6 Delightfully Odd Towns In New Mexico
From UFO folklore to unconventional traditions and otherworldly adobe architecture, New Mexico naturally exudes an uncanny charm, but in the best possible way. Take a journey to the past in Taos, where a community has settled for over 1,000 years. Venture back to the present day and understand that New Mexico residents really know how to party. Get to know the locals while honoring heritage at Pie Town’s peculiar Pie Festival, Roswell's UFO Festival, or Chimayó’s Chile Festival. Whether browsing quirky artifacts in Truth or Consequences or peering down endless sinkholes in Roswell, the state is a playground for offbeat adventure.
Chimayó
About 30 minutes from Santa Fe, Chimayó is a quiet New Mexico village known for its deep spiritual roots and time-honored traditions. One of the most prominent landmarks in the area is the El Santuario de Chimayó. Built in the early 19th century, the Catholic pilgrimage site has long been a place of worship, prayer, and healing. The site attracts large numbers of visitors each year, in part because many believe the holy dirt holds healing properties.
Chimayó residents are extremely passionate about their chilies. Every October, Chimayó buzzes with excitement for its annual Chile Festival. Grown from original heirloom seeds under unique growing conditions, these peppers are truly rare and prized. Celebrate with the locals through traditional music and dancing, browse handmade crafts, and, of course, the town’s famous chile.
Take a creative look at New Mexico’s intriguing innovations by diving into the local art scene. Support New Mexico residents by purchasing hand-woven tapestries at Centinela Traditional Arts. From one-of-a-kind rugs to blankets, scarves, jackets, and vests, each piece is handcrafted with care and loaded with intense colors and eccentric patterns.
Pie Town
With a prime location along Highway 60 and less than an hour’s drive from the Arizona border, Pie Town is a zany New Mexico treasure that lives up to its name. The remote town takes its pie legacy seriously, and throughout Pie Town, several streets feature whimsical food-themed names such as Mud Pie Lane, Apricot Avenue, and Berry Boulevard. Each year, locals eagerly anticipate the Pie Town Pie Festival in September. With a pie-eating contest, kids' games, a pie king and queen crowning, and a pie-baking contest, the extravaganza is a memorable event for all ages. At other times of the year, savor a slice of pie at The Gatherin’ Place II. Fresh and made with love, dig into a slice of New Mexico Apple, Coconut Buttermilk, Caramel Apple Pecan, Turtle, Tart Cherry, or Peach. Equally as delicious, Pie Town Pie Co. is another town gem perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.
Truth or Consequences
Formerly known as Hot Springs, the town of Truth or Consequences changed its name in the 1950s as part of a contest tied to a popular game show of the same name. Ralph Edwards, the show host, announced that to celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary, he would broadcast live from the first town willing to rename itself in the show’s honor.
The town fully embraced the permanent name change, adopting the offbeat name it’s known for today. Visit the Ralph Edwards Room in the Geronimo Springs Museum to take a deeper look into the iconic man himself. Spend an afternoon at the Geronimo Springs Museum and continue discovering more oddities. Take a journey through the museum and see an array of artifacts ranging from Native American pottery to fossils, minerals, an authentic miner’s cabin, and Western art.
With an enchanting collection of art galleries and murals around town, Truth or Consequences is a hub for creative expression. Spend an afternoon on a self-guided tour around downtown to see some of the town's remarkable murals. Showcasing a steaming coffee cup, abstract figures, pelicans, flowers, Western themes, and tropical scenes, the murals offer highly photogenic moments.
A town with such a distinctive name naturally hosts events full of character. Celebrate with the locals at the Annual Fiesta, featuring live music and a lively mix of events including rubber duck races, a rodeo, a kids’ fishing tournament, a skateboarding competition, and a junk boat race. With an impressive variety of activities, the Fiesta offers nonstop entertainment.
