Southwest Deserts & Canyonlands
Red rocks, canyons, and ancient cultures 🌵🏜️
The Southwest Deserts & Canyonlands offer landscapes that look like they belong on another planet. Encompassing Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Nevada and Utah, this region is defined by its red rock formations, deep canyons, and vast deserts. The climate is arid; summers can be scorching (often exceeding 100°F/38°C), making spring and autumn the best times for active families to visit. The dry air and open skies produce some of the most spectacular sunsets and stargazing opportunities in the world.
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is the undisputed highlight. Families can walk the Rim Trail, which is paved and stroller-friendly, or take mule rides for a unique perspective. The Desert View Watchtower offers panoramic views that help kids grasp the canyon's immense scale. Nearby, Sedona is famous for its pink jeep tours that bounce over red rock trails—a thrilling experience for kids. In the north, Monument Valley offers the iconic American West landscape of towering sandstone buttes, best explored on a guided tour with a Navajo guide who can share local legends.
New Mexico adds a rich layer of culture. Santa Fe is the oldest state capital in the US, with adobe architecture and a vibrant art scene. Families can visit Meow Wolf, an immersive art installation that feels like exploring a science fiction mystery house. Carlsbad Caverns National Park allows families to descend deep underground into massive limestone caves to see thousands of bats take flight at sunset. Historic Route 66 cuts through the region, offering kitschy, fun stops like the Wigwam Motel and vintage diners that feel like a time capsule.
Las Vegas, while known for adult entertainment, has plenty for families, including the Shark Reef Aquarium, the High Roller observation wheel, and circus acts. Food in the Southwest is flavorful, heavily influenced by Mexican and Native American traditions—think fry bread tacos and green chile cheeseburgers. Water is essential here; families must carry plenty during hikes. The region offers a profound sense of history and geology that captivates children’s imaginations.
Click a region to explore
Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
Globally iconic landscapes including the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park offer unparalleled wilderness exploration. Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable temperatures for trekking, while summer heat and winter cold pose significant challenges.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Santa Fe and Phoenix offer unique Southwestern architecture and world-class art collections like the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Peak seasons avoid the extreme mid-summer heat and the coldest winter periods, allowing for comfortable urban exploration.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
Moab is a world-renowned mountain biking mecca with infrastructure like the Slickrock Trail. Conditions are optimal in spring and autumn, whereas July heat is often too intense for high-output sports.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Home to high-quality facilities like the Arizona Science Center and major natural history museums. These serve as excellent educational complements to the region's geological wonders during mild-weather travel months.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world's largest hot air balloon event, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. This is genuinely world-famous and merits 'good'.
Spa retreats, wellness centers, peaceful getaways
The region features unique natural hot springs and boutique wellness retreats that leverage the serene desert environment. Outdoor soaking is most pleasant during the cooler spring and autumn months.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
Features spectacular drives like Utah Scenic Byway 12 and the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Winter months are off-season due to potential road closures and icy conditions in high-altitude desert passes.
Winter sports, ski resorts, snow activities
Taos Ski Valley and Arizona Snowbowl provide authentic alpine experiences with reliable snow bases in high-altitude pockets. The season is strictly limited to the winter months, with conditions becoming slushy by late March.
Amusement parks, family entertainment venues
Includes major regional water parks and Las Vegas entertainment venues like Adventuredome. The peak occurs during the hottest months when aquatic facilities are most desirable, though they lack the scale of major Florida or California hubs.
Beach resorts, marine activities: diving, snorkelling, kite surfing, wind surfing, sailing
Inland reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell offer beach-like recreation, but they lack the marine biodiversity and world-class coastal infrastructure expected by sophisticated international travelers.
Attractions (112 total)
Theme Park / Amusement Park
Adventuredome
Las Vegas
A five-acre indoor amusement park located under a giant pink glass dome, featuring the double-looping Canyon Blaster coaster and rock climbing walls.
Visit website →Old Tucson
Tucson
A historic film studio and Western theme park where visitors can experience live stunt shows, vintage train rides, and authentic 1880s-style frontier buildings.
