Albuquerque is the gateway to the Southwest. Set in the center of New Mexico, the city makes a great base for discovering the diverse landscapes and cultures that make the state the Land of Enchantment.
These road trips from Albuquerque explore some of New Mexico’s most exciting and fascinating destinations, most of which allow you to return in time for dinner and margaritas. Here are seven of our favorite journeys that can be completed in a day from the Duke City.
Go mining for adventure on the Turquoise Trail
Filled with mountain views and Old West history, the Turquoise Trail is the nickname for New Mexico 14. This two-lane road travels from Tijeras just east of Albuquerque to Santa Fe along the east side of the Sandia Mountains. Its name comes from the precious mineral that Native Americans mined in Cerrillos and traded throughout the Americas. Travelers on this scenic highway pass through Cedar Crest, home to the Greenside Cafe and Rumor Brewing, before reaching the turnoff for New Mexico 536. This route climbs to the crest of the Sandía Mountains at 10,678ft. In Sandia Park, the Tinkertown Museum offers an eclectic collection of outsider art that families enjoy (note that it is closed from November through March).
Continue north on NM 14 to arrive in Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid), which was a booming coal-mining town in the 1930s. Once a ghost town rediscovered by free spirits in the 1960s, old mining shacks have been transformed into brightly colored art galleries, cafés, and museums. The next destination is Cerrillos, an Old West town featured in several movies including Young Guns. Despite its revitalization, it maintains a ghost town charm, with attractions like the Black Bird Saloon, Cerrillos Station mercantile store, and gallery, as well as long-standing businesses including the Casa Grande Trading Post, Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum, and the Cerrillos Petting Zoo. For those interested in hiking, Cerrillos Hills State Park provides information about the area’s Native American turquoise mining and features scenic trails through the Ortiz Mountains. The entire trip from Tijeras to Santa Fe encompasses 60 miles; however, it is advisable to allocate ample time for exploration.
How to get to the Turquoise Trail: From Albuquerque, travel I-40 east to Exit 175 at Tijeras, then take NM 14 north toward Santa Fe.
Take the train to Santa Fe
Santa Fe is an hour-and-a-half drive north of Albuquerque via I-25; however, a more scenic, fun, and environmentally friendly option is to take the New Mexico Rail Runner Express train. The train departs from several stations throughout Albuquerque and follows the Rio Grande corridor to the Santa Fe Depot Station. Local cafes, restaurants, breweries, and boutiques have popped up around the historic depot, creating a destination in its own right in the Santa Fe Railyard District. Explore this vibrant neighborhood, and enjoy a pleasant 15-minute walk east to the Santa Fe Plaza. Known for its fine-art galleries, Canyon Road is another half-mile stroll east of the plaza. Moreover, the interactive art funhouse Meow Wolf has become a must-see destination. For convenience, you can also hail a ride service from the depot for a quick trip.
How to get to Santa Fe via train: Visit the New Mexico Rail Runner Express website for schedules. Parking is available at stations throughout the Albuquerque area, including the Alvarado Transit Station in downtown Albuquerque.
Explore Chaco Culture National Historical Park
A journey to remote Chaco Culture National Historical Park stretches three hours one-way from Albuquerque; nevertheless, it rewards visitors with stunning scenery and rich insights into Native American culture, history, and archaeology. Locally known as Chaco Canyon, this park preserves large structures called Great Houses built by ancestral Puebloans from approximately 700 to 1100 CE. These impressive buildings are aligned with astronomical events to mark the seasons, suggesting that the area served as both a religious and governmental capital with trade routes extending throughout North America. A small museum displays a variety of artifacts, including turquoise jewelry, copper bells, macaw feathers from Mexico, and exquisite pottery excavated from Great Houses. A paved loop enables visitors to drive to many of the Great Houses, while backcountry trails lead to additional ruins overlooking the high desert landscape, which remains largely unchanged from a millennium ago. Due to limited services, it is essential to pack enough water and snacks and to fill your gas tank before embarking on this World Heritage journey.
How to get to Chaco Culture National Historical Park: Take I-25 to US 550 at Bernalillo, then travel US 550 for 133 miles, following park signs. Note that the last 16 miles into the park are unpaved and may become impassable after rain or snow.
