Why This New Mexico Town Deserves More Attention
What began as a small mining town in the 19th century has grown into one of New Mexico’s quirkiest and most creative communities. After the coal mines shut down in the 1940s and residents moved away, Madrid fell quiet — until the 1970s, when artists and craftsmen began settling in the area, drawn by the beauty of the New Mexican mountains.
That spirit still thrives today. Art galleries line the compact downtown district, and annual film festivals bring in visitors each summer. Madrid’s mining roots are also proudly preserved in landmarks like the Mine Shaft Tavern, which once served local miners and now hosts live music, festivals, and hearty grub. With a population of only about 250, Madrid may be small, but its energy and character make it well worth a visit. It's definitely one New Mexican town that deserves more attention.
Mine Shaft Tavern
As one of Santa Fe County’s oldest continuously operated taverns, the Mine Shaft Tavern is a must-visit on every traveler’s itinerary. After the town’s main tavern burned down in 1944, this one opened in 1947, primarily serving the town’s mining population. 40 feet wide, the bar acted as a place for the miners to unwind after a day of hard work. Today, the tavern offers a diverse menu, including pizzas, sandwiches, chile burgers, brisket tacos, enchiladas, craft beers, wines, and cactus cocktails, among other dishes and drinks. There is also frequently live music on the weekends, with upcoming music genre performances including Americana, folk, blues, rock, funk, and country. If you are looking for a place to lodge, the Mine Shaft Tavern also has rooms available. Each unit in the inn comes with a king-size bed, a coffee maker, complimentary Wi-Fi, a full private bath, a fridge, air conditioning, cable TV, and a deck area.
Art Scene & Galleries
Madrid’s many art galleries also contribute significantly to the town’s lively atmosphere. Travelers in search of a contemporary art piece can stop by Calliope, a contemporary and mixed-media gallery that features the work of over 12 New Mexican artists. Alchemy Studio, meanwhile, is a woman-owned gallery with the mission of creating a space for women artists to exhibit their story and work. Jezebel Gallery is another artistic staple in Madrid, hosting the work of over 150 artists, with one of the gallery’s specialties being stained glass pieces. If you get thirsty during your browsing, the gallery also has a soda fountain onsite, selling old-fashioned sodas, coffee, sandwiches, burgers, ice cream, milkshakes, and more.
After exploring some of Madrid’s galleries, visitors can conclude their art tour at Connie’s Photo Park. This art park features a variety of life-size face-in-hole signs, ranging from aliens and hippies to cowboys and motorbikers. Costume rentals are available, and travelers are encouraged to bring their own cameras for the photos.
Annual Festivals
Some of Madrid’s quirkiest traditions come to life during its annual festivals. The CrawDaddy Blues Fest is the perfect example. This festival, hosted by the Mine Shaft Tavern in May each year, features all sorts of delicious Texas and Louisiana dishes, including boiled crawfish, crawfish boudin, crawfish corn pie, Gulf shrimp, sausage gumbo, Texas BBQ Ribs, and fresh-squeezed hurricanes. There are also three stages where attendees can enjoy musical performances, with stages located in the tavern, on the tavern’s deck, and on the main stage of the Madrid Railyard Amphitheater.
Travelers should also consider spending their Fourth of July in town. To celebrate the country’s independence, Madrid hosts a baseball game at Oscar Huber Memorial Baseball Park, followed by an exciting parade on Main Street. About a month later, in August, the town hosts the renowned Madrid Film Festival. The event, which will take place at the Engine House Theater, will screen a variety of short films that were created in New Mexico during the past year. The film festival winners are rewarded with cash prizes.
Culinary Scene
Besides Mine Shaft Tavern, there are several cafes and food joints that you should have on your radar. Want to begin your morning with a hot cup of coffee? Be sure to stop by Java Junction, a local coffee shop serving coffee made with locally roasted beans and warm pastries. Refinery 14 is another great place to fuel up for the day, serving breakfast and lunch. Some dishes travelers can order include breakfast tacos, biscuits and gravy, crispy chicken sandwiches, and Christmas meatballs. If you are craving a midday snack, drop by The Old Boarding House, a charming mercantile that sells artisan snacks, groceries, and other gifts. Shugarman’s Little Chocolate Shop is another place to grab a snack, serving fair-trade and organic chocolate primarily sourced from South America and Belgium. All of the chocolate barks and turtles are made in the shop.
To sum it all up, Madrid, New Mexico, is a small, unincorporated village situated in the Ortiz Mountains along the scenic Turquoise Trail, between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Once a booming coal-mining town in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Madrid became nearly abandoned by the mid-20th century. In the 1970s, artists, craftsmen, and free spirits rediscovered the town, transforming it into the vibrant, offbeat community it is today. Madrid is known for its colorful wooden buildings, eclectic art galleries, and a welcoming atmosphere that blends the quirky with the historic. The town has no formal government, but its residents have created a lively culture fueled by creativity and independence. Shops line the main road, offering handmade jewelry, local art, and Southwestern crafts.
The small town of Madrid definitely deserves more attention; it perfectly encapsulates New Mexico’s creative and rugged spirit. The community remains active today thanks to its thriving art and culinary scene. Local coffee shops provide a cozy spot to recharge before a day of exploration, while old-timey mercantiles make for memorable stops along the way. Rather than leaving its mining past behind, the town embraces it through landmarks like the Mine Shaft Tavern. If this atmosphere sounds like your kind of weekend, there is no better time to start planning a trip to Madrid.