Hatch
Proudly dubbed the Chili Capital of the World, Hatch knows how to honor its heritage. See green in a good way at the Hatch Chili Festival to commemorate the beloved green pepper. Be in awe at the festival parade, cooking demonstrations, and sugar skull tutorials. Let the scents of roasted chilis fill your nostrils as you chow down on some New Mexico cuisine.
Sparky’s is a sight to see, both inside and out. The diner-style restaurant is a textbook example of quirky, and visitors are first greeted with a random assortment of fibreglass statues. Wave hello to a one-of-a-kind collection of roadside attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, Yogi Bear, an alien, a KFC bucket, and a pig, all gathered out front. Grab a cozy spot inside this colorful, eye-catching diner and savor the famous Green Chile Burger or try the Green Chile Smoked Pork Tacos. Adventurous eaters will love milkshakes including Chile Mango, Strawberry and Red Chile, and Chocolate and Green Chile. Prefer to take home some of Hatch’s flavours, support the locals, and take home a fine New Mexico souvenir from the Grajeda Hatch Chile Market. Grab some fresh Hatch produce, some spices, or a jar of salsa for the chef at home.
Taos
Full of history, culture, and postcard-worthy high-desert landscapes, Taos is a breathtaking New Mexico beauty nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark, step back in time at Taos Pueblo. The striking and historic adobe homes have been continuously occupied for over 1,000 years, and the community still lives without running water or electricity. Take a guided tour of this remarkable site, and browse the on-site shops featuring a wide selection of arts and crafts, from traditional to contemporary works.
Before or after the tour of Taos Pueblo, savor a meal just down the street at Tiwa Kitchen. Truly no ordinary restaurant, Tiwa Kitchen is handmade in every sense. From the adobe walls and interior paint to every culinary masterpiece from the kitchen. Each detail is made by the friends and family of owners Ben and Debbie Sandoval. Crafted with love, sit down and feel like family while filling up on Red Chile Stew, Stuffed Frybread, or Breakfast Frito Pie. For the ultimate souvenir, grab a jar of chokecherry jelly or choose from blue corn pancake mix, traditional Pueblo cookies, or fry bread mix.
Rumoured to be haunted and carrying a beautiful, yet uncanny vibe, take a journey to Kit Carson Cemetery. The area is home to the remains of soldiers and residents from the 19th century, though one particular site stands out. Commonly known as the “Three Brujas,” these unmarked concrete slabs are believed to mark the resting place of three witches said to have brought evil into olden-day Taos.
Roswell
Roswell is the epitome of the strangeness that exudes from New Mexico. The town earned its spot on the map as the location for an alleged UFO crash back in 1947. Today, Roswell embraces its alien lore and is a treasure trove of delightfully odd attractions. The International UFO Museum and Research Center serves as a comprehensive chronicle of events, blending details with interactive exhibits designed to inform, engage, and spark curiosity. True enthusiasts should come back to Roswell in July for the annual UFO Festival. Along with the fun, like costume contests for aliens and humans, and a UFO parade, guests can attend the UFOlogist Invasion at the museum. Listen in on lectures with field experts and connect with other like-minded enthusiasts.
Alien lore aside, admire some of New Mexico’s natural beauty at Bottomless Lakes State Park. Grab a good pair of shoes and get ready to explore this unparalleled wonder as you walk alongside the park’s eight lakes, which are comprised of sinkholes that reach depths of up to 90 feet. Stay even longer and sleep under the stars at one of the campsites. Snuggle up as twinkling stars dance around the night sky.
Embrace The Eccentric Side Of New Mexico
New Mexico’s collection of oddities is truly compelling. Take a trip back to 1947 in Roswell and discover what really happened on that legendary day, and be sure to stick around for the iconic UFO Festival. Eat your way through the state’s specialties in Hatch with an abundance of chili goodies or in Taos with homemade delights from a family-run kitchen. From embracing a more spiritual side in Chimayó to learning about the unusual backstory of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, escapades are memorable and magical.
