7/50 unrelenting positivity thread. This time it’s New Mexico.

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myfourmoons@reddit

You have amazing food. What should I order next time I’m there?

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marty-mcfryguy@reddit

My favorite thing is how if two New Mexicans ever meet out in the wild (out of state) you can be assured the conversation will turn to green chile in under 3 minutes.

Second favorite thing: the green chile.

(source: New Mexican wife)

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I get so excited when I see NM plates here in Florida. My spirit calls to them, and it whispers to ask them about their chile preferences. It's like an old man commiserating on the weather, you can't help it

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2-Ns@reddit

Anytime I see one in DC I’m convinced I must know the person.

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erilaz7@reddit

There was a car with the "Chile Capital of the World" license plate parked on my block when I got home from work this evening.

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marty-mcfryguy@reddit

I love that so much.

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rsta223@reddit

The green chile is fantastic. Second best in the country.

Sincerely: a Coloradan

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needsmorequeso@reddit

Hashtag fighting words lol

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Phyrnosoma@reddit

I mean, Colorado made Casa Bonita a premier restaurant. Can't top that culinary tradition.

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marty-mcfryguy@reddit

boooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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Phyrnosoma@reddit

Green chile is wonderful though

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shanni365@reddit

There will also be the question.. green, red or Christmas.

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relikter@reddit

(source: 20 yrs with New Mexican wife)

What happened to your Old Mexican wife? /s

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marty-mcfryguy@reddit

You have no idea how many times we've made new Mexico / old Mexico jokes with each other. It's really quite absurd (stupid even?), but hey a laugh is a laugh.

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ThroatFun478@reddit

Best pizza topping I'd never had before I visited there.

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beachbum19722025@reddit

Moved back to NM last year after living in MD and NYC for 20 years. New Mexico has a way of drawing you back in you let it.

Love the mountains, the people, the air, the sky and the overall vibe. People seem to either love it or hate it. I even love that Amtrak goes through here!.

Oh, the bike trails and the Rail Runner. I could go on.

What an incredible state. ❤️

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RandyArgonianButler@reddit

One of the coolest trips I’ve had is visiting the VLA. I think of Jodie Foster in the movie Contact.

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Southern-Usual4211@reddit

Same here my car club/web forum used to do a cruise from Albuquerque to VLA every spring so much fun!!

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CupBeEmpty@reddit (OP)

I loved visiting there especially since we got to see some herds of antelope.

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Claxton916@reddit

Y’all get the best TV dramas. Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Pluribus are set there :)

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Southern-Usual4211@reddit

Granted im still salty none of the Modern Star Trek isn't filmed in NM 😂

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OkPerformance2221@reddit

And Dark Winds.

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BooksBootsBikesBeer@reddit

Vince Gilligan has talked about the random accident of tax breaks that led BB to be filmed in ABQ, but then how the city became like a character in the series. It’s hard to imagine the show (any of those shows) being set anywhere else.

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geosynchronousorbit@reddit

And the real mayor of Albuquerque had a cameo in Pluribus!

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I_Weep_for_Willow@reddit

Red or green?

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Hikinghawk@reddit

Red for breakfast, Christmas for lunch, green for dinner sinner

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Southern-Usual4211@reddit

THIS IS THE WAY

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pawsplay36@reddit

Often greed, but I love a red cheese enchilada, I love adobado. Pozole can go either way.

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mollyologist@reddit

Green only for me!

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marty-mcfryguy@reddit

Green. I wouldn't mind a touch of red, but the green is the thing.

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KKWL199@reddit

Green

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Wendybird13@reddit

Anf almost every place that puts burgers on buns will offer a green chile burger…

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EtchingsOfTheNight@reddit

Green or christmas

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Hopeful_Pizza_2762@reddit

Red rules!

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SportulaVeritatis@reddit

Green in breakfast burritos (with sausage) or if I'm having chicken. Red with beef or pork.

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spacefaceclosetomine@reddit

Usually green, but occasionally Christmas.

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razzberrytori@reddit

It sounds like an amazing place I want to see someday. White Sands that don’t get hot?

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OkPerformance2221@reddit

White Sands that get intensely hot.

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Maleficent-Hawk-318@reddit

Ah, but the sand itself doesn't. It still feels fairly cool even when the air temp is hot enough to kill you.

