In Artesia, NM, people are warm and welcoming. Small and charming, the downtown is home to several regional establishments. This fosters a pleasant environment for strolling, shopping, and dining at the local eateries. People can engage in leisure activities in Artesia.
In addition to drawing settlers, the discovery of oil a few years later also became a top product for potential investors and settlers.
Along with farming and ranching, the Artesia region’s oil and gas sector is thriving today.
Some of the best and most fun things to do in Artesia, NM, are listed in this article.
Things to Do in Artesia, NM
1. Artesis Ballons And Tunes Festival

Credit: ArtesisChamberofCommerce / Facebook
Hot-air balloons are a part of New Mexico’s distinctive culture since the state’s high-desert air is ideal for these soaring balloons.
The Artesia Balloons and Tunes Festival, which honors this facet of New Mexican culture, will take place in November if you happen to be in the city.
When you look up, you’ll notice bright balloons dotting the clear, blue sky of New Mexico. Once you’re back in the city’s center, you may stroll about and take in the exciting activities.
2. Artesia Lanes Bowling Center

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This family-run bowling alley has been offering good times to everybody who entered its doors for more than 60 years.
The Artesia Lanes Bowling Center is still ranked first among the city’s family-friendly attractions.
In addition to bowling, Anna’s CafĂ© offers delicious pizza, fries, and burgers for you and your friends.
You may also kill a few hours playing pool or darts at the arcade. Sing your heart out at Saturday Night Karaoke.
Location: 1701 Tumbleweed Rd, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
3. The Adobe Rose Restaurant

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Visit the Adobe Rose Restaurant to sample real New Mexican fare and learn more about the state’s thriving culinary and cultural traditions.
The restaurant focuses on adding a distinct Southwestern taste to all of its dishes.
The restaurant’s main area is housed inside an ancient adobe structure, which gives the quaint ambiance a historical flavor.
Alternatively, you may eat your meals outside in the courtyard while listening to enjoyable music and savoring the warmth of the fire pit’s focal point.
Location: 1614 N 13th St, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
4. Artesia Family Fitness Center

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You might want to work off all the delicious New Mexican food you’ve just had at the Artesia Family Fitness Center.
This training center is warm and friendly, making it a good option for the whole family. Bring your family along and participate in the various events. You can swim, kickbox, or do yoga.
Similarly, you may use the weights or unwind in the sauna. Personal trainers are available at the facility to assist you in reaching your fitness objectives.
Location: 401 W Texas Ave, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
5. Bulldog Bowl

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Bulldog Bowl is the place to be on a Friday night during football season.
On high school football game days, this neighborhood stadium attracts the interest and excitement of the whole city.
This stadium is home to the Artesia Bulldogs high school football team, which has won several titles at the state and federal levels.
The stadium may fill with more than 10,000 people, giving it a vivacious, energetic atmosphere. According to detractors, it is one of the nation’s noisiest high school football stadiums.
Location: 406 S 16th St, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
6. Heirloom Acres Corn Maze And Pumpkin Patch

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The same family has owned and run Heirloom Acres Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch on the same piece of land for more than a century.
It displays cherished family customs, years of toil, and enjoyable occasions. Pick the ideal pumpkin at the farm, get lost in the maze of corn, and enjoy some snacks by the bonfire.
You could also experience the Grain Train, the Jumping Pillow, the Duck Races, and the Bee Line (a zip line).
Bring your family to this farm if you live nearby or are just passing through to liven up your fall, regardless of where you are from.
Sun Country Homes & Gardens can help you spruce up your house.
Location: 1706 E Main St, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
7. Sun Country Homes And Gardens

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Sun Country Homes & Gardens is the ideal location for fostering a sense of neighborhood and local economy.
Nora and Marty, siblings and natives of Artesia, oversee the company and bring a lot of expertise from their careers in gardening, horticulture, and furniture design to the table.
Improve your house and yard with landscaping shrubs, trees, desert plants, annual flowers, and perennials if you live in a similar environment.
Within its recognizable red barn, Sun Country Homes & Gardens provides a garden and home furniture and gardening tools.
Additionally, you might get gloves, creams, seed planters, soil, fertilizer, and insect control.
Location: 2707 S 1st St, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
8. Taos Cows Ice Cream

