Madrid, New Mexico
Between Santa Fe and Albuquerque sits a tiny town with big character. Madrid, New Mexico started as a coal mining town, died out, then came back as an artist paradise.
From mine shaft tours to art galleries, wild west saloons to craft beer spots, this place packs a punch.
Here are some of the best things to do during your visit.
Step Into the Past at Madrid Old Coal Town Museum
You’ve got to see this rustic museum housed in an 1890s mining building.
Open Friday through Monday from 10am to 4pm for just $5, you’ll get to walk among real mining history.
There’s a full train engine, old trucks, mining tools, and even an old X-ray machine from back in the day.
Everything sits just as it was when miners left town in the 1950s. Don’t skip the display about how coal mining started here in 1835 to power the nearby gold mill at Dolores.
The Longest Bar in New Mexico Awaits at Mine Shaft Tavern
Hungry after all that history? The Mine Shaft Tavern has you covered with their famous MadChile Burger topped with fried green chile.
Wash it down with one of 12 local beers on tap while you sit at the longest bar in New Mexico.
Most of the inside looks just like it did when rebuilt in 1947. You can choose the cool, dark bar area or the sunny deck with town views.
This spot has been serving drinks non-stop since 1947, making it the oldest bar in Santa Fe County.
Dozens of Local Artists Show Their Work in Madrid Galleries
Art lovers will find heaven in Madrid’s many galleries. Johnson’s of Madrid Gallery has been open since 1973, making it the town’s oldest art spot.
They show work from over 100 New Mexico artists and 50 fiber artists. You’ll want to check out Indigo Gallery for its bronze animal sculptures, with their mountain goats being extra loved by guests.
Don’t miss Trading Bird Gallery, Calliope, and Jezebel Gallery while you wander. Many shop owners make the items they sell right on site.
Find Real New Mexico Turquoise From Local Mines
Want a true New Mexico gift? Madrid sits in prime turquoise country, and you can buy stones from shops where owners still mine Cerrillos turquoise nearby.
They’ll tell you all about how they find and cut the stones. Stop by Henderson Store, open since 1918, for top-notch Native American arts and crafts at good prices.
They’re open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 3:30pm. Along with blue gems, you’ll find pueblo art and carved stone fetishes from local tribes.
Make Silly Memories at Connie’s Photo Park
Start your trip with some fun shots at this quirky outdoor spot.
Just $2 gets you access to a dozen hand-painted cutout boards where you can stick your head through for some funny photos.
These painted scenes make for great social media posts that’ll make your friends wish they came along.
You’ll find boards with western themes, space aliens, and New Mexico scenes right as you enter town. It’s the perfect way to get into the Madrid mood before you start your day.
Ghost Stories Come Alive in This Former Mining Town
Got a thing for spooky tales? Madrid won’t let you down.
The Mine Shaft Tavern leads the list of haunted spots, where glasses fall from shelves on their own and doors open with no one there.
Staff have looked in mirrors and seen ghosts instead of their own faces. Ghost hunters have done real tests at the museum next door and found some odd things.
Keep your eyes open for the silent cowboy folks report seeing walking a Spanish woman down Main Street.
Twelve Unique Shops Pack Into Gypsy Plaza
Your wallet might get a bit lighter at Gypsy Plaza.
This courtyard at the south end of town holds 12 one-of-a-kind shops in a neat cul-de-sac setup that makes it easy to see them all.
You’ll find local crafts, artwork, clothes, and more from area makers.
Make sure to visit Weasel and Fitz, where they sell up-cycled art that turns old items into fresh new works.
Each store has its own charm, and you’ll likely find that gift you’ve been looking for.
Taste Weird and Yummy Combos at Shugarman’s Little Chocolate Shop
Your taste buds are in for a treat at this sweet spot owned by Harvey Shugarman, who opened shop after falling for Madrid in 2012.
Try flavors you won’t find at home, like dark chocolate with green chile cashews or Thai lemongrass with lime and salt.
They use only good organic stuff and stay open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
In hot weather, they’ll even pack your treats with ice so they don’t melt on your drive. Now that’s good service.
Wood Cabins Shipped by Train Tell Madrid’s Mining Story
As you walk around town, you’re seeing real mining history in the well-kept old buildings.
Check out the Miner’s Amusement Hall where workers once took breaks, the old Catholic Church that still looks grand, and rows of wooden company houses.
Many homes are wooden cabins that were taken apart in Kansas and brought to Madrid by train in 1892.
On the town edges, you can see buildings still in their worn state. Back in 1975, the Huber family sold 150 buildings in just 16 days for about $2,000 each.
Hike Parts of the Famous Turquoise Trail Near Town
Madrid sits on Highway 14, known as the Turquoise Trail thanks to the blue-green stones found in the area for ages.
Take time to walk parts of the trail near town and soak in those big desert views that stretch for miles.
You might spot chunks of coal that still dot the hillsides from the mining days.
Look up for red-tailed hawks soaring above, and in summer, you’ll see prickly pear cactus showing off bright blooms all around.
Movie Set Magic Lives On at Maggie’s Diner
Even though it looks like a place to grab a bite, Maggie’s Diner never served a single meal and now works as a t-shirt and gift shop.
The inside still has the tables used during movie filming, now loaded with things to buy. It sits right on the main street where you can watch town life go by as you shop.
The old-style neon sign shines day and night, making for a great photo to share with folks back home.
Mining Tales Come to Life in Nearby Cerrillos
Just a short drive from Madrid, the town of Cerrillos gives you more mining history to soak up.
The Casa Grande Trading Post has a turquoise mining museum with old tools and items showing how workers pulled blue stones from the earth.
Their gift shop sells jewelry made with gems from the old mines right nearby.
The trading post itself has been a key spot in the area for over 100 years, and you can feel that history as you browse.
Dance and Drink to Live Music All Weekend
End your Madrid day with some good tunes at the Mine Shaft Tavern, which hosts live bands every weekend.
You can catch shows inside the historic bar or at their Cantina, which gives you great views while you listen.
For bigger acts, they use their Engine House Theatre and outdoor stage area.
The tavern’s stage has seen bands play since the 1940s when tired miners would come to unwind after work.
It’s the perfect way to mix with locals and feel the real Madrid vibe.
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