Visit website →Castles N' Coasters
Phoenix
A premier desert amusement park offering the Desert Storm double-looping coaster, multiple miniature golf courses, and a classic log flume ride.
Visit website →Cliff's Amusement Park
Albuquerque
A long-running family destination home to the New Mexico Rattler, a top-rated wooden roller coaster, alongside a variety of water and thrill rides.
Visit website →Major International Festival / Cultural Event
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque
Early October, 9-day hot air balloon festival, over 800,000 annual visitors, celebrates the art and science of ballooning with massive morning ascensions and night glows, family-friendly with educational discovery centers and music.
Visit website →Hiking & Cycling Routes
Angels Landing
Springdale
5.4 miles (8.7km) challenging day hike involving steep switchbacks and a narrow rock fin with chain handrails; 1,488ft (453m) elevation gain. Permits required.
Visit website →Bright Angel Trail
Grand Canyon Village
15.3 miles (24.6km) challenging full-day or overnight hike to the Colorado River with 4,380ft (1,335m) elevation gain. Equipment rental: Canyon REO (canyonreo.com)
Visit website →Slickrock Bike Trail
Moab
10.5 miles (17km) expert mountain bike loop on unique petrified sand dunes with 1,200ft (365m) elevation gain. Bike rental: Poison Spider Bicycles (poisonspiderbicycles.com)
Visit website →The Narrows
Springdale
16 miles (25km) moderate to challenging hike through the North Fork Virgin River canyon; duration 1-2 days. Gear rental: Zion Guru (zionguru.com)
Visit website →The Whole Enchilada
Moab
34.1 miles (55km) expert-level mountain bike route featuring a 7,800ft descent through multiple ecological zones. Duration 4-7 hours. Bike rental: Moab Cyclery (moabcyclery.com)
Visit website →Atalaya Mountain Trail
Santa Fe
5.8 miles (9.3km) challenging day hike with 1,775ft (541m) elevation gain, offering panoramic views of the Rio Grande Valley and the city of Santa Fe.
Visit website →Arizona National Scenic Trail
Hereford
800 miles (1,287km) challenging multi-month thru-hike or bike route from the Mexico border to Utah, traversing diverse desert and mountain biomes with 110,000ft total gain.
Visit website →South Kaibab Trail
Grand Canyon Village
14.2 miles (22.8km) challenging out-and-back trail to the Colorado River with 4,780ft (1,457m) elevation gain; famous for Ooh Aah Point views.
Visit website →Natural Feature / Scenic Site
Antelope Canyon
Page
A mesmerizing slot canyon known for its wave-like rock formations and beams of light reflecting off the orange sandstone.
Visit website →Arches National Park
Moab
Home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, set against a high desert backdrop.
Visit website →Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce
A natural amphitheater filled with thousands of orange, pink, and white limestone spires called hoodoos.
Visit website →Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon Village
A massive, colorful canyon carved by the Colorado River, offering breathtaking vistas and family-friendly rim trails.
Visit website →Zion National Park
Springdale
Dramatic sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and the Virgin River create a stunning desert oasis for all ages.
Visit website →Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad
Massive underground limestone chambers and unique formations that offer a cool and awe-inspiring experience for families.
Visit website →Horseshoe Bend
Page
A dramatic 270-degree curve of the Colorado River deep within a sandstone canyon, easily accessible via a short trail.
Visit website →Saguaro National Park
Tucson
A unique desert landscape filled with the giant saguaro cactus, the iconic symbol of the American West.
Visit website →Valley of Fire State Park
Overton
Nevada's oldest state park features bright red Aztec sandstone formations and ancient petroglyphs in a desert setting.
Visit website →White Sands National Park
Alamogordo
A vast field of brilliant white gypsum sand dunes that looks like a snowy wonderland in the middle of the desert.
Visit website →Natural Hot Spring / Thermal Bath / Historic Bathhouse
Arizona Hot Springs
Willow Beach
43°C natural geothermal pools located within a narrow volcanic slot canyon, accessible via a 6-mile loop hike or by boat from the Colorado River, featuring dramatic red rock walls and steaming emerald water.
