8 Picturesque Small Towns in New Mexico for a Weekend Retreat
New Mexico is one of the unsung places in the American Southwest. Known as the Land of Enchantment, it became the 47th state of the country in 1912. A visit here is a journey through a time way before its state establishment, where centuries-old pueblos and colonial missions still stand, and ancient traditions continue to be practiced by generations of its Native American inhabitants. With deserts, forests, and the tail end of the Rocky Mountains, the state has a lot to offer for its natural landscapes, which remain largely unknown to most people. Considering a weekend retreat in New Mexico is a great idea to explore a different side of this part of the country while putting your mind and body in relaxed mode. These are eight picturesque small towns we have handpicked for that much-needed getaway.
Cloudcroft
At almost 9,000 feet above sea level, Cloudcroft is up in the clouds, as it was named for that reason. Once a sleepy mountain village, today it is a community that draws thousands of visitors year-round, from escaping the heat of the lowlands in summer to fun in the snow in winter. Nestled within the Lincoln National Forest, the town provides access to numerous trails leading to scenic lookouts, including the view over the historic railroad trestle that once serviced the Alamogordo community in the desert below. The active can pursue activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding, and fishing, while those coming during the winter months have 25 trails and more to tackle at Ski Cloudcroft. For its pleasant climate, the town has been a favorite getaway destination for many in this far south of New Mexico, in addition to its great selection of resorts, especially The Lodge at Cloudcroft, with its own swimming pool, spa, and one of the oldest golf courses in all of North America.
Taos
Taos is best known for its Pueblo, a set of ancient multi-storied adobe dwellings built about 1000 years ago by Native Americans. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the town's biggest attraction, but there is more to Taos than just the historic landmark. As you explore the downtown area, you will be reminded of its unique past, from the early days of the Spanish conquest to the period when it became an art colony. The latter especially, has been incorporated as a part of the Taos' modern identity, where workshops and galleries are found both concentrated and scattered all across the town's vicinity. The Taos Art Museum, set in the former residence of Russian artist Nicolai Fechin, is the place to see the best collection of local works, while the Harwood Museum of Art has a more extensive display of paintings. Surrounded by mountains, the town is a short distance away from beautiful hikes and climbs in the Sangre de Cristo Range, thrilling rafts on the Rio Grande, and snow trails of the Ski Valley. Relaxation is part of the agenda here, too, and it is hard to say no to the hydrotherapy pools of El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa, located close to the heart of downtown.
Mesilla
Neighboring the city of Las Cruces in southern New Mexico, this historic town was settled in the 19th century and quickly grew from commerce and as a transportation hub at the intersecting point of two important trade routes; at one point, it was the largest place in between the cities of San Diego and San Antonio. Since the shift of the railroad to the city next door in 1881, Mesilla became less buzzing for its activity, but that made up for the relaxed pace that visitors so loved for generations. From the center of its beautiful plaza and adobe-built basilica, the charms of Mesilla radiate out to its art galleries, boutique shops, and restaurants that spread across a few building blocks. Throughout the year, one can experience various festivities ranging from the fiestas of Cinco de Mayo to the parade of Diez y Seis de Septiembre; they are perhaps the most exciting way to experience the town's strong cultural heritage of the Mexican, Native American, Spanish, and Anglo-American people. If you ever need a bit of nature, there is the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park nearby on the banks of the Rio Grande. For a weekend retreat, our recommendation has to be Hacienda de Mesilla, for its cantina and grill, swimming pool, and rooms that will make the most comfortable of your time in town.
Ruidoso
Set in the heights of the Sierra Blanca range and surrounded by forests that glow in vibrant colors in fall, Ruidoso is one of the most picturesque towns in the southeast of New Mexico. For its location, the town attracts many outdoor pursuits, whether mountain biking or snowboarding, with the trail networks of Ski Apache offering the best conditions and levels no matter the season. Another thing that makes it a magnet for visitors is the Ruidoso Downs Race Track, the home of the world's richest quarter horse race - All American Futurity, and a venue to watch the sport in the summer months. Cultural visitors will enjoy the collection of carriages and wagons of the Hubbard Museum, the Wild West recreation and entertainment of Flying J Ranch, and a little out of town, the performances of The Spencer Theater. There is so much to do in the area that you probably won't be thinking of settling down so soon, but when the time comes, consider a stay at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, one of the most desirable places of retreat in the state for its lakeside location, fancy rooms, and its very own casino.
