8 Picturesque Towns in New Mexico for a Weekend Retreat in 2024
New Mexico is home to the Bandelier National Monument, ancient Pueblo villages, small towns, and the unsung places of the American Southwest. Bounded by Colorado to the north, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora. As one of the 27 landlocked states, with Texas blocking access to the gulf, it doesn't make the Land of Enchantment any less picturesque. Journey to Bernalillo through rising mountains for a memorable weekend getaway along the splendid Rio Grande.
Enchanting you with picturesque scenery, spend a magical weekend escape by the lake in Eagle Nest or the green-blue Abiquiu Lake. The grandiosity of Cloudcrodt, a small town entirely within Lincoln National Forest, demands a first-hand experience in this town with its head in the clouds at 9,000 feet above sea level. With so much to see and do, New Mexico’s picturesque towns are ideal for a weekend retreat in 2024. So, get tangled in the charms of New Mexico for a weekend, and it will stay with you forever after.
Abiquiu
This well-loved town speaks through nature, with the Rio Chama River lacing to the north. Translating directly as a “wild chokecherry place” from the Tewa language, Abiquiu leaves lasting impressions with sites like Dar al-Islam, a majestic masjid, most beautiful against the night sky. Starting at the O’Keeffe Welcome Center, among various attractions, the Ghost Ranch is an iconic spiritual retreat with a museum and many trails to explore. Furthermore, the Georgia O'Keeffe House Museum offers the uncommon life story of a famously skilled American artist with a unique personality. Meanwhile, Penitente Morada, a historic landmark, immerses visitors in a beautiful, new part of New Mexico's heritage. You can also book a stay nearby at the quaint Abiqui Inn.
Boasting a wide array of art and culture, it is easy to see the source of inspiration, like Abiquiu Lake. You won't forget this gorgeous blue-green water oasis with picturesque mountains on the horizon. Further greeting you with jaw-dropping views in the prevailing peace, Plaza Blanca is popular among hikers and photographers to meander amid toothpick-like sandstone cliffs, named for their color under the full afternoon sun. Similarly, Balanced Rock is a scenic hiking area where you can scramble around with a camera. Before leaving, stop by the Purple Adobe Lavender Farm for a scented stroll, friendly hosts, and products.
Bernalillo
Exuding relaxed vibes through food, nature, and great accommodations, this small town of just under 9,000 is surprisingly overlooked right off New Mexico Interstate 25, between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The scenery begins on the drive into the rising mountains and follows you in the rearview on the way out. Enjoy a memorable weekend getaway amid the splendid Rio Grande Valley on the east bank of the Rio Grande. Nearby, Willow Creek Trailhead and Open Space is great for a relaxing day in nature. More wonderful hikes await through the picturesque Ojito Wilderness just 30 miles away, while Jemez Canyon Reservoir, a picturesque, sizable lake under flat mountain ridges to the northern side, is just 15 minutes north.
After a day of exploring, unwind at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa with treatments, a swimming pool, golf, horseback riding, and incredible restaurants throughout the resort. On the other hand, Albuquerque North/Bernalillo KOA Journey, popular among the outdoorsy, offers great cabin stays, including patio views onto the clean, tree-filled space with clean amenities. Furthermore, Sandia Cave is an iconic landmark that mixes nature with history in Bernalillo. Don't miss the Coronado Historic Site, which has excavated remains and ancient art in a Pueblo village where Coronado stopped on his fabled quest.
Cloudcroft
Conjuring up the most fantastic imagery with its name alone, you can't even imagine the grandiosity around Cloudcrof. This town sits at an incredible 9,000 feet above sea level amidst the Lincoln National Forest. To the west, Switchback Trail features a historic tunnel, while the Mexican Canyon Railroad Trestle is a great two-mile hike in the forested mountains right outside of Cloudcroft. Enjoy a gorgeous overlook of the trestles that once serviced the Alamogordo community in the desert below, with parking next to the trailhead. To this end, the Trestle Depot Recreation Area offers an incredible hike and rewarding views down to White Sands from a mountaintop.
The pleasant climate in the area inspires adventures from your site at Upper Fir Group Campground or the next-door most popular Silver Campground. For a more refined experience, opt for resorts like the Lodge at Cloudcroft, which boasts a swimming pool, spa, and one of North America's oldest golf courses. Whether you're part of the summer crowd or tackling the 25 snowy trails and more at Ski Cloudcroft, don't' miss Cloudcroft Brewing Company for delicious pizza and craft beers.
Eagle Nest
Ever dreamed of soaring to new heights without effort? Imagine a relaxing drive with music blasting through your windows, taking in stunning views at every scenic turn. In Eagle Nest, formerly known as "Therma" until the 1930s, you can experience just that. This charming destination beckons adventurers year after year, inviting them to explore the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway or to reach for greatness along all-level trails through the Sangre de Cristo Range in New Mexico. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities. Whether it is the quirky Touch-Me-Not Mountain, which reaches a notable height of 12,041 feet, or the nearby Baldy Mountain, Eagle Nest promises a workout that earns you a "New Mexico sweat." Hiking, bouldering, and climbing offer exhilarating ways to gain an eagle-eye view of the tiny town nestled next to the expansive Eagle Nest Lake.
Eagle Nest Lake State Park serves as the gateway to some of the most beloved outdoor activities in the area. Its pet-friendly trails lead to overlooks and scenic spots ideal for relaxation. For more fun this year, the Salmon Snagging Season lasts from October to December, so anglers can have a weekend full of salmon at Eagle Nest Lake. While fishing, book a spot at the Angel Nest RV Retreat or Pepper Sauce Camp for a full natural experience.
