7 Coolest New Mexico Towns For A Summer Vacation In 2025
Located where the Rocky Mountains meet the Chihuahuan Desert and the Great Plains in the American Southwest, New Mexico is a uniquely beautiful state with a variety of natural landscapes. As a state with a rich indigenous heritage and a long history under Spanish colonial rule before it became the 47th U.S. state, New Mexico is an overflowing cultural treasure trove as well. Whether you’re interested in touring a 1,000+ year-old town, a town named after a 20th-century radio show, or the world’s most famous UFO town, New Mexico has so much to offer travelers this summer. For some more ideas on where to go and what to do, here are seven of the coolest New Mexico towns for a summer vacation in 2025.
Taos
With a base elevation over 6,900 feet above sea level, Taos aims high and delivers in soaring adventures and fascinating indigenous culture. No trip to Taos feels complete without visiting Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with adobe structures that the local indigenous community has continually inhabited for over 1,000 years. Heading back to town, stop at Taos Plaza to see the historic heart of town that’s been humming since the turn of the 19th century. And for some artsy vibes, the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House and Harwood Museum of Art have plenty of works on display, spanning from traditional 19th-century paintings to abstract contemporary pieces.
If you’re looking to get more active outside, Taos Ski Valley offers a number of activities during the summer season, including mountain biking, via ferrata, and pickleball. Once you’re ready to settle down, check into Alpine Village for a great selection of apartment-style suites and larger cabins at Taos Ski Valley.
Española
Roughly halfway between Taos and Santa Fe, Española occupies a special corner of New Mexico history. Settled by Spanish colonists in 1598, Española soon became the capital of the first European settlement in the United States, and you can still catch glimpses of Española’s Spanish heritage at the Plaza de Española downtown. However, the Tewa indigenous people called this land home long before the Spanish arrived, and local indigenous culture can still be experienced throughout town today.
More specifically, the Española Valley Fiber Arts Center is a great place to learn how to make New Mexico-style blankets, baskets, bags, and other woven goods, and the Chimayó Trading Post is a century-plus year-old family-run store that carries a great variety of indigenous artisan goods. To get an even better sense of this community’s enduring spirit, stop at the Española Healing Foods Oasis (EHFO) to see how a local nonprofit converted a formerly barren slope of land into a thriving community garden. After a long day traipsing around town, kick back and wind down at the traditionally charming Inn at the Delta.
Chimayo
Long ago, the Tewa indigenous people named this town for the Tsi-Mayoh hill (in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains) they consider sacred, and the present-day village of Chimayo continues to amaze with its splendid scenery. In the village sits El Santuario de Chimayo, a Catholic church built in 1816 that now draws nearly 300,000 pilgrims annually for what believers consider its “magical healing soil.” To learn more about Chimayo’s past, go to the Chimayo Museum to walk through an 18th-century Spanish colonial plaza and find artifacts detailing life in this town.
For a lovely mountain lake, head south to Santa Cruz Lake to do some boating and fishing on the water, hike on dry land, and admire this mountain-fed body of water that connects to the longer Rio Grande river system. And for the ultimate Chimayo experience, book a stay at Casa Escondida, a beautiful bed-and-breakfast with cozy digs and phenomenal mountain views.
White Rock
Just a short drive away from the world-famous Los Alamos National Laboratory, White Rock sits at the crossroads of New Mexico’s ancient treasures and its cutting-edge scientific research. For some of that cutting-edge science, the Lab does welcome visitors to the Bradbury Science Museum and the (Los Alamos sites of the) Manhattan Project National Historical Park (MAPR) to learn more of the real stories that inspired the 2023 blockbuster film Oppenheimer.
To experience the ancient side of White Rock, head to Bandelier National Monument, a short drive away, to discover the ruins of the 14th-century Big Kiva and the Tyuonyi pueblos, as well as indigenous-made petroglyphs dating as far back as the 12th century. In addition, Bandelier has numerous hiking trails providing exceptional scenery, including the waterfalls at the Falls Trail and the reconstructed Ancestral Pueblo kiva at the Alcove House Trail. For a comfy “base camp” to relax after exploring the area, try a stay at the Pajarito House, a boutique inn sitting on five acres next to protected wilderness.
Sandia Park
Perched high up the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, Sandia Park is the perfect spot to beat the summer heat. Even the journey up can be an amazing experience, thanks to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway that ascends from the valley floor to the 10,378-foot crest of the mountains. Up in the mountains, you will find several exhilarating hiking trails, including Tree Spring, Tecolote, and La Luz.
Heading into town, the Tinkertown Museum is a must-stop: Local artist Ross Ward spent over 40 years carving intricate wooden figures that his family now shares with the world. And though there are plenty of lodging options to choose from in Albuquerque, you can also opt to stay in the mountains and enjoy the cozy vibes at Elaine's Bed & Breakfast.
Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences? Yes, it’s the name of a classic American game show that started on radio and later gravitated to television, but it’s also the name of a quirky New Mexico town that must be seen to be believed. And yes, this town actually renamed itself in 1950 to score a live taping of the radio show! At the Geronimo Springs Museum, you can find out more of the backstory behind the T or C name, and you will find one of the region’s largest collections of prehistoric indigenous pottery and glimpses into the area’s more hardscrabble mining life before the town got featured on national radio.
Before T or C became T or C, the town’s name was Hot Springs, and local hotspots like Blackstone Hotsprings and Indian Springs continue to welcome guests to soak in the soothing mineral waters of this special town. For even more aquatic adventures, head to Elephant Butte Lake State Park and try some kayaking, jet skiing, and sailing out on the open water. When you can use some pure rest and relaxation, check into the Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa to enjoy luxurious accommodations, a full-service holistic spa, and special access to the resort’s indoor and outdoor hot springs.
Roswell
About 173 miles west of Lubbock (Texas) sits Roswell, perhaps New Mexico’s most famous town. In 1947, military balloon debris was found near town, and this quickly fueled speculation on UFO activity. To this day, many continue to believe that the UFO rumors are true, and the International UFO Museum and Research Center is a great place to explore Roswell’s extraterrestrial lore. For even more out-of-this-world fun and games, it’s a short stroll to Spaceport Roswell, a fully immersive virtual reality experience.
Even beyond the UFO kitsch, there’s more to experience in Roswell. A few blocks north of downtown, the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art has a fascinating variety of innovative works by New Mexico artists. Returning downtown, Pecos Flavors Winery & Bistro serves great grub for lunch and dinner alongside a cool assortment of New Mexico-made wines and beers. And when you’re ready for your own Roswell landing, check into the Roswell Inn for affordable and comfortable “pods” in town.
Visit These Fun New Mexico Towns
Across New Mexico, there are plenty of incredible towns that overflow with cool vibes, and these cool towns are perfect for a summer vacation. At Taos, soar high into the mountains and enjoy the cooler temperatures along with Taos’ rich indigenous heritage and extensive outdoor activities. At White Rock, dig into the nation’s atomic history, witness the forefront of scientific research, and discover ancient pueblos high in the mountains. And at Truth or Consequences, soak up the soothing waters of the natural hot springs in a town that made a name for itself by getting on a radio show. With so much to see and do across the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico really is a cool place to go for the ultimate summer vacation.