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Taos Cow’s ice cream shop serves some of the greatest soft-serve treats, creamy custard creations, and regional flavors.
This little business has mastered the technique of producing rBGH-free ice cream for more than 20 years. They don’t skimp on the serving size, and each taste mash-up is individually delectable.
The store sells traditional flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, along with some creative southwestern variations.
Because of its enormous freezer, it makes ice cream right there. If you have a sweet craving, give it a try; it’s a fantastic neighborhood hangout.
Location: 485 NM-150, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514, United States
9. Artesia Visitors Center

Credit: ArtesiaChamber / artesiachamber.com
The Artesia Visitor Center is located in the former Railroad Depot on North First Street.
The initial station was built in 1897 and used as a passenger terminal until 1912, when the city converted it to a freight terminal.
Early in the 20th century, trains carrying potash, local freight, and daily passengers used the station. A fire destroyed the building’s original timber structure in the late 1940s.
The depot ceased to use in 1972 after the final passenger train left in 1967. The structure and the surrounding grounds were donated to the city of Artesia by the Burlington Northern Railroad Company in 1998.
Work on converting the depot into a tourist center started in 2000. Since then, the Chamber of Commerce has been headquartered in a brand-new structure.
The visitor center’s display is ideal for self-guided tours or educational field trips.
The tourist center’s welcoming staff can provide background information on the places you’ll be seeing, offer eating recommendations, and more.
Location: 107 N 1st St, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
10. Bronze Sculpture at Main Street

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You may see a life-size bronze statue alongside the road going down Main Street in Artesia.
The city is pleased to present all nine bronze statues to the general public. These sculptures comprise one of New Mexico’s finest collections of bronze sculpture.
Each monument also honors a significant character from Artesia’s past. They also pay homage to the city’s early 1800s cattle ranching origins.
Similar to this, other sculptures show a significant historical figure from the time of the Cattle Drive engaging in a characteristic Southwest pastime.
Sallie Chisum, on whose property the city dug its first Artesian well, is one of these individuals.
11. Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center

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Southeast New Mexico’s rich history and traditions have been taught to locals and visitors alike by the Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center since 1970.
When you enter the museum, you’ll see various collections with photographs, farm and ranch exhibits, and Native American artifacts.
There is also an area for kids where they may try on various headgear and outfits. One of Artesia’s distinctive homes, the Moore-Ward cobblestone house, also houses the museum.
Location: 18644 Alburtis Ave, Artesia, CA 90701, United States
12. Artesia Public Library

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Who says a public library can’t be a popular destination for travelers?
In addition to its extensive book collection, the Artesia Public Library is a legitimate tourist destination thanks to its stunning painting.
The mural, which reads “The Future Belongs to Those Who Prepare for It,” was created by renowned New Mexican artist Peter Hurd.
Hurd originally created the mural in a Houston, Texas, building lobby.
Hurd was forced to transport the artwork to Artesia so he could permanently hang it up after the city intended to destroy the building.
The artwork is about 47 feet long and 15 feet tall.
Location: 205 W Quay Ave, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
13. Heritage Walkway

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Explore Main Street by traveling the Heritage Walkway and capturing all the vibrant paintings on camera.
If you become tired, you can stop for a rest and have a picnic lunch in a small shaded spot. These murals are located after you walk through the archway.
Which murals are these? The Artesia neighborhood is shown in these paintings.
The Artesia Junior Women’s Club created these murals in 1976 with a neighborhood art instructor named Helen Mapes.
A third painting depicting the New Mexico countryside was added in 2004 by a different local muralist several years later.
You ought to take a closer look at the multicolored tile fountain that is close by.
Location: 316 W Main St, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
14. Baish Veteran Park

