Wife and I want to do a quick weekend trip somewhere neither of us have been and are thinking real hard about flying into NM in early December. Would appreciate any recommendations for cities that may meet the following criteria for us:

-Big enough airport where we have a chance at a direct flight from Atlanta
-Has options for outdoor hiking and activities (excluding skiing)
-Good restaurants and food

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions

I'm not exactly sure because I don't fly but I think the only possible direct flight would be into Albuquerque. I know Santa Fe and Roswell have been trying to get more inbound flights but I think they've been struggling.  If you fly into Albuquerque its a good central location to jump in a car and drive an hour for any really good outdoor activities...Tent Rocks, Bandelier, ....or just the Sandia or Jemez mountains for simple hiking, are all within an hour drive. If you like history, Santa Fe is actually pretty cool. For a quick weekend trip, you could just hang out in Old Town of Albuquerque, drive up to Jemez Springs, or hit Santa Fe and check out the old Spanish stuff and the plaza. NM has a lot of wild west history with the Lincoln County Wars and Billy the Kid but that's about 3 hours drive from Albuquerque.  There is a lot to do/see here in NM depending on your interests. There is great food in every town, Hatch green chilies is our thing, but a lot of folks from out of state can be overwhelmed by the spiciness so if you don't like spicy food, make sure to order it on the side.

I hope y'all can make it out here, it really is an outdoorsman's state, with a lot of American history that most don't expect.

Some good options posted above.  That time of year is also good for going down to Bosque Del Apache and watching the snow geese and cranes come in for the evening.  While you are there, stop for a green chile burger at the Owl Café or Buckhorn in San Antonio.

We also enjoy going out to El Malpais National Monument for some hiking and exploring.  Hiking though a lava field is easier with some good hiking shoes.

El Paso Airport could work if you got a rental car.  We didn’t hike much when we lived in Las Cruces, always took the UTV/ATV or dirbike out.  You could drive up to Ruidoso, or Cloudcroft for a day or night.  Mesilla by Las Cruces is pretty neat, and driving through the orchards to Chope’s for a beer and food, is always a good time.

Roswell would put you near Ruidoso and the mountains where Billy the Kid and Smokey the bear used to play.  Casino is ok and the food at Wendells, in the Casino, is great.  IIRC Roswell hits Dallas and Denver for their flights.

As much as I love Cruces and southern NM it sounds like the prior suggestions of up north are your best bet with a weekend and flying in.   There’s tons to do throughout the state and I’ve never been to any area that didn’t have great food.

Thanks all for the replies and appreciate all the good suggestions.

I live in Southwest New Mexico ... a 1.5 hour drive (Southwest) to the Arizona border.  El Paso is my (major) airport ... a 2.5 hour drive (Southeast via Las Cruces).  If you fly into the El Paso airport (ELP), you're well over half way (East to West) through the state. ELP is certainly the "gateway" to the Southern half of the state.

You don't want to tackle the entire state in one trip.  By all means, plan a trip based out of Albuquerque (Sante Fe, Taos, ...).  But plan a second trip out of El Paso.  I get the sense you'd enjoy the three-million acre Gila National Forest.

Good Food = Hatch, New Mexico Chile ... bring the Mylanta / Pepto Bismol if hot food isn't your thing.  If you're into heat, you'll be in heaven.

New Mexico is few decades behind the curve when it comes to craft beer, but the Bosque, Santa Fe, La Cumbre, Tractor, Red Door, Marble brewing companies will get your started.

New Mexico is almost exclusively a second amendment sanctuary state.