The landscapes of New Mexico are as varied as the people who live here. While most people think of New Mexico as arid desert; we also have lush alpine terrain, mountains over 10,000 feet, and seasonal wetlands (called the bosque) that border the Rio Grande.

In Northern New Mexico, the acclaimed artist colony Taos was founded due to a broken wagon wheel in the 19th century. With religious retablos, modern art, and salvaged sculptures proudly on display, Taos has created its own eclectic atmosphere in the art world. The Taos Pueblo, located at the base of Taos Mountain, is the oldest continually inhabited Native American community in the United States. Taos Pueblo is also the only Native American community to be designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and to be declared a National Historic Landmark.

Santa Fe, our nation’s oldest capital city and the inspiration for Pueblo Revival architecture, is just an hour north of Albuquerque. Loretto Chapel on the Santa Fe Plaza contains a mysterious staircase built without nails, dowels, or any visible support. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture has a 42,000 piece collection, and is a must see for anybody interested in Indian culture.

In Southern New Mexico, Roswell is thought by many to be the crash-landing site of a UFO in 1947. The International UFO Museum and Research CenterBottomless Lake State Park, while not as deep as it may sound, is a favorite among locals, and a perfect place to cool off from the summer heat, or enjoy a picnic along the water’s edge. attempts to discover what actually happened out in the desert on that mysterious day.

Carlsbad is most notably recognized for Carlsbad Caverns. The Big Room cave measures 8.2 acres; guided tours of the caverns are available to people of all skill levels. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park overlooks the Pecos River Valley and features a variety of plant and animal life found in the arid Chihuahuan Desert region.

Explore New Mexico while you're here. You'll find more at the New Mexico Department of Tourism.