8 Best New Mexico Towns For First-Time Visitors
New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment, and there are plenty of reasons for that. The traditional home of pueblo-dwelling Native Americans, it was colonized by the Spanish in the 1500s over rumors of gold and silver in the area. What the Spaniards found, however, was a complex society of native peoples who could make pottery and weavings, but no riches were ever found.
However, if the idea of beautiful sunsets in high deserts, mountains for hiking and skiing, and a complex history rooted in culture is of value, then there are plenty of riches in New Mexico today. Here are eight towns where something of the past, something of the present, and something of the future can be found on your first visit to New Mexico.
Taos
From rafting on the Rio Grande to exploring adobe dwellings over 1,000 years old and experiencing the music and art of an eclectic community, Taos is a great introduction to the state of New Mexico. Activities include discovering local and international art in world-class museums and galleries, like the Harwood Museum, the Blumenschein Home & Museum, and the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House. Taos is also an ideal base camp to visit the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. The byway explores mountain towns and villages, such as Eagle Nest, a great fishing spot in the summer, and the Village of Questa, from where hikers can travel into the Rio Grande Gorge.
While in town, be sure to check out the Earthships of Taos, a 300-acre community of sustainable, off-the-grid structures pioneered by architect Michael Reynolds 50 years ago. The Earthships are built and maintained using solar and wind power, recycled water, old tires, car batteries, and glass bottles, and they are available to rent for those looking for a truly unique stay in Taos.
Madrid
Madrid is a small artists’ community in Santa Fe County, which visitors to New Mexico must see at least once, so why not make it a top priority for the first trip? As one of the stops along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, Madrid was once a booming coal town and supplied Santa Fe with this valuable resource throughout the 19th century. However, when coal use declined, it became a ghost town. In the 1970s, it was revitalized by artists who turned old company stores and houses into shops and galleries. Some of these include the Cowgirl Red, which sells fine art and cowboy boots, and the Ghost Town Trading Post & Lodging, which specializes in jewelry, pottery, and clothing.
Also on the list for daytrips while staying in Madrid is Cerrillos Hills State Park, which features trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Finally, as evening turns to nightfall, the historic Mine Shaft Tavern opens with live music every weekend and serves up award-winning microbrews and elevated pub food seven days a week.
Red River
Red River is known for its scenic trails in the heart of New Mexico. For those who seek adventure, Red River is the place to get right to it. From skiing to horseback riding and off-roading in an ATV, this town has it all. With trails such as the Goose Lake Trail, which climbs over seven miles of forest and up to 2,800 feet of elevation, untouched wilderness is the key ingredient to this locale. Streams are aplenty, and so are wildlife such as big horn sheep, not to mention the views of Wheeler Peak and Goose Lake.
In summer, Red River's ski trails are still a hit with an aerial park that features zip lines like the Pioneer Flyer and a scenic chair lift that gives fantastic views of the Carson National Forest, the Red River Ski & Summer Area Base Camp, and Summit Camp. The Carson National Forest also offers the opportunity to be a cowboy, with companies like Red River Stables offering guided horseback rides by the hour.
Chimayó
Many Catholic pilgrims are drawn to this must-see town of Chimayó each year, with over 300,000 yearly visitors making the trip to El Santuario de Chimayó during Holy Week, which for many starts by walking from Santa Fe. A chapel and shrine in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, it was a place of worship even before its construction in 1816, and today the faithful travel each year to ask for healing and give prayers of thanksgiving. The Tewa Native Americans named Chimayó “Tsi-Mayoh” after a sacred hill above this valley, now the backdrop of El Santuario de Chimayó. These natives believed in supernatural beings found in hot springs, and the site of this holy place was used as a healing place for centuries before the Spanish conquest.
Among other cultural highlights are the weavings found in Chimayó. Traditional works, each with its own visual style passed down through generations, remain pieces of cultural expression of artists in northern New Mexico. Also, food in the area can be another fine way to enjoy the town. Sample chile rellenos and tamales at Rancho de Chimayó for a true taste of local cuisine in a beloved local hot spot that has been serving the region for 60 years.
Silver City
Boasting a quaint downtown area with a thriving arts community, Silver City is New Mexico’s oldest incorporated community. Today, there are over 50 galleries and art spaces where painters, potters, print makers, weavers, glass blowers, and jewelry makers all ply their trade. The Silver City Museum, located on West Broadway, celebrates the diversity of the town’s history, with exhibits like Nuestra Voz (Our Voice), which explores the Chihuahua Hill neighborhood, which was largely populated by Mexican immigrants from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Just north of town, the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House is another historic must-see for quality food, drinks, and live entertainment. Meanwhile, the surrounding land includes the Gila National Forest, at the head of the Gila River, where visitors might explore the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, once inhabited by groups of nomads who made homes in the caves, creating rooms and crafting pottery while raising their families in the late 1200s. Geology enthusiasts might also enjoy learning about the area’s volcanic origins, which created the hot springs that surround the town.
Aztec
Another town that looks into the past is that of Aztec, a gateway to the Aztec Ruins National Monument and the San Juan River. It is free to visit the ancient ruins, and the site itself was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987 as part of the Chaco Culture World Heritage Site. The ruins are the remains of an ancestral Pueblo Great House, and curious visitors can take a self-guided tour through masonry rooms and see the well-preserved wood roofing and original mortar in some of the structural remains. Also within its depths is North America’s largest and oldest reconstructed Great Kiva, or ceremonial underground room, about 40 feet in diameter. The monument also includes a museum, and there are several special events throughout the year, including ranger talks and tours between May and September, and the Indigenous Cultural Arts Festival. There are also traditional dance performances in the Great Kiva.
Truth or Consequences
There are more than 6,000 residents living in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, but the town is also a resort for many visitors. Known as Hot Springs until 1950, the mineral-rich pools along the Rio Grande were well-known for their healing properties even before colonial Europeans arrived. Hospitals and bath houses were set up as word began to spread and visitors rushed to the site, both for therapeutic and recreational purposes.
Today, the town is known for its old-timey looks, including the 1930s Visitor Center constructed as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the retro Los Arcos Steak & Lobster restaurant, and the Truth or Consequences Fiesta, which Ralph Edwards, host of the radio game show by the same name, started when he made annual trips to the town.
Ruidoso
A mountainous village in New Mexico, Ruidoso is a must-see in all seasons. Its winter spots include the nearby Ski Apache Resort, and in summer, to the southwest, lies the Lincoln National Forest with hiking trails as well as horseback riding. The ranges in the national forest include the Sacramento, Guadalupe, and Capitan Mountains.
Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend year-round frontier events at nearby The Lincoln Historic Site and Fort Stanton. The All-American Futurity, the world's richest Quarter Horse race for two-year-olds, is held every Labor Day. Meanwhile, in Ruidoso’s walkable midtown, shoppers can find Native American crafts, including jewelry, clothing, and art. Ruidoso also adds a little relief; at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet, it’s a high-altitude oasis from the desert heat.
From ancient ruins to futuristic eco-villages and vibrant cultural centers, the Land of Enchantment does not disappoint. Whether you are drawn to the spiritual offerings of Chimayó, the coal-mining history of Silver City, or the healing powers of Truth or Consequences, these small towns in New Mexico are sure to pull you in.
