not uncommon to see hawks or a Golden or Bald Eagle. We invite our guests to enjoy hot chocolate, beverages and cookies with us at the Camp Fire Café before and after our excursions. Breakfast, lunch or dinners can be arranged for your group by request. Private tours can also be arranged. Tours typically last just under an hour

New Mexico River Adventures offers a variety of Outdoor experiences in and around the Santa Fe/Taos area of northern New Mexico. Whether you’re looking for a wild whitewater run through the Class IV rapids of the world famous Taos Box or a scenic float through the azure canyon of the Rio Chama, New Mexico River Adventures has a river trip for you and your family or group.

New Mexico Wildlife Center (NMWC) was founded in 1986 by a local veterinarian, Dr. Kathleen Ramsay. Originally formed as a rehabilitation center for injured birds, the organization evolved to treat all species of wildlife in New Mexico. As NMWC’s reputation grew and the world awakened to the serious threats facing wildlife and wild habitats it became clear that saving individual animals was not enough. In order to conserve species for the future, we must work to connect people and wildlife through education.

Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Bike Riding, and just plain Relaxing are among the activities to be enjoyed during warmer months of the year in Rio Costilla and casino Jet. May to September is ideal for experiencing Rio Costilla in it’s splendor. Temperatures are mild, wild flowers are in bloom and wildlife is most active. Deer and Elk inhabit Rio Costilla in vast numbers. Visitors may see smaller game such as: Turkey, Ruffed Grouse or Golden Eagles. One may be fortunate enough to see Bear or Cougar and Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep frolicking in the sunlight.

Taos, New Mexico a offers one of the best all-around hot air balloon flights available in the U.S.A. Taos Hot Air Balloon Rides follow a unique balloon flight path over the Rio Grande Gorge, the wilderness and the "high bridge," which is unmatched in its scenic beauty and outstanding hot air balloon flight conditions.

Taos Pueblo is observing the CDC Guidelines for the current Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). We must all take the precautions to ensure the safety of our community and loved ones. We are asking all visitors to refrain from attempting to visit Taos Pueblo as you will not be allowed near or in sight of the village area. We understand the challenges that have come about with this virus and the tourism industry, but we want to make sure our community and visitors are safe and sound. THANK YOU for your understanding and cooperation.

Our farm was established in 2004 to grow and provide efficient, expert solutions for growing the finest lavender. We want to bring the best growing information to provide success to our customers and individuals interested in growing their own lavender. Whether it be for personal growers of lavender flower gardens or a commercial lavender growing farm, we want you to be informed so you can grow lavender successfully.

Experience the magic this holiday season! Join us for a truly magical recreation of the classic holiday story, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Climb aboard a vintage steam train as it departs our Durango Depot for the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus himself. Upon arriving at our depot, you’ll be immersed in the story as our chefs serve you hot chocolates and sweet treats while the conductor recites a reading from the Polar Express book. After arriving at the North Pole, you’ll enjoy an incredible light show set to holiday music. On the return trip to Durango, Santa will visit each coach and hand out the first gift of Christmas to each passenger.

The Valle Vidal (The Valley of Life) unit of the Carson National Forest was donated to the People of the United States by the Pennzoil Company in 1982. This lush mountain basin, located in the heart of New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is home to a magnificent elk herd and other abundant wildlife. The vistas of high peaks, forests, and alpine meadows are breathtaking. With elevations of 7,700-12,584 feet, the plant life is abundant and varied.

Each year thousands of visitors come to Valles Caldera National Preserve to explore the unique geology, view wildlife, and learn about the historic cabins and prehistoric sites. We hope you will have fun, make lifelong memories, and enjoy this special place.

The Wild Rivers Recreation Area is located within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and along the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River and Red River Wild and Scenic River. Here visitors may experience the beauty of an 800-foot deep canyon sliced into volcanic flows by the Rio Grande (Spanish for Large River) and Red River where they come together.

A wildlife preserve and "enhanced zoo" located just 20 minutes from Albuquerque, New Mexico in nearby Edgewood. Conveniently located near Interstate 40 and Route 66. Wildlife West Nature Park provides a very special look into the animals and plants that are part of the ecosystems of New Mexico and the Southwestern United States. All the birds and animals at Wildlife West Nature Park are non-releasable, keeping with our philosophy of bringing education to the public without harming ecological balances in other parts of the region. Our habitats are designed to provide the best possible combination of viewing opportunities and harmonious living for our residents, and our animal enrichment programs ensure that our animals are both physically and mentally healthy.

Zapata Falls is a waterfall located near the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on Bureau of Land Management land adjacent to Rio Grande National Forest and south of Great Sand Dunes National Park. The falls has a drop of 30-foot (9.1 m). Access to this waterfall entails a mildly steep 0.5 mi (0.80 km) hike. Viewing the falls requires fording the stream and climbing rocks. Black swifts nest near the falls, one of the few known breeding sites for this species in Colorado During the summer months, the falls provide a cooling oasis, but during the winter months, the waterfall freezes into an enormous column of ice, perfect for the experienced ice climber.