New Mexico is a land of contrasts. This place has everything from hot desert sands to snowy ski resorts, plus a fascinating range of natural wonders and diverse time-capsule towns. Adventurers will never tire of exploring this unique land – and the border state’s offerings don’t stop at the scenery.

Every October, the skies over Albuquerque are flooded with colours and characters at the International Balloon Fiesta. But you can float peacefully through the air on a private hot-air balloon flight all year round. Mystery-lovers will find hours, or even days, of puzzles at the unique Meow Wolf attraction in Santa Fe, while road-trippers won’t want to miss the chance of getting down to Pie Town for a bite of real home-cooked comfort. For a true slice of history, Taos Pueblo’s 1,000-year-old homes are a must-visit – they’re the oldest continuously inhabited dwellings in the United States.

Two national parks, two national historical parks, 11 national monuments and, of course, the Rio Grande makes New Mexico an incredible destination for outdoor-lovers and culture-seekers alike. White Sands is the world’s largest gypsum dune field, ready to be explored by boardwalk, nature trail, or jumped into on a plastic sled. Elsewhere, 120 dramatic underground spaces – from tiny nooks to cathedral-sized caves – sit beneath Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

Make sure you also visit the former Pueblo homes, carved into the volcanic rock at Bandelier National Monument. And see more than 10,000 ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks along the Canyon trails of Boca Negra, Rinconada and Marcadas. You could uncover 700-year-old Mogollon culture at the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Chaco Canyon, Pecos Park and Glorieta Pass offer more glimpses into history, while the Capulin Volcano, Sandia Peak and Wheeler Park showcase the state’s rich diversity of nature.

For decades, Roswell has been at the centre of alien theories and UFO rumours. Today, the town is a popular pilgrimage for believers, conspiracists, and anyone intrigued by the idea of life beyond our atmosphere. So it’s hardly surprising that New Mexico doesn’t disappoint when it comes to space-themed entertainment.

Roswell itself has embraced the theme completely and invites visitors to seek their truth at the UFO Museum and Research Centre, which is filled with kitsch alien paraphernalia and elaborate explanations for what might be ‘out there’. Travellers with a more scientific attitude will enjoy the Very Large Array. Just west of Socorro, this vast radio astronomy observatory constantly watches the skies for evidence of the unknown and unexplained. Even for the sceptics, Roswell is worth a visit – just to taste the town's famous sweet treats at Classic’s Frozen Custard.

With more than 300 days of sun every year, there’s no bad time to visit New Mexico, but some months are more popular than others. September to November is the best time to combine pleasant temperatures – between 20°C and 30°C – with dry weather and clear skies for stargazing. This is also when many of the region's festivals are held.

You can expect similar temperatures from March to May, but winds may be stronger. The summer months from June to August are hot, with temperatures often approaching 40°C. Many areas also experience their biggest crowds in the middle of the year and storms are not uncommon.

New Mexico is a very different place from December to February. Temperatures can even fall below freezing, which is great news for skiers wanting to take advantage of the states’ snowy mountains.