Mystic Hot Springs
Monroe
37-43°C mineral-rich water flowing over massive orange and white travertine mounds, featuring iconic vintage outdoor cast-iron soaking tubs and tiered rock pools with high calcium and magnesium content.
Visit website →Gold Strike Hot Springs
Boulder City
40°C natural thermal pools and waterfalls tucked into a deep desert canyon, requiring a strenuous hike involving rope scrambles, located in a rugged wilderness area near the Colorado River.
La Paloma Hot Springs
Truth or Consequences
37-41°C artesian mineral water in a historic 1920s bathhouse, featuring private indoor tile-lined pools and outdoor basins, significant for its architectural heritage and naturally flowing mineral springs.
Visit website →San Antonio Hot Springs
Jemez Springs
40°C natural tiered rock pools situated on a steep mountainside within the Santa Fe National Forest, featuring therapeutic mineral water and sweeping views of the surrounding canyon and ponderosa pines.
Science Museum / Natural History Museum / Discovery Centre
Arizona Science Center
Phoenix
Hands-on exhibits and a state-of-the-art planetarium make this a premier destination for families exploring the wonders of science in downtown Phoenix.
Visit website →New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Albuquerque
Families can travel through time from the birth of the universe to the age of dinosaurs and the dawn of the computer era in Albuquerque.
Visit website →Bradbury Science Museum
Los Alamos
Located in the 'Secret City,' this museum offers families an intriguing look at the scientific history of the Manhattan Project and current laboratory research.
Visit website →St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm
St. George
This exceptional site allows families to see thousands of well-preserved dinosaur tracks and fossils exactly where they were discovered in the red rocks of Utah.
Visit website →Discovery Children's Museum
Las Vegas
Three floors of interactive exhibits ranging from art to eco-science offer endless educational fun for children in the heart of Las Vegas.
Visit website →Lowell Observatory
Flagstaff
Families can peer through historic telescopes and learn about the discovery of Pluto at this legendary research institution perched above Flagstaff.
Visit website →National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Albuquerque
This unique Smithsonian-affiliated museum provides a fascinating look at the history and future of nuclear science through engaging indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Visit website →Ski Resort / Winter Sports Center
Arizona Snowbowl
Flagstaff
2,804-3,505m, 55 runs, 31km pistes, Nov-May season. Located on the San Francisco Peaks, it features the Arizona Gondola and offers the state's highest lift-served skiing with views stretching to the Grand Canyon.
Visit website →Brian Head Resort
Brian Head
2,926-3,446m, 71 runs, 50km pistes, Nov-Apr season. Known for having the highest base elevation in Utah and unique red rock views from the slopes, bridging two mountains with varied terrain and tubing parks.
Visit website →Taos Ski Valley
Taos Ski Valley
2,805-3,812m, 110 runs, 120km total skiable terrain, Nov-Apr season. Famous for steep, expert-level terrain, the Kachina Peak high-speed lift, and a distinct European-influenced alpine village architecture.
Visit website →Lee Canyon
Las Vegas
2,590-3,441m, 30 runs, 20km pistes, Dec-Apr season. A mountain retreat in the Spring Mountains just 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, offering alpine skiing, a modern lodge, and a dedicated terrain park.
Visit website →Angel Fire Resort
Angel Fire
2,625-3,255m, 81 runs, 49.2km pistes, Dec-Mar season. Family-oriented resort in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, featuring extensive night skiing, a championship terrain park, and wide, groomed cruisers.
Visit website →Ski Apache
Ruidoso
2,926-3,505m, 55 runs, 35km pistes, Dec-Mar season. The southernmost major ski area in the US, located on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, featuring New Mexico's only passenger gondola and incredible desert-to-mountain vistas.
Visit website →Ski Santa Fe
Santa Fe
3,155-3,682m, 86 runs, 50km pistes, Nov-Apr season. A high-altitude resort located just 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe, offering a variety of terrain from beginner glades to steep bowl skiing.
