7 Old-World Towns to Visit in New Mexico

Shaped by millennia of Native American civilizations, Spanish colonization in 1598, and U.S. annexation in 1846, New Mexico boasts one of the most fascinating and diverse cultural heritages in the country. While larger cities in the state have assimilated a more contemporary-style culture, many smaller towns have worked tirelessly to preserve their history through Old West-style buildings and adobe homes, creating an atmosphere that invites exploration. From ghost towns to adobe chapels and iconic Route 66 neon signs, visiting these seven towns feels like a step into the past.

Silver City

In southwestern New Mexico, Silver City simultaneously blends its Western heritage with more modern attractions. Its downtown district perfectly embodies this culture, balancing older frontier buildings with colorful sculptures and murals. Within this historic district, visitors can also stop by the “Big Ditch”, which used to be Silver City’s main street before it was washed away in a flood. Today, Big Ditch is a public park covered with trees and a brook.

Going back centuries further in history, the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is a fascinating place to visit as well. In the middle of the Gila National Forest, this area features the remnants of cliff dwellings from the Mogollon peoples who resided on the lands from the 1280s to 1300s. It can be a bit daunting to pick a lodging option in Silver City due to its wide variety. Constructed in 1883, the home is one of the most well-preserved estates in the area and is within walking distance of many attractions in town.

Cerrillos

Although Cerrillos was once a serious contender for New Mexico's capital, it has since become a quiet town of around 100 residents, where visitors can easily disconnect while strolling along its dirt streets and taking in the Old West atmosphere. Previously a major mining village, travelers can visit the Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum to take in local artifacts and antiques representative of the town’s past mining boom. Cerrillos Station is another historic gem, a remodeled house that now is home to an art gallery and mercantile. Along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, one can embark on a 50-mile drive that connects Cerrillos with other towns, linking Santa Fe to Albuquerque and showcasing the arid southwestern landscape.

Santa Rosa

Although Santa Rosa is largely known for the Santa Rosa Water Park and the turquoise waters of Blue Hole Lake, it also has a number of historic structures nearby that will feel like a trip back in time. Puerto de Luna is the perfect example of that, just 12 miles from the town, featuring old churches, a cemetery, and remains of buildings from 19th-century European settlers. With Route 66 once passing through Santa Rosa in 1930, the memories left from the route are fascinating as well, consisting of old neon signs, service stations, and buildings that feel like distant memories.

After a day or two of appreciating the town’s attractions, visitors must finish their trip to Santa Rosa by visiting the aforementioned Blue Hole, which has a 62℉ temperature year-round and cliffs to jump into the sapphire-colored water. Santa Rosa Water Park contrarily is great for families, having slides, obstacle courses, ropes, monkey bars, and other fun water activities that the kids will love.

Chimayo

For those residing in Santa Fe, Chimayo is a great option for a day trip, just 40 minutes from the state’s capital. One of the most prominent landmarks in Chimayo is El Santuario de Chimayó, now registered as a National Historic Landmark, and features an adobe chapel with a bell tower on either side. Around 300,000 visit the shrine every year, believed to have special healing and blessing powers.

The town is also home to a variety of weavers who carry on generations-old family traditions, offering people the chance to purchase shawls, pillows, or rugs. One notable stop is Centinela Traditional Arts, a weaving gallery where travelers can shop. After a busy morning visiting the shrine and weaving shops, hungry tourists must stop to have lunch at Rancho de Chimayo, which serves New Mexican cuisine made with generations-old recipes.

Taos

Taos is the only Native American community recognized as both a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its village adobe dwellings continually occupied for more than 1,000 years. Archeologists estimate that the village’s main section today continues to look very similar to how it looked when the original Spanish explorers arrived in New Mexico for the first time.

The San Francisco de Asis in Ranchos is another impressive adobe structure, built in the 1800s and being the only remaining in-tact church in Taos. Adventurous travelers can also make their way out to Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, featuring 242,555 acres of public land, most of it rugged, topped by volcanic cones, steep canyons, and rivers. In addition to hiking, visitors can whitewater raft, fish, and mountainbike on the land.

Mesilla

Despite evolving technology and changing times, Mesilla has actively preserved its adobe-style architecture, with the buildings in the heart of downtown now home to restaurants, museums, art galleries, and shops. Tourists will feel as though time has been frozen by strolling down the Mesilla Plaza. Also downtown is the notable Basilica of San Albino, which was built originally in 1855 and continues to operate as a church, giving both Spanish and English masses. For those wanting an artisan product to remember the rich culture of the town, there are many New Mexico artisan shops in the downtown district, such as Del Sol, which sells pottery, jewelry, home decor, and bags.

Tucumcari

Tucumcari's history spans from Mesozoic-era dinosaur fossils to 13th-century Ancestral Puebloans and, more recently, the arrival of Route 66 in 1926, all of which visitors can explore and experience through diverse attractions. Much of this rich history is preserved in the town's museums. The Tucumcari Historical Museum, housed in a 1903 school building, showcases three floors of artifact collections, while the Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Laboratory features both replicated and original fossils.

Similar to many of the other Route 66 towns in the state, Tucumcari proudly preserves its neon signage, which visitors can go hunting for around town. Additionally, there are more than 15 murals scattered around the historic district that narrate a lot of the town’s culture and past. The Tucumcari Legend Map Mural is one of our favorites, featuring a blueprint of the town along with some typical southwestern icons.

Step Back in Time in New Mexico

While many of these towns have embraced modern elements in their architecture and culture, each has made a concerted effort to preserve its district. Most also honor their indigenous heritage, proudly showcasing architecture, goods, and artifacts for visitors to enjoy. In a world where electronic devices are ever-present, these towns offer a refreshing escape in a different era.