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babassu_seeds@reddit

I recently moved here from MD and am tickled by the desert flora and fauna. I will stop and stare at beautiful cacti like a tourist in my own neighborhood and am giddy whenever I see a roadrunner

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Maleficent-Hawk-318@reddit

Tbh I grew up here and I still get giddy about roadrunners.

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Shoddy_Explanation65@reddit

I think the most tumbleweeds I’ve ever seen was in New Mexico. And man, they are fun to burn in a campfire (did that at a time droughts weren’t so bad)

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Hikinghawk@reddit

New Mexico is hands down my favorite places I've ever lived

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Maleficent-Hawk-318@reddit

I grew up in NM, and like almost everyone who grows up here, I thought it was shit and couldn't wait to leave.

Left at 19, lived in multiple other states that I enjoyed well enough, but in my 30s started really wanting to move back.

Managed to do so in 2020 and haven't regretted it for a second. It's far from perfect, but I love it so much.

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iamgladtohearit@reddit

If I didn't have small children I'd 100% move back, the school system is dog shit but I really miss Albuquerque and Santa Fe

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Glittering-Rush-394@reddit

It’s good up in Los Alamos.

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Fun_Committee1478@reddit

No one has mentioned the Hot Springs near Truth or Consequences (yes that’s the city name!) of course, most locals call it T or C.

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CupBeEmpty@reddit (OP)

There’s also cool hot springs that are more out in the wilderness in the Gila Canyon by Mogollon, NM.

Never been to the ones near truth or consequences.

There’s also some somewhere near ABQ in the Sandias somewhere but they’re kind of trashed.

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bearfootin_9@reddit

Frontier Restaurant cinnamon rolls
Santa Fé
Crisp chile relleno made with fresh NM green chile
The road to Taos
Yellow aspen in a sea of pine
Taos
Pozole
Desert camping, star gazing with a bottle of Grand Marnier and a couple of joints

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Fish3Ways@reddit

I once sat outside at a cafe in Santa Fe that I happened upon at random. I had blue corn enchiladas with calabacitas and pinto beans. I looked out at the mountains and the air smelled like sage and red dirt. I thought I might be in heaven.

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KricketKris@reddit

You were. It is glorious.

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Cheaperthantherapy13@reddit

Was it Tecalote market? I miss their blue corn pancakes.

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OkPerformance2221@reddit

You may be thinking of Tesuque Village Market. The Tecolote Cafe did not have outdoor dining at either of its locations.

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No_Patience_6801@reddit

What a great description of a quintessential Santa Fe experience.

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rattlehead44@reddit

Sounds like heaven to me!

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eugenesnewdream@reddit

We discovered New Mexico's pepper license plate on our trip out west last summer and we were all very enchanted by it. Now if we see one (fairly rare, on the east coast) we text each other "NM pepper plate!"

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reminder_to_have_fun@reddit

This brings me much joy. My wife's car has the chile peppers plate and it's the car we use on road trips 🙏😄

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relikter@reddit

Best license plate.

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rhubes@reddit

People keep mentioning the license plate but no one posts a picture of it.

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pawsplay36@reddit

That one is good, but I actually like the turquoise one.

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reminder_to_have_fun@reddit

Wife has the chiles, I have the turquoise.

I'm thinking of trading up from the turquoise to the Smokey Bear plate next time I need to renew. Yes it costs more, but man. Smokey Bear!

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Shoddy_Explanation65@reddit

New Mexico is one of my favorite places to get out in nature and away from people. So much free camping on BLM land. Plenty of rock climbing on various types of rock. You can be on desert land that is just gray rolling hills, and suddenly you’re standing on the edge of a beautiful canyon with lots of greenery growing down in it. There are excellent caves (Carlsbad caverns), huge sand dunes (white sands national park), places with random huge rocks just jutting out of the ground (City of Rocks), hot springs, hoodoos (Bisti/De-Na Zin wilderness)…. Man, I could go on.

A few of the small towns I’ve been in also always have some fun, funky art stuff going on. Went to a coffee shop and bought a mug that had some amazing craftsmanship.

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Phyrnosoma@reddit

My favorite memories are spending the summer mornings in the White Sands, then going to swing by Arby's, going to my granny's house to eat roast beef and curly fries, then spending the heat of the day either watching old westerns or going up to Cloudcroft and hiking then getting ice cream.

