New Mexico has so much to see and do!
The North Road Inn is the perfect location to headquarter your day trips that may span centuries of history and immerse you in culture and tradition, or interest and amaze you with technology and science of the future. Surrounded by beautiful landscape, Los Alamos has also the perfect weather for the outdoors.
Preserves & National Monument
Bandelier National Monument is a 33,677 acres National Monument preserving the homes of the Pueblo People and backcountry wilderness. About 23,367 acres of the monument has been designated a wilderness area. The Valles Caldera National Preserve adjoins the monument on the north and west, extending into the Jemez Mountains. The groundbreaking legislation that provided for the federal purchase of this 89,000-acre ranch nestled inside a volcanic caldera also created a unique experiment in public land management. The preserve is open to the public but you’ll find the visit unlike any other you’ve had in a park or national forest. You get a chance to get out and really experience a sense of solitude. You’ll see wildlife, beautiful vistas and learn about the preserve’s rich history and geology.
Hot Springs
New Mexico has an abundance of Hot Springs that span the gamut from long hikes in the wilderness to luxurious spas. Sometimes this is an overlooked tourism resource that brings many out of state visitors to NM that are specifically looking for natural hot mineral water. New Mexico is blessed with some of the finest hot springs on the planet Earth. There are beautiful springs at the end of a long hike in the wilderness, lovely gems that are only a short hike, and resorts that range from rustic to luxurious. Visit the Giggling Springs or Jemez Springs Bath House.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Pajarito Mountain is situated on the east slopes of the Jemez Mountains 15 minutes above Los Alamos. It has 40 trails on 300 skiable acres, 1200 ft vertical, 5 chair lifts and one surface lift. Open to the public - anyone can buy tickets or season passes - and with miles of groomed, lots of bumps, tree skiing, a terrain park, and no crowds and minimal lift lines, it is New Mexico's best kept skiing secret. During the summer, an extensive trail network provides great XC and lift-served DH mountain biking and hiking.
Abiquiu Lake & Ghost Ranch
Abiquiu Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer managed lake, with recreation areas and a campground. This 5,200-surface-acre reservoir offers some of the finest fishing in northern New Mexico.The scenery of the area includes Pinon (Pine), Juniper and Sage among colorful rock formations. Surrounding attractions include: Ghost Ranch, Georgia O'Keefe Museum, San Pedro Wilderness, Cumbres Toltec Railroad, and Chaco Canyon.
The remote location of Ghost Ranch has been calling visitors to the Southwest for many decades. The beauty of the setting with the vast night sky and the towering red rocks heal the most tired soul. Being embraced by the colorful countryside that Georgia O'Keeffe found so irresistible.
New Mexico Wineries
Visiting New Mexico Wine Country is a must while here. New Mexico is the oldest wine growing region in the United States. More than 40 to choose from. Our closest neighbors are Ponderosa Winery, Sante Fe Vineyards, Los Luceros Winery, and Black Mesa Winery.
Performing Arts
Founded 40 years ago, the Los Alamos Arts Council keeps a calendar of performing arts events to entertain and enchant the most discriminating audience. Just down the road is the Santa Fe Opera House. Productions you enjoy at The Santa Fe Opera are created by hundreds of talented performers, technicians, administrators, and other personnel.
Shopping
Santa Fe and many other New Mexico towns have great, old town squares. Here you'll find a nice, busy public park, inspiring art galleries, and plentiful shopping. Count on spending at least an hour or two wandering through Santa Fe's many galleries and shops. Many of them are (at least partially) outdoors. You can buy almost any kind of souvenir here, from the Ristras (bunches of dried peppers), to traditional clothing, pottery, and t-shirts.
Sculpture Garden and Glass Art
Take the back road from Tesuque to Santa Fe for a visit to Shidoni Foundry. A surprising experience of eight acres of extraordinary sculpture gardens and works of art bathed in the high desert light in New Mexico. While there, Tesuque Glass Works will share the incredible possibilities of taking molten glass into works of art.
Museums & Tours
The Bradbury Science Museum displays exhibits about the history of Los Alamos National Laboratory and its research. Many of the exhibits are interactive and feature videos, computers, and science demonstrations. Other exhibits include full size models of the Little Boy and Fat Man atomic bombs. Great place to bring your kids for hands on learning. Admission is free.
The Los Alamos Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving, protecting and interpreting the history of Los Alamos. Housed in the Guest Cottage of the Los Alamos Ranch School.
Buffalo Tours is a great way to see everything that Los Alamos and its surrounding area has to offer. Georgia’s (Owner/Tour guide) tours are very knowledgable able and a fact filled adventure though Los Alamos, and the surrounding area. You can call 505-662-3965 for reservations and information.
Just south of Santa Fe, you can take a journey to the past at El Rancho de las Golondrinas "The Ranch of the Swallows". This historic rancho, now a living history museum, dates from the early 1700s and was an important paraje or stopping point along the famous Camino Real, the Royal Road from Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Experience the life of another time in a location unlike any other in America.
Historic Railroad
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was originally constructed in 1880 as part of the Rio Grande’s San Juan Extension, which served the silver mining district of the San Juan mountains in southwestern Colorado. Today the railroad is operated for the states by the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, a non-profit, member-based organization whose mission is to preserve and interpret the railroad as a living history museum for the benefit of the public, and for the people of Colorado and New Mexico, who own it. Open May through October. Just a short drive north to historic Chama to ride the narrow gauge Cumbres & Toltec Railroad.
Natural Wonders
Not far to the south are the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument near Cochiti Pueblo. Marvelous wonders of nature up to 90 feet tall.
