You Could Spend Forever Exploring This New Mexico Small Town, But We'll Settle For A Weekend
By Melissa Mahoney|Published June 05, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
How many small towns in New Mexico have you visited? There are so many wonderful corners of the state to explore! But there’s just something about its small towns, where life slows down a bit and there’s more of a relaxed vibe, that makes them ideal for a weekend of exploring. One small town in New Mexico that you could spend plenty of time exploring is Magdalena.
The Village of Magdalena is located in Socorro County. It has a population of under 1,000 residents and ranges in elevation from 6,548 feet at the lowest to 10,783 feet at the highest point, South Baldy Peak.
Magdalena is a fascinating place to explore. Come here for a day or a weekend and peruse art galleries and shops, visit a ghost town, dine at a cafe, visit some of the village's historic buildings -- there are actually quite a few things to see and do in this small community!
It's quite amazing to see all the historic buildings in town. Magdalena was established in 1884 and several buildings from its beginnings still stand. You can take a self-guided Magdalena Historic Walking Tour if you'd like.
This former mining town hit its peak in 1884 and was bustling with residents, shops, banks, churches, saloons, and more. It became a ghost town in 1947 when the last residents left. Come and see what they left behind.
If you want to spend a weekend in Magdalena, Concho Hills Guest Ranch is an excellent choice. This all-inclusive getaway destination will give you a taste of the Old West all while providing comfortable accommodations, meals, and activities.
If you prefer to rough it and really connect with nature, stay at Water Canyon Campground. Located at a 6,800-foot elevation in the Magdalena Mountains, you can explore trails and take in the area's gorgeous scenery.
Water Canyon Road, Water Canyon Rd, New Mexico, USA
Magdalena is known for having some of the darkest skies in New Mexico, making it the perfect place for a centimeter-wavelength radio astronomy observatory. Impressive when you see it, the Very Large Array (VLA) is found on Old Highway 60. It's certainly worth a tour!
Have you ever visited Magdalena? If so, what was your favorite part? Do you have another favorite small town in New Mexico? Let us know in the comments, and visit The Village of Magdalena’s website for more information on this charming village.
While you’re in the area, you should also spend some time exploring the historic town of Socorro, New Mexico.
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