From white sands to adobe-dotted streets to aspen-covered peaks, this is a place where spicy enchiladas sate the appetite and native cultures feed the soul. It’s, in a word, enchanting. It’s New Mexico. 

With vibrant sunsets, ubiquitous turquoise treasures, and those cherished red and green chiles, New Mexico’s colorful capital city captivates anyone who fancies the arts, the outdoors, and good food. 

One of the largest art markets in the country, Santa Fe boasts 250-plus galleries (many clustered along a half-mile stretch of Canyon Road) and more than a dozen acclaimed institutions (like the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum). For authentic treasures, don’t miss the Portal Native American Artisan Program at the Palace of Governors, the oldest continually occupied public building in the United States. Each day, Native American artisans set up shop beneath the shaded portal of this landmark hawking jewelry, textiles, crafts, and more. 

Santa Fe is nicknamed “The City Different,” and its newest cultural phenomenon—an immersive art installation set inside an old bowling alley—is, well, pretty different. The House of Eternal Return is a little bit like walking through a Salvador Dali painting of a haunted Victorian mansion while you collect clues to piece together the disappearance of the home’s fictitious owners. This multisensory experience is the product of Meow Wolf, a collective of more than 100 artists, and is financially backed by Santa Fe resident and A Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.

Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo range, some 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe is the nation’s highest state capital and makes a great jumping-off point for skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and backpacking. The 11.5-mile Aspen Vista Trail is a local favorite, particularly in the fall when the sea of aspens turn a breathtaking golden hue. With 325 days of sunshine, though, Santa Fe is a boon for nature lovers any season. 

After coming off the trail, go where the locals get their red and green chile fix: The Shed or La Choza, a pair of causal, line-out-the-door restaurants run by the same family. Both eateries appear on Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail, a collection of 31 bars and restaurants that know how to craft a mean marg. Beyond chile and cocktails, the Santa Fe Farmers Market offers other tastes of the region. Open Saturdays year-round, scores of vendors sell everything from ciders and cheeses to locally grown herbs and produce. 

The Spanish influence that permeates present-day Santa Fe dates back to the 16th century. The Spanish Colonial Arts Society preserves that culture through events like the Spanish Market (July 28-29), an annual exhibition of traditional Spanish-Colonial art, where visitors can purchase everything from hide paintings to devotional paintings known as retablos. 

You can also visit the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art year-round. The 3,700-piece collection spans four continents and five centuries. 

Opening this month, GenNext: Future so Bright showcases contemporary artists who are stretching the boundaries of Spanish colonial style. Many of the artists use contemporary techniques and materials (like stencil on street signs) to depict classic imagery, while others use more traditional canvases to express views on modern matters. 

Halfway between Roswell and Carlsbad Caverns sits Artesia, a charming oil town rich with history and art.

Take the town’s historic walking tour, which zigzags down Main Street. Along the route, eye numerous lifelike bronze sculptures, including a 34-foot drilling rig and a depiction of two business partners leaning on the hood of a pickup. Pop into The Jahva House for a mid-tour caffeine boost before checking out dozens of boutiques and art galleries, the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, and “New Mexico’s Most Beautiful Library,” featuring a stunning Peter Hurd mural. 

Near the end of tour, the Artesia’s Historical Museum and Art Center displays a compelling collection of local artifacts, photographs, and newspapers. 

Navajo Nation stretches for 27,000 square miles (roughly the size of West Virginia) across northwest New Mexico and into parts of Arizona and Utah. Although much of the land is remote, accessible only by rough or unpaved roads, a jaunt through the territory offers stunning, Instagram-worthy scenery and a glimpse at a vibrant culture.

Hiking trails and footpaths are everywhere in Navajo land. Visitors can also take jeep and horseback tours of many attractions. Popular spots include the Four Corners, open year-round, and picturesque Church Rock, known as nature’s church steeple.

Although self-guided tours are an option in many parts of Navajo Nation, following a Navajo guide is the best way to see the land through the eyes of a local. Hearing stories from people who grew up on these lands gives you an unparalleled perspective. Hunting, fishing, and camping are also allowed in some areas with a permit. 

To learn more about Navajo culture, head to the Navajo Nation Museum. This sleek center tells the tale of the Navajo Nation through photographs, documents, recordings, and artwork.

For authentic art that you can take home (or simply marvel at), drop by Toadlena Trading Post. Situated at the end of a dirt road near the New Mexico-Arizona border, Toadlena has been selling hand-spun rugs and local goods for more than a century and is home to a weaving museum that showcases some of the most mesmerizing textiles you’ll ever see.