8 Most Unique Towns in New Mexico
New Mexico is the 47th US state, bordered by Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Mexico. Known as the Land of Enrichment, people inhabited New Mexico over 12,000 years ago. Travelers often visit New Mexico's large cities like Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces to explore the state's history and highlights despite the state housing a collection of towns with unique characters. Travelers curious about New Mexico should visit these unique New Mexico towns, famous for their rich culture, storied heritage, Aliens, and more!
Carlsbad
This New Mexico town enjoys a view of the Pecos River in the Chihuahuan Desert. Formerly named Eddy (after a livestock settler, Charles B Eddy), Carlsbad changed its name after a renowned European spa. Today, the town enjoys nicknames like "The Pride of the Pecos" and "The Pearl on the Pecos."
Carlsbad is a gateway to the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located only 18 miles from the town. The national park itself is a major tourist attraction, drawing crowds from October to May interested in witnessing thousands of bats exiting the caves.
Carlsbad isn't just famous for its national park—this town enjoys a temperate climate with over 350 days of sunshine every year! While visiting Carlsbad, soak in creativity at the Pearl of the Pecos Arts & Culture District, or peruse Native American ceramics at the Carlsbad Museum & Arts Center. The impeccable weather also makes this friendly destination a great setting for hiking, golfing, and water recreation.
Cloudcroft
New Mexico's village of Cloudcroft is surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest and is the closest mountain retreat from El Paso in Otero County. This 120-year-old community sits 9,000 feet above sea level with 480,000 acres of open forest!
Cloudcroft draws plenty of outdoor enthusiasts with settings ideal for hiking, mountain biking, wildlife watching, and horseback riding. Winter sports are also popular here, especially at the family-friendly Ski Cloudcroft, the southernmost ski area in New Mexico with 25 ski trails and 3 ski lifts.
Besides recreational activities, the Mexican Canyon Trestle Vista in the Sacramento Mountains—outside Cloudcroft—is a must-visit attraction. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this historic wooden trestle bridge is off US 82 and is the last-standing trestle in the country.
Truth Or Consequences
The town name may sound like a turn-paging thriller or a spicy party game, but Truth or Consequences is a well-known affordable spa town and resort destination on Interstate 25, halfway between Albuquerque and Las Cruces!
Truth or Consequences was once known as Hot Springs, gaining fame as a "health center" since the 20th century. The town changed its name to "Truth or Consequences" in 1950 after Ralph Edward's of Truth or Consequences–a popular game show—urged an American town to change its name as such for the show's tenth anniversary.
Snowbirds can enjoy the town's mild winters, while city dwellers can bask in the city's slow change of pace from city traffic. Truth and Consequence is best known for its geothermal mineral waters, found in any one of the 10 commercial spas and bathhouses in the downtown area. The town is home to one of America's most mineralized waters with large amounts of chloride to maintain the water's purity (while offering skin benefits). These waters harbor also lack any unpleasant odors!
Taos
Taos is in Taos County on a branch of the Rio Grande in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the state. Its name is derived from the Spanish rendering of Tiwa, the name of the native Pueblo community. It served as an early Spanish settlement, though it was occupied by the Tiwa people for centuries.
A mile north of Taos lies the Taos Pueblo, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of America's oldest continuously inhabited communities. The community remains standing for over 1,000 years and is renowned for its adobe settlements, showcasing the culture of the Taos-speaking tribes of Arizona and New Mexico.
Tourists visiting Taos can also explore local culture at the Millicent Rogers Museum, which features exhibits and displays from the American Southwest, from jewelry to pottery. Visitors can also take their travel selfies in front of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the second-highest bridge in the US Highway System and the fifth-highest bridge in the country at 650 feet above the river! This bridge—nicknamed "the Bridge to Nowhere"—appeared in iconic Hollywood films like Terminator Salvation, Born Killers, and White Sands.
Roswell
New Mexico's town of Roswell in Chaves County is centrally located in the Pecos Valley at the confluence of the Spring, Hondo, and Pecos Rivers. Roswell is a stone's throw away from skiing, outdoor adventures, shopping options, art, and aliens!
Reportedly, on July 7, 1947, an extraterrestrial spacecraft (with its alien passengers) crashed on a ranch northwest of Roswell. Rumors claim that the incident was covered by the US military, which included retrieval of the alien passengers, who were deceased.
Today, Roswell is chalked with alien-themed memorabilia, landmarks, and attractions. Eat a burger at the world's first (and only) saucer-shaped McDonald's or discover more of Roswell's attractions at the Visitor Center on Main Street. Travelers can also appreciate artistic exhibits at the Roswell UFO Spacewalk, an artistic "adventure" by Bryan Ward, perfect for families!
Roswell is also home to the International UFO Museum & Research Center, a venue dedicated to the history, science, and research of UFO events around the globe, especially artifacts related to the 1947 Roswell Incident.
Hatch
Hatch is the northernmost community in the Doña Ana County, sitting west on the Rio Grande River banks, north of Las Cruces through Interstate 25. The town is internationally recognized for the Hatch Chile, a New Mexico state vegetable and a staple in the state's cuisine!
Nicknamed the "chile capital of the world" or "the best chile place in the world," Hatch hosts the Hatch Chile Festival every Labor Day. This three-day celebration attracts 30,000 people who awe at the displays dedicated to Hatch Chiles.
Hatch isn't just a good time to visit during the Hatch Chile Festival—spice lovers can plan a trip to Hatch during its chile season, which starts from mid-July until the first freeze, around late October or early November. The famous chiles can also be enjoyed at Sparky's Burgers in Hatch. Hungry patrons can sink their teeth into the eatery's famous Hatch green chile cheeseburger or sip on "The Ozzy," a chocolate shake made with green chiles!
Silver City
Silver City borders the Continental Divide in the foothills of the Pinos Altos Mountain. The town formed in the late 19th century after the discovery of silver, transforming the place into a "boom town."
Silver City is famous for its arrest of William Bonney, infamously known as "Billy the Kid." Though his incarceration was brief, Kid's family lived in Silver City for years, so much so that his mother is buried at the Town's Memory Lane Cemetery. The town also has ties to infamous characters like Geronimo, Judge Roy Bean, "Dangerous Dan" Tucker, and the Hearst Family.
Travelers touring Silver City in the summer should check out the Silver City Clay Festival, an annual event to celebrate clay! This flexible material has shaped Silver City's heritage and history, which brings together artists, educators, and curious visitors alike.
Chimayo
Near Santa Cruz in New Mexico, about 25 miles north of Santa Fe, lies a community known for its healing properties. Before the arrival of the Spanish, the site—now known as Chimayo—believed healing spirits flowed in the area from the hot springs, according to the Tewa. They named the site "Tsi-Mayoh" after one of the four sacred hills located Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Puebloans also believed supernatural entities were living among the lands.
Chimayo may be a small town, but world-famous for El Santuario de Chimayo, a small shrine and Catholic pilgrimage site in the US. This historic pilgrimage site displays Spanish Colonial architecture with well-preserved adobe church architecture. The shrine is famous for its miracles, attracting people seeking healing or prayers. Sitting at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, thousands of pilgrims flock to El Santuario during Holy Week, a period before Easter. This Catholic pilgrimage site attracts over 300,000 visitors yearly.
While travelers often New Mexico's largest cities to discover the state's history, culture, and heritage, the state is home to an array of unique towns worth a visit.