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____ozma@reddit

New Mexico is showing the mountain west how to care for its people. I wish we would do the same as our childcare situation is out of control.

I have loved every visit and every drive through New Mexico. It's a beautiful place with excellent food. I 100% concede you win the green chile contest, it's no contest. Just don't tell my mom.

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Fluffy-Twist984@reddit

Did you visit LC?

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worrymon@reddit

My first time in New Mexico, we stopped to eat. I knew the question was coming, but I couldn't make up my mind. I meekly asked, "is it possible to have both?" The waitress happily said, "yep! Christmas style!"

It was a very happy day.

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Dragnil@reddit

Visited for about 5 days a few years ago, Santa Fe and northern NM area. Easily one of the most beautiful states in the union. Weather was perfect, tons of history, and the food was exceptional. I think New Mexico is honestly way overlooked as a state with its own distinct cuisine.

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Tacoshortage@reddit

New Mexico has the most awesome Boy Scout property in the world. It attracts visitors from around the world and is an incredible experience. Philmont Scout Ranch

Also, once, in Ruidoso, I had the best chili relleno I've ever had at a place called Casa Blanco and I've been chasing that high ever since.

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pawsplay36@reddit

Albuquerque has free city buses.

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Enchant23@reddit

Best state cuisine. Love NM

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BooksBootsBikesBeer@reddit

I love NM food too, but Louisiana would like a word.

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pawsplay36@reddit

Louisiana is good, but I've never woken up and thought, man, I could go for a Louisiana breakfast right now. Beignets are nice, but a coffee and beignet doesn't quite cut it. So I think NM wins for being able to fight in all three meal categories.

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yeezymcsleezyo_0@reddit

I don't know anything about New Mexico but Mexico is cool so I'm glad it got a sequel.

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pawsplay36@reddit

So, funny story, New Mexico is actually named after the Aztec city and region, which Mexico is also named after. So New Mexico is actually older than political Mexico.

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PossibilityMaximum75@reddit

New Mexico is older than Mexico oddly enough

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BaconContestXBL@reddit

2Mexi2Co

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PokeCaptain@reddit

Philmont 👍

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CupBeEmpty@reddit (OP)

Freakin’ scouts. I have a bunch of friends that went there or were counselor’s there.

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evilpotato1121@reddit

I wouldn't say I'm a huge traveler, but White Sands National Park is one of the coolest places I've ever visited.

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congratsonyournap@reddit

It’s a state I really want to visit! Love the architecture, history, culture, art and desert beauty of it all. From the looks of it, it seems more indigenous than American, which I think is great. I am spiritual (buddhism, mindfulness) so New Mexico and Arizona are known as healing states. Good for retreats and your soul.

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_Internet_Hugs_@reddit

My grandparents knew a guy who owned a tiny ghost town just over the border from Arizona. It was so cool to go wander around his place.

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chivopi@reddit

White sands - the whitest thing I’ve ever seen - being next to the lava flows and near caves - the darkest things I’ve ever seen - is incredible. Going from pure white to pure darkness is wild.

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Initial_Fill_2655@reddit

Taos Ballon festival, artists Taos drums

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Initial_Fill_2655@reddit

The high road to Taos

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RelevantJackWhite@reddit

I think your flag is dope as hell

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Figgler@reddit

It's top 5 for sure. Colorado and Arizona are up there too.

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SportulaVeritatis@reddit

We had a lot to make for after our first one...

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relikter@reddit

Wow, that's bad.

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SkiMonkey98@reddit

License plates too

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Aggressive_FIamingo@reddit

Their license plates too. They've got their branding down.

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eapaul80@reddit

The Albuquerque Dukes logo was dope too.

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2PlasticLobsters@reddit

Albuquerque's minor league baseball team is called the Isotopes. Gotta love a Simpsons reference.

The TV series Longmire was set in Wyoming, but the filming was done in NM. I assume that was in the mountains up north. It's a completely different environment from the desert areas. There was still quite a bit of snow when we drove through that part in March 2023.

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OkPerformance2221@reddit

Yes, the Sheriff's Office exteriors were filmed on the Plaza in Las Vegas, NM. The interiors were filmed at the Greer Garson studios in Santa Fe. Lots of the street scenes were filmed in Santa Fe. Other locations were all over northern New Mexico.

