New Mexico never ceases to amaze, from quaint mountain towns that highlight their Native American Indigenous heritage to cool, refreshing swimming spots in the middle of the open desert.
It even has a unique village that served as the inspiration for many of the most famous works of art by one of the most celebrated artists in the United States.
The Land of Enchantment is a place full with opportunities, whether you want to go scuba diving in the desert or immerse yourself in some of the most vibrant art scenes in the nation.
Discover 5 lesser-known New Mexico tiny towns to visit for some excellent ideas of what to see and do.
Santa Rosa
Diving, swimming, and snorkeling in the desert of New Mexico? Indeed, it is possible to dive into the renowned Santa Rosa Blue Hole, an aquifer-fed lake that is ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling excursions due to its 100-foot visibility.
There is plenty more to do outside of the Blue Hole, too, if you need even more motivation to visit this intriguing town located about 120 miles east of Albuquerque.
Boating, water skiing, paddling, and fishing are all excellent ways to stay on the water in Santa Rosa Lake State Park.
On dry ground, you can take a leisurely drive down the Historic Route 66’s “Mother Road” before taking in the Route 66 Auto Museum’s collection of historic vehicles.
Check out Hotel Blue 66’s retro-style accommodations and vintage vibes for the ultimate Route 66 experience.
Madrid
Once a struggling coal mining town, Madrid today sparkles on the Turquoise Trail in Northern New Mexico.
When they weren’t working the mines, employees of the Albuquerque and Cerrillos Coal Companies had to keep themselves occupied with community events in Madrid, a strictly controlled corporate town from the 1890s to the 1940s.
Madrid has been transformed into an artists’ community since the 1970s, and galleries such as Johnsons of Madrid Galleries of Fine and Fiber Art, 10PM Studio, and Jezebel Studio and Gallery offer some amazing and intricate locally created artworks for sale.
See a performance at the Engine House Theatre for a more in-depth look at Madrid’s contemporary art scene.
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After your day is over, stay the night at the neighboring Cerrillos Railhouse for quiet, cozy, and private casitas that offer quick access to a ton of additional Turquoise Trail attractions.
Gallup
The Four Corners may be well-known because it is the only location in the US where the borders of four states—Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico—converge.
However, there is much more to discover in and around the town of Gallup, which is only 125 maciles to the southeast.
Red Rock Park, a short drive east of town, features two hiking trails that wind through its 640 acres and offer breathtaking views of sandstone red rock formations like Church Rock and Pyramid Rock.
It also has a rodeo area that regularly hosts events and the Red Rock Park Museum, which is home to a wealth of historic artifacts and Ancestral Puebloan and Navajo art.
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You may purchase locally produced goods in classic Southwestern style at stores like Navajo Spirit and Kestrel Leather. Spend the night at the historic El Rancho Hotel, which has been hosting guests since 1936, after exploring the town.
Jemez Springs
Despite only being roughly 60 miles north of Albuquerque, Jemez Springs feels like a tranquil haven away from the activity of the outer world.
The remains of a 700-year-old Indigenous town and the San José de los Jémez church, which was constructed by Spanish conquistadors in the 1620s, can be seen at the Jemez Historic Site if you’re more interested in learning about the past.
To learn more about modern Indigenous life in the Pueblo of Jemez, purchase genuine Indigenous-made things, and get passes to walk the stunning Red Rocks Trails, you can also drive a little distance south to the Walatowa Visitor Center.
After touring the town for the day, retire to the three-acre Cañon del Rio ranch and inn for a restful night.
Pecos
The community of Pecos, located roughly 26 miles southeast of Santa Fe at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, would be the perfect spot to “get away from it all.”
From the remnants of the Pecos (Cicuye) Pueblo, where the Pecos Indigenous people first settled approximately 1100 CE, to the location of the Battle of Glorieta Pass when the Civil War reached New Mexico in 1862, you may explore everything on the hiking trails at Pecos National Historical Park.
Take a fishing lesson along the Pecos River with Santa Fe Fly Fishing School or just relax at Monastery Lake for more relaxed outdoor adventures.
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