12 Small Towns in New Mexico Were Ranked Among US Favorites
New Mexico is the 47th state in the United States and is a family-friendly destination full of history, arts, and culture. While most people are familiar with the capital city of Sante Fe, there are many small towns throughout New Mexico that are often overlooked. These charming towns are worth visiting and are among the favorites for travelers exploring the US.
Mesilla
Mesilla is a charming town in New Mexico that has all kinds of accolades and recognitions to its name. The town boasts the title of the 8th Coziest Town in New Mexico and is home to one of the Top 6 Historic Plazas in New Mexico. As of 2023, the population of Mesilla is around 1,780 people, allowing for small-town charm. The history of this New Mexico town dates back to the mid-1800s when the early settlers of Mesilla arrived in town after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. In addition to a rich history, Mesilla offers its visitors a chance to enjoy local shops, fine dining experiences, and sip coffee at quaint cafes. Travelers visiting Mesilla can count on warm hospitality.
Taos
Taos is no hidden gem – it’s a popular travel destination for Americans and international visitors to the US. The town is located in northern New Mexico and as of 2023, the population is around 6,631 people. While it’s a modern-day tourist town, Taos has a storied history, dating back to the late 1600s when it was the backdrop of the Pueblo Rebellion against Spain. Remnants of the past remain in the form of historic adobe buildings. Today, Taos is best known as an art colony and fantastic skiing destination. The Taos Society of Artists (established in the early 1900s) are six artists responsible for drawing inspiration from Taos’ natural beauty and making it one of the top destinations for art in the American Southwest.
Los Alamos
Set in a county of the same name, Los Alamos is close to the town of White Rock and has a population of around 13,270 people as of 2023. It’s easy to visit from Sante Fe, just a short 45-minute drive from this famous hub of arts and culture. Los Alamos is a gateway to three national parks and landmarks: The Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The Manhatten Project National Historical Park emphasizes the engineering, technology and events that transpired to create the atomic bomb. Most recently, parts of the film “Oppenheimer” were filmed in Los Alamos, New Mexico. For moviegoers, the town might look familiar!
Silver City
A gem of southwest New Mexico, Silver City has a population of around 9,360 people as of 2023. A historic downtown area and surrounded by nature recreation areas, Silver City has something to offer every type of traveler. The town prides itself on a “small town” style of life that fuses its Old Western roots with a modern-day art scene. To experience the arts and entertainment here, visitors should head to the historic downtown area which is full of eateries, colorful murals, art galleries, festivals, and Old Western frontier-style buildings. For outdoor enthusiasts, forest recreation surrounds the town. Explore Gila National Forest, drive the Trail of the Mountain Spirits, or visit City of Rocks State Park.
Chimayo
Chimayo lies in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just 40 minutes from the bustling city of Santa Fe. In 2023, Chimayo has a population of around 3,208 people. The small town in New Mexico retains the charm of the Old West and is extremely picturesque with its many adobe buildings and surrounding nature areas. Visitors are certain to feel they are stepping into the past when they arrive at the El Potrero Trading Post. This unique shop is a family-owned business that carries an array of religious artifacts, chiles and local folk artwork. Beside the trading post is Chimayo’s most famous attraction, El Santuario de Chimayo.
Santa Rosa
Visiting this small town in New Mexico is ideal for travelers who are exploring the state at large, primarily because it's only 2 hours away from almost anywhere in the state. It’s located in Guadalupe County and, as of 2023, has a population of around 2,846 people. The landmark feature of the town is the Blue Hole, which is a vibrant natural pool. It sits like a colorful gemstone amidst the desert landscape of Santa Rosa and acts as a fun entertainment spot for locals and visitors. Swimming in the Blue Hole is a refreshing experience, but it’s not the only thing to do in Santa Rosa. This town is also a great destination for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Cloudcroft
Dive into the rich 110-year-old history of Cloudcroft, New Mexico. It has a population of around 795 people as of 2023 and is located in the Lincoln National Forest. The Lincoln National Forest is home to the Sacramento, Guadalupe and Capitan mountain ranges, collectively covering 1.1 million acres in the southeast of New Mexico. Besides hiking and exploring the national forest, visitors to Cloudcroft can enjoy activities like skiing and biking. The mountainous location provides a much-needed escape from the heat of New Mexico during the summer months.
Ruidoso
Another mountain town in New Mexico is Ruidoso, located in the Sierra Blanca mountain Range. The population of Ruidoso in 2023 is around 7,924 people. The mountain town is home to the southernmost ski resort in the United States and is worth visiting during the winter months to experience the slopes at Ski Apache. The town is centrally located in New Mexico, making it an ideal jumping-off point to explore the rest of the state. Nearby attractions that make excellent day trips from Ruidoso include Carlsbad Caverns, Lincoln National Forest and White Sands National Park.
Gallup
Discover a town along historic Route 66, with a population of around 20,965 in 2023. Before the town of Gallup was established in 1881, it sat at the crossroads of Native American trade. Gallup is a railroad border town and was initially founded as the headquarters of the southern transcontinental rail route. Today, the town proudly wears the nickname “The Gateway To Native America”, celebrating cultural heritage and traditions that have been forgotten in many places across the country. As a hub for Native American arts, visitors can explore many museums, galleries and also view murals here that are created by Native American artists or are inspired by their work.
Aztec
Located in San Juan County, New Mexico, Aztec is a small town with a population around 6,097 people as of 2023. The town is home to the Aztec Ruins National Monument, which used to be a gathering place for ancestral Puebloans. It is known as one of the most significant ancestral Puebolan sites in the American Southwest. Visitors can explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site today in the town of Aztec with free admission. Aztec, New Mexico, is a destination for outdoor adventure with lots of fun activities to try like disc golf, high desert mountain biking, river rafting in the San Juan River and hiking to the Angel Peak Scenic Area.
Tucumcari
Tucumcari, New Mexico, has lots to offer visitors in the way of arts, culture, gastronomy and history. The population of Tucumcari, New Mexico, is around 5,118 people in 2023 but the beginnings of civilization here date back to the 13th Century, but it wasn’t until 1700 that nomadic tribes like the Comanches were using this land. The name Tucumcari comes from a Comanche word (tukanukaru) that means “to lie in wait for something to approach”. In 1901, the town was officially founded and by 1910 it became a railroad center with more than 60 businesses. Today, visitors can explore the charming town. There are more than 100 murals in Tucumcari and four museums, including the New Mexico Route 66 Museum & Monument.
Corrales
Corrales is one of New Mexico's many charming river towns. The Village of Corrales in New Mexico has a population of around 8,720 people in 2023. Humans have been living in Corrales since 500 A.D. – this area was home to the Tigua before the Spanish settled there in 1540. The town’s proximity to the Rio Grande has shaped it both literally and figuratively, creating fertile land. In the 1900s Village of Corrales became well known for vineyards and winemaking. Today, it’s still a great place to visit for local wine tasting. Visiting Corrales is a breath of fresh air that washes away the stresses of daily life and transports you to a different time.
Visit New Mexico’s Small Towns
A trip to New Mexico is a chance to delve deep into the nation’s southwestern history. With a long past of Native American culture, arts and activity in this region, there are many galleries, historical monuments and museums to visit. In addition to being a dream destination for history buffs, New Mexico’s small towns are bursting with arts and culture from modern artists. It’s worth exploring the lesser-known side of New Mexico either as a weekend trip or a full road trip of the state.
