New Mexico is a state that is dotted with small towns, where communities are close and life moves more slowly. We’ve focused on places with fewer than 3000 residents because people who live in towns of that size often do know each other by name. Check out these 15 friendly small towns in New Mexico that are tiny yet totally charming.
This ghost town turned artists' haven on the Turquoise Trail has a population of 204 people. So, it's a fair bet that everyone knows each other. Aside from art galleries, the town puts on some great annual events such as the CrawDaddy Blues Fest in May and a memorable Christmas parade.
Tularosa is one of the bigger small towns on this list, with a population of 2,842. It offers good restaurants, traditional architecture, and views of the Sacramento Mountains. It's conveniently located close to White Sands National Monument.
When you hear a name like Pie Town, you feel compelled to add it to your bucket list. Several cafés in town dish up delicious pies, which run the gamut from standards like German chocolate to apple and chile. This town of 186 people even hosts an annual pie festival on the second Saturday in September.
Only 938 people call Magdalena home. The town makes a great base for visiting the Very Large Array or exploring the nearby ghost town of Kelly. Magdalena hosts an Enchanted Skies Star Party each year - a great opportunity for devoted and amateur stargazers alike.
Galisteo is teeny, with a population of 253. Visitors tend to discover it each year, when the town's artists host a studio tour to showcase their work. The village is notable for its adobe architecture, which includes a pretty church, and the Galisteo Basin Preserve - a relatively undiscovered hiking spot.
If you've ever wanted to swagger around John Wayne style, here's your chance! In Pinos Altos, it feels like the Wild West is still happening. Highlights of this town include several historic log cabins, a tranquil setting in the Gila National Forest, and the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House. A mere 198 people call Pinos Altos home.
For a town with only 165 people, it's impressive that San Antonio manages to have a restaurant rivalry, like the one between the Owl Bar and Cafe and Manny's Buckhorn Tavern. Which serves up the best green chile cheeseburger? You'll have to stay long enough to visit both to decide. Don't worry, you can spend a day exploring the nearby Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
If it was good enough for Georgia O'Keeffe... The artist's Ghost Ranch and the red rocks that inspired her art are close to Abiquiú. With a population of only 231, it's still a peaceful place to nurture creativity. While you're here, stop by Echo Amphitheater, eat at Bode's, and dip your toes in Abiquiú Lake.
The 1770 people living in Questa are probably on a first name basis with each other - providing they're not too busy exploring this area's stunning wilderness areas and forests. The town is a great base for hiking in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Questa also provides access to the Rio Grande Gorge.
With a total population of 49, you can bet the folks in this border town greet each other by name. Founded as a mining camp, Hachita hasn't grown all that much since.
Capitan, with a population of 1489, has a distinctly small town vibe - waitresses all know their customers and locals quickly identify out-of-town visitors. Capitan is known for Smokey Bear Historical Park. Smokey was a real bear that was rescued from a fire in the area during the 1950s.
This old railways town has 254 residents. The main draw of Maxwell is its wildlife refuge. This peaceful place in Northern New Mexico is on the Central Flyway, a migration path for waterfowl. The imaginatively named Lake 13 is probably the best of the lakes and, if you're lucky, you'll spot hawks circling overhead or perched in the trees.
For a town with 1031 people, there's a surprising amount to see here. For one thing, Fort Sumner and Billy the Kid are virtually synonymous. The outlaw was shot to death and buried here.
If you visit, be sure to also leave time for the Bosque Redondo Memorial. After The Long Walk, the Navajo and Mescalero Apache were forced to live on this reservation in terrible conditions.
Despite its teeny population of 56, Folsom is known far beyond the borders of New Mexico for the Folsom Man archeological site. There's also a cute little museum in the Doherty Mercantile building.
Believe it or not, Mosquero - population 93 - covers two counties. This cattle ranching town has an appealing main drag, decorated with murals.
Do you have experience living in a small town where everyone knows your name? Did you like it? Check out some of the most unique places in New Mexico for more ideas of places to visit someday.
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Friendly Small Towns In New Mexico
Leah|November 06, 2020
What is the most beautiful town in New Mexico?
Of all the charming towns in New Mexico, some would say there is one in particular that is the most beautiful. Chama, New Mexico is a town nestled in the Rocky Mountains and it's a true hidden gem. One of the most scenic train rides in the country departs from here, and for good reason. The surrounding natural beauty is unmatched and the town itself is lovely. Whether you stop by some of the local art galleries, take a scenic trail along the Rio Chama, or exploring the western charm of the town, you'll fall in love with Chama as many others have.
Where is the best place to live in New Mexico?
With so many lovely towns and places to see, you might consider living in New Mexico. The good news is there are plenty of great places within the state to call home. Places like Corrales, New Mexico boast the safest records with little crime, great local schools, and overall high livability. If you enjoy small towns but aren't quite interested in something especially tiny, try a small city like Ruidoso. With a population of around 8,000, it's just small enough for a tight-knit community and big enough to have all the amenities of a bigger city. Plus, the cost of living is decently low there.
What are the most charming small towns in New Mexico?
There are many worthy towns to visit in New Mexico that are just oozing with charm. A good example of that is Edgewood. The quiet community of around 6,000 residents offers a slower-paced, simpler spot to live not far (20 miles) outside of Albuquerque. Corrales is another great New Mexico small town that's a great candidate to visit as well as settle down in. It's right next to the Rio Grande, has beautiful adobe homes, and it's minutes away from all of Albuquerque's city amenities without being stuck in all the hustle and bustle. It's rated one of the top places to live in the state across multiple publications.