Credit: ArtesiaNM / artesianm.gov
The preservation of veterans, who have risked their lives to uphold the flag, is essential to the survival of American democracy.
The city of Artesia renovated the Baish Veterans Park in 2012 as a tribute to these heroes.
This park may be seen in front of City Hall. Show respect for the county’s veterans, both past and present.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, architect Jose Zelaya created the park being rebuilt.
Veterans’ names from the area are commemorated in the park today, along with the commanding sculpture “Freedom’s Fire.”
This time, the sculpture was made by Lander, Wyoming-based artist Beverly Paddelford.
When you visit this park, remember the suffering and consider the bravery of these veterans who gave their lives to protect America’s freedom.
15. Artesia Arts Council

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The facility, which was once a movie theater but is now a cafeteria, was purchased by the Artesia Arts Council.
The Ocotillo Cinema was operational from 1935 to 1959. New owners acquired the property in 1961 and transformed it into Clifton’s Cafeteria before renaming it the Townhouse Cafeteria three years later.
The Artesia Arts Council oversaw the building’s substantial restorations, which turned it into a complete performing arts venue.
At the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center today, regional and out-of-town acts give musical performances or stage plays.
Attending a show at this distinctive structure will enrich your evening with culture.
Location: 310 W Main St, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
16. Wellhead Restaurant

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The Wellhead Building, constructed of faux 55-pound stone blocks, was erected in downtown Artesia in 1905.
The structure provided services to the public as a hotel, bar, or restaurant.
Over the years, the structure has served as the home to several companies, including a used furniture store, a clean grocery, and an auto parts store.
The New Mexico Army National Guard and the US Post Office had offices. The Wellhead Restaurant and Brew Pub now occupy the location.
You may have wonderful, delectable foods like burgers and steaks during your vacation. You can drown them all with a cup or two of ice-cold craft beer.
Location: 332 W Main St, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
17. Eagle Draw Park

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Visit Eagle Draw Park if you wish to be more in one with nature. Get moving on the park’s greenbelt along with other New Mexicans who enjoy being outside.
Catch this event because it coincides with the Artesia Balloons and Tunes Festival, which launches its hot balloons from the park.
If not, simply observe your children as they play on the playground. The 3.2-mile trail’s stationary exercise equipment stations are also available for use by trail users.
Location: W J J Clarke Dr, Artesia, NM 88210, United States
18. Red Dirt Black Gold Festival

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The Red Dirt Black Gold Festival, held annually in Artesia, honors the town’s past as an oil and ranching hub.
Hundreds of tourists join the locals at several events recognizing this rich past. For instance, you may participate in the Oilfield Olympics or hear live “red mud” music.
The beer and wine garden also serves cool beverages.
19. Artesia Walking Tour

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If you want a guided tour of Artesia’s Main Street, you should sign up for the Artesia Walking Tour.
These excursions will take you to all of the significant downtown landmarks, illuminating the rich legacy and history of the area.
The sights and sounds of downtown Artesia are more than enough to enchant you, so you don’t need to be a history aficionado to enjoy your trip.
The Artesia Visitors’ Center and historical landmarks are among the walking tour stops, starting at the train depot.
20. Abo Elementary School and Fall Out Shelter

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Because it was the first public school in the US to be built entirely below, this school building is unique in American history.
This iconic building from the Cold War era doubles as a fallout shelter with all the necessary amenities to shield the neighborhood from nuclear bomb explosions and radiation.
There was genuine concern over the possibility of a full-scale nuclear conflict between the US and the USSR, causing global annihilation.
The Abo Elementary School was designed by Frank M. Standhardt, an architect from Roswell.
Construction was completed in 1962 at the height of the Cold War. Every area of the school is subterranean except three interconnected flat-roofed structures.
Additionally, it had the strength to resist a thermonuclear detonation. Aside from these structures, the only portion of the school that was above ground was a concrete slab roof that doubled as a playground for the pupils.
Additionally, the shelter included a sizable storage area where the neighborhood kept emergency food and supplies that could serve 2,160 people.
The Abo Elementary School was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Location: 1802 W Centre Ave, Artesia, NM 88210, United States