4 Small Towns in New Mexico So Dreamy, You’ll Swear You’ve Seen Them on TV

Numerous TV shows have been made in New Mexico, especially in and around the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe. There's, of course, "Breaking Bad," which really put Albuquerque on the Hollywood filming location map, as well as "Better Call Saul" and, more recently, "Pluribus." And Santa Fe is where shows like the 19th-century Old West series "Godless" and the more modern western show "Ransom Canyon" were filmed. There's no denying how stunning the state is and how the many dreamy small towns in New Mexico have the look and feel of a TV filming location when visiting in person. Here are just a few:

1. Abiquiu

Some New Mexico travel destinations appear to belong in a dream, as they seem almost too beautiful to be real. That sentiment certainly applies to Abiquiu, the village where the renowned artist Georgia O'Keeffe spent a significant amount of time and drew inspiration for many of her acclaimed paintings. Set in the Pedernal Mountains and with its colorful hills, mesas, and a lake, and the Rio Chama flowing through the landscape, you'll understand why this place was so beloved by O'Keeffe when you visit. It was even featured in an episode of "Breaking Bad."

2. Tucumcari

Route 66 road trip enthusiasts—this one's for you! Of all the small towns in New Mexico, there's something incredibly familiar about Tucumcari, although it might not be obvious at first glance. Sure, there's the neon lights, murals, and retro motels along Route 66 that make this town a nostalgic roadside stop, but did you know that it also served as inspiration for Radiator Springs in the Disney Pixar movie "Cars?" And of all the places in Tucumcari, the Blue Swallow Motel was a significant part of that inspiration.

3. Ruidoso

With its setting among the Sierra Blanca mountain range, you just know how stunning Ruidoso will be, even if you're visiting for the first time. This village in southeastern New Mexico is renowned for being a ski resort town where families can enjoy outdoor activities in the snow all winter long. But it's more than a New Mexico winter destination. After the snow melts, other outdoor recreation, such as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, swimming, and golfing, is popular. There's also a horse racing track, art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and even a trading post. As rural as Ruidoso is, the village offers a wealth of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. It's also been used as a film location for the TV movie "Hope Ranch."

4. Cloudcroft

Situated in the Sacramento Mountains at an elevation of nearly 8,700 feet, the village of Cloudcroft is one of the highest-elevation destinations in New Mexico. Cloudcroft is also surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest, and, as you may have guessed, hiking trails are in abundance here. During the winter, it transforms into a ski resort town, with folks hitting the slopes at Sli Cloudcroft. Throughout the year, the downtown area welcomes visitors to its abundance of shops, eateries, and cafes, as well as to discover the awe-inspiring scenery at and around the Trestle Depot Recreation Area, featuring a reconstructed train depot and wooden trestle bridge (the Mexican Canyon Railroad Trestle). Cloudcroft was another location used during the filming of "Breaking Bad."

Would you agree that these New Mexico towns are so picture-perfect and dreamy, they feel like settings for a TV show or film? If you have any other suggestions for this list, please fill out our nomination form.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own New Mexico small-town trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.