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Onefortwo@reddit

I was in Santa Fe once and the waiter recommended Christmas chilis. I didn’t know what it was at the time but I loved every second of it.

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OkPerformance2221@reddit

The same chiles are harvested at two different stages of development, green and red (like picking some green tomatoes, then waiting and picking the rest when they fully ripen to red). Different sauces are made with the green chile and the red chile. "Christmas" is what you ask for in a restaurant when you want some of each served over the dish you are ordering.

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voltairesalias@reddit

I actually saw a NM plate today on the road. It had chili peppers on it! How cool is that!?

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tinfoilskimask@reddit

New Mexico is a wonderful place. The Land of Enchantment is a truthful motto.

-White Sands is a must visit

-La Posta is a must try restaurant.

-I personally love the hot springs at ojo caliente.

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Cheaperthantherapy13@reddit

I worked a few summers at the Santa Fe Opera, and that time was some of the most magical in my life. I sometimes fantasize about taking a sabbatical from my grownup job to go build scenery again for 8 weeks.

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Much-Leek-420@reddit

Ha! I spent a summer interning at the Opera too!

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Cheaperthantherapy13@reddit

Yay! We survived opera boot camp and lived to tell the tale! I miss that cantina and watching storms come in from the west off the back deck.

Off to go watch My Focus Tape and reminisce about being young and dumb and loving life.

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Much-Leek-420@reddit

Yeehaw, those electricians were a wild group even in my day (I was there in '89). I had two of them as roomies in my condo -- we tried to do fun stuff together but their hours were so opposite because of their overnight change-outs.

The scenery out the back deck near sunset was breathtaking. I was props. I even got to be an 'actor' for one of the operas (The Nose by Shostakovich). They had us army of props and set builders doubling as stage extras for scene changes. I got to wear a mustache (I'm female) and wear a Russian peasant worker costume. It was an experience.

My favorite.....? 'Grey Lady' food buffet at midnight!

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lufan132@reddit

Albuquerque is the only place a mechanic will buy you lunch for letting him change your tires

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erilaz7@reddit

How great is it that New Mexico has an official state question (Red or Green?) and it refers to chile?

My sister moved to New Mexico in the mid-'90s, so I've had the opportunity to visit on more than a few occasions. I love the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe!

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sluttypidge@reddit

Thanks for the so locations on my drive from Texas (Panhandle) to Texas (El Paso)

Your mechanics have resurrected my car twice in Roswell.

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DaOverw8Lover@reddit

Old Town Albuquerque, 1996. My older cousin had gotten married and we were taking pictures in the center plaza, which is an undeniably historic and beautiful little slice of old Spanish architecture and vibes. I was 9 years old and the ring-bearer, looking handsome as can be in my tuxedo.

This was back in the day when you still had to take the film to the store to get it developed, so there was no way of knowing what was on the pictures until you got them back from whichever photo department.

Cue my mom chasing me around the house with her slipper when we did get them back because it was nothing but picture after picture of the wedding party smiling and looking pretty, only for me to ruin all of them because I was throwing up the Westside sign with both of my hands and biting my bottom lip 🤣🤣🤣 she was SO mad.

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ghjm@reddit

I've been wanting to visit New Mexico for a while now. Just haven't organized it. What should I see?

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Spirited-Way2406@reddit

OMG the cuisine. I can't tolerate a lot of chile, so I love how you can ease off on the chile in a New Mexican dish and still enjoy layers of complex flavors. The best way I can describe it is "bright."

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muskrateer@reddit

White Sands is freaking gorgeous.

The chiles and pecans are amazing.

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gofindyour@reddit

I lived there for 9 months 15 years ago and still think about it every freaking day

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MelonElbows@reddit

If someone were to visit New Mexico and wanted to do touristy stuff, what are the top recommendations?

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No_Personality566@reddit

Lived there age 3-5, was babysat by my dad’s Air Force colleague who ended up on the ISS, and constantly went to the natural history museum.

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sparknut@reddit

Beautiful and greener than I thought it would be.

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UJMRider1961@reddit

Camping and outdoors stuff, second to none. And I live in Colorado!

Cheap compared to most other western states too.

Twisty, uncrowded highways are a motorcycle riders dream.

Food, art, food. Also art. And food.

Chorizo and green chile. And the smell of lavender.