Aztec
With a few similarities with Taos, this town located in the high desert plateau of northwestern New Mexico is home to another set of ancient Native American structures that have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Part of the Chaco Culture designation since 1987, the Aztec Ruins National Monument is one of the best examples of a Puebloan settlement, with a 900-year-old ancestral house and the largest reconstructed great kiva (a round or keyhole-shaped room) in North America to explore. Aztec is also fascinating for its location to one of the biggest concentrations of natural arches in the state, with over 400 of them in the area alone to discover, the most famous being Anasazi Arch in Cox Canyon. Back in the center of town, get to know about the early days of its establishment at the Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village, listen to live music at Rubia's, and support the art of local artists at Feat of Clay, a local gallery. Staying in town for the weekend? There is the Comfort Inn and Suites off Highway 550 to relax in its heated pool and rest your head for the night before heading out and about again.
Chimayó
Santa Fe may have all the arts and cultures one can ever ask for on a trip to New Mexico, but about 40 minutes of drive north is the little town of Chimayó. Set in a valley of the Sangre de Cristo Range, the town has a very rural appearance, something that it has successfully preserved until today. One of the main draws of the town is none other than the Santuario de Chimayó, an important pilgrimage site for Catholics where miracles were claimed from its dirt, which showed a local friar the significance of the location after a buried crucifix was moved back there three times. Visitors can learn about the town's beginnings at the small but resourceful Chimayó Museum, while at the Centinela Traditional Arts Center, one can admire the stunning woven designs that the town is specifically famous for. Despite not being too far from the state capital, it is worth spending a night or two here, where there are amazing places to stay, such as Casa Escondida, a lovely bed-and-breakfast that offers an experience of a traditional "casa."
Silver City
Although 'city' is in the name, Silver City is a town of a little under 10,000 people. With around 300 days of sunshine and one of the most favorable annual average temperatures, the hillside community is a perfect travel destination any time of the year. Located in the foothills of the Pinos Altos Range, the town is a stone's throw away from some of the most extraordinary natural features in this southwestern part of the state. The Gila National Forest is a green blanket of pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pines against the vertical walls of its rocky canyons, where ancient cliff dwellings of the Mogollon people are revealed to the keenest of trekkers. History is also told right in the center of town, with both the Silver City Museum and the Western New Mexico University Museum being the focal points for understanding the area's layered past. Named by author John Villani as one of the "100 Best Art Towns in America", Silver City has a lot to offer for its art scene - from the pottery designs of its many independent galleries to over 50 colorful murals that paint the walls across town. A weekend retreat here is an excellent choice to get the fullest experience possible of its vibrant atmosphere; however, if you ever wish to be surrounded by nature, the Bear Mountain Lodge is perched high in the hills and away from the streets below, peaceful in all its senses.
Truth or Consequences
Frequently on the lists of "places with the weirdest names," Truth or Consequences became what it is known today since 1950 during the 10th anniversary of an NBC radio game show called, you guessed it, Truth or Consequences when there was a trade of airing the program from a town that would be willing to change its name to the title of the show. Before its modern name, the area was called Hot Springs, as it consists of thermal waters that have long been renowned for their healing properties. Today, the town is popular with visitors for its numerous bathhouses and spas, making it a preferred destination for wellness and retreats. Choose from the mineral baths of La Paloma or a more secluded experience in the riverside pools of Riverbend Hot Springs; every location offers something a little different from one another. Truth or Consequences has its share of attractions, too, from the artifacts of the Geronimo Springs Museum to the walking trails along nearby Elephant Butte Lake. There is plenty to keep you occupied, only if you can get away from the hydrotherapy session, of course.
Generally underrated in a region so diverse in its natural landscapes, history, and culture, New Mexico has so much in store to amaze every visitor. Those who choose to travel in this southwestern state have made the right decision, and even more so for those coming for a retreat. While most of its neighbors get all the spotlight, move your attention here because this state does not disappoint, whether you're looking for history, relaxation, adventure, or great places to shop. New Mexico has it all!
