The town of Truth or Consequences officially changed its name in 1950 from Hot Springs, New Mexico, to win a radio contest as first town to take on the show's name. But it might not have realized it was obscuring its own best asset: the hot springs. Sitting atop a water table of 104-degree mineral water, T or C is a destination for natural therapy. Blackstone Hotsprings welcomes bathers to its Wet Room ($25/hour; no reservation required) or several guest rooms with mineral water flowing directly into private oversized tubs ($75-$125/night). To honor the eccentric town name, each room is adorned in TV-show décor, such as the Roy Rogers Suite and The Jetsons. Blackstone advocates relaxation throughout the property, encouraging guests to walk around barefoot, relax in the communal garden patio, and soak in the holistic environment.



410 Austin St.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
87901
(575) 894-0894
www.blackstonehotsprings.com

The Silver City Museum serves as the “Treasure Vault of New Mexico,” with more than 20,000 regional artifacts in its permanent collection. Residing in the former 1881 mansion of H.B. Ailman, who rose from rags to riches by way of the region's mining industry, the museum exhibits include an office with Dictaphone and addressograph (ca. 1915), and informative displays of mining and commerce in Silver City. A climb up the narrow staircase to the third-level cupola not only explains this architectural feature (an empty room at the top of houses allows heat to rise, thus keeping the utilized levels cooler) but also affords a direct view to the hill where silver originally was discovered and where the Legal Tender mine was located in 1870. Admission to the museum is free, with a $3 per person suggested donation.




312 W. Broadway St.
Silver City, New Mexico
88061
(575) 538-5921
www.silvercitymuseum.org

On the dusty Deming downtown square, Palma's Italian Grill offers a reprieve from southwestern fare and a glimpse into the town's history. Part of the Walking Tour of Historic Deming and listed on the State Historic Registry, the building dates to the late 1800s and has served as a bank and a storage facility. Made-from-scratch traditional Italian favorites such as lasagna and manicotti anchor the menu. Angus steaks and hamburgers will satiate the meat lover's appetite. For those who can't get enough of that New Mexican flavor, a plate of southwestern chicken pasta comes with green chiles in the alfredo sauce. The friendly staff members at this family-owned-and-operated institution effortlessly provide quality customer service.





110 S. Silver Ave.
Deming, New Mexico
88030
(575) 544-3100

Many fans of the world-renowned eight-metal Nambé Alloy might not know of its New Mexico origins (“Nambe” is the name of an ancient New Mexico village near where the metal was created), but they know of its qualities. It retains hot or cold temperatures, looks like silver but does not chip or tarnish, and is as beautiful as it is useful. Only four company-direct stores exist, including a location on the Old Mesilla square near Las Cruces. The store offers the complete line of Nambé products—which includes glassware, porcelain, and stainless steel in addition to the metal alloy—often at highly discounted prices. Crystal Piroett candlestick holders are $49, half the Internet price. The location itself has its own New Mexico claim-to-fame: It's the only shop on the square with a basement, and legend has it Billy the Kid hid out there.




2109 Calle de Parian
Old Mesilla, New Mexico
88046
(575) 527-4623
www.nambe.com

They're red, green, yellow, orange, and purple, and they're everywhere in southern New Mexico. Waiters ask “red or green?” when you order meals, and roadside stands suspend ristras from their roofs. At New Mexico State University, the Chile Pepper Institute devotes itself to the “hottest” crop around. Visitors learn all about the fascinating fruit of the capsicum plant with an assortment of informative books and posters. The institute also sells seeds for growing your own chile peppers ($3 for a packet of 30 seeds) and cookbooks for preparing them ($6-$22). Guided tours of the nearby chile garden stop along bright, colorful rows displaying more than 200 types of chile pepper. Reservations are required for tours, and donations to the Institute are expected and appreciated.




