Abiquiu, New Mexico is an inspiring and magical little town full of natural beauty and history.
For those travelling to the Southwestern United States, if the driving route allows, make it a point to pass through Abiquiu, New Mexico, an inspiring and magical little town full of natural beauty and history.
This tiny eye blink of a town sits smack on the sides of Highway 84, the road that connects Santa Fe to Chama, NM, Chama to Pagosa Springs, CO, and Pagosa to Wolf Creek Ski Area via Highway 160 East.
Abiquiu is rich with history, both dark and light. Like much of the Southwest, the land was hotly contested and witnessed the struggles between the native Indian tribes and their Spanish rivals. The multi-cultural heritage is still very evident. There are various ruins and a pueblo to visit.
Georgia O'Keefe made her home here in her later years, and the red cliffs, mesas, peaks and plateaus are immortalized in her paintings. Many people, especially artists and photographers, speak rhapsodically of the quality of the "light" in New Mexico. You just might notice a perceptible difference in the color of the sky, earth, trees and water in Abiquiu. You will be stunned by the red soil that composes the massive cliffs, carved canyons, and vistas. Abiquiu Lake, 7 miles north of town, is used for water sports and recreation.
There is really only one place to stay: The Abiquiu Inn, also right on Highway 84. The Inn presents a very interesting mix of cultures. It is owned by Muslim investors, and offers country casitas with wood fireplaces, fine art gallery and gift shop, a wonderful restaurant(no smoking, no liquor), and lush gardens. The eclectic restaurant menu features Middle Eastern, New Mexican, and Mediterranean cuisine.
If you do stay in town for a day or two, take a ride over to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and soak in the many different pools and baths, have a massage, or a sea salt scrub. Ojo is a very popular little "casual day spa" with locals and those who have stumbled upon it in their travels. Nothing trendy or fancy; just sheer relaxation and renewal in the therapeutic healing waters and the surrounding magnificence of the land.
Abiquiu is home to the Ghost Ranch Retreat Center, a wonderful place to attend a conference or workshop. It is barely visible from the road, tucked back against the red cliffs. There is also, just north of town, the Ghost Ranch Living Museum full of native Southwest flora/fauna exhibits.
If you happen to be passing through in October, over Columbus Day Weekend, check out the annual Abiquiu Studio Tour. It is a fantastic opportunity to visit the home studios of the multitude of arts and crafts people that call this inspirational town "home".
But if the longest amount of time you can spend in Abiquiu is just enough to use a restroom and grab some nourishment or gasoline, do stop at Bode's Mercantile, an area landmark right on Highway 84. For a tiny town and a small store, the amount of inventory is impressive. They have a very good deli/bakery, and all manner of interesting souvenirs, snacks, "adult" and non-adult beverages.
Even if you don't stop in Abiquiu but your driving route allows you to pass through, just sit up and pay attention for the 12 miles or so that lead into and out of town. This may well be the prettiest stretch of highway you will travel between Santa Fe and the Colorado border.
