It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived in New Mexico your entire life or for just a few short months, there are likely many destinations that you want to visit in the Land of Enchantment over and over again. However, there is one small town in New Mexico that you won’t want to miss this year: Hatch. In fact, Smithsonian Magazine named Hatch as one of the best small towns to visit, and we totally see why.
Hatch, New Mexico is actually a small village in Southern New Mexico with a population of approximately 2,000 people. It may seem small, but it has a large reputation.
Jim Legans, Jr/Flickr
Known as the Chile Capital of the World, this small village centers around chile peppers.
Lisa Haneberg/Flickr The Hatch Pepper is named after this small town in New Mexico. To be called a Hatch Pepper, the pod must be grown in this area.
Hatch is a foodie’s paradise. This small town is home to some of the best restaurants in New Mexico like Sparky’s.
StrykerLT/TripAdvisor
You’ll definitely want to grab a green chile cheeseburger at Sparky’s. We promise that you won’t regret it.
management/TripAdvisor In fact, the burgers at this small-town burger joint have been named one of the best in the United States!
With a full stomach, head to the Hatch Chile Express, one of the best places in town to find all-things chile.
Bob Stroup/Google
Not only can you find a variety of chile pods and powders, but you can also purchase decorative chile ristras, souvenirs, and other unique knick-knacks.
S K/Google
Make sure you also stop by the Hatch Chile Store.
Preston Mitchell/Google
Here, you will find high-quality chile products including tamales, sauces, spices, and more. It will be hard to choose just one product at this store.
Preston Mitchell/Google Here, you will find high-quality chile products including tamales, sauces, spices, and more. It will be hard to choose just one product at this store.
If you are feeling festive, plan your getaway during Labor Day weekend. Each year, Hatch hosts the annual Hatch Chile Festival.
Lisa Haneberg/Flickr
Every year, more than 30,000 people head to Hatch to attend this unique event. This festival began in the early 1970s to celebrate the chile harvest.
Lisa Haneberg/Flickr The Hatch Chile Festival features a long list of vendors that you can visit, a parade, live entertainment, a carnival, and much more.
However, no matter when you choose to visit, bring your RV and stay at the Hatch RV Park.
Jesslyn Langley/Google At this RV Park, you will enjoy several amenities to keep you comfortable after a long day of exploring this charming small town. If you plan to stay in Hatch during the Hatch Chile Festival, make sure to book your accommodations far in advance as the limited places to stay in this small village fill up very quickly.
To learn more about Hatch, the Chile Capital of the World, visit the New Mexico Tourism Department website.
Jim Legans, Jr/Flickr
Lisa Haneberg/Flickr
The Hatch Pepper is named after this small town in New Mexico. To be called a Hatch Pepper, the pod must be grown in this area.
StrykerLT/TripAdvisor
management/TripAdvisor
In fact, the burgers at this small-town burger joint have been named one of the best in the United States!
Bob Stroup/Google
S K/Google
Preston Mitchell/Google
Here, you will find high-quality chile products including tamales, sauces, spices, and more. It will be hard to choose just one product at this store.
The Hatch Chile Festival features a long list of vendors that you can visit, a parade, live entertainment, a carnival, and much more.
Jesslyn Langley/Google
At this RV Park, you will enjoy several amenities to keep you comfortable after a long day of exploring this charming small town. If you plan to stay in Hatch during the Hatch Chile Festival, make sure to book your accommodations far in advance as the limited places to stay in this small village fill up very quickly.
