New Mexico is an enchanting blend of three cultures, the Hispanic, the Native American, and the True West. The Spanish settled northern New Mexico in 1598. They brought with them some amazing artwork and traditions, and built many beautiful churches around the state. From the food, to the language, to the traditions, and arts and crafts, Hispanic culture is here for everyone to enjoy!  Native American tribes have deep spiritual and cultural roots in New Mexico which connect them to the earth and sky, to the wind and water, to the sun and moon and to their ancestors. Their arts and crafts are amazing to behold. Native Americans in New Mexico fashion some of the most intricate pottery and rugs to be found anywhere.
When the Santa Fe Railroad reached NM in the 1880’s, Albuquerque was born and cow towns began springing up all over the territory. Cattlemen and outlaws roamed the area. None more famous than Billy the Kid from Lincoln County, in the Southeastern part of the state. Ranchers, Sheepherders, the Spanish, and Native Americans, as well as homesteaders and squatters battled for their piece of the pie. Centuries of conflict between rival groups plagued the area until 1886. But, modern New Mexico is on the forefront of technology, science, and defense. Soon the Spaceport will be built south of Truth or Consequences, opening the way for space travel.
New Mexico has fantastic year round climate and beautiful vistas that seem to go on for miles and miles. This really is big sky country! We have everything you could want except the ocean! To skiing in Taos and Santa Fe, to fishing and boating at Elephant Butte Lake and other lakes, to frolicking in the gorgeous sandy dunes at White Sands, to hiking many breathtakingly gorgeous trails in our National Forests, to fine dining, cultural events, entertainment, and shopping in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico has it all!
Come and discover it for yourselves! Return to Top Central New Mexico Right in the geographical center of the state, you will find Albuquerque, which has a population of over 700,000, and is home to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Sandia Peak Tramway and Ski area, The Albuquerque Biological Park, many museums and galleries, and Old Town Albuquerque. The city is modern in every way but glimpses of the past are quite visible in the architecture, art, and culture… and don’t forget, the very best Mexican Food in the World! The skies here are magical. It’s a place you’ve got to see. Los Lunas  Los Lunas lies along the Rio Grande River, just 20 minutes south of the Albuquerque International Airport. It was founded by Spanish settlers in the 1700’s. It has small town conveniences and with big city amenities less than a half hour away!
Within the Village, there is shopping at Walmart Supercenter, Home Depot, Smith’s, Albertsons, Walgreens, Staples, Hastings, and Big 5 Sporting Goods to name a few. We have great restaurants like Teofilo’s, The Luna Mansion, and Chili’s, as well as many fast food stores. Many people move to Los Lunas because of the many housing opportunities here… from brand new subdivisions, like Rancho Valencia, to horse properties with some acreage, to Jubilee, for Active Adults 50 years and older, there’s something for everyone. Prices are less expensive here than in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Also, It’s really a great place to live, taxes are low, and schools are good! To learn more about Los Lunas, visit the city's website or the Valencia County website. Albuquerque Albuquerque is a high desert city nestled on the banks of the Rio Grande. The Sandia Mountains form its eastern border and the cones of ancient extinct volcanos are on the west. Albuquerque is the largest city in NM and boasts the University of New Mexico’s Main campus, the Albuquerque International Airport, educational museums, several regional malls, great food, and friendly people. It is a wonderful place to live and work. To learn more about Albuquerque, visit the visitor website. Santa Fe Santa Fe is New Mexico’s capital city and is one of the oldest settlements in the United States. Santa Fe’s Hispanic and Native American heritage contribute to its one-of-a-kind charm! You feel like you’ve been out of the country when you visit Santa Fe, just one hour north of Albuquerque. Behind every gate, there’s a feast for the eyes. The pueblo architecture , the gorgeous flowers, the enchanting courtyards… you can’t beat it! Of course, Santa Fe boasts world-class museums, hotels and restaurants, and the thriving art business keeps it alive! There are over 250 galleries to explore! Don’t forget the world-famous Santa Fe Opera which takes place in the summer at the outdoor Opera facility just north of Santa Fe. To learn more about Santa Fe, see the visitor website. Return to Top
