8 Best Small Towns In New Mexico For A Crowd-Free Summer
Summer is when New Mexico's big-name stops fill up, and when the towns off the interstates pay off most. The heat pushes crowds toward a handful of famous sites, so the towns without a marquee draw stay calm. You can soak in a Truth or Consequences bathhouse most afternoons without waiting for a tub. You can walk the Pecos riverfront in Carlsbad under pecan shade while the caverns draw the bus traffic. You can photograph nearly 100 murals along Tucumcari's stretch of Route 66 with the sidewalk to yourself.
Carlsbad
Straddling the Pecos River in southeastern New Mexico near the Texas border, Carlsbad's sparse surroundings belie its lively social and cultural life. Walking in the shade of Pecan trees along the riverfront parks, it's easy to forget you're in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Pearl of the Pecos Arts and Cultural District in the heart of downtown is home to The Artist Gallery, the Carlsbad Museum, and the Historic Cavern Theater. Murals cover the walls, and venues like the Lucky Bull Restaurant and Tap Room serve up delicious food and live music. West of town, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park exhibits native plants and animals, including a renowned local painter named Maggie, who happens to be an American black bear. Further west, explore the remote mountain terrain of Lincoln National Forest, or venture south to Carlsbad Caverns National Park to explore one of the best-preserved cave complexes in the world.
Los Alamos
About thirty miles north of Santa Fe on the Pajarito Plateau, Los Alamos is a must-see attraction for history buffs and science enthusiasts. Best known as the site of the Los Alamos National Laboratory during World War II, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park (Los Alamos Unit) preserves several historic sites. Visitors can see the former home of the Manhattan Project director, J. Robert Oppenheimer, take a stroll around Ashley Pond, or learn more about the town's history at the Los Alamos History Museum. The Bradbury Science Museum serves as the official museum and visitor center for the still active laboratory, and visitors can learn about the lab's past and present research through a range of interactive exhibits and view full-size models of the atomic bombs assembled at the laboratory in 1945. At Bandelier National Monument, you can explore cliff dwellings and petroglyph engravings in the rugged, sheer-walled canyons along 70 miles of backcountry trails. Afterward, grab a beer and relax at the Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op and grab a bite to eat at El Rigoberto's Taco Shop right next door.
Taos
The town of Taos was officially incorporated in 1934, but this region in north-central New Mexico has been inhabited for about 1,000 years. The Taos Pueblo north of town is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark, the only living Native American Community awarded both designations. Bounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande Gorge, the natural scenery has long been an inspiration for artists, and the town is full of galleries and museums, including the Millicent Rogers Museum, which houses an extensive collection of Hispanic and Native American art and artifacts, and the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House. The heart of downtown is the Taos Plaza, a former fortified village that now serves as the center of the Taos Historic District, and hosts live music, farmer's markets, and dozens of shops and galleries. Outside of town, visitors can drive over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the second-highest bridge on the U.S. Highway System, or explore the mountains on the relatively easy hike up to Williams Lake for gorgeous views of Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico.
Truth or Consequences
This resort town, located just off Interstate 25 in the Rio Grande Valley of south-central New Mexico, is much more than a unique name. Truth or Consequences is best known for the geothermal hot springs that supply about ten commercial bathhouses in the Historic Hot Springs & Commercial District. The walkable downtown area is home to Las Palomas Plaza, a public park and sculpture garden, as well as The Geronimo Springs Museum, which displays a large collection of prehistoric pottery and western artwork. Elephant Butte Lake State Park is a popular destination for paddle sports, fishing, and birdwatching, and hosts an annual balloon regatta over the water. The lack of light pollution makes this a great spot for stargazing after the sun goes down as well. Spend the night at luxury hotels like Sierra Grande or motels like La Paloma and enjoy some authentic southwestern cuisine at Tony's Restaurant to end your day in this artsy desert town.