College St. and Knox St.
MSC 3Q, New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
88003
(575) 646-3028
www.chilepepperinstitute.org

A friendly assortment of bright potted plants lures passersby in downtown Truth or Consequences to explore Little Sprout. A cafe and juice counter wraps around a market filled with ceramic housewares, vitamins and supplements, natural health and beauty products, and organic produce, meats, and cheeses. The cafe's breakfast menu lists homemade muffins, carrot cake, and fresh juices, along with a build-your-own smoothie bar: Choose three fruits, combine in a base of soy milk, rice milk, yogurt or kefir, and add protein powders and herbal tinctures of your choice. Lunch selections include cold sandwiches and deli salads ($4.25-$6.50). Try the mesquite smoked turkey with homemade chipotle mayo ($5.00), or the antipasto salad, with three Italian meats, fresh goat cheese, and olives ($3.50).

400 N. Broadway St.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
87901
(575) 894-4114

The Palace Hotel in downtown Silver City originally opened its doors in March 1900 with what were then cutting-edge features: closets, bathrooms, and electric lights. After being closed for a number of years, it reopened in July 1990 after new owners Cal and Nancy Thompson restored it to its classic European style and charm. A skylit breakfast and social room anchors 19 quaint, old-fashioned guest rooms and suites (think radiator heat). The historic hotel's location is unrivaled: art galleries, shops, and restaurants are right around the corner. Room rates are reasonable, ranging from $48/night to $79/night.

106 W. Broadway St.
Silver City, New Mexico
88061
(575) 388-1811
www.zianet.com/palacehotel

A former armory constructed in 1917, the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum is as well-known for its historical structure as it is for the treasures inside. Among the biggest draws is the collection of Mimbres Indian pottery, which dates to 1250 A.D., when the Natives lived on the Mimbres River. Other favorites include a military room, doll room, and mineral and geode collection. The museum also operates the Custom House directly across the street, which is believed to be the first Custom Office in Deming and today is decorated as an early pioneer family's home.

310 S. Silver Ave.
Deming, NM
88030
(575) 546-2382
www.deminglunamimbresmuseum.com/

Spanning more than 47 acres with the Organ Mountains looming in the background, the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Museum demonstrates more than 3,000 years of agricultural and farming history. Visitors mingle with livestock as they make their way toward the Historic Green Bridge (constructed in 1902) or to the Skaggs Dairy Barn to watch cows being milked. At the blacksmith shop, craftsmen recycle old engine parts and other metals, and forge them into knives, nails, and other materials. Be sure to check the website for a schedule of events; the museum often hosts cooking demonstrations utilizing local ingredients like bell peppers, black beans, and chile peppers.

4100 Dripping Springs Rd.
Las Cruces, NM
88011
(575) 522-4100
www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org

Café BellaLuca's Italian-based menu features a range of seafood, pasta, and pizza selections, all carefully prepared from scratch with a focus on balance of flavor. The delicious fried calamari appetizer ($9.95) is consistently among the most popular items ordered. An extensive wine list includes three house wines; let your server suggest one to complement your meal. Best sweet-tooth satisfier? It's a toss-up between the Tiramisu and Chocolate Decadence.

303 Jones St
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
(575) 894-9866
www.cafebellaluca.com

A wide range of paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and other wares appeals to all who stroll by the Blue Dome Gallery in the Yankie-Texas Art District. The gallery's selection focuses on contemporary art and includes anything from $30 ceramic plates designed with goofy stick figures and sayings like “Big Boned” to $2,500 masterfully handcrafted wooden tables. Owners Linda Brewer and John Rohovec take pride in personally knowing all of the artists they select to feature in their store and encourage collectors to select “dimensional art,” works they will find as intriguing several years down the road as they do now.

307 N. Texas St
Silver City, NM
88061
(575) 534-8671
www.bluedomegallery.com

In the heart of Silver City's Art District, Vicki's Eatery is a popular healthy and friendly lunch spot. Fresh menu choices include the Original Veggie, a pita sandwich filled with hummus, red onion, tomato, guacamole, cucumber, and mixed greens, and served with choice of chips ‘n' salsa, chips ‘n' hummus, potato salad, or cole slaw ($5.95). Soups and salads round out the sumptuous choices, and if you're dining with a group, consider sharing a couple dishes from the tapas menu. If it's warm outside, head to the fenced-in patio for casual outdoor dining.

107 Yankie St.
Silver City, NM
88061
(575) 388-5430