Ep. 11 | New Mexico: Hot Air Balloons, Aliens, Indigenous Culture
New Mexico is the Land of Enchantment and offers the chance to experience Native American Indian culture, soar high in a hot air balloon, explore a variety of landscape, and appreciate beautiful art.
Guest: Nicole Barker, Media Relations Manager, New Mexico Tourism Department
Must Do's:
1. https://www.santafe.org:
a. https://www.santafe.org/listing/santa-fe-plaza/185/: historic churches like the Basilica Cathedral and San Miguel Church, the oldest church in the US, located next to the oldest house in the US.
b. https://www.visitcanyonroad.com: a narrow, winding road with more than 100 galleries in the span of a half-mile
c. Drive the https://ttps//www.travelandleisure.com/high-road-to-taos-scenic-byway-11883043. Views of the Sange de Cristo mountains while meandering through historic villages. Stop at https://www.holychimayo.us, a sanctuary that is a national histioric landmark
2. https://taos.org/fly-taos
a. https://taospueblo.com: UNESCO World Heritage Site, continuously inhabited by the Red Willow People for more than 1,000 years
b. https://taos.org/explore/landmarks/gorge-bridge/: spanning the vast Rio Grande Gorge.
c. https://earthship.com/visit/
3. Valles Caldera National Nature Preserve
Valles Caldera Los Alamos): As the gateway to three National Parks, Los Alamos invites summer travelers to discover the celestial beauty of Valles Caldera National Preserve, an International Dark Sky Park as of 2021. By day, the preserve is ahaven for fishing, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. By night, it transforms into a stargazer’s paradise.
4. https://www.blm.gov/visit/bisti-de-na-zin-wilderness: join a tour and learn about the land from Navajo Nation USA
Bisti Wilderness Adventure: Embark on a surreal journey through the Bisti/De-Na-ZinWilderness, nestled in northwest New Mexico’s San Juan Basin. Explore a fascinating landscape carved from sandstone, shale, coal, and silt.
5. Acoma Pueblo & Sky City Cultural Centera
https://www.puebloofacoma.org is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America, with a history dating back over 2,000 years. Located atop a mesa, the Acoma Pueblo, often referred to as "Sky City,” offers guided tours that give visitors insight into the history, culture, and traditions of the Acoma people. Visitors can explore ancient adobe dwellings, learn about traditional pottery-making, and experience the breathtaking views from the mesa. The https://skycityacoma.orgprovides exhibits on Acoma history, art, and culture.
6. https://www.newmexico.org/route66
a. https://visittucumcarinm.comhttps://visittucumcarinm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Tucumcari-MuralMapChecklist.pdf
7. https://www.visitgallup.com
a. https://elranchohotelgallup.com
b. https://www.visitgallup.com/things-to-do/arts-culture/native-arts/ The Gallup Native Arts Market is the first-ever Native-managed and Native-juried art market in the U.S., and this annual event features highly skilled regional artists showcasing their work.
c. Shopping: Gallup is known as one of the best places in the U.S. to shop for Native American art, and much of it can be found at bargain pricessince you’re going directly to the source.
d. Summer Nightly Dances
e. https://gallupculturalcenter.org
8. https://www.visitalbuquerque.org
a. The last https://www.gatheringofnations.com,“The Last Dance,” will take place April 24-25, 2026 in Albuquerque, marking the end of the most influential Indigenous cultural gatherings on the continent. The event hosts over 3,000 competing dancers and singers representing more than 500 Tribes from North America.
b. The https://sandiapeak.com: 2.7-mile tram takes visitors to the top of the10,378-foot crest of the Sandia Mountains, where you'll see an 11,000-square-mile panoramic view.
c. https://indianpueblo.org: Pueblo Pathways will feature immersive monthly experiences—rangingfrom Pueblo-led storytelling and artisan markets to Indigenous culinary tastings and cultural performances—all designed to create deeper, more authentic engagement between visitors and New Mexico’s 19 Pueblo communities.
9. Truth or Consequences
https://www.newmexico.org/places-to-visit/regions/southwest/truth-or-consequences/remains America’s most affordable spa town. This small hot springs town offers a variety of lodging options. From larger, name-brand motels to charmingly restored spa hotels in the Historic Hot Springs and Downtown District. The town is also home to https://sierragrande.tedturnerreserves.com, a Ted Turner Retreat. Resting on mineral-enriched geothermal hot springs, Sierra Grande is an elegantly restored tranquil haven. https://riverbendhotsprings.com/ the largest resort in the hot springs district, recently unveiled its luxury Sunrise Suites, providing an unparalleled soaking experience along the scenic banks of the Rio Grande.
10. https://ttps//www.newmexico.org/places-to-visit/regions/northcentral/chama/
https://cumbrestoltec.com
What's New:
1. New tours:
a. https://www.whitefeathertours.com(Taos): Kevin Whitefeather provides deep insights into the history and traditions of the Red Willowpeople of the Taos Pueblo.
b. https://navajotoursusa.com(Farmington): Has a new five-day “Wonders of Northwest New Mexico” tour that includes visiting Bisti De-Na-Zin Wilderness, Shiprock Peak, and Chaco Culture National Historical Park, along with live demonstrations, visiting Diné family farm and agricultural cooperative where they produce traditional Indigenous baby food, birdwatching in the San Juan River watershed, and a feast of traditional andancestral Indigenous foods.
c. For the first time since the 1990s, https://www.picurispueblo.orgreopened its museum with anartifact-filled exhibit entitled “What Makes us Picuris?” It appears that the Museum was the very first tribal museum in the state to open! A (construction) groundbreaking ceremony took place in October1968, and the building dedication (opening) took place in July 1969.
2. Santa Fe:
a. Heritage Hotels will open an artisanal food hall called https://www.heritagefarmersmarket.org.
b. New Restaurants: https://www.leossantafe.com, https://www.milkofthepoppybar.com
c. https://www.thewashingtoninnsantafe.com is a luxury all-suite-style hotel that blends historic preservation and contemporary vision. Expected opening May 2026.
d. https://www.hotelglorietasantafe.com, formerly The Lodge at Santa Fe, has undergone an extensive renovation while honoring the soulful energy of the original property.
e.https://www.hotelflorasantafe.com, in the Santa Fe Railyard District, anticipated to open in 2026.
f. https://www.llamaadventures.comoffers llama experiences in Northern New Mexico, like llama trekking, lunch with a llama, and more.
More info: https://www.newmexico.org
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