Santa Rosa is a small town in New Mexico that many people tend to travel through on their Route 66 adventure. However, the town has a lot to offer and a rich history; here are a few reasons why you should visit Santa Rosa in New Mexico.
Route 66 Auto Museum
The Route 66 Auto Museum cannot be enjoyed just by driving past or flying over in a private jet charter; you need to visit it to truly enjoy the story it has to tell. The museum’s self-proclaimed “best car collection in the world” boasts 30 custom and vintage models to enjoy.
Beyond the cars, the museum perfectly exhibits the history of the famed route, and you will be transported across the decades to the time when the iconic route was just a dirt road. This is a must-visit for car enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
Blue Hole Oasis
If you need to get out of the heat and find somewhere to relax, head to the Blue Hole Oasis. This fresh-water spring is a favorite amongst locals in the Summer, as it is the ideal spot to swim, get a tan, and enjoy a few drinks in the sun.
Santa Rosa Lake State Park
The Santa Rosa Lake State Park is perfect for an afternoon of fun with the family. There are several beautiful spots to set up a picnic or a tent or two, and once you are done eating, you can launch a boat or kayak and float around the gorgeous lake.
With the park located only 10 miles from Santa Rosa itself, it is the perfect spot to find some quiet and tranquility.
Joseph’s Bar & Grill
Even calling Joseph’s Bar & Grill an institution wouldn’t do it justice. Opened over 60 years ago and with a quirky charm that is hard to match, Joseph’s has been serving up some of the best New Mexican cuisine in the state for many decades.
Joseph’s combines traditional American and Mexican cuisine to create mouth-watering favorites like their famous burgers, pizzas, fajitas, and burritos. Not to mention, the Margaritas and beers are always cold and always hit the spot.
Comet II Drive-In
The Comet II Drive-In looks and feels like it was plucked right out of a time long gone. Another restaurant serving up the best of both American and Mexican cuisine, the Comet II has become a must-visit for anyone traveling along Route 66.
Bless Me Ultima Park
Bless Me Ultima Park is almost like a love song dedicated to Chicano literature. Named after the book by the famed Rudolfo Anaya and published in the 70s, the book and the park have become integral parts of Chicano literature in New Mexico and the United States as a whole.
The park is open to the public year-round, but if you visit in the Summer, you can also enjoy a day of swimming, water sports, car shows, and community events. It is arguably one of the best places to feel like you are part of the Santa Rosa community.
Puerto de Luna
Found roughly 16km from Santa Rosa, Puerto de Luna is the original settlement of the area. Established in 1848, the town is where the first immigrants to the area called home, and the architecture reflects that.
While it isn’t a ghost town, it has barely changed since it was first built, and visitors can explore the streets and old buildings, particularly the incredible Guadalupe County Courthouse and the adobe houses that were once popular in the region.
Trail of the Forty-Niners
The Trail of the Forty-Niners is an old path once walked by over 100,000 immigrants on their way to California during the Gold Rush. While there isn’t much to do on the trail besides walking and being on the lookout for animals, it is what it represents that draws in visitors each year.
The path was treacherous for those first immigrants, and while it is much easier today, it is difficult to imagine what it must have been like.
Fort Sumner
Fort Sumner has a violent past, as it was once used as an internment camp for native Navajo and Mescalero Apache tribespeople. Fort Sumner is also where famed outlaw Billy the Kid made his last stand.
While it has a sad history, visiting this spot and learning about what so many people had to endure is a sobering but incredibly interesting experience.
Billy the Kid Museum
Speaking of Billy the Kid, Santa Rosa is home to the Billy the Kid Museum. It tells the story of the young and infamous outlaw and houses several relics from the Old West that show what life was like in the area in the 1800s and early 1900s.
Santa Rosa Awaits
Santa Rosa is often demoted to simply a town you drive through on your Route 66 journey, but if you stop and take your time, you will discover a town and area filled with history, culture, and fun, and will leave you with a plethora of unforgettable memories.