Visit website →Sunrise Park Resort
Greer
2,804-3,383m, 65 runs, 40km pistes, Dec-Apr season. Arizona's largest ski area, owned by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, spanning three peaks with significant cross-country skiing and a high-speed detachable quad.
Visit website →Botanical Garden / Formal Gardens
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Tucson
A unique fusion of zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum featuring native Sonoran Desert flora and fauna.
Visit website →Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix
A world-class collection of desert plants showcased through scenic trails and artistic exhibits in the heart of the Sonoran Desert.
Visit website →Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Santa Fe
Highlights the beauty of the high-desert landscape with native plants, fruit orchards, and contemporary art installations.
Visit website →ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
Albuquerque
A sprawling 36-acre garden featuring diverse exhibits including a Mediterranean conservatory, a formal Rose Garden, and a Japanese Garden.
Visit website →Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Superior
Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden, nestled among dramatic volcanic cliffs and featuring plants from the world's deserts.
Visit website →Springs Preserve
Las Vegas
A massive complex featuring award-winning botanical gardens focused on desert-sustainable landscaping and regional history.
Visit website →Tucson Botanical Gardens
Tucson
An urban oasis with specialty gardens including a butterfly pavilion, tropical plants, and native desert flora.
Visit website →Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Bearizona Wildlife Park
Williams
A premier wildlife park near the Grand Canyon featuring a drive-through safari and a walk-through area with a petting zoo and barnyard animals.
Visit website →El Rancho de las Golondrinas
Santa Fe
A 200-acre living history museum where visitors experience Spanish Colonial rural life on a historic ranch with heritage animals.
Visit website →Mortimer Farms
Dewey
A large working farm offering seasonal harvests, farm-themed play areas, and educational animal encounters in a mountain-valley setting.
Visit website →Staheli Family Farm
Washington
A popular Southern Utah agritourism site featuring a petting zoo, farm-themed attractions, and seasonal fall festivals.
Visit website →Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm
Albuquerque
A historic farm in the Rio Grande Valley famous for its lavender fields, kitchen gardens, and scenic rural atmosphere.
Visit website →Schnepf Farms
Queen Creek
A historic family-owned agritourism destination near Phoenix offering u-pick orchards, vintage carnival rides, and farm animal encounters.
Visit website →National Park / Nature Reserve
Canyonlands National Park
Moab
Families can witness the vastness of the Green and Colorado Rivers' carved canyons from dramatic Island in the Sky overlooks.
Visit website →Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Las Vegas
Just a short drive from the city, families can enjoy colorful rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, and easy hiking trails.
Visit website →Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Nageezi
Massive ancestral Puebloan "great houses" featuring complex masonry and celestial alignments in a remote, protected canyon.
Visit website →Montezuma Castle National Monument
Camp Verde
A remarkably well-preserved five-story ancient cliff dwelling tucked into a limestone cliff high above the valley floor.
Visit website →Taos Pueblo
Taos
A living UNESCO World Heritage site featuring multi-story adobe buildings inhabited by the Taos people for over 1,000 years.
Visit website →Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights
Phoenix
A unique four-tier architectural landmark in Phoenix resembling a tiered wedding cake surrounded by vibrant desert gardens.
Visit website →Mission San Xavier del Bac
Tucson
A stunning 18th-century Spanish Catholic mission known as the "White Dove of the Desert" for its ornate architecture.
Visit website →Palace of the Governors
Santa Fe
The oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States, serving as a historic adobe landmark and museum.
Visit website →Water Park / Splash Park / Aquatic Centre
Cowabunga Bay
Henderson
A vibrant 1960s-themed water park near Las Vegas offering unique surf-style wave pools and award-winning thrill slides.
Visit website →Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix
Glendale
Arizona's largest water park featuring high-speed racing slides, a massive wave pool, and a winding lazy river set against a desert backdrop.
Visit website →WaterMania at Cliff's Amusement Park
Albuquerque
New Mexico's primary seasonal water attraction featuring multi-story slides and a massive interactive splash pad for families.
Visit website →Cowabunga Canyon
Las Vegas
A popular Las Vegas aquatic center featuring white-water rafting simulations, high-adrenaline drops, and a dedicated interactive kids' zone.