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FalloutRip@reddit

New Mexico is lowkey one of, if not the most beautiful state in the US. Every single time I visit family out there I find something new to love about it - the mountains and parks, the desert, the food (Shut up, Colorado, your green chiles are NOT comparable), the people, etc. not to mention the incredible history and native tribes in the area.

Stepping outside to a crisp morning in Albuquerque just as the sun is starting to rise over Sandia, getting a whiff of juniper bush, and seeing folks out in hot air balloons. It's weirdly magical.

Eventually I'll find a way to make the move out there permanently.

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rhubes@reddit

Bandelier National Monument (Park?) is a very thought-provoking and incredible place to visit.

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Recent_Permit2653@reddit

I love NM. I’m moving there next week.

A lot of history. 5th largest state in the U.S. Highly diverse. Great food vernacular. Everything from desert to alpine to Great Plains. It possesses a culture that’s different and quirky on par with Louisiana, methinks. I’ll admit that I hope my heart hasn’t been captured by a place I’ll find frustrating. But to me it’s absolutely gorgeous.

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kkwheeler1@reddit

Best show of all time took place there. Better Call Saul (or breaking bad, pick one)

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One-Laugh8137@reddit

I'm watching breaking bad recently. Really want to visit New Mexico sometime!

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Upstairs-Storm1006@reddit

🎵 Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe 🎶 🎵 Sunny Santa Fe would be nice 🎶

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herehaveaname2@reddit

Or......

I ain't getting any younger, and I wanna start brand new. I need space, and fresh air - let them laughin my face, I don't care. Save my place, I'll be there...

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she-dont-use-jellyyy@reddit

Prairie dawwwwwgs

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TokyoDrifblim@reddit

Breaking Bad was very cool

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mrjpb104@reddit

The food is so fucking good. And I feel like hardly any Americans even know New Mexican cuisine is a thing? Fuck me up with some Christmas chile chicken enchiladas and a sopapilla

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No_Patience_6801@reddit

San Diego had a bit of the New Mexico food and culture vibe going on in the 90s. There were a bunch of New Mexican restaurants. That is my favorite food.

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mrjpb104@reddit

Any recs that are still around? I live in SD and would love to find some good New Mexican food

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No_Patience_6801@reddit

No I wish. We moved in 2019. We’ve lived in two other states since. Make sure you take this to heart: there is no better food outside of Mexico than San Diego. No one, and I mean no one knows how to make Baja Mexican food anywhere else. So if nothing else, enjoy that you have that!

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mrjpb104@reddit

Oh believe me I’m grateful every day hah

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Imaginary_Ladder_917@reddit

The intense, dramatic colors of New Mexico that I saw when I was there for a work trip one summer years ago will always be a wonderful memory. The grass was SO green. The soil was a deep red-brown, the sky was a vivid blue, and the clouds that moved in every afternoon were stark white and gray. Also, I was visiting the Navajo Reservation last summer and felt so welcome. I learned a lot about the Navajo peril tribe and the specific issues the people face due to how the land was allotted and the restrictions with ownership. It’s far too complicated to explain quickly (and I’m sure I don’t fully understand), but it was eye-opening, to say the least.

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geeltulpen@reddit

I visited Santa Fe for a conference around Christmas time and they had all of the little paper lanterns up everywhere along all the paths (luminarias). It was so pretty and so festive in a southwest way. I enjoyed it so much.

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Building_a_life@reddit

The Sangre de Cristo mountains are beautiful.

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letsNOTgetcrazy@reddit

Deming - it’s Friday did you get the chili at Peppers?

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pensivepricklypear@reddit

one of the best flags in the entire USA. simple. understated. yet so reflective of NM in general. the peak of vexillology.

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samba_01@reddit

heading to Albuquerque in the fall- can’t wait to visit!

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twowrist@reddit

My three favorite memories from New Mexico are the Bandelier National Monument, the Taos Pueblo, and getting guacamole made at our table at a restaurant in Santa Fe.

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atheologist@reddit

Santa Fe is one of my favorite cities to visit and I love wandering around the farmers market.

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BelethorsGeneralShit@reddit

Really one of my favorite states. We Vacation there every few years. Absolutely beautiful scenery. It really doesn't fit in with the rest of the desert southwest and has it's own unique vibe.

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bijoux247@reddit

I love how I can be driving around wide open spaces and red rocks then all of a sudden be in lush green hills in such a short time.

