There may be plenty to do in Albuquerque, but wait until you hear about all the fun that’s to be had just outside the city. Discover the best day trips from Albuquerque with this jam-packed guide.
Albuquerque is a treasure trove of national monuments, historic parks and epic scenery. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t explore beyond ABQ’s boundaries.
In fact, as many brilliant things as there are to do inside the city, I guarantee there are just as many outside.
From the Indigenous communities of Taos and Acoma Pueblo, to the charming Santa Fe and Madrid, there are so many places near ABQ you really cannot miss.
I spent a few days in Albuquerque in February, on a road trip through New Mexico that ran from White Sands to Albuquerque, then north to Taos and Santa Fe. It was sunny but freezing (literally zero degrees Celsius), and several of these Albuquerque day trips were part of my route. For the rest, I’ve checked the drive times, tickets and seasonal closures, because a few of them need booking or careful timing.
Ready to discover the best day trips from Albuquerque? Read on to find out about my top picks…
The best day trips from Albuquerque
White Sands National Park
Visiting Albuquerque without hitting up White Sands is not the done thing. It might be quite the drive but, trust me, the moment you step out onto the blinding white gypsum dunes (bring sunglasses), you’ll be glad you took the time to visit.
Why wouldn’t you want to visit here? There’s so much to do. Test your might by sledging down the brilliant white dunes, or stroll gently along the 0.4-mile Interdune Boardwalk when it’s open (it has been listed as closed since a 2024 aircraft crash nearby, so check the park’s alerts).
When I visited in February, it rained for part of the day and the park was blissfully quiet, which made the dunes feel even more otherworldly. Winter is a lovely time to come for exactly that reason, while summer days are scorching, so start early if you’re visiting between June and August.
Making the most of your time is essential. If you’re here for a day, it’s likely that you’ll only end up with a handful of hours to play around with. In that case, head out on Dunes Drive, pack a sled (if you can) and stick around for sunset. The park isn’t open overnight and there’s no camping inside it at the moment, so you’ll need to leave when the gates close.
Tickets
Entry is $25 per vehicle, valid for seven days. Missile tests at the neighbouring White Sands Missile Range can close Dunes Drive and US-70 for up to three hours, so check the park’s website before you set off.
Drive: About 225 miles via I-25, US-380 and US-54 to the visitor centre west of Alamogordo, around 3 hours 30 minutes each way. That’s a very long day, so I’d stay over: I spent the night at Home2 Suites by Hilton Alamogordo, about 15 minutes from the park. There’s no practical public transport.
Top tip: wind your way along the 8-mile Dunes Drive (16 miles there and back) at sunset for a mesmerising experience of these towering mountains of sand.
Santa Fe
For a day filled with art and culture within a quirky city, take a day trip to Santa Fe from Albuquerque. This laid-back place really does earn its “City Different” title.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast from Tia Sophia’s (a huge breakfast burrito at the OG spot, obvs). They say this is where the breakfast burrito was invented, and I had mine Christmas style, with red and green chile: that is how you start your day. Then discover the intricate spiral staircase at Loretto Chapel. And how about exploring fantastical art installations at Meow Wolf or admiring artwork at the New Mexico Museum of Art?
Meow Wolf is kind of bonkers, in the best way: the size and range of the installations is spectacular. Book online, where general admission starts at about $33.
If you’re there for an extra day (which I highly recommend), it’s also worth getting a Japanese-style spa treatment at Ten Thousand Waves. I had an 80-minute CBD massage there and it was blissful, and sitting in the sauna (hotter than hell) with snow outside was just perfect. You can thank me later.
If you’d rather base yourself in Santa Fe and explore from there, my guide to the best day trips from Santa Fe has plenty more ideas.
Drive: About 64 miles via I-25, around 1 hour.
Public transport: The New Mexico Rail Runner Express runs from downtown Albuquerque to the Santa Fe Depot in about 1 hour 30 minutes, with the fullest timetable from Monday to Saturday.
Top tip: make the most out of your day trip by taking a self-guided walking tour of Santa Fe.
Sandia Peak
Don’t fancy heading too far? Not to worry: there’s no better way to admire Albuquerque than from Sandia Peak. You can hike up the mountain, but that’s a real calf killer, so I suggest you hitch a ride up on the Sandia Peak Tramway.
While you can technically visit all year round, I visited in February and it was SO cold. The top of the mountain was freezing and covered in snow, but on the plus side, I was treated to some absolutely stunning winter wonderland views.
The tram whisks you up to around 10,300 feet in about 15 minutes. At the top, I tried a short walk and I wasn’t quite prepared: down below it’s desert, but up there you’re stepping through pockets of snow. I stayed for sunset anyway, and even though it was freezing cold, it was epic. Definitely do this.
