The 7 Wonders of New Mexico

Cool Maps: 7 Wonders

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

"Chaco Culture National Historical Park is a United States National Historical Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site hosting the densest and most exceptional concentration of pueblos in the American Southwest. The park is located in northwestern New Mexico, between Albuquerque and Farmington, in a relatively inaccessible valley cut by the Chaco Wash. Containing the most sweeping collection of ancient ruins north of Mexico, the park preserves one of America's most fascinating cultural and historic areas."

Sandia Peak Tramway

"The Sandia Peak Tramway, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, is the aerial tramway with the world's longest single span. It stretches from the Northeast edge of the city to Sandia Peak, the highest point of the Sandia Mountains. "

Petroglyph National Monument

"Petroglyph National Monument protects a variety of cultural and natural resources including five volcanic cones, hundreds of archeological sites and an estimated 25,000 images carved by native peoples and early Spanish settlers. Many of the images are recognizable as animals, people, brands and crosses; others are more complex. "

Santa Fe Plaza

"Most tourist activity takes place in the historic downtown, especially on and around the Plaza, a one-block square adjacent to the Palace of the Governors, the original seat of New Mexico's territorial government since the time of Spanish colonization. "

Carlsbad Caverns

"Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless formations, is highly accessible, with both self-guided and a variety of ranger-guided tours offered year round. Visitors can hike into the interior rooms on their own via the natural entrance, or take an elevator (the exit for everyone) directly down into the center of the public cave area."

Taos Pueblo

"The North-Side Pueblo is said to be one of the most photographed and painted buildings in the Western Hemisphere. It is the largest multistoried Pueblo structure still existent and continuously inhabited. It is made of adobe walls that are often several feet thick. Its primary purpose was for defense. Up to as late as 1900, access to the rooms on lower floors was by ladders on the outside to the roof, and then down an inside ladder. In case of an attack, outside ladders could easily be pulled up."

Loretto Chapel

"The Loretto Chapel is a chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico known for its unusual spiral staircase, the construction of which is considered a miracle by the Sisters of Loretto. The staircase has two unexplained mysteries connected to it: the identity of its builder and the physics of the construction. "