There are daytime activities and there are nighttime activities, and today we are going to talk about some activities that are either only to be done at night or just more fun at night. As we all know, things look and seem different once the sun goes down. Maybe it feels calmer or a little more exciting, or maybe it feels a little spooky, depending on what we do. While sitting around a fire pit talking with friends and family while roasting marshmallows is a fun way to spend a night in, here are a few things to do in the dark in New Mexico that will get you out of the house.
1. Go on a Ghost Tour
You don’t have to wait until Halloween to take a ghost tour in New Mexico. In fact, several spooky ghost tours are offered in Old Town Albuquerque year-round. There are several options, including:
- Old Town Albuquerque Ghost Tour: Discover the dark history and chilling ghost stories of Albuquerque as you walk from Old Town Visitor Center to Church Street Cafe, with several stops in between.
- New Mexico’s Oldest Ghost Walk: A crowd favorite, this ghost tour of Old Town Albuquerque has been going strong since 2001. On this lantern-lit walking tour, your guide will take you to several haunted buildings and cemeteries in town.
2. Take a Night Walk or Tour at the ABQ BioPark
Grab the kids and head to a nighttime event at ABQ BioPark. One option is a guided Night Walk at the Botanic Garden on select nights. You may be able to see plants that only bloom at night, along with nocturnal animals that call the garden home.
The other option is a guided Twilight Tour at the Zoo during which you’ll view several different species at night. Some animals exhibit certain behaviors at night that they do not during the day, so that could be quite an interesting experience! Visit the ABQ BioPark website for their schedule.
3. Attend a Star Party
Have you ever been to a star party? A star party is a group of people who gather at a pre-determined location to view stars, planets, and other celestial objects. Telescopes are typically provided by an astronomy group, a state park, or some other organization, and it’s a great way to learn about what we see in the night sky. Visit the Dark Sky NM website for a list of organizations that offer star parties.
4. Visit the Santa Fe Opera House
The Santa Fe Opera House is an open-air venue, so why not attend a performance at night? It’s partially open, so you may not have a full view of the night sky, but what an amazing experience to watch an opera at a place like this at night! Visit the Santa Fe Opera House website for the event schedule and to purchase tickets. Performances are available during the summer months.
5. Dine Under the Stars at a Rooftop Restaurant
There’s just something so romantic about dining under the stars. Now, did you know that there are a few notable rooftop restaurants in New Mexico? It’s true! Located in Albuquerque, Hotel Chaco has its very own rooftop restaurant called Level 5. While you can dine indoors, there’s a large patio with panoramic views, and it’s the perfect spot to be under a starry sky. Why not turn your time at Hotel Chaco into a romantic getaway by booking a hotel room?
But if you’re in Santa Fe, the Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina has a beautiful rooftop bar area where you can also dine on Southwest cuisine. Visit the Coyote Cafe website to view the menu and make a reservation…