7 Eclectic Small Towns In New Mexico
Nicknamed "The Land of Enchantment," those who have visited New Mexico know that the state has a particularly magical atmosphere about it. From towns famous for freshly baked pies and healing hot springs to those with UFO sightings and ghost towns, the state feels almost legendary. If you are ready to experience its vibrant energy for yourself, these seven eclectic small towns in New Mexico are the perfect place to start your journey.
Pie Town
As you might expect, Pie Town is the place to visit if you love pie. This town's economy has survived for over a century, largely thanks to the pie bakeries that you can find scattered throughout. Pie-O-Neer Homestead is one of the most popular places to grab a slice of pie in town, preparing classic, specialty, and custom pies all from scratch. They even have a pie bar so that you can sample a bit of everything!
On the second Saturday of September, Pie Town also hosts its annual Pie Festival, which includes activities like pie-eating and pie-baking contests, along with games like horseshoes and horned races. After eating pie for a day, you may be craving some exercise. Travelers can head to Cibola National Forest nearby, which spans roughly 1.9 million acres and features places to camp and hike.
Roswell
As the site of the famous Roswell 1947 UFO incident, Roswell continues to pride itself in its UFO history and evidence. Each summer, the town hosts its annual UFO Festival, attracting enthusiasts from around the world to share evidence, hear guest speakers, enjoy live music, and take part in family-friendly activities and costume contests.
Even if you can’t attend the festival, you can visit the International UFO Museum and Research Center while in Roswell. The museum’s exhibits include information about UFO sightings, crop circles, Area 51, and more. Beyond its UFO history, Roswell is also close to several fascinating natural parks. Bottomless Lakes State Park is one example, spanning 1,400 acres and featuring several lakes formed by sinkholes that are as deep as 90 feet.
Hatch
As the Chile Capital of the World, travelers who love spicy food will love visiting Hatch. For over 50 years, the town has been hosting the annual Hatch Chile Festival, which celebrates its chile heritage through lots of chile-centered food, candy, fashion, and even jewelry. There is also a chile fashion competition, so expect to see people dressed up like chiles!
After the festival, travelers can grab a bite at one of Hatch’s restaurants. Sparky’s, for example, is a burger and barbecue joint that is famous for its award-winning green chile cheeseburger. Driving about a half hour outside of Hatch, travelers can visit one of New Mexico’s ghost towns: The Lake Valley Historic Townsite and Backcountry Byway. Once a mining town founded in 1878, the silver mines eventually ran out, leaving behind an abandoned schoolhouse, chapel, and other 19th-century buildings.
Chimayo
Catholic pilgrims from across the country travel to Chimayó to visit El Santuario de Chimayó, a small adobe church built in 1813. Now a national historic landmark, the sanctuary is famous for its holy soil, which many believe has healing properties. After touring the chapel, hungry travelers can head over to Rancho de Chimayó, which is recognized for its New Mexican-style cuisine. Consider ordering the Carne Adovada, a tender pork that is stewed in Chimayó red chile.
Chimayó is also home to families that have been weaving for centuries. Ortega's Weaving Shop, for example, has a history that dates back to the 1700s and is a great place to buy a hand-woven blanket, coat, or bag.
Truth or Consequences
Originally called Hot Springs, Truth or Consequences changed its name in the 1950s in honor of the radio show of the same name. The town remains a popular retreat for wellness and relaxation, largely thanks to its thermal springs. Riverbend Hot Springs offers a perfect place to unwind, with both communal and private soaking pools.
Each month, Truth and Consequences also hosts the Second Saturday Art Hop, in which more than a dozen galleries, along with other local businesses, open from 6 to 9 pm for a night of sipping, strolling, and appreciating art. Just a few minutes drive north, travelers can visit the largest lake in New Mexico at Elephant Butte Lake State Park to fish, boat, camp, or hike.
Cloudcroft
With around 480,000 acres of forest, Cloudcroft is a hiker’s dream. The Osha Trail is an excellent starting point for those craving a hike. This trail, open only to foot traffic and horseback riders, is a 2.5-mile loop that features views of the Sacramento Mountains and meadows of wildflowers.
The best way to unwind after a hike is with a glass of wine at Noisy Water Winery, which has a selection of over 30 wines to choose from and is conveniently located in the heart of town. Golfers will also want to make a stop in Cloudcroft at The Lodge Golf Course, which sits at 9,000 feet above sea level and is one of the oldest courses in North America.
Jemez Springs
Jemez Springs is home to plenty of hot springs, some of which travelers can only reach by hiking. McCauley Warm Springs, for example, features two warm pools that are accessible via a 3.8-mile loop that begins at the Battleship Rock picnic area. The Jemez Historic Site is another notable attraction, featuring the stone ruins of a 500-year-old Native American village. Visitors can explore the site by following a 1,400-foot interpretive trail that loops around the ruins.
To support the area’s local art community, make sure to stop by the Jemez Artisans Co-op Gallery, which features the work of about eight local artists whose specialties range from folk art to glass, woodworking, painting, and jewelry.
While outsiders may imagine New Mexico as one large desert, locals are familiar with the diversity that can be found throughout the state. In addition to natural attractions like national forests and the Sacramento Mountains, the majority of the towns in the state have a quirky characteristic that makes them unique. So make your trip especially memorable this year and start planning your trip to one of these eclectic small towns!
