Madrid New Mexico 2025

 A Quirky Detour: Our Short Trip to Madrid, NM

By J & T Jeeping on a Whim

On a whim (as usual), we pointed our silver Jeep with the blue accents north and found ourselves winding along the scenic Turquoise Trail. Just about an hour from Albuquerque, Madrid, New Mexico, greeted us with sunshine, art, and a whole lot of character.

Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid, not like the Spanish capital!) is a one-road town packed with funky energy. It used to be a coal mining town but now thrives as a quirky artist community full of galleries, shops, and local flair. Parking the Jeep just off the main drag, we could already hear live music drifting down the road and smell the sweet scent of roasting green chile in the air.

As we rolled into town, we were instantly struck by Madrid’s character. It’s not a place that pretends to be anything other than what it is—eclectic, vibrant, and wonderfully weird. Colorful art galleries, funky boutiques, and locally-owned shops line the main street, most of them housed in restored miner cabins.

One of our first stops was the Mineshaft Tavern, a local legend that’s been serving cold drinks and live music for decades. The building oozes old mining town charm, and we couldn’t resist grabbing a veggie burger and a tall bourbon and coke while soaking up the vibe from the patio.

Every storefront in Madrid has its own story, and most of the shop owners are happy to chat. We met a jewelry artist who told us he came through on a road trip twenty years ago and never left. Madrid has that effect—like time slows down just enough to make you question the rush of modern life.

We stopped in to Java Junction, it hit the spot with a hot vanilla latte and some homemade pastries that were almost too pretty to eat. Fueled up, we wandered through shops like Always Oktober, which offers hilarious/dark clothing and collectibles, and Cerrillos Turquoise, where New Mexico artists provide the jewelry.

Some places started shutting down between 4 and 5 PM.  We missed going on the Mine Shaft tour and the Ghost Tour - so we will leave those for next time.

Although we only stayed for the day, Madrid left a big impression. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret—even though it’s just a short drive from Albuquerque. There’s no cell service in parts of town, and somehow that made the experience even better. Unplugged and unhurried, we were reminded why we love Jeeping on a whim: it’s about the freedom to explore, to get lost in new places, and to stumble upon towns like this that you never knew you needed.

- J & T
Jeeping on a Whim