Silver City
Silver City sits in the foothills of the Pinos Altos Range in southwestern New Mexico, on the edge of the Gila National Forest. Once home to old west gunfighters and hardscrabble prospectors, today Silver City has a growing music and art scene, numerous festivals throughout the year, and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities in the natural areas near town. The famous outlaw Billy the Kid lived in a log cabin near downtown in the late 19th century, and visitors can see a period-accurate recreation of the cabin at the homesite, donated by filmmaker Ron Howard in 2003. The Western New Mexico University Museum houses a large collection of pre-Hispanic Southwest artifacts and a restored early-20th-century science classroom. Browse the Silver City Trading Company for unique souvenirs, or stop by aSpAcE Studio Art Gallery for contemporary art by local artists. Outside of town, explore miles of secluded hiking trails in Gila National Forest, or see ancient cliff dwellings at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. End your day with a wine tasting at La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery, while enjoying great views of Mimbres Peak. Summer visitors can catch the annual Hummingbird Festival in early August, or the Carnitas Musica y Mas around Labor Day.
Alamogordo
Alamogordo is in the Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico, about an hour northeast of Las Cruces. The town is widely known for its connection to the Trinity Test, the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, in 1945. The test site sits northwest of town on the Jornada del Muerto and is preserved as a National Historic Landmark, opened to the public on select days each year. The town is also home to the New Mexico Museum of Space History, which houses exhibits on the state's role in space exploration and the development of missile technology. If you drive into town from the north, you'll pass by the World's Largest Pistachio on Highway 54, and can stop by Heart of the Desert, known as New Mexico's first and largest pistachio grove. Alamogordo's most popular destination is White Sands National Park, an otherworldly expanse of pristine desert directly west of town. Visitors can wander through the bright white dunes and experience incredible views of the desert sky at night.
Las Vegas
No, not that one. The original Las Vegas predates Sin City by almost a century. Located east of Santa Fe on the banks of the Gallinas River, this town boasts a fascinating history with more than 900 historic buildings contributing to nationally recognized historic districts. Visitors can explore each era of the town's history on a Historic Walking Tour, which will take you from the days when it was the largest city on the Santa Fe Trail to the height of the Wild West and the heyday of the AT & SF railroad. You can view exhibits and artifacts from the town's history at the City of Las Vegas Museum, some of which date back to the 1300s. Watch a movie under the stars at the Fort Union Drive-In, the only drive-in movie theater still operating in the state. Nature lovers are spoiled for choice here, as outdoor recreation destinations surround Las Vegas. Storrie Lake State Park is a great spot for fishing, birdwatching, and windsurfing. At the same time, the rugged Sabinoso Wilderness offers a more isolated destination with hiking trails winding through piñon pine and juniper woodlands and over high mesas.
Tucumcari
Forty miles west of the Texas border, Tucumcari is one of New Mexico's most memorable towns located along Route 66. The famous cross-country highway is celebrating its centennial this year, making it a great time to check out this historic stop along the Mother Road. Exploring Tucumcari, you'll notice murals adorning nearly every available wall. There are almost 100 such works of art spread across town, ranging from Western vistas to Route 66-themed pieces. The town is full of remnants of the town's heyday, bright neon signs, quirky motor inns, and memorable souvenir shops like Tee Pee Curios, which add a touch of vintage Americana to the remote desert town. Catch a film at the historic Odeon Theater or learn about the history of the town at the Tucumcari Historical Museum. Stop in at the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum to see a wide array of authentic fossils from local dig sites and explore several hands-on displays and exhibits, perfect for families traveling with children.
Explore New Mexico's more secluded towns this summer!
You'll need more than one trip to explore all that the deserts and mountains of New Mexico have to offer, but these small towns are a great place to start. National Parks in Carlsbad and Alamogordo offer memorable natural scenery, and Taos's art museums and ancient cliff dwellings make it an incredible destination for art and history buffs alike. Watch a drive-in movie in the original Las Vegas or relive the heyday of Route 66 in Tucumcari. No matter which of these small towns you choose, you'll be rewarded with a memorable vacation with far fewer crowds.
