New Mexico's Mural-Filled Hub Is A Lively City With Big Flavor, Art Festivals, And Cowboy Legends

In the arid desert climate of New Mexico, the roads are long and stretch far beyond the horizon in all four directions. At first glance, it is hard to imagine that humans have inhabited this area for at least 15,000 years. Yet, even in a desert, life can thrive with the gift of water, and the small city of Artesia has been doing exactly that, drawing homesteaders, cowboys, and eventually farmers to call this place home thanks to its natural Artesian wells.

Inconspicuous on the map in the southeastern corner of the Land of Enchantment, Artesia lies south of the famous city of Roswell, the state's most iconic alien destination. With a humble population of roughly 12,000, this city is burgeoning as a veritable oasis in the desert, thriving with arts, festivals, a richly hybrid cuisine, and an expansive outdoor gallery of monuments celebrating its colorful history. More than a sleepy stopover town to refuel, you can explore cultural elements like The Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center, take a walk down its main streets on a quest to see the storied bronze sculptures celebrating the city's pioneer citizens, and perhaps be on time for one of their many local festivals.

Artesia is also known as the City of Champions for a valid reason. With New Mexico's rich history of ranching and cowboys, also known as "vaqueros" in Spanish, the town's local Eddy County Fairgrounds often hosts a variety of events, ranging from rodeos to fairs every summer season. Whether you're interested in its local art scene at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, visiting a family vineyard, or hopping through a few restaurants on Main Street, Artesia will make sure you're well looked after.

After getting your bearings around the city, a sensible marker to begin your adventure would be at the Artesia Visitor's Center. Open from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., their staff will assist you in uncovering local lore, recommendations, and other necessary details. Following that, a visit to the Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center will help you understand the character and heritage of the city, with its exhibits of Native American artifacts, ranching paraphernalia, and art shows. It is safe enough to say that in whichever direction you throw your lasso, you'll see why New Mexico is called the "most cultural state" in America.

While walking down the sun-soaked Artesia Main Street District, you are bound to eventually come across a memorable homage to the city's history in the form of sculpture. Known as the History in Bronze public art project, these well-crafted representations of some of the leading figures of Artesian history kick off with the sculpture of the First Lady of Artesia, Sallie Chisum. Settling in the area in 1890, she was the niece of the famed cattle baron John Chisum and became an important member of the community.

As more homesteaders and cattle ranchers moved into the area, people from all walks of life began to flock in and shape its character. You can give yourself a self-guided tour through the downtown district of Artesia and explore its history through its bronze sculptures illustrating the different trades and industries that its citizens pioneered. Make sure to make your way to the Artesia Public Library to admire its intricately colorful mural painted by Peter Hud. Standing at 15 feet tall and 47 feet long, it illustrates the storied pastoral scenes of the American Southwest.

The city of Artesia is remarkable in showcasing its duality and beating the cliche of being just a thriving agricultural and oil commune in the desert. For its presumed simplicity, the budding artistic spirit of the community boasts that it has layers of creativity to explore, such as the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, housed in a former cinema house from the 1930s. Hosting events ranging from free jazz nights to the annual "Art in the Park," a local community cultural bonanza full of arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and live performances, Ocotillo's events will make you feel like one of Artesia's very own.

Artesia's spinning wheel of celebrations is sure to land on something worth your attention year-round. It can be the famed Red Dirt Black Gold Festival, celebrating the region's ranching and oil industries, with incredible live music lineups. Or additionally, at the Artesia Balloons and Tunes Festival, you can witness the skies light up with dozens of hot air balloons above, and concerts around town below, with this event akin to a smaller sibling of one of America's most photographed events. New Mexico's weather conditions are ideal for some of the country's best hot air balloon flights.

You can make your way to Artesia via the US Highway 285 South from the Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) in under four hours. There are several accommodations to choose from, like La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Artesia and Spark by Hilton Artesia. When it comes to big flavor in Artesia, the Adobe Rose Restaurant is sure to round off your trip with mouthwatering Southwestern cuisine enough to want to loosen your new rodeo belt buckle. You can also stop by The Wellhead Restaurant and Brewpub for some bar food and a few drinks.