New Mexico Magic

The weaving trail, wide-open views, Georgia O’Keefe’s house (and life-affirming rock collection) and a folk art museum to end all folk art museums

I send anyone who will listen to New Mexico—especially if they have kids. In fact, I just jotted down a quick itinerary for some friends, so I thought I’d share my favorites with you, too. There’s a special, indescribable magic to New Mexico—cue the Land of Enchantment—that really hits kids exactly where they are. Maybe it’s the wide open spaces and faraway horizons that make them feel like they have room to spread out and let their limbs and imaginations run wild. A few-plus years ago, we spent nearly two weeks driving all over the pink- and ochre-hued landscape that inspired the famous American painter Georgia O’Keeffe, gawking at otherworldly land formations and immersing ourselves in the beautiful ways of heritage craft and indigenous culture. I condensed our trip into a more manageable list of favorites below, eliminating long-drive excursions like White Sands, which you should definitely add back in if you have the time. I don’t think my kids will ever forget sledding down the bright white gypsum dunes in frictionless sleds we picked up at the gift shop. 

A visit to each of these spots justifies a pilgrimage in its own right, but all together strike a rare, brilliant balance of culture, history, craft and surreal outdoor landscapes. A quick note: The restaurant and hotel scene has exploded since we last visited, upping the style ante and creating myriad options, but we’re not going to list them all out. One overarching bit of advice: keep it simple. It’s easy to get caught up in all the beautiful new hotel rooms with Navajo wall hangings and corner kiva fireplaces, but the beauty and magic of New Mexico is free, and you won’t find it in your hotel room.