Carlsbad Caverns National Park

The must-see attraction in all of New Mexico, this National Park is beautiful on the surface, with its flowering cacti and deep, winding canyons. But go underground, and you'll discover an otherwordly kingdom of caverns. Take a self-guided tour for free through the Big Room or the Natural Entrance. Most of the Big Room is wheelchair-accessible. In these caverns, spectacular stalactites reach down toward you from the ceiling and bats make their home overhead—and stick around at twilight to see the bats take flight outside the caves.

If your curiosity isn't satisfied and you want to see more, opt for a guided tour where a Ranger helps you explore lesser-known caves, including Kings Palace, Queen's Palace, Left Hand Tunnel, Lower Cave and Hall of the White Giant. These are well worth the low price of admission (the cost and the tour guides are there to prevent vandalism of this astonishing national treasure).

In November and December, check out the traditional Rock of Ages event, a nighttime tour that takes you through the history of the park and lets you experience an eerie moment of total darkness.

While there's no lodging inside the park, you can camp in the backcountry (very primitive). Just get a free permit at the visitor center. You can also pitch your tent or set up your RV in the Bureau of Land Management land that surrounds the park. Grab a sandwich at the Trading Company cafeteria—but don't take any food into the caverns, because it can attract animals who shouldn't be there and contaminate the natural environment.