When you think of New Mexico you may think of mesmerizing landscapes, from the dramatic deserts of White Sand and the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains to the historic pueblos and Santa Fe’s town square. However, there’s much more that New Mexico is known for.
If you’re renting an apartment in Santa Fe, buying a home in Albuquerque, or considering moving to the state, you may be wondering what New Mexico is famous for. Read on to find out what makes New Mexico an enchanting place to call home.
Job opportunities and economy
New Mexico has several major job industries including oil and gas, aerospace, higher education, and tourism. Key corporations contributing to the state’s economy are Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Intel Corporation.
New Mexico’s top five employers
- University of New Mexico
- Sandia National Laboratories
- Presbyterian Healthcare Services
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Intel Corporation
Historic attractions
- Santa Fe: The capital city is renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture, vibrant arts scene, and rich cultural heritage. You can explore historic sites like the Palace of the Governors, browse art galleries along Canyon Road, and savor Southwestern cuisine in its eclectic restaurants.
- Taos Pueblo: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the US. Its adobe structures, traditional ceremonies, and artisan crafts offer a glimpse into Native American history and culture.
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park: This stunning underground landscape has limestone caves, stalactites, and stalagmites. Visitors can explore the caverns via self-guided tours, marveling at geological formations like the Big Room and the Hall of the Giants.
- White Sands National Park: A mesmerizing landscape of gypsum sand dunes, covers 275 square miles in southern New Mexico. You can hike, sled, or simply admire the otherworldly scenery. The area is especially stunning during sunset when the dunes glow with a warm, golden hue.
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: As the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, it draws thousands of visitors each October. You can marvel at the colorful balloons as they fill the sky or even take a hot air balloon ride.
One-of-a-kind regional cuisine
New Mexico’s cuisine is a vibrant fusion of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican flavors. Dishes like green chile stew, posole, and enchiladas showcase its state’s rich culinary heritage. One iconic dish is the green chile cheeseburger, featuring flame-grilled beef smothered in spicy green chile sauce. Other popular dishes include carne adovada, biscochitos, sopapillas served with honey, and blue corn-based specialties like blue corn pancakes and blue corn tortillas.
Top restaurants in New Mexico
- Geronimo in Santa Fe
- The Shed in Santa Fe
- Restaurant Martín in Santa Fe
- El Pinto in Albuquerque
- The Range Café in multiple locations
Arts and entertainment scene
From its indigenous Puebloan roots, Spanish colonial heritage, and more recent influences, New Mexico has a wide variety of museums, venues, and historic sites. The state’s artistic heritage is celebrated in institutions like the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe and the Museum of International Folk Art in Albuquerque.
Cities like Santa Fe and Taos are renowned for their thriving arts scenes, boasting galleries, theaters, and cultural events that reflect the state’s rich multicultural heritage. For example, you can find festivals such as the Taos Arts Festival and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta that draw crowds from far and wide.
Additionally, New Mexico’s contribution to the film industry is significant, with many films using the state’s landscapes as a backdrop. Some iconic movies filmed in New Mexico include No Country for Old Men, True Grit, and The Avengers.
Five great places to experience a show in New Mexico
Fun fact: New Mexico is home to the oldest capital city in the US, Santa Fe, founded in 1610.
Ancient landscapes and caverns
New Mexico showcases a stunning array of natural land formations, unlike any you’ll find across the US. You’ll find iconic mesas and towering rock formations, like the enchanting Rio Grande Gorge and the rugged beauty of the Organ Mountains. The state is also home to the otherworldly Carlsbad Caverns, a vast underground cave system teeming with unique geological formations.
Did you know? Roughly 75% of New Mexico’s roads, about 25,000 miles, are unpaved.
National and state parks in New Mexico
Popular New Mexico phrases
Nicknamed the “Land of Enchantment,” New Mexico has several local phrases and expressions reflecting the state’s heritage.
- “Green chile,” is a staple ingredient in many dishes.
- “Cottonwood-lined acequia,” a picturesque scene common in the state’s rural areas.
- “Lobo,” referring to the beloved University of New Mexico sports teams
- “The high road” and “The low road,” are two contrasting routes offering scenic drives through the mountains or valleys.
More things New Mexico is known for
- Artistic hub: From the vibrant galleries of Santa Fe to the quirky installations of Taos, New Mexico’s art scene thrives. These cities attract artists and art lovers with their diverse array of galleries, museums, and festivals.
- Nuclear legacy: As the birthplace of the atomic age, New Mexico played a pivotal role in the development of nuclear weapons. You’ll find historic sites like Los Alamos and the Trinity Site marking key milestones in human history.
- Rich history: Home to ancient Native American civilizations, Spanish explorers, and Wild West legends, New Mexico’s history is a blend of cultures and influences, preserved in its adobe villages, historic missions, and archaeological sites.
- Breaking Bad: The hit TV series Breaking Bad brought global attention to New Mexico. It showcased the state’s distinctive landscapes and urban settings as the backdrop for Walter White’s dramatic story.
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