SUMMER IS SHORT, with just 108 days from Memorial Day to Labor Day. But it’s also the most elastic of seasons, bending and stretching like something out of a superhero movie.
As a kid growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, summer felt like it might last forever. We rode bikes through the neighborhood, played Wiffle ball in the backyard, fished at a nearby pond, and stayed out late for endless rounds of hide-and-seek. Idle hours were gobbled up by video games—Atari first, Nintendo later—like Pac-Man devouring dots in a maze.
As adults, those three-plus months come with pressure: schedules, deadlines, obligations, and kids, all demanding attention like Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde chasing us down. That’s always the challenge, right?
This month’s “Level Up Your Summer” feature offers plenty of seasonal inspiration while throwing it back to those 8-bit days for a touch of youthful exuberance. From free outdoor concerts and ghost town adventures to epic hot-air balloon rides and vibrant art markets, we’ve collected more than 40 ways to power up your enchantment—whether you’re visiting New Mexico for the first time or you’re a New Mexican through and through. (Check out some side-quest ideas for seasoned adventurers too.)
Reel in some summer fun in the San Juan River.
Photograph by Jen Judge.
As for me, I’m taking some cues from six-year-old Peter McGarrah. The Dexter angler, who fishes with his dad, Logan, completed the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Trout Challenge earlier this year. He caught all five required species—Río Grande cutthroat (his favorite), rainbow, brown, Gila, and brook trout—making him one of the youngest to net the award since the challenge began in 2020. “It was great to get out and see different parts of the state,” Logan says.
In just my second summer fly-fishing, the pursuit took me to the Cimarrón River over Memorial Day, the Red River for a few casts (and a nice rainbow, of the fish kind), the San Juan for two incredible long weekends, Heron Lake State Park for a camping trip and an afternoon on the Chama, the Río Grande for a few productive Saturdays, and the Pecos for way too many days to count. Yet I still have two trout left—Gila and brook—to complete the challenge. Luckily, Peter let me know about one of his favorite fishing holes, where I might find my elusive brookie, and a trip to the Gila Wilderness is already on the itinerary.
So whether you prefer lazy days by the pool, shopping at local markets, or camping under the stars, now is the time. Challenge accepted.
Read more: Welcome to the hottest season for food, culture, adventure, fun—and games.