Visit website →Golfland Sunsplash
Mesa
A premier family destination featuring over 30 water attractions, including the Sidewinder half-pipe slide and a large activity pool.
Visit website →Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Delicate Arch
Moab
The most famous natural stone arch in the world, standing as a solitary sandstone monument in Arches National Park.
Visit website →Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon Village
One of the world's most iconic natural wonders, offering breathtaking panoramic views and accessible family-friendly hiking trails.
Visit website →Hoover Dam
Boulder City
A massive Art Deco engineering marvel on the Colorado River that provides guided tours and stunning views of Lake Mead.
Visit website →Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Oljato-Monument Valley
The quintessential image of the American West, featuring towering sandstone buttes and scenic drives through the Navajo Nation.
Visit website →Zion Canyon (The Narrows & Angels Landing)
Springdale
A deep, narrow canyon with towering sandstone walls of cream, pink, and red that provides some of the world's best hiking.
Visit website →Chapel of the Holy Cross
Sedona
A stunning modern chapel built directly into the red rock buttes, offering spiritual serenity and panoramic desert views.
Visit website →Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
Las Vegas
A world-famous 1959 neon landmark that serves as the quintessential photo opportunity for visitors to the Las Vegas Strip.
Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Santa Fe
Families can explore the bold, colorful flower and desert landscape paintings that made O'Keeffe one of America's most significant artists.
Visit website →Heard Museum
Phoenix
Families can learn about Native American heritage through world-class displays of Indigenous art, jewelry, textiles, and cultural storytelling.
Visit website →Museum of International Folk Art
Santa Fe
Children and adults alike will be mesmerized by the world's largest collection of colorful folk art, including thousands of toys, dolls, and dioramas.
Visit website →Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix
The largest art museum in the Southwest features diverse collections, an outdoor sculpture garden, and interactive contemporary installations for all ages.
Visit website →Tucson Museum of Art
Tucson
Located on a historic block, this museum offers an engaging mix of Western, Latin American, and modern art within beautiful courtyards and sculpture gardens.
Visit website →Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Grand Canyon West
Peach Springs
An adventure destination on Hualapai tribal land featuring the famous glass-bottom Skywalk, high-speed zip lines, and helicopter tours over the canyon.
Visit website →Dig This Las Vegas
Las Vegas
A unique heavy equipment playground that allows visitors to operate full-sized excavators and bulldozers in a massive desert sandbox environment.
Visit website →Red River Ski & Summer Area
Red River
A year-round mountain resort providing a seasonal adventure park with ropes courses, mountain tubing, and scenic chairlift rides over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Visit website →Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course
Flagstaff
A massive aerial adventure park featuring challenging obstacle courses and zip lines suspended high within a dense ponderosa pine forest.
Visit website →Moab Adventure Center
Moab
The central hub for outdoor excursions in Utah's red rock country, offering family-friendly rafting, guided Jeep tours, and canyoneering adventures.
Visit website →Road Trips & Scenic Drives
Historic Route 66 (Arizona Section)
Seligman
256km paved historic route (3-4 hours) between Seligman and Topock. This is the longest continuous preserved stretch of the original 'Mother Road,' featuring vintage Americana, neon signs, and desert vistas.
Visit website →Monument Valley Scenic Drive (US 163)
Kayenta
43km paved stretch of U.S. 163 (1 hour) famous for the iconic 'Forrest Gump Point' view. It leads into the heart of the Navajo Nation with vistas of towering mesas and freestanding sandstone buttes.
Visit website →Red Rock Scenic Byway
Sedona
12km paved corridor (30 mins) on State Route 179. Known as a 'Museum without Walls,' it offers stunning views of Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and the iconic red sandstone buttes of Sedona's high desert.
Visit website →Utah Scenic Byway 12
Bryce Canyon City
196km paved All-American Road (3-4 hours) winding through Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and ending near Capitol Reef. Highlights include the narrow 'Hogback' ridge and Hell's Backbone.
Visit website →Zion-Mount Carmel Highway
Springdale
40km paved historic route (1 hour) connecting Zion National Park to Mt. Carmel Junction. Features a 1.1-mile cliffside tunnel, hairpin switchbacks, and the distinctive cross-hatched sandstone of Checkerboard Mesa.