Journey to Acoma Pueblo (Sky City)
The Pueblo of Acoma is one of the 19 Pueblo nations in New Mexico and boasts the village of Sky City, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. Respectful visitors can learn about the history, culture, and traditions of Sky City, built atop a towering mesa rising 365ft above the desert floor. Guided tours lead visitors up the mesa and through the ancient streets and alleyways that weave between adobe homes that have endured for generations. Guides share insights into daily traditional living, such as baking bread in domed ovens and collecting rainwater. At the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum, guests can delve deeper into Acoma culture and history through informative exhibits, purchase pottery and jewelry at the Gaits’i gallery, and savor Pueblo favorites like blue corn enchiladas at the Yaak’a Cafe.
How to get to Acoma Pueblo: Take I-40 west for 100 miles to Exit 102, then follow signs to the Sky City Cultural Center.
Enjoy country living in Corrales
Situated just minutes north of Albuquerque, the tranquil Corrales is a rural farming village along the west bank of the Rio Grande. Walking trails meander through the cottonwoods lining the river in the Corrales Bosque Preserve, where visitors often spot wildlife such as Canada geese and sandhill cranes. Shops range from horse tack to fine art, and local restaurants like the Indigo Crow and Perea’s Tijuana Bar offer diverse dining experiences. For those seeking refreshment, Ex Novo Brewery and others serve New Mexico craft beer, while guests can explore the picturesque vineyards of Corrales’ three wineries. The Casa San Ysidro Museum, an extension of the Albuquerque Museum, is housed in a 19th-century ranch home and depicts life in New Mexico before statehood. The drive from Albuquerque north along Rio Grande Boulevard to Corrales passes through the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, where Casa Rondeña Winery and Los Poblanos Inn and Organic Farm are both worth exploring.
How to get to Corrales: Take Rio Grande Boulevard north to Alameda Boulevard, then head west on Alameda to Corrales Road/New Mexico 448 and turn north.
Go for a soak in Jemez Springs
The Village of Jemez Springs, located just an hour northwest of Albuquerque, is famed for its hot springs, a result of the volcanic history of the Jemez Mountains. Visitors can enjoy a hot soak at various inns and bathhouses enjoying scenic mountain views, including Jemez Hot Springs and the historic Jemez Springs Bath House. Jemez Springs’ quaint downtown includes the popular Los Ojos Restaurant and Saloon, along with several shops and galleries. Nearby, the Jemez Historic Site preserves the ruins of a 17th-century pueblo village and Spanish mission. This charming destination is perfect for a fun getaway, or it can be included as part of a longer road trip along the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway that eventually loops back to Albuquerque via Santa Fe. On your way to Jemez Springs, be sure to stop at the Pueblo of Jemez’s Walatowa Visitor Center and the stunning Red Rock Canyon to learn about the area’s earliest inhabitants.
How to get to Jemez Springs: Head north on I-25 to Bernalillo. Then take US 550 northwest for 25 miles to San Ysidro, followed by New Mexico 4 north for 17 miles.
Hike through surreal tent rocks
An hour north of Albuquerque, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument features surreal, cone-shaped rock formations capped by balanced boulders, captivating hikers and photographers alike. This unique geological area was buried under volcanic ash from a supervolcano, now Valles Caldera National Preserve, which erupted millions of years ago, covering northern New Mexico in ash and debris. Over time, boulders compressed and hardened the ash, creating these remarkable cone shapes, while non-compressed ash eroded away. The formations can reach heights of 90ft. Three hiking trails traverse this otherworldly landscape, leading through slot canyons and culminating at an overlook that presents stunning views of the formations alongside the Jemez, Sandia, and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges.
How to get to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument: Drive north on I-25 to Exit 259 onto New Mexico 22. Continue for 14.5 miles to the turn at Indian Service Rte 92, then follow signs to the monument. Because the route passes through Cochiti Pueblo land, be aware of potential Tribal closures; check access beforehand.
This article is optimized for travel enthusiasts looking for the best day trips from Albuquerque.