North Central NM From Santa Fe North to the Colorado border, this area beckons to be explored. Some of the finest ranches and recreational activities are available in this region. In Chama, you will see some of the most spectacular mountain vistas ever! Georgia O’Keefe painted some of her best works in Abiquiu. Visit Taos for Indian Ruins, the Taos Ski Valley, and many intriguing shops and galleries full of Items that you will only see in New Mexico. Many folks vacation in this area which is known for great fly fishing. You can also tour many of the Indian Pueblos, including Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Nambe, Tesuque,and Jemez . Stop in Chimayo for some authentic regional food. Return to Top North West NM From Albuquerque west along I-40 and north to Colorado, this area holds a wealth of Native American culture. The dramatic rock formations are really something to see! Gallup is known as “The Indian Capital of the World’ and is a treasure-trove of fine Indian silver and turquoise jewelry. Farmington, in the Four Corners area, is known for its oil fields. There’s many great ranches located in this region that is so steeped in New Mexico culture. Return to Top North East New Mexico This region roughly follows I-25 as it heads north from Santa Fe, and I-40 northeast out of Albuquerque, and encompasses another great area of the Land of Enchantment. Some historic ranches are located in this area, including the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch. Great hunting and fishing are also available here. Again, its terrain is varied, but you will see gorgeous plains touching majestic mountains throughout the area. Gunslingers and outlaws, including Billy the Kid, wrecked havoc for a time in the Cimarron and Las Vegas areas. Also, in Cimarron, don’t miss the Kit Carson Museum. This area is quickly becoming home to many horse breeding operations as well. Return to Top
South West New Mexico This is truly representative of Old West Country! Many small towns in the area haven’t changed much since they were settled in the 1800’s. You still see lots of bona-fide cowboys on the street, but now they mostly ride in pickups instead of on horseback….at least when they come to town.  Roughly encompassing an area from Albuquerque west on I-40 to the Arizona border and south along the Rio Grande, all the way to our border with Mexico, the southwestern region of the state, is home to ranching, farming, logging, and gold and copper mining. Silver City, was founded during the gold rush days and is home to the Phelps Dodge Copper Mine.
New Mexico’s second largest city, Las Cruces, is home to New Mexico State University. It sits at the base of the spectacular Organ Mountains and is a short 45-minute drive to the El Paso International Airport. Smaller towns like Magdalena and Reserve are famous cattle towns and are the “Gateway to the Gila Wilderness”. Reserve has become well-known as of late by hunters because some of the best elk hunting in the world is in the area. There are many outfitters in the area ready to guide hunters from all over the world. Along the Rio Grande lies Truth or Consequence, NM, which was named for the popular TV show in the 50’s of the same name. Nearby is Elephant Butte Lake Sate Park, the biggest lake in New Mexico. Return to Top South East New Mexico The boundaries of the Southeastern area are the Rio Grande on the west, I-40 on the north, Texas on the east , and Mexico to the south. There’s a lot of good ranching county here as well as in all the other parts of New Mexico. Major points of attractions include Ruidoso for its horse racing, skiing, hunting, fishing, and shopping, Lincoln County, home of Smokey Bear, for its Billy the Kid Museum, Alamogordo, a bustling small city right on the edge of White Sands National Monument, then don’t forget Roswell, which has become famous for the UFO siting, called the “Roswell Incident”. You may be interested to read the article in the May 2009 issue of American Cowboy Magazine which names Ruidoso as one of the "Editors Choice Awards....Top Twenty Places to live in the West"!! And, of course, everyone knows about the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the 8th Wonder of the World. This area is truly rich in New Mexico history. Typical of small towns in this area, Corona, NM, has rolling pastures, mountains, and air scented with pinon and juniper. Cowboys walk down main street with their chaps and spurs on and tip their hats to the ladies with a polite “howdy”. The holiday parade entrants include Rodeo Queens, the sheriff’s posse, and children riding tractors and leading sheep! It is truly a place where western living meets today’s conveniences and technology. Some of the most beautiful homesites in the state abound in this area, just 2 1/2- 3 hours southeast of Albuquerque.
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