Also, check out these articles to learn more about Sparky’s and the Hatch Chile Express in New Mexico. They’re both worth a gander!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Hatch, NM, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
What To Do in Hatch New Mexico September 25, 2022 Tori Jane What are some fun things to do in Hatch New Mexico? Hatch New Mexico is one of those small towns in New Mexico that if you blink while driving past, you miss it. There may not be an overabundance of things to do in Hatch New Mexico, but there are certainly things worth doing! Check out the legendary Hatch Museum and learn the history of the town and the surrounding area. Check out the library, and then visit the Hatch Chile Express and pick up some chiles to bring home (come on, it’s New Mexico. You cannot visit New Mexico and not do the chile thing). Also, you can visit Hatch Valley Park and other awesome spots – you can’t miss it. Where is Hatch New Mexico? Hatch is a cute small town in Dona Ana County, which is found in south-central New Mexico north of Las Cruces. It’s only three square miles in size, but it’s growing quickly, with lots of new restaurants and shops popping up every year. It was established in 1851 as Santa Barbara, abandoned following Apache raids by 1853, re-established at Fort Thorn, and then abandoned again in 1860. In 1875, it was once again populated (what a roller coaster) and called Hatch, and finally, it stuck – Hatch is still with us today, and it’s one of our favorite places to visit in New Mexico. What other small towns in New Mexico are worth visiting? Of course, Hatch is far from the only small town in New Mexico worthy of a place on your to-do list. There are plenty of other adorable, historic, or otherwise beautiful small towns in New Mexico you ought to check out; among our favorites is a little town up near the Colorado state line called Chama, which is an adorable little village and the gateway to some of the best scenic train rides in New Mexico. Taos is another favorite, often making lists of the best vacation destinations in New Mexico thanks to its top-notch resorts, shopping, skiing, and more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
What To Do in Hatch New Mexico
September 25, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some fun things to do in Hatch New Mexico? Hatch New Mexico is one of those small towns in New Mexico that if you blink while driving past, you miss it. There may not be an overabundance of things to do in Hatch New Mexico, but there are certainly things worth doing! Check out the legendary Hatch Museum and learn the history of the town and the surrounding area. Check out the library, and then visit the Hatch Chile Express and pick up some chiles to bring home (come on, it’s New Mexico. You cannot visit New Mexico and not do the chile thing). Also, you can visit Hatch Valley Park and other awesome spots – you can’t miss it. Where is Hatch New Mexico? Hatch is a cute small town in Dona Ana County, which is found in south-central New Mexico north of Las Cruces. It’s only three square miles in size, but it’s growing quickly, with lots of new restaurants and shops popping up every year. It was established in 1851 as Santa Barbara, abandoned following Apache raids by 1853, re-established at Fort Thorn, and then abandoned again in 1860. In 1875, it was once again populated (what a roller coaster) and called Hatch, and finally, it stuck – Hatch is still with us today, and it’s one of our favorite places to visit in New Mexico. What other small towns in New Mexico are worth visiting? Of course, Hatch is far from the only small town in New Mexico worthy of a place on your to-do list. There are plenty of other adorable, historic, or otherwise beautiful small towns in New Mexico you ought to check out; among our favorites is a little town up near the Colorado state line called Chama, which is an adorable little village and the gateway to some of the best scenic train rides in New Mexico. Taos is another favorite, often making lists of the best vacation destinations in New Mexico thanks to its top-notch resorts, shopping, skiing, and more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hatch New Mexico is one of those small towns in New Mexico that if you blink while driving past, you miss it. There may not be an overabundance of things to do in Hatch New Mexico, but there are certainly things worth doing! Check out the legendary Hatch Museum and learn the history of the town and the surrounding area. Check out the library, and then visit the Hatch Chile Express and pick up some chiles to bring home (come on, it’s New Mexico. You cannot visit New Mexico and not do the chile thing). Also, you can visit Hatch Valley Park and other awesome spots – you can’t miss it.
Where is Hatch New Mexico?
Hatch is a cute small town in Dona Ana County, which is found in south-central New Mexico north of Las Cruces. It’s only three square miles in size, but it’s growing quickly, with lots of new restaurants and shops popping up every year. It was established in 1851 as Santa Barbara, abandoned following Apache raids by 1853, re-established at Fort Thorn, and then abandoned again in 1860. In 1875, it was once again populated (what a roller coaster) and called Hatch, and finally, it stuck – Hatch is still with us today, and it’s one of our favorite places to visit in New Mexico.
What other small towns in New Mexico are worth visiting?
Of course, Hatch is far from the only small town in New Mexico worthy of a place on your to-do list. There are plenty of other adorable, historic, or otherwise beautiful small towns in New Mexico you ought to check out; among our favorites is a little town up near the Colorado state line called Chama, which is an adorable little village and the gateway to some of the best scenic train rides in New Mexico. Taos is another favorite, often making lists of the best vacation destinations in New Mexico thanks to its top-notch resorts, shopping, skiing, and more.