Visit website →Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway
Santa Fe
84km paved route (2 hours) on NM-14 connecting Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The drive passes through the Ortiz Mountains and the historic mining-turned-art-towns of Madrid and Cerrillos.
Visit website →High Road to Taos Scenic Byway
Santa Fe
112km paved mountain route (2.5 hours) on NM-76. It traverses the Sangre de Cristo Mountains through historic Spanish colonial villages like Chimayo and Truchas, offering high-altitude alpine views.
Visit website →Valley of Fire Scenic Byway
Overton
17km paved road (45 mins) through Nevada's oldest state park. The route showcases bright red Aztec sandstone, white limestone outcrops, and the famous Mouse's Tank Road overlook through jagged red rocks.
Visit website →Beach / Coastal Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Boulder City
America's first national recreation area offers diverse water-based activities like swimming at Boulder Beach set against a striking desert backdrop.
Visit website →Lone Rock Beach
Big Water
A stunning recreation area on Lake Powell featuring a massive solitary sandstone monolith rising from the turquoise waters and wide sandy shores.
Visit website →Wahweap Main Beach
Page
The primary swimming and recreation hub of southern Lake Powell, offering clear water and scenic views of the Glen Canyon Dam area.
Visit website →Elephant Butte Lake State Park
Elephant Butte
New Mexico's largest reservoir provides miles of sandy beaches and refreshing water sports in the heart of the high desert.
Visit website →Lake Havasu State Park
Lake Havasu City
A popular desert oasis featuring sandy white beaches and the historic London Bridge, perfect for family swimming and boating.
Visit website →Aquarium / Sea Life Centre
OdySea Aquarium
Scottsdale
The largest aquarium in the Southwest, featuring a unique rotating aquarium experience and high-tech interactive exhibits for all ages.
Visit website →Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
Las Vegas
A world-class predator-focused aquarium featuring a sunken shipwreck and walk-through tunnels surrounded by sharks and endangered sea turtles.
Visit website →Sea Life Arizona Aquarium
Tempe
A family-oriented aquarium featuring interactive touch pools, a 360-degree ocean tunnel, and over 5,000 sea creatures.
Visit website →ABQ BioPark Aquarium
Albuquerque
Explores the journey of water from the Rio Grande to the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting diverse marine life and a massive shark habitat.
Visit website →Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park
Litchfield Park
A sprawling park combining a diverse zoo with a multi-building aquarium featuring white crocodiles, sea lions, and rare aquatic species.
Visit website →Zoo / Wildlife Park / Safari Park
Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix
One of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., featuring over 3,000 animals across diverse themed trails like the Arizona and Tropics trails.
Visit website →Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Carlsbad
A native wildlife park dedicated to the animals and plants of the Chihuahuan Desert, featuring mountain lions, bison, and a cactus garden.
Visit website →ABQ BioPark Zoo
Albuquerque
An accredited riverside zoo featuring exotic species from around the globe, including elephants, polar bears, and a dedicated Africa area.
Visit website →Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Santa Fe Plaza
Santa Fe
The historic heart of America's oldest state capital, this Spanish-style plaza is surrounded by museums, galleries, and the 17th-century Palace of the Governors.
Visit website →Tombstone Historic District
Tombstone
Famous for the O.K. Corral gunfight, this well-preserved 'Old West' town offers family-friendly reenactments and historic tours on original dirt streets.
Visit website →Jerome State Historic Park
Jerome
Once a thriving copper mining town known as the 'wickedest city in the West,' it is now a unique hillside community of artists and historic sites.
Visit website →Acoma Pueblo (Sky City)
Acoma Pueblo
Perched atop a 367-foot sandstone mesa, this ancient village offers guided tours exploring Native American history and culture dating back to 1150 AD.
Visit website →Old Town Albuquerque
Albuquerque
The city's cultural center since 1706, featuring traditional adobe architecture, the San Felipe de Neri Church, and hidden courtyards with artisan shops.
Visit website →