iBestTravel’s Executive Editor, Nitya Chambers, has just returned from a family trip to New Mexico. Here, she shares some shots and recommendations that made the trip memorable.
I was desperate to figure out where to spend my kids’ week-long winter break in February. My passport renewal sat with the US State Department, which limited international travel. However, when a captivating video crossed my TikTok path showcasing the wonders of New Mexico, I could think of nothing else but gently gliding across the skies of the Land of Enchantment in a hot air balloon.
Thus, off we went—a week based in a delightful Santa Fe Airbnb, sampling the beauty of the National Park Service and an eclectic, artistic mix of the American West.
During the off-season, we enjoyed fewer crowds, allowing us to experience the beauty and wonder of New Mexico as though it was there just for us.
We started the day in Santa Fe with…
Breakfast at home. Perhaps not the most glamorous answer, but when we plan on packing our days with sightseeing, we often opt for accommodations where we can prepare breakfast quickly to get an early start out the door.
That said, New Mexico is renowned as the home of the breakfast burrito, and you’d be remiss not to add this culinary delight to your itinerary. Be sure to try Tia Sophia’s in Santa Fe.
Daily explorations included a visit to Bandelier National Monument
An hour’s drive northwest of Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument brought history to life. Visiting was a profound experience. I’d read about the cliff dwellings of the Pueblo people in history books my whole life. However, walking a path inside such a sacred space and climbing ladders into the thousand-year-old caves offered a unique perspective.
The off-season transformed the visit into a spiritual experience: arriving at 9 am when the park opened allowed our family to explore an almost empty park at our leisure.
And White Sands National Park
Our family prioritizes national park trips every year, and White Sands was entirely worth the 7.5-hour round trip drive from Santa Fe. The journey was made bearable by the stunning landscapes and the vastness of the New Mexico sky.
White Sands National Park covers 115 square miles of sand dunes and drifts, composed of glistening gypsum crystals against a mountainous backdrop. The landscape feels otherworldly and ethereal, almost like a scene from another planet.
After posting pictures on social media, I received various tips: a nearby resort in Cloudcroft lets you look down on White Sands from 9,000 feet up, and visiting the park at sunset turns the white sand pink.
Eating and drinking in New Mexico is a delight
From traditional to inventive takes on New Mexican cuisine in Santa Fe, we found that even on weeknights during the off-season, making reservations was beneficial. We enjoyed dining at Café Pasqual, La Choza, and Maria’s New Mexican Kitchen. On a chilly afternoon, we warmed up with scrumptious ramen from Mampuku Ramen, where the kimchi fried rice was extraordinary.
After a horseback ride at Tamaya Horse Rescue and Stables, we had an afternoon in Albuquerque at Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., known as the only Native American woman-owned brewery in the U.S. The Denim Tux Pilsner, Easy Cactus Mexican-Style Dark Lager, and Scenic West Hazy IPA were highlights of our tasting menu. Families are welcome, so we all grabbed lunch from the Laguna Burger food truck outside.
On our way to White Sands, we discovered Bry’s Lunchbox in an Alamogordo parking lot after some quick Googling. Bryan Martinez, a former Arizona restaurant manager, welcomed us warmly from his bright red sandwich stall, sharing his story of returning to his hometown and offering a made-to-order sandwich menu.
Yes, we did the hot air balloon ride — and yes, it was magic
Experienced balloonists Keshia and Justin Hodge are a husband-and-wife team who co-own Elevated New Mexico, specializing in smaller group hot air balloon rides over Albuquerque. Think two to four people per basket instead of larger baskets that accommodate sixteen.
The team prioritizes safety but also shares their passion for hot air balloons with newcomers. From the safety presentation to the celebratory champagne toast after, every detail reflects their excitement.
I experienced a predictable mix of excitement and nerves before the ride, which lasted just over an hour. Surprisingly, it felt incredibly meditative and peaceful.
Overall, this personalized experience was a highlight of our trip—definitely more enjoyable than sharing a dawn ascent with sixteen strangers.
