These 9 Towns In New Mexico Have The Best Main Streets
New Mexico is a culturally diverse region where Native American, Hispanic, and Western Cultures come together. The result is that the towns that fill the state possess main streets that celebrate New Mexico's diverse history and many cultural influences through their museums and art centers. The state is also a place of great beauty, with the Rocky Mountains extending through the north-central region of the state and the Rio Grande flowing through from neighboring Colorado. Consequently, New Mexico hosts small towns set against beautiful backdrops and vistas. The following nine main streets bring together history, culture, and natural beauty, making them among the best in the state.
Taos
Taos may not have an official main street, but many would consider its Historic District to be the heart of town. Guests can find numerous shops nearby, including Made In New Mexico, where you can stock up on chiles for dinner, hot sauces, and bed and bath accessories. Not far away, the RC Gorman Navajo Gallery showcases the artistic works of RC Gorman, who portrayed New Mexico and its people through lithographs, oil pastels, and other media.
Not far away, the Taos Historic Museums include two buildings filled with art and European and Spanish Colonial antiques. The adobe-walled La Hacienda de los Martinez was built in 1804 and has since become an active trade center, providing a window into life in the 1800s, as well as hosting a trade fair every fall.
Ruidoso
Main Road in Ruidoso is a popular destination for vacationers. Sites like the Story Book Cabins sit just minutes from the Rio Ruidoso that flows through town. These vacation cabins feature log furnishings and amenities, such as in-room jacuzzi tubs, to make each stay perfect. A 15-minute walk down the road will lead you to The Adobe Fine Art. Guests will find a collection of bronze sculptures sitting alongside designer jewelry and close to paintings of the New Mexico countryside. The center particularly takes pride in its silvery and gold jewelry, crafted by some of the finest smiths in the world.
To end your day, Downshift Brewing Company is the place to enjoy a cool drink over pizza, burgers, soups, or salad. Guests can enjoy live music and relax in their Riverside taproom that looks out over the River Riodoso.
Silver City
Silver City's Main Street was lost to time, but the city has been revitalized by the Silver City Main Street Project, which promotes the downtown area. Here, guests will find numerous events that have brought the area to life. The Silver City Community Film Festival is just one example, offering visitors the chance to see films created by regional filmmakers.
Throughout the year, visitors to the area can stroll along Silva Creek, stopping in at the numerous shops that line the area. Kneeling Nun Mercantile is particularly appealing for those seeking leather products, although the store also offers a selection of soaps and bath goods. A short walk away, the Silver City Museum rotates exhibits, including those that discuss the history of mining in the area or depict the lives of the indigenous Apache people who once inhabited the area.
Cloudcroft
Cloudcroft's main street is Burro Avenue, a walkable strip of downtown known for its rustic charm. The Burro Street Exchange is a popular first stop, where guests can find numerous shops and dining options. Burro Street Bakery is a particularly popular spot in the exchange, where you can savor a latte or indulge in a delicious slice of pie.
Nearby, the Western Bar brings the Old West to life. The relaxed dive bar is fashioned like an old-time saloon but remains family-friendly, offering a diverse menu that includes "the best omelets in the state." On the opposite end of Burro Avenue, history enthusiasts will appreciate the Sacramento Mountains Museum, which offers guided tours of a pioneer settlement that depicts life in the region during its early settlement.
Jemez Springs
Highway 4 serves as the main street for Jemez Springs, and it also features some of the most popular destinations that draw visitors to this small town on vacation. Jemez is a mountain town, and visitors might want to spend the night at the Laughing Lizard Inn. The larger Sunflower and Daisy Suites offer a shared porch where guests can sit and take in the surrounding mesas before stepping out for the day.
After leaving the inn, Jemez Mountain Brewhouse is just a short walk down the road. Guests will find artisan pizza and local brews, making for relaxing afternoons among locals. Around the corner, you will find the Jemez Hot Springs along the Jemez River. Visitors to the area are invited to bathe in these therapeutic mineral waters, where the temperature reaches 105 degrees.
Raton
Raton has a long history and, thanks to its preservation efforts, was the winner of the Great American Main Street Award, which recognizes communities that preserve and revitalize commercial districts. Main Street runs through the Original Townsite Historic District, where visitors will find plenty of places to stop and shop. Nearby, the Raton Museum portrays the town's history, which is intertwined with ranching, coal mining, and the railroad.
Visitors will find the Raton Railroad Depot nearby. First constructed in 1904, it is an example of Mission Revival style architecture that mimics the look of buildings from a bygone era. And just across the tracks, visitors will find Roundhouse Memorial Park, a lovely destination to spend the day playing bocce, walking the trails, or enjoying a game of volleyball.
Los Alamos
Trinity Drive and Central Avenue form the main streets for Los Alamos, and Central is a particularly enviable destination. Guests will find the incredible Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The Manhattan Project investigated the incredible power of nuclear energy during the early 20th century, marking the beginning of the nuclear age. Today, you can start at the visitor's center along Center Avenue to see a short film on the Project before heading throughout town to see different sites that contributed to this incredible research.
Just next door, you can find Ashley Pond. The pond was also once part of the Manhattan Project research, but today it hosts the Los Alamos Summer Concert Series, which features live performers that include country and rock acts. Just across the street, you can also find the Los Alamos Arts Council, which hosts curated art exhibits but also sells works for you to take home.
Truth or Consequences
Main Avenue in Truth or Consequences runs through the south of town, just a few minutes from the Rio Grande. Guests here can head to Ralph Edwards Park for a cozy picnic or time under the gazebo, while anglers may want to toss a line into the fishing pond. Afterward, it is just a short walk to the Geronimo Springs Museum, which houses the largest collection of prehistoric pottery in the county.
Guests will also find artifacts that depict the region's history, from the time of the native residents to the arrival of the pioneers who settled the area. For an evening out, head further down the road to the El Cortez Movie Theater. The theater screens modern films and also hosts live music performances. However, its claim to fame is that it is one of the oldest buildings in the area. The theater first opened in 1941, and today, it is the only commercial screen operating within a 70-mile radius.
Mesilla
Mesilla is a small town that neighbors San Pablo and Las Cruces. The Avenida de Mesilla is considered the town's official main street. Right off the street, you can find the interesting Gadsden Museum. This privately owned museum specializes in local artifacts, Native American Art, and items related to the Wild West era. Guests can expect to see the original jail cell doors that once held Billy the Kid, as well as the original painting of the Gadsden Purchase. Call ahead, as the museum can only be visited by appointment.
Just across the Avenida is the Mesilla Plaza. The plaza is part of Old Mesilla, where visitors can find shops and a variety of dining options. The Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site is right next door. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the site's adobe buildings became home to J. Paul and Mary Taylor in 1953. J. Paul was a legislator and educator, and Mary Daniel Taylor was an award-winning writer and photographer; these two assembled an impressive collection of Spanish, Mexican, and New Mexican artwork that is currently on display. The earliest parts of the site date back to the 1850s, when the area began as a trading post. Meanwhile, more modern additions preserve the adobe construction for which New Mexico is famous.
The Best Main Streets In New Mexico
New Mexico is a state of great beauty, history, and culture. Destinations like the Mesilla Plaza showcase the state's historic nature, with buildings that have stood for over a century. Smaller towns, such as Ruidosa, emphasize the artistic heart of their communities at places like The Adobe Fine Art. If you are looking for diverse main streets that rank among the best in the state, consider any of these nine towns.
