New Mexico | 👽 6-Day, 5-Night White Sands Trip Guide

A packed itinerary to explore New Mexico’s most iconic spots—from desert RV stays to alien-themed fun and dreamy white dunes! Day 1 Afternoon: Arrival in Albuquerque (ABQ) Land at Albuquerque International Sunport and pick up your rental car. 💡 Pro Tip: Fly directly to ABQ—it’s much cheaper than flying to Santa Fe. Book your car in advance on Expedia; after landing, take the shuttle bus to the rental car lot to pick it up 🚗. Dinner: Sawmill Market This food court hotspot has live bands, great views, and tons of dining options. Recommendations: Roasted chicken & taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry) 🍗🥞. Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Evening: Check into Hotel Luna Mystica A unique desert RV hotel—perfect for a quirky, nature-focused stay.💡 Note: If you arrive after 8:30 pm, you’ll need to call ahead to arrange a late check-in. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Day 2 Morning: Taos Pueblo (Native American Village) A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only continuously inhabited Native American community in the U.S. Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Ticket Price: $25 per person Pro Tip: It’s not recommended to buy food inside the village. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Noon: Lunch at La Cueva Cafe Authentic Mexican food with strong local flair—great for a hearty midday meal 🌮. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Afternoon: Rio Grande Gorge Bridge The views here are absolutely spectacular and breathtaking—stand on the bridge to overlook the deep canyon and winding river below 🌉🏞️. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Evening: Travel to Roswell Head to Roswell, the famous “UFO capital” of the U.S.—get ready for alien-themed fun the next day! 🛸 Day 3 Morning: International UFO Museum and Research Center Dive into all things UFOs and extraterrestrials—fascinating for curious minds! Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Ticket Price: $7 per person Rating: 🌟🌟🌟✨ Noon: Roswell UFO Spacewalk A fun, interactive attraction where you can “walk like an alien” and take quirky photos. Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Ticket Price: $5 per person Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Lunch: UFO-Themed McDonald’s Grab a bite at this iconic Roswell spot—look out for alien decor! Address: 720 N Main St, Roswell, NM 88201 🍟👽 Afternoon: White Sands National Park Arrive around sunset for the most magical views—endless white gypsum dunes glow beautifully in the golden light. Pro Tips: Wear dark-colored clothes for better photo contrast (the white sand will make your outfit pop! 📸). The sand gets everywhere, so bring a bag for dirty shoes. Hours: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm Ticket Price: $25 per car Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Dinner: D.H. LESCOMBES WINERY & BISTRO Highly recommend the spicy shrimp pasta—it’s incredibly delicious! 🍤🍝 Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Evening: Travel to Carlsbad Head to Carlsbad to prepare for the next part of your adventure (stay tuned for Part 2 of the itinerary!). Due to word limits, this post covers the first 3 days. The final 3 days will be in the next guide! #USATravel #NewMexico #RoadTrip #WhiteSandsNationalPark #RoswellUFO #TravelItinerary