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Junior-Ad-8519@reddit

I drove through NM five years ago. I don't remember anything about it. The song Santa Fe from the musical Newsies is great. That's all I've got.

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Komnos@reddit

Beautiful state with amazing food. Always a favorite vacation spot.

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Inspi@reddit

It's better than Old Mexico I guess?

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life_experienced@reddit

My family had one of our best vacations ever there! The food is so good.

Bandelier National Monument is fantastic.

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goodguy847@reddit

They produce shockingly good wine.

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MarkRick25@reddit

People never believe me when I tell them this lol

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inbigtreble30@reddit

Ok hatch chiles are dope

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Classic_Climate_951@reddit

New Mexico is so BROWN. As someone from a tropical land it was hard to love... Until I hiked this random trail and found a spring. It was so green and full of butterflies. I soon explored some areas near Bandelier too. It was some of the most beautiful country I've seen. I wept looking at Soda Dam. Everything I've eaten there was the best I've ever had. The food is full of so much life and culture. The art scene is something special. New Mexico is the land of enchantment. You don't know you're falling in love until it's too late.

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Logical-Recognition3@reddit

I spent a summer in Albuquerque and really enjoyed my time there. I went to Sandia Crest where there was snow on the ground in June and watched from above as fighters took off from Kirtland Air Force base. I loved that green and red chilis are an option in every restaurant, even McDonald's. I always ordered "Christmas style." I went to Santa Fe one weekend, spent way too much money in the tourist shops, and saw Lyle Lovett at the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater.

I would happily visit NM again. 9/10 stars.

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OriginalDavid@reddit

I camped Conchas lake (lake conchas?) In early April like 5 years ago.

There were two old men in their own RVs fishing around the lake, but no one else. We explored the stone stacks and collapses and the natural caves.

My kid and I drove to tucumcari and ate at the place shaped like a sombrero.

I live in CO and get great green chile, but I loved the more tomatillo style we got there. I wanna go back and do a more food focused trip.

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ukkswolf@reddit

I don’t know much about New Mexico. They have historic Route 66 so that’s cool I guess?

Also which states have been done already?

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Mad-Hettie@reddit

Biscochitos are incredible.

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BioDriver@reddit

My wife and I had our honeymoon in New Mexico thanks to COVID and had an absolute blast. We rented a nice car and cruised between national parks, state parks, museums, art galleries, and random stops locals told us to check out. Great food, amazing people, and we can't wait to go back

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hungaryboii@reddit

I met my great grandma who lived in a small town called Chloride NM, there were only 20 people living there and while on a hike we could hear people coughing from over a mile away. Also really enjoyed my time in Santa Fe, ate at this delicious restaurant called Rooftop Pizzeria!

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Salty_Dog2917@reddit

The white sands at sunset is so beautiful.

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awellhiddenshoe@reddit

I’ve only been to New Mexico once, back when I was in college. I was presenting a paper at a conference in Albuquerque, and in my off time I got to go visit a museum that had a really excellent exhibit about spiders. I’m almost 49 now and still remember some of what I learned that day; it took my feeling about spiders from fear to curiosity and changed how I view them.

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bluecifer7@reddit

The Shed is incredible

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ZeGermansAreHere@reddit

The weather, the sunsets, and the general vibe is so amazing! I've lived her for the better part of 35 years and sometimes have to stop, take a breath, and just take in what a beautiful place it is!

Plus the history! Part of my house was built before NM was a state in an area that got settled during the Civil War. The church down the street from me was built around the same time and every year in September, they have a celebration that is a mix of Spanish Catholic and Native American influences. That plus the smell of roasting green chile in the air makes me realize fall is here.

Tradition for many a New Mexican is getting 25+ lbs of green chile, watch it be roasted, and then take it home, let it sweat a bit, then peel and freeze it. My daughter eats half as many as she bags. Another tradition for some of us is underestimating how much we need and running out sometime in March.

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ThroatFun478@reddit

Best sopapillas I ever ate were at a restaurant in New Mexico. White Sands is genuinely one of the most beautiful national parks in this country. The Blue Hole was kind of scary and we struck up a fun conversation with a disabled vet traveling the country with his son and their dog there. The retro Route 66 part of Tucumcari was so cool! And i didn't even cover Carlsbad Caverns yet! Overall, I loved passing through and would love to go back!

