New Mexico is truly one of the most underrated places in the US! I do feel that New Mexico travel to Santa Fe, White Sands National Park, and beyond is best experienced as a road trip, there is so much to see spread out all over the state. Or combine your trip with so many other places accessible by car including anywhere in Arizona or Texas! We did not spend any time in Albuquerque as I read that it is more urbanized and similar to other mid-sized cities, while Santa Fe provides the unique, quirky arts experience.
Staying in a Yurt
A yurt is a portable, round tent covered and insulated and traditionally used by nomadic groups. The structure consists of a flexible angled assembly or latticework of wood or bamboo for walls. The roof structure is sometimes self-supporting, but large yurts may have interior posts supporting the crown.
We found this delightful yurt on Air BnB, just out of the way enough to feel like a unique experience, but still drivable to the areas we wanted to visit. It featured a proper bathroom and kitchen with running water, pellet heater, and cozy decor. The owners had actually comfortably lived in the yurt for a couple years prior. Such an amazing experience and I highly recommend staying a yurt in this part of the country!
Santa Fe
Santa Fe is the most quaint, cultured city that runs on art. I could not believe how much I loved Santa Fe; each business is independently owned and so special and the layout is reminiscent of adobe architecture. We ate a hearty Mexican brunch at Cafe Pasqual’s and browsed the murals and array of souvenir and art shops and art galleries. We roamed around the Santa Fe Plaza and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis Assisi. For how sunny it was, the air was VERY cold!
Kakawa Chocolate House is a must-stop to try a flight of chocolatey cacao elixirs. After wandering around a little more, we stopped by the colorful Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina for a drink.
For our late lunch, we headed to our reservation at Izanami, made through Open Table. This was a traditional Japanese experience in the most unexpected place that gave ryokan vibes atop a hill. The food was delicious with so many vegetarian options and of course a sake flight. Canyon Road – countless art galleries in the evening. If only we had already taken our Sake course in Kyoto, Japan at the time, then we would have understood that we were drinking a daiginjo and two junmai daiginjos!
On the way back to the yurt, we stopped by Beer Creek Brewing Co. We talked at length with the owner who took great pride in his business. He handcrafted his pizza recipe, had a great selection of beers, and featured a woodsy, welcoming indoor and outdoors space. Ronak and I discovered a new Canadian bar game here called Crokinole.
Madrid
Madrid is a little town on the Turquoise Trail on the drive down towards Albuquerque. The houses and businesses are situated right on the main road that runs through the town. Almost every little building is decked out with trinkets, signs, and colorful art. It was truly a sight to see and I wish I had taken more pictures!
On a whim, we ended the night with a drink, dessert, and a live band at The Mine Shaft Tavern & Cantina in Madrid.
In the morning, we had a simple but delicious breakfast burrito and some tea at Cabra Coffee before hitting the road towards White Sands. We drove by Pistachioland, we had no idea it was a whole orchard and store with nut tasting of all flavors, we will definitely have to stop by next time! It was Christmas Eve and we were so grateful to find the delicious, authentic Los Victor’s Mexican Food California Style #9 that served us a huge, yummy lunch right before they closed.
White Sands National Park
We finally arrived at White Sands National Park! The other-worldly rolling white dunes and wavy wind carvings in the sand was nothing like we had ever seen before. The most mystical part was the changing colors right at dusk. From a bright blue and white contrast, the sky and dunes shifted to every shade of purple and navy through the sunset period. We did not rent a sled and to be honest it was not necessary, many of the hills were steep enough that we slid down them with our boots only. Hiking boots were very helpful though! Morning or evening are the best times to experience the rapidly changing colors and shadows; if the sun is directly overhead you won’t get the same effect. We then left for Phoenix that night.
There is so much more to see in the state besides New Mexico travel to Santa Fe and White Sands – Bisti Badlands, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, hot springs in Truth or Consequences, Bandelier National Monument, Taos Pueblo in Taos, and the southernmost city of Las Cruces. I can’t wait to go back for a proper trip dedicated to this beautiful, unique state!
