Here's Why New Mexico Is Known As The Land Of Enchantment

New Mexico is blessed with stunning desert landscapes, breathtaking snowcapped mountains, bubbling hot springs, and remarkable national monuments. With its mix of European American, Native American, and Mexican heritage, the state is a unique and colorful place to visit. Given all that, perhaps it is little wonder that New Mexico is known as “the Land of Enchantment.”

The state motto

The phrase was first used by American journalist and author Lilian Whiting in her 1906 travel guide The Land of Enchantment: From Pike’s Peak to the Pacific. The book does not actually focus on New Mexico alone, but on the southwestern states of Colorado, Arizona, and California as well.

It took nearly 30 years for state authorities to take up the phrase. In 1935, New Mexico’s Tourist Bureau described the state as “the Land of Enchantment” in one of its brochures in an effort to attract visitors to the area. In 1941, the legend was added to license plates and came into common usage soon thereafter.

Nevertheless, it was “the Land of Enchantment” that caught on, although it took some time, and the description was not officially adopted as the state nickname until 1999. New Mexico was also designated “the Land of Enchantment” in its official state ballad in 1989, by country singer Michael Martin.

Stunning sights

The state has long enchanted visitors from around the globe, and its reputation for scenic diversity is well established.

The Fajada Butte is one of its more splendid sights. Situated within New Mexico’s Chaco Canyon, the butte rises more than 440 feet (134 meters) from the canyon floor and is surrounded by sweeping, arid plains.

The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is another spectacular sight in the state. Stalactites drip from the ceiling of the Big Room, the largest underground chamber in the park.

Snow may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of New Mexico, but you will find plenty during the winter in the Taos Ski Valley. Taos County has the highest mean elevation of any US county apart from Colorado, and is blessed with some of the country’s most picturesque scenery.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.