Galisteo
Galisteo is a quaint town just 20 miles south of Santa Fe under the Cerro Colorado mountain peak. This town has gained fame in Hollywood, having showcased its scenic background in media like Crazy Heart, Young Guns, and Silverado. Parts of Thor were also filmed here, adding to its allure. Before exploring the town, stop by the community center and Dundee Ceramics for a special keepsake of the town to bring home. Or, take some time to find a room in nearby areas such as Java Junction and Cerrillos Railhouse Guest Casitas just west of Galisteo.
For nature lovers, the Galisteo Basin Preserve showcases why this buzz-worthy area is a refuge and sustenance for both wildlife and people. The preserve embraces nearly 10,000 picturesque acres of sculpted arroyos, craggy sandstone formations, and vast savannah grasslands. Visitors to this park can enjoy immediate access to outdoor splendor, with over 40 miles of uncrowded trails open to the public. Hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders can soak in the scenery while enjoying plenty of shade under the formations to escape the scorching summertime heat. The trails range from Cottonwood Trailhead to Cowboy Shack Trailhead, both of which are pet-friendly and offer tons of rustic scenery.
Mesilla
Mesilla radiates energy and warmth in southern New Mexico for your unforgettable weekend escape. Settled in the 19th century, the historic town thrived in commerce, becoming the largest in between San Diego and San Antonio and a transportation hub at the intersecting point of two important trade routes. With neighbors like Las Cruces, the railroad shifted next door in 1881, lending Mesilla a tourist-friendly vibe for generations of visitors who seek out a place at a relaxed pace. Starting from the heart of the Mesilla Plaza and Basilica of San Albino, the charms extend across art galleries, boutique shops, and restaurants over a few building blocks. Mesilla's fervor to stand outbursts through various year-round events and fiestas, such as Cinco de Mayo and the Diez y Seis de Septiembre parade. Visitors will adore these events as they showcase cultural roots among Mexican, Native American, Spanish, and Anglo-American origins.
Outside of the paved streets, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park sprawls the banks of the scenically vast Rio Grande to explore the shore over a weekend of fishing, boating, and even swimming after a hot summer hike. Furthermore, the Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument pokes the sky with peaks like Organ and Organ Needle, a canyon, and woodland trails perfect for horseback riding, camping, and mountain biking. After spending some time with nature, Hacienda de Mesilla offers traditional hospitality to unwind and recharge at its famous cantina and grill.
Ruidoso
Looking down from the heights of the Sierra Blanca range, Ruidoso is one of the most scenic towns in the southeast of New Mexico. Welcoming you between the Mescalero Reservation to the south and Moon Mountain to the north, the scenery feels attainable only for the godlike, so score a stay at the waterfront Inn of the Mountain Gods. As one of the state's most desirable places of retreat, guests enjoy the lakeside location, fancy rooms, and its very own casino. None-the-less exciting, Rainbow Lake Cabin & RV Resort offers easy access to golf, two canyons, and casinos.
Nestled at the northern tip of the 1.1 million-acre Lincoln National Forest, aglow in fall colors, it attracts the active, artists, and scenically inclined to relax. Join them for mountain biking and snowboarding, plus the trail networks of Ski Apache with conditioned trails for all levels in every season. Monjeau Lookout to the northwest features dirt road access past wild horses to this old stone lookout hut atop a cliff with majestic mountain views.
In Ruidoso Downs, stop by the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway Visitor Center for history and must-experiences in the area. Ruidoso Downs Race Track is a big hit among the equestrians, inviting you to watch the world's richest quarter horse race, the American Futurity, with a $3 million purse. For more cultural enrichment nearby, Spencer Theater presents spectacular world-class performances. To do some racing yourself, Pillow's Funtrackers is a scenic amusement park with three go-kart tracks, 18-hole mini golf, bumper boats, a maze, and arcade games.
Santa Rosa
Not to be confused with the sizable California city, Santa Rosa, New Mexico, is quieter in between Albuquerque and Amarillo, with world-famous sites like the Blue Hole. Recognized in 2012 by Conde Nast Traveler in the top eleven “Best Natural Swimming Holes in the US,” the recreational lake features multiple water slides and swimming areas, beloved by locals and visitors for fun and relaxation. Moreover, the 81-foot-deep natural artesian spring at 62 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for year-round scuba diving, makes Santa Rosa "the Scuba Diving Capital of the Southwest." Learn about its geology at the Santa Rosa Information Center, which offers maps, event information, and recreation opportunities.
The popular Route 66 Auto Museum in mom-and-pop digs features classic, vintage, chrome, and hot rod cars, plus Route 66 memorabilia. This road stretch is immortalized in American film history in Steinbeck’s epic novel, Grapes of Wrath. Pedal along the stone buildings in the historic district, past the grand 1909 brick-built Guadalupe County Courthouse. For a different experience, join the locals happy to share the best fishing spots along the picturesque Pecos River shore. You can further enjoy camping, pedal at Park Lake, or cool off on a swim. Then settle for a down-home meal with a local specialty, the "PDL Chile," a unique locally cultivated strain of chili on restaurant marquees and menus.
Wrapping Up
New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, offers a captivating blend of picturesque towns and breathtaking landscapes, making it perfect for a weekend getaway. From the artistic charm of Abiquiu to the serene beauty of Eagle Nest, each destination showcases unique cultural heritage and outdoor adventures. Explore the vibrant streets of Mesilla or hike through Cloudcroft's scenic trails, all while indulging in local cuisine and warm hospitality. New Mexico promises unforgettable experiences that will linger in your heart long after you leave. Pack your bags and immerse yourself in the enchanting magic of this southwestern gem.