That said, I imagine it’s far more pleasant when the weather is warmer. You’ll find a host of hikes for you to enjoy, but this glorious mountain peak’s star is the TEN 3 restaurant (definitely eat here).
Tickets
A return ticket costs $35 for adults. The tram runs from 9am to 8pm, Wednesday to Monday, and closes for its autumn maintenance from 3 to 11 November 2026. The Sandia Crest area to the north is closed for forest work until autumn 2027, but the tram and the views from the top aren’t affected.
Drive: About 15 miles from Old Town to the tram’s base at the foot of the mountains, around 25 minutes. There’s no bus to the base, so drive or take a taxi.
Top tip: TEN 3’s casual dining room is first come, first served, but you need to book for fine dining (Thursday to Monday evenings), and the walk-in line can be ridiculous.
Taos
Taos was a surprise favourite on my trip to New Mexico. It’s where Indigenous culture meets contemporary New Mexican living, and I absolutely loved it. When I was there, a local Native American gathering was taking place on the snowy Plaza.
Spend a day learning everything you can about this quaint town by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Taos Pueblo and the Harwood Museum of Art. Check ahead that the Pueblo is open: it was closed when I visited. It shuts to visitors for about ten weeks from late winter into early spring, and can also close at short notice for ceremonies. Adult admission is $25.
When you’re not sipping a cold craft beer at Taos Mesa Brewing’s Taos Tap Room (get a wood-fired pizza, too), how about seeing the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge from below? That’s right. White water rafting through the gorge, which runs from spring into summer, is another of the best things to do in Taos.
At about two and a half hours each way, Taos works better as an overnight trip. I stayed at the Inn on La Loma Plaza, a short walk from the Plaza, where my room had its own private steam room and breakfast is à la carte.
Drive: About 135 miles via I-25, Santa Fe and NM-68 along the Rio Grande, around 2 hours 30 minutes. Taking US-285 north of Española instead adds about 40 minutes but passes Ojo Caliente’s mineral springs, one of the places I made time for, before crossing the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge into Taos.
Public transport: Take the Rail Runner to Santa Fe, then the free North Central Regional Transit District Blue Bus to Taos on weekdays (changing in Española) or the free Taos Express at weekends. Allow most of the day each way.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to day trips from Albuquerque, but Chaco is an absolute must for anyone interested in the ancient Southwest.
Often described as the centre of the ancestral Puebloan world, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, and the best way to explore it is on the 9-mile Canyon Loop Drive. You’ll pass great houses like Pueblo Bonito and the great kiva at Casa Rinconada along the way. Charge your camera; you’re going to need it. Chaco is also an International Dark Sky Park, so it’s a spectacular place to stay out under the stars.
This is the place to get a real sense of Chacoan culture. Just know it’s not easy getting here, so follow these directions closely.
Getting There
Chaco is reached only on dirt roads, and there’s no fuel, food or phone signal in the park. Since storms badly damaged County Road 7950 in 2026, the north road from US-550 is closed as an entry point and the only way in is the south road via NM-9 and NM-57, with about 21 miles of dirt. Call the park on 505 786 7014 for road conditions before you set off, and avoid it after heavy rain.
Drive: About 180 miles via I-40, NM-371 and NM-9 while the north road is closed, around 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours each way. Entry is $25 per vehicle. There’s no public transport to the park, so drive there yourself, and consider staying nearby rather than doing it in a day.
Top tip: you can rent a car through Booking.com, which searches the same suppliers as rentalcars.com (they’re part of the same company). Rentalcars.com is who I use and I love their service.
Acoma Pueblo
Where better to visit near ABQ than one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America? Acoma’s Sky City sits on top of a sheer 367-foot mesa and dates back to around AD 1100. Roughly 50 permanent residents, mostly elders, still live in its earthen homes year-round, so it’s a real cultural goldmine for any visitor.
The San Estévan del Rey Mission, founded in 1629 and built by Acoma people who hauled its roof beams from mountains about 30 miles away, is the main attraction. Don’t forget to pop into the Sky City Cultural Center for even more insight into Acoma’s history, and if it’s cultural artefacts you seek, visit the Haak’u Museum inside it for a deep dive into the pueblo’s pottery, art and traditions.
Tickets
You can only visit the mesa top on a guided tour of about 90 minutes from the Sky City Cultural Center (adults about $25, plus $15 for a camera permit). Tours run Wednesday to Sunday, roughly hourly from 9.30am to 3.30pm, and the pueblo closes on feast days and other set dates, including 24 and 29 June, 9 to 14 and 25 July, and a weekend in early October and early December. Call 800 747 0181 to check before you go.
Drive: About 65 miles west on I-40 to exit 102, then about 15 miles south, around 1 hour 15 minutes. There’s no practical public transport.
