It’s pretty easy to get hypnotized by the white lines passing under your tires as you drive through New Mexico. Sitting behind the wheel, lulled into the sleepy monotony of passing mile markers and billboards. What would happen if you decided to break that spell? To see the next road sign and say, “I’m going to try something new, something exciting, something just plain different.”

New Mexico’s MainStreet communities reward those who decide to change the road they are on. By going “Off the Road”, you will discover that a rich array of history and culture await you. Whether you are passing through New Mexico from somewhere else, or you are just looking for a day trip to refresh your senses, New Mexico’s MainStreet communities provide the curious traveler a worthwhile detour.

Our intrepid staff personally toured each of New Mexico’s 17 MainStreet and 4 MainStreet Start-up communities to provide a first hand guide to what each has to offer. There are suggestions here on great places to eat, places to absorb the state’s history, and places where you can track down some unique shopping bargains. Not to mention, we have the inside scoop from the locals who know where to go and what to do when you explore “Off the Road”.

So, turn on that blinker, pull off at the next exit, and find a new way to see New Mexico…and yourself.