Truth or Consequences Things to Do

Celestial Creations is the brainchild of founder Celeste Rich, and they really do have a HUGE variety of things actually made in New Mexico. It was great to see the mix of inexpensive jewelry with real turquoise and fused glass, along with high-end knits and quirky metal art for the garden. Lots of inexpensive tourist-y items, too, many with 'Truth or Consequences' or 'Elephant Butte' on them. There's just so much it's hard to describe. And the place is so much bigger inside than it looks from the outside. Whether your budget is five bucks or five hundred, you should find something you want to take home. Definitely check out the New Mexico gourmet foods, like prickly pear cactus jelly and great chocolates!

The Museum is the history of Geromino and Indians of the area. They have a lot about Geromino, Indian pottery and displays of arrow heads. They also tell about the history of the Elephant Butte Dam near T or C. And also how they changed the name from Hot Springs to Truth or Consequences. Many famous people and movie stars have visted the town. The Museum has a nice book store about the southwest.

If you'd like a break from the beach or a short half day outing check out the "ghost towns"
of Cuchillo, Monticello, Chloride. and Winston. Take I-25 north to exit 83 (marked Cuchillo/Monticello). As you come off the ramp north bound you'll turn left and go 2.5 miles on route 181. Next turn left on Route 52; you'll go 2 more miles and then bear to the left.

In the next 26 miles you will see some absolutely magnificent scenery you can imagine. You will see the beauty of New Mexico you won't see on I-40 and I-25. You'll go up and over the mountains and drive switchback and hairpin turns which have a 10 mile an hour speed limit.
On several turns you will swear you are on the road From Ouray to Silverton Colorado!
This is truly "the road less traveled". When you come into Winston there is a general store. If you make a left right after the General Store you are a few miles from the mining community of Chloride. There is a museum and a wonderful gift shop and art gallery called Monte Cristo. They have some terrific paintings and photography. A woman named Gloria runs the gallery and she seems to be the Chamber of Commerce. A wonderful woman and wealth of local information.

If is worth the trip just to check out the gallery. If you have a four wheel drive they have some
great places to check out in and around Winston and Chloride. I am sure Gloria would help you with directions.

Stop at the "Black Cat" and get some coffee. This Coffee shop has books for sale and nice seating with an outdoor patio.

Ask the owner about the town she is good to help you out, she had pamplets for us to read telling all about the city of T or C.

We like to stop on our way home to Albuquerque and get a coffee for the road, keeps me from getting so sleepy on the way home.

I am disappointed that I haven't seen anything else on VT about T. or C. It's a small town (about 6,000+) approximately 80 miles north of Las Cruces. T or C (formerly Hot Springs, NM) has many natural hot springs into which you can leave all of your tension and worries. There is a youth hostel along the Rio Grande and a thriving art community. The Geronimo Springs Museum will educate you on some of the history of the region and town and the park next door will offer a quite place to sit and enjoy the recently built sculpture. Turtleback Mountain has a path that one can hike all the way to the summit, offering a lovely view of the town.