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Wendybird13@reddit

The Catwalk National Recreation Area in the Gila National Forest is my favorite National Park or Monument that I have ever visited.

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BooksBootsBikesBeer@reddit

That’s a deep cut. Thanks for the rec. My vote is for Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah.

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Powerful-Knee3150@reddit

The hot springs at Ojo Caliente are spectacular. They demand you only whisper, so it is pretty peaceful, too.

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Much-Leek-420@reddit

I spent a summer internship in Santa Fe, NM. It was fantastic!

The shops were incredible and people very friendly and laid back, and just driving through the city on any given night, you were likely to run into a block party with a mariachi band and lively happy people.

The scenery is stunning. Anyone visiting should try to get out of a city and just walk around the desert. The silence is profound and very spiritual. The mountains just east of Santa Fe are gorgeous and supurb places to camp and hike.

It's been over 40 years since I was there but the memories are still some of my best.

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DMfortinyplayers@reddit

Albuquerque has a stunning airport full of beautiful public art.

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Powerful-Knee3150@reddit

The sky up in the mountains is an incredible purple blue.

The light in general across the mesas and mountains is spectacular. It’s a place that inspires art.

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OtherTypeOfPrinter@reddit

Has the original Meow Wolf in Santa Fe. Gorgeous views. Lots of museums. I went during the october 2025 government shutdown so I couldn't visit White Sands or Carlsbad Cavern National Parks, but we found plenty to do otherwise. I'm already planning another trip to go see them specifically.

Also, green chili on both burgers and pepperoni pizza are a must.

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Iwcwcwcool@reddit

Awe. It's nice to read all the love.

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Snawer_brillant@reddit

we Californians love ur state!

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kimness1982@reddit

I was reminded today that New Mexico has my all time favorite license plate, the beautiful turquoise one. I live in North Carolina and hadn’t seen one in awhile.

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DadPuncher69@reddit

If i can ever afford to retire, I'd love to retire in New Mexico.

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GOTaSMALL1@reddit

Best license plates ever.

(Utah is second)

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eugenesbluegenes@reddit

New Mexico is gorgeous and has a strong argument for best regional specific American cuisine. I've visited about a half dozen times and always enjoyed my time despite eating entirely too much. Hiking from the outskirts of town to Sandia crest, eating a burger with a view, then riding the gondola back down the mountain was one of my favorite hikes I've done.

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Sledgehammer925@reddit

My husband and I love going to NM. We considered retiring in the Los Alamos area.

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MadMadamMimsy@reddit

Christmas Style!!! (And on the side)

And it truly is The Land of Enchantment.

I didn't buy my jewelry at the gas station, but I could have. Sandia Peak is awesome (I got my jewelry, there)

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BaconContestXBL@reddit

I got to land a helicopter on the same patch of sand that the space shuttle Columbia landed on one time, so that’s pretty cool.

Also Ruidoso and Cloudcroft are dope as hell and keep coming up in conversation for me lately for some reason.

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champ11228@reddit

Beautiful landscape and great food

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AntaresBounder@reddit

I’ve visited many times. Favorites: Baja Tacos on Cerillos Road in Santa Fe, Chaco Canyon, Taos Pueblo, White Sands (and Trinity).

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snailballoon@reddit

Albuquerque hot air balloon festival is one of my favorite memories of my life. So cool-looking

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SportulaVeritatis@reddit

Honestly didnt expect the number of balloons when I moved here. Like every morning I see balloons on my commute.

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Individual_Slice_234@reddit

One of the most beautiful states of the union, and a lot of Americans don't even know it's part of the union!

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G00dSh0tJans0n@reddit

Some of my favorite outdoor places there for hiking and camping. The Enchanted Circle around Taos, and also the Rio Grand Del Norte National Monument. Santa Fe area, down around Cloudcroft and Ruidoso, Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands NPs. And they have great state parks that are really cheap to camp at compared to other state parks.

Lots of great history, especially Native American History, and western frontiersmen like Kit Carson. Billy the Kid and the events dipicted in Young Guns as part of the Lincoln County War. Visited Billy the Kid gravesite and also the Bosque Redondo Memorial.

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SeminoleDVM@reddit

Played host to the second best TV drama that’s ever been produced.

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bloopblop3002@reddit

Ha ha ha. You’re so clever!