New Mexico Awards & Accolades

Forbes reports that according RENTCafe,  overall travel searches for popular US vacation destinations showed that Americans are craving small-town comfort, beaches and nature vacations, while city trips have drastically decreased in popularity. Taos ranked #13 in its overall searches and #4 in its small town searches, while Ruidoso ranked #20 in its overall searches and #6 in its nature travel destinations....

For a destination for peace, relaxation and a zenlike setting, Reader's Digest lists White Sands National Monument as a place not to miss. "These Chihuahuan Desert dunes are positively dazzling, thanks to the reflective quality of gypsum, and incredibly soft due to its fine texture. On most days, you can have entire dunes all to yourself, so have fun making sand angels, pondering how the shrubs survive those harsh conditions, and gazing at the dreamy...

For families stumped about what to do over Spring Break, National Geographic has several road trip options. Following the 472-mile route from from Las Cruces to Taos is an opportunity to explore New Mexico and "delve into Spanish colonial history and Native American heritage—all with a side of rugged mountain and high desert scenery. It’s a prime route for foodie families thanks to weekly farmers markets in Las Cruces and Santa Fe and a slew...

Albuquerque retains its #1 spot in 2019 among MovieMaker Magazine's rankings for those in the film industry. The magazine states: "Albuquerque repeats at the top of our list. It has some built-in advantages, including 310 days of sunshine a year, four seasons, and mild winters—plus vistas stunning enough to distract you from the twists on Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and the first Breaking Bad film, El Camino, released in 2019."...

Albuquerque has long attracted adventurers with a hankering for the great outdoors. Named by Global Traveler at the top for Adventures Destinations in the U.S., there's plenty to keep you busy.  ABQtodo, Albuquerque & Bernalillo County’s premier events calendar, suggests spending a day exploring the Sandia Foothills. "More than 5 trails and numerous picnic areas are sprinkled throughout the Sandia foothills. Trails range from easy to moderate with elevation gains allowing hikers to easily distinguish three...

Travel+Leisure has this to say about one of New Mexico's most otherworldly gems: "You might expect to see such a bright white in the middle of Antarctica or on a tropical, sandy beach, but White Sands National Monument is neither of these things. This national park in New Mexico is home to the largest area of gypsum sand dunes, making it a truly otherworldly destination in our own backyard. The sand may look like snow,...

For its 2020 list of the "Nicest Places in America," Reader's Digest selected Las Cruces, stating: "How would your city respond if 1,600 asylum seekers were sent there? In Las Cruces, they were greeted with food, shelter, and open arms." ...

In March 2019, Outside Online rounded up its top editors to have them name their favorite adventure destinations, both within the United States and abroad. Coming in #2 was New Mexico. Nicholas Hunt explains his choice: "Taos Ski Valley has seen a renaissance since it was bought by philanthropist Louis Bacon in 2013. In addition to becoming the first B Corp–certified ski resort—it meets the nonprofit’s high standards for environmental and social responsibility—the mountain has seen...

Placing Taos Ski Valley among skiers' most-sought after destinations, PureWow writes: "In northern New Mexico, Taos is already well-regarded by skiers for Kachina Peak—at 12,450 feet, it’s one of the highest lift-served mountains in the U.S. Plus, it’s packed with dry powder and expert terrain. Visit the historic town of Taos and the UNESCO Taos Pueblo site. Both are less than 20 miles from the ski area."...

PureWow placed Santa Fe in the top 23 of all American Ski Resorts, stating: "In northern New Mexico, Taos is already well-regarded by skiers for Kachina Peak—at 12,450 feet, it’s one of the highest lift-served mountains in the U.S. Plus, it’s packed with dry powder and expert terrain. Visit the historic town of Taos and the UNESCO Taos Pueblo site. Both are less than 20 miles from the ski area."...

For its best places to travel to in the U.S., Forbes had this to say about Santa Fe. "Santa Fe never goes out of style, but with an ever-growing adventure travel scene, a slew of special events and restaurants and spas that nurture the body and soul, it should be on your 2019 travel radar."...

Readers of USA Today's 10Best poll ranked  Taos #4 on its list of the best ski towns in the U.S. "What makes a great ski town? Some would say it's convenient access to the slopes, for others, maybe it's the variety of restaurants, bars, shops and accommodations. Yet others might gravitate toward a small town vibe or historic atmosphere. Taos started as a pueblo tucked within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Northern New Mexico. Today,...