Cibola County
Stretching west all the way to the Arizona border, Cibola County is a place the avid adventurer will quickly fall in love with. And no trip to the county is complete without a visit to El Malpais National Monument, so that’s where you should start your day.
Enjoy everything from scenic drives along lava flows and sandstone bluffs to epic hikes in this glorious part of the county. Top sights include the privately run Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano, where a short trail climbs to the rim of an extinct volcano and 70 steps lead down to a cave that stays frozen all year round, and La Ventana Arch, one of the largest natural arches in New Mexico, a short walk from NM-117. Bring your hiking boots and prepare to put in some extra steps.
If you have time, carry on along NM-53 to El Morro National Monument, where travellers have carved their names into Inscription Rock for centuries.
Tickets
El Malpais is free, and its visitor centre opens daily from 9am to 5pm. Giant Ice Cave and Lava Bomb Cave need a free caving permit. Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano usually opens from March to October, 9am to 5pm, and charges $14 for over 12s.
Drive: About 80 miles west on I-40 to Grants, around 1 hour 15 minutes, then about 25 miles more along NM-53 to the Ice Caves. Some side roads in the monument need a high-clearance vehicle after storms.
Corrales
One of the lesser-known day trips from Albuquerque, Corrales is a wine lover’s paradise. Surprise, surprise, you’ll find me there. This leafy village sits on the Rio Grande just north-west of the city.
But, hold up, fellow vino lovers. Before embarking on a wine-drinking extravaganza, consider visiting Casa San Ysidro, a historic adobe home run by the Albuquerque Museum, or the Coronado Historic Site, about 15 minutes north in Bernalillo. Both are fascinating attractions (and you’ll definitely fancy a drink after).
Ready to get your drink on? Acequia Vineyards and Winery makes small-batch wines from its Corrales vineyards, and another iconic Corrales winery worth visiting is Pasando Tiempo. Milagro Vineyards is a third, with tastings on set days, so check before you go. And if sparkling wine is more your thing, Gruet, one of my stops in Albuquerque, has been making New Mexico fizz from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay since 1984, with a tasting room on the north side of the city.
Drive: About 15 miles, around 25 minutes. With tastings on the agenda, a taxi or rideshare makes more sense than driving yourself.
Jemez Springs
I hope you’re ready for a super relaxing experience because Jemez Springs is one of the most tranquil New Mexico landmarks.
The name says it all. You can soak away your troubles at the historic bath house on the village plaza, or explore the Jemez Historic Site, with the ruins of the Giusewa pueblo and a 17th-century mission church (open Wednesday to Sunday). Jemez Pueblo itself only welcomes visitors on selected days, but the Walatowa Visitor Center on NM-4 has a small museum and information on the area.
And, while you’re in the area, remember to admire the river flowing through Soda Dam, a domed mineral formation just north of the village. It’s a sight to behold.
Drive: About 60 miles via US-550 and NM-4, around 1 hour 15 minutes. There’s no practical public transport.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Dreaming of an epic road trip from Albuquerque? You need to hit up Carlsbad Caverns. Ok, there’s a caveat: it’s about 300 miles away, which is a drive of four and a half to five hours each way. But hopping on a small commuter flight to Carlsbad (about 1 hour 15 minutes) and spending a night here exploring the caves is an unforgettable experience.
Admire everything from stalagmites and stalactites to unique limestone rock formations. It’s an otherworldly experience: the park protects more than 119 known caves, and Carlsbad Cavern itself, with its vast Big Room, is the one you can explore on your own. Walk in through the steep Natural Entrance, the way the bats fly out, then loop around the Big Room. While you can discover the cave’s bat colonies at the dusk bat flight programme (late spring to autumn), heading out on the equally cool 6-mile Upper Rattlesnake Canyon to Guadalupe Ridge Loop is a great idea.
Tickets
You need a timed entry reservation ($1 on Recreation.gov) plus the $15 entrance fee for everyone aged 16 and over. Cavern entry runs from about 9.30am, with last entry at 2.30pm.
Getting there: The quickest way to get here is by plane from Albuquerque to Carlsbad’s Cavern City Air Terminal, then a 30-minute drive to the park. Schedules on this route change, so check before you plan around it.
Top tip: It is possible to do this as a day trip, but it’s very full on. Catch an early flight there and a late one back to ABQ, or better still, stay the night in Carlsbad.
Salinas Pueblo Missions
With so many stunning monuments around Albuquerque, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is easy to overlook, but it’s one of the most rewarding ABQ day trips of all. It protects three pueblos, Abó, Quarai and Gran Quivira, each with the ruins of a 17th-century Spanish mission church built by the people who lived there.
The visitor centre in Mountainair has a 14-minute film on the three sites (pop in first), and then you’ll want to explore the sites on one (or three) of their trails.
