Explore the land of enchantment from home with state-wide virtual tour series

Claudia L Silva, Carlsbad Current-Argus
·4 min read

Want to explore the land of enchantment from the comfort of home? Looking to plan your next vacation?

Whether you're an outdoor explorer or a stay-at-home tourist the New Mexico Tourism Department has what you need to view New Mexico's signature destinations, historic and cultural sites and outdoor spaces with a new virtual tour series.

The tours explore all five geographic regions of New Mexico from the red sandstone cliffs of Gallup to the pine-covered mountain ranges of Ruidoso.

Phillip Mitchell, from El Paso, Texas, fishes for trout and catfish at Alto Reservoir on Aug. 14, 2021, near Ruidoso, New Mexico. Alto Reservoir is an Eagle Creek surface diversion by the Village of Ruidoso.
Phillip Mitchell, from El Paso, Texas, fishes for trout and catfish at Alto Reservoir on Aug. 14, 2021, near Ruidoso, New Mexico. Alto Reservoir is an Eagle Creek surface diversion by the Village of Ruidoso.

“Virtual tours and other forms of immersive media have become incredibly useful tools for destination exploration and inspiration,” said Cabinet Secretary Jen Paul Schroer. “We’re happy to work with communities throughout the state to bring these virtual tours to life.”

View the full tour at newmexico.org/virtualtours.

Here is your guide to New Mexico's newest virtual tours:

Northwest New Mexico

The simulated journey starts in northwest New Mexico and explores the cities of Gallup, Farmington, Aztec, Grants and Cibola County and Acoma Sky City.

Aztec Ruins National Monument has continued to welcome visitors throughout the pandemic.
Aztec Ruins National Monument has continued to welcome visitors throughout the pandemic.

Take a step into the past at the Aztec Ruins National Monument which was once home to the Puebloan people over 900 years ago or the Salmon Ruins in Farmington — an excavated Chacoan Anasazi living complex that dates back to the 11th century.

Explore the outdoors in Cibola County at the Bluewater Lake State Park where visitors can camp, hike, boat, fish and rise horses or visit the Sandstone Bluffs Overlook to get a view of the Malpais lava flows and Mount Taylor.

More: Outdoor recreation suffered during COVID-19, showing signs of recovery in New Mexico

North Central New Mexico

Move on over to North Central New Mexico for a taste of art, culture, cuisine and tradition by exploring Santa Fe, Taos, Los Alamos, Questa, Red River and Chama.

Get a peek at the Santa Fe Railyard Art District's entertainment, food, shopping and events and the cities various historic chapels.

Water tower at the Santa Fe Railyard in Santa Fe, New Mexico January 30, 2017.
Water tower at the Santa Fe Railyard in Santa Fe, New Mexico January 30, 2017.

Dive into history and art at Taos' many museums that include the Harwood Museum of Art, the Kit Carson Home and Museum, and the Millicent Rogers Museum.

Want to get away from the hustle and bustle or get some fresh air? Visit the natural wonders of Questa such as the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument or Eagle Rock Lake Park.

Northeast New Mexico

Slow things down in Northeast New Mexico which includes Pecos and Las Vegas.

Pecos National Historical Park in New Mexico preserves ruins of an Indian pueblo. Photo by Jackie Finch
Pecos National Historical Park in New Mexico preserves ruins of an Indian pueblo. Photo by Jackie Finch

Take a peek at Pecos' scenic fishing spots such as Cowles Ponds or dive into the past at the ancient Puebloan living sites at the Pecos National Historical Park.

Experience the small-town charm of Las Vegas by visiting the Historic Plaza Park or get some rest at the Castañeda Hotel which was originally built in 1898.

Where to stay: This Carlsbad tiny house was named No. 1 new property in New Mexico by Airbnb

Central New Mexico

Move over to the heart of New Mexico for a diverse cultural experience at locations that range from city plazas to rural ranching communities including Albuquerque, Corrales, Bernalillo and Sandoval County.

In this Wednesday, June 22, 2016 photo, American Indian jewelers sell their artwork in the plaza of Albuquerque's Old Town, N.M. The nation's Hispanic population grew by 2.2 percent to 56.6 million, and New Mexico had the largest percentage of Latinos in the country at 48 percent, according to new information from the U.S. Census Bureau. Data also showed New Mexico has one of the highest percentages of minorities in the country.

Visit the vibrant city of Albuquerque Historic Old Town, the city center that was founded in 1706.

Head north to Corrales and take a look at the rural village's offerings such as the Acequia Vineyards and Winery and the Ex Novo Brewery. Visit Corrales Road for restaurants shops and art galleries.

Southwest New Mexico

Head down to southwest New Mexico and get a feel for the Historic Old West and the unique culture of the Mexican American Border in Silver City, Mesilla, Las Cruces and Deming.

The city's Convention and Visitor's Bureau, branded as Visit Las Cruces, has its headquarters at the southern gateway to downtown Las Cruces on the corner of S. Main and E. Amador Avenue.
The city's Convention and Visitor's Bureau, branded as Visit Las Cruces, has its headquarters at the southern gateway to downtown Las Cruces on the corner of S. Main and E. Amador Avenue.

Visit the growing City of Las Cruces which boasts 320 days of sunshine a year and the neighboring Village of Mesilla for a taste of history that dates back to the 1800s.

Head to silver City for a sense of small-town living. Visit the Silver City Museum at the 1881 Mansard/Italianate H.B. Ailman House to learn about southwest New Mexico's rich cultural history.

Southeast New Mexico

Finish off your tour through the Land of Enchantment by viewing the wonders and mysteries of southeast New Mexico from its many parks to its unique connections to science and space exploration.

Take a peek and the largest cave chamber in North America at the Carlsbad Caverns National park or explore the ecosystems of New Mexico at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park.

Head to Downtown Roswell, home to the International UFO Museum and Research Center and a variety of restaurants and stores.

Virtually visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History, the world's largest pistachio and White Sands National Park in Alamogordo.

Claudia Silva is a reporter from the UNM Local Reporting Fellowship. She can be reached at csilva2@currentargus.com, by phone at 575-628-5506 or on Twitter @thewatchpup.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Explore the land of enchantment from home with NM virtual tour series