8 Adorable Small Towns In New Mexico
New Mexico, affectionately known as the ‘Land of Enchantment,’ is a Southwestern state defined by its stunning distinctions. With meadows and pine forests amid arid stretches of land, flat desert expanses set against rugged mountains, the diverse landscape of New Mexico is apparent. Paired with rich history and cultural influences, many towns create an experience unlike anywhere else in the United States. The eight adorable New Mexico towns discussed each have a unique ability to captivate the hearts and minds of all those who visit.
Taos
Located in Northern New Mexico is the town of Taos, known for its ancient architecture, museums, and art galleries. For outdoor adventure, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge allows visitors to walk across one of the highest bridges in America, spanning over the Rio Grande Gorge, where breathtaking views take on a whole new meaning. Visit the Toas Art Museum at Fechin House, featuring various works from the Taos Society of Artists held in the former residence of Russian artist Nicolai Fechin. Those looking for captivating activities will not be disappointed by the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, which includes parts of the Taos Plateau volcanic field. With volcanic cones and valleys, the land and surrounding areas provide unique trails, camping, and water activities.
Red River
Red River, New Mexico, is an adorable, iconic mountain town with an old-west style atmosphere. Situated in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the town offers stunning views and amazing food that satisfies any craving. In the colder months, this ski town of the southwest becomes an ideal place for snowboarding and skiing, where visitors can enjoy plenty of activities and events at the Red River Ski and Summer Area. Rent a cabin at the Alpine Lodge, a riverfront property with dozens of amenities, where you are within walking distance of almost everywhere in town. Located nearby is Shotgun Willie's, a cute little café with plenty of options for breakfast and dinner. A popular event held annually is the Red River’s 8750’ BBQ & Music Festival, filled with food and family fun, featuring three days of music as well as chili and BBQ competitions.
Ruidoso
The town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, situated on the Sierra Blanca Mountain range, offers year-round outdoor recreation such as skiing, hiking, golfing, and horseback riding. This high-elevation village is filled with exciting and memorable experiences. In the colder months, visitors can head over to the Ruidoso Winter Park, a ski resort that features ziplines, snow tubing, skiing, and adorable heated igloo tents for rent. In the summer, the Pony Ring offers pony rides for all ages to enjoy, creating a memorable experience for all those who visit. Another great place for summer fun is Pillow’s Fun Trackers, an amusement park that offers virtual reality games, a maze, 3 go-kart tracks, bumper boats, and mini-golf. Build your own kite at the annual Ruidoso Kite Festival, which includes professional kite flyers, displays, and food vendors.
Silver City
Located in southwest New Mexico is the town of Silver City. Home to Western New Mexico University, this vibrant town offers forest recreation, arts, and unique events and festivals. A former fire station, the Silver City Museum provides local history artifacts and exhibits in a circa-1881 Italianate home. At the museum store, you are able to purchase a number of adorable keepsakes, from children’s books and toys to pieces of art and jewelry. The Gila National Forest is a great place to explore, with wooded trails, cliffs, majestic waterfalls, and stunning mountain views all on a 3.3-million-acre reserve. Silver City also hosts an annual Clay Festival, featuring workshops, fascinating exhibits, and a competition of various ceramic works held at the Light Art Space.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas, New Mexico, is noted as a place where ‘landmarks, legends and lore’ come to life, due in part to it being filled with preserved outdoor architectural museums, historic districts, and natural beauty. Explore the local wildlife and natural landscape at the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, with hundreds of species of plant life, adorable mammals such as badgers, and the Rocky Mountain elk. The town also features antique stores such as Plaza Antiques and Rough Rider Antiques, with around 5,000 square feet of unique finds and amazing deals. One of the many historical landmarks in the area is the Las Vegas Plaza, originally established in 1835; this vintage 70-room hotel overlooks Plaza Park and includes a charming little restaurant that uses fresh, local ingredients.
Aztec
The town of Aztec, New Mexico, will make you feel as if you were on the set of a major motion picture. Filled with historical buildings and ancient ruins, there is plenty to see and do that makes Aztec a must-visit location. A local history museum, the Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village, gives visitors a chance to view preserved historic buildings showcasing pioneer life, featuring such things as a stunning general store, bank, schoolhouse, and more. Take a self-guided tour of the Aztec Ruins National Monument, a historical landmark featuring ancestral Puebloan ruins. Another stunning remote network of ruins in the area can be found at Chaco Culture National Historic Park, where you can camp out for the night and participate in the Chaco Night Sky Program, looking into the beautiful dark sky to learn about astronomy.
Los Alamos
Known as the place where ‘discoveries are made,’ the town of Los Alamos, New Mexico, is rooted in American history. With museums scattered throughout town, visitors can learn about the importance of the area in past and future discoveries. The Bradbury Science Museum provides a chance for people to explore 35 hands-on exhibits from nuclear bombs to natural defense items. Take a 1.5-mile walk through the Tsankawi Prehistoric Sites, where you will pass a mesa, petroglyphs, viewing cavates, and the Ancestral Pueblo Tsankawi village. Spend some time relaxing at Ashley Pond, where you can skip rocks along a pristine lake, watching the birds swim and appreciating the natural beauty of the area. Located near Los Alamos is the Bandelier National Monument, where visitors can view human settlements in the mesa country and rocky canyon dating back around 11,000 years.
Belen
Located in central New Mexico is Belen, known as a ‘hub city,’ due to the train traffic that passes through the area. In dedication to this title, the town has the South West Model Railroad Museum, where you can feel like a kid again by surrounding yourself with a wide range of model trains and accessories. Check out the adorable art displays at the Belen Art League Gallery and Gifts, where you can see the work of local artists, attend an art class, and even purchase handmade gifts. A particularly stunning location for wildlife viewing in Belen is the Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area, covering 97 acres of land developed to protect the Rio Grande bosque and associated wetlands that are important in the sustainment of wildlife.
From desert havens seeped in history to forest-lined mountain towns with ample outdoor recreation, the towns of New Mexico reflect the spirit and beauty of this enchanting terrain. Each destination discussed offers stunning scenery, an inviting atmosphere, artistic spirit, and cultural depth that appeal to many. Whether you are looking for adventure, a place to relax, or a source of inspiration, you are sure to find it in this Southwestern state. Altogether, these eight adorable towns demonstrate the diversity of New Mexico, highlighting why this state continues to attract visitors from all around the world.
