The Central Region
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Jemez Springs

Travel the Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic and Historic Byway past the natural splendor of Santa Fe National Forest, charming villages, and the living pueblos of Zia, Santa Ana and Jemez. Then stop for the night at your bed and breakfast in Jemez Springs. This small community centers the bubbling waters of a natural hot springs. Soak in the peaceful public bathhouse and let your cares melt away. Ask your innkeeper about the numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including fly fishing in the Jemez, and nearby attractions, including Fenton Lake State Park, Valle Grande, Los Alamos, Bandelier, and Jemez State Monument.

Zuni Mountains

The "land of fire and ice" in northwest New Mexico beacons the adventurous traveler interested in less visited natural wonders and a rich heritage of cultural diversity. Take a Backcountry Scenic Byway to explore a Chain of (volcanic) Craters. Discover vistas of burnt lava rock and dormant volcanoes, as well as spectacular sandstone features in El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area. Climb through a dark lava tube or into an ancient lava ice cave or look into the caldera of a dormant volcano. Hike historic and prehistoric trails in the Zuni Mountains of the Cibola National Forest to experience spectacular views of snow-capped Mt. Taylor or the "malpais" country. Examine the names, notes and marks of other travelers through history at El Morro National Monument. Follow the "Ancient Way Highway 53" portion of the new Native Heritage Trails Scenic Byway through Hispanic, Anglo, Mormon, Navajo, and Zuni communities. View spectacular traditional dances and customs, purchase world-renowned Native American arts, and experience a world in transition. Renew your soul and satisfy your wanderlust in the high-country "land of fire and ice."

Albuquerque & Surrounding Area

The largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque still retains an old-world charm. Located in the center of the state, the city provides a gateway for travelers, especially those arriving into the international airport.

Known as the Heart of New Mexico, Albuquerque offers a taste of everything. Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers can take advantage of two miles of trails, departing from the Rio Grande Nature Center and traveling along the river. A state-of-the-art aquarium adjoins the Botanical Garden along the river's edge in the bosque, where the cottonwoods and red willows provide shade and shelter for wildlife in the center of town. The Sandia and Manzano mountains frame the city's east and southern boundaries.

Sip a drink al fresco at the Old Town Plaza. Take the world's longest, single-span, aerial tramway up to Sandia Peak for an 11,000-square-mile panorama. Travel down Old Route 66 with a stop at historic Kimo Theatre. View more than 1,000 hot air balloons at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta each fall. Want to know how to access hiking trails, when to view wildlife on the bosque, or the best way to do the Balloon Fiesta? Ask your bed and breakfast innkeeper, of course!

The Church of San Felipe de Neri overlooks the central place of Old Town Albuquerque, where visitors rest before exploring the 130 shops, galleries and restaurants on the narrow back streets.

Explore 4.6 billion years of history at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Then see the contemporary and traditional history and art exhibitions at the nearby Albuquerque Museum. Your bed and breakfast innkeeper will explain why you should save time for Explora!, the science center and children's museum.

Your innkeeper might advise you to view the 15,000 petroglyphs at Petroglyph National Monument in the late afternoon or early morning, and to take the ranger-guided tours. Another must-see is the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, owned and operated by the 19 pueblo tribes of New Mexico. Just 60 miles west of Albuquerque is the Pueblo of Acoma. Located on a 365-foot mesa, the "Sky City" is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States.

Take the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway and travel through the mountains from Cedar Crest north to Santa Fe through the mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, now alive with arts, museums, and restaurants.

Corrales, an historic town on the Rio Grande, has attracted artists and writers who want to live in he country with access to city amenities. Shops, galleries, and restaurants, often housed in historic and colorful adobe buildings, abound for visitors to enjoy. Beautiful San Ysidro Church, built in the 1860s, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Casa San Ysidro is an authentic Spanish rancho, restored and open to the public. Nearby historic and scenic attractions include the Riverside Nature Preserve and the Sandia Pueblo.

For a rural setting with town access, Algodones (Spanish for "cotton") is ideally situated between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. This small Hispanic village was a stop on the Camino Real, the "royal road" of the Spanish Empire. Algodones retains its historic Spanish character. Local residents grow alfalfa and garden crops and worship at the mission Church of San Jose. Your innkeeper can show you how to take an easy drive to Coronado State Monument.