There are four easy trails across the monument: a half-mile loop at each of the three sites, plus the 1-mile Spanish Corral Trail through piñon and juniper forest at Quarai. Abó and Quarai are the most photogenic, with their towering red stone church walls, while Gran Quivira, further south, is quieter and more remote.
They’re short and gentle compared with many of the epic hikes in New Mexico, so you can easily see all three sites in a day.
Tickets
Entry is free. The sites open daily from 9am to 5pm in summer and 9am to 4pm in winter.
Drive: About 75 miles to Mountainair, around 1 hour 20 minutes. Abó is about 9 miles west of town, Quarai about 8 miles north and Gran Quivira about 25 miles south. There’s no practical public transport.
Madrid
No, we’re not in Spain. Madrid is a quaint little village on the Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe and makes for the perfect small-town getaway.
Like a phoenix from the ashes, this once ghost town, abandoned when its coal mines closed in the 1950s, is now a quirky little art village that sells everything under the sun. Browse the galleries and shops along NM-14, from Jezebel Gallery and Indigo Gallery to Johnsons of Madrid, which has shown fine and fibre art since 1973.
Your trip here isn’t complete until you’ve eaten at the Mine Shaft Tavern, whose green chile cheeseburger won the Santa Fe Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown, with live music from Thursday to Sunday. Go hungry and thank me later.
Drive: About 40 miles via I-40 east and the Turquoise Trail (NM-14), around 50 minutes. There’s no practical public transport from Albuquerque.
Valles Caldera National Preserve
I’m sure you get it by now: New Mexico is a haven for outdoor lovers. But, if you’re still unsure, a visit to Valles Caldera National Preserve is a must. This spot offers everything from stunning hikes to breathtaking scenic drives.
You’ll get to wander around one of the three supervolcanoes in the US and the magical landscape it creates, about 89,000 acres of mountain meadows and forest. Redondo Peak and the steaming ground around Sulphur Springs are just two examples of the volcano’s power. Don’t worry; it’s unlikely it’ll explode anytime soon. For an easy taster, the Cerro La Jara Loop is an almost flat 1.5-mile walk from the welcome station.
Valles Caldera is also a part of the epic 163-mile Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway, so get ready to pass amazing scenic views along this fantastic road. Pair it with a visit to Jemez Springs while you’re in the area.
Tickets
Entry is $25 per vehicle, valid for seven days.
Drive: About 95 miles via US-550, Jemez Springs and NM-4, around 2 hours. There’s no practical public transport.
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
Don’t write off the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad as an attraction for old fuddy-duddies: this National Historic Landmark is a must-do when you stay in Albuquerque.
This 64-mile journey between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, through the mountains, valleys and gorges along the state line is unforgettable, with your camera working overtime (remember to pack it).
The Cumbres & Toltec bills itself as the longest and highest narrow gauge steam railroad in the US, and it tops out at 10,015 feet at Cumbres Pass, the highest point reached by any narrow gauge railroad in North America. So get ready for stunning views from the Cascade Trestle, 137 feet above the river, and down into Toltec Gorge, with aspen groves, evergreen forest and, in summer, fields of beautiful wildflowers. The full journey takes most of the day, so start early.
Drive: About 170 miles via I-25, Española and US-84 through Abiquiu to Chama, around 3 hours each way, so it’s best done with a night in Chama. There’s no practical public transport.
Top tip: The scenic train only operates from late May or early June to late October (in 2026 the season opened on 9 June, after a delay for wildfire risk), so plan your visit for then. Late September and early October bring the golden aspens, and those seats sell out first.
Practical tips for easy day trips around Albuquerque
- Always bring water and wear sunblock no matter where you go to combat the harsh New Mexican sun. Trust me on this one.
- Factor in travel time to your plans so you don’t miss out on activities. For example, the ABQ to White Sands day trip is long, so you may need to find a White Sands hotel for a night.
- Many of these day trips are brilliant as part of a New Mexico road trip. You won’t necessarily need to make them a whole day trip from Albuquerque if you’re already touring the state.
- Winter brings snow and ice to the mountains, even when Albuquerque is sunny, so check road conditions for Chaco, Valles Caldera and Taos, and pack proper layers for Sandia Peak. If you’re visiting several national parks and monuments, the America the Beautiful pass ($80 for US residents, $250 for everyone else) soon pays for itself.
- For a base in the city, I’d recommend Hotel Chaco in Old Town or Los Poblanos, a historic inn and organic farm in Los Ranchos. My guide to where to stay in Albuquerque has more options.
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Read next
- Unmissable things to do in Albuquerque
- Where to stay in ABQ: area by area
- How to spend one day in Albuquerque
- The best day trips from Santa Fe
- The best hikes in New Mexico
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