AS THE STAFF OF A 104-YEAR-OLD travel magazine in the age of AI, we are proud to be a small group of real people: writers, designers, editors, photographers, and sales professionals. For us, putting out 11 adventure-filled issues of New Mexico Magazine every 12 months is a labor of love—because this glossy, printed product continues to fuel our real-life wanderlust in the Land of Enchantment.

In 2025, we indulged our curiosities about the state’s small towns, striking artistic gold in Galisteo and Tucumcari and delving into historic hamlets like Mogollón and Aztec. We did deep, absorbing dives into the Valles Caldera and the Valle Vidal, spotlighting these special refuges with gorgeous photography, maximum opportunities for outdoor adventure, and creative ways to bask in nature’s healing beauty. We also devoted an issue to the majesty of New Mexico wildlife—and gave you the goods on where to see all the animals.

We lit up Albuquerque’s red-hot speakeasy scene, plus roamed far and wide to round up 20 dishes worth the drive. And we passed the mic to the state’s finest artists, writers, and thinkers to reflect on what New Mexicans hold dearest, with gems like Don Usner’s ode to his childhood refuge of Chimayó and Rob Martínez’s thoughts on the true witch tales of New Mexico.

We’re delighted to have you along for these journeys. In no particular order, here are 10 of our favorite stories from the past year. Here’s to more in 2026!

1. La Nueva Resolana

Two women engage in plática on the porch of La Segunda Secondhand Store, in Dixon.“This story felt both deeply New Mexican and also very accessible as a lens to experience and understand New Mexico.” —Sundi Richard, Marketing Manager

2. Witch Tales of New Mexico

 

Illustration of a priest with folded hands, flanked by a man in a feathered hat and a woman in a headscarf, set against an orange background.

“I love witchy, spooky stories like these, especially when they’re tied to real history. And it reminds me of growing up and hearing stories like these from our elders!” —Ofelia Martinez, Digital Manager

3. Past Meets Present at Fort Stanton

The dining hall.“The first time I toured Fort Stanton, in 2024, I was astonished by the eras of regional history this place encompasses. When senior editor Candolin Cook compared it to Forrest Gump in conversation, I knew she was the perfect writer for this fascinating feature.” —Molly Boyle, Managing Editor

4. A Look at Kevin Bubriski’s New Mexico

Kevin Bubriski’s "Indian Powwow, Penitentiary of New Mexico, Santa Fe."“Kevin Bubriski’s The New Mexicans: 1981–83 is my favorite book of photography in recent memory. I loved reading the stories behind these amazing images from the early 1980s, and it was so cool when a reader said they spotted their abuelo in the magazine!” —Molly Boyle, Managing Editor

5. Art City, Here We Come

Builders Matty Mo, Nadine Reppert, Ian Warner, Kevin Losani, and Nate Uyeda with fnnch’s Lips Sculpture.

“Collaborating with the environment is an artistic approach that has always resonated with me. Art City, in Tucumcari, might be the most happening new stop on Route 66—just in time for the Mother Road’s centennial, too!” —Karin Eberhardt, Assistant Art Director

6. Mysteries and Legends

Illustration of the Mills Mansion in Springer, New Mexico, a three-story victorian home framed by ominous clouds.“Stories of New Mexico’s past have always fascinated me. From gunfighters, unsolved mysteries, lost mines, miracles, tales of treasure, and aliens, New Mexico seems to have it all covered.” —John McCauley, Art & Photography Director

7. Explore the Valles Caldera

A sunlit, golden hillside in the Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico, with a band of dark evergreen trees at its base and a flat, golden plain in the foreground.“Elizabeth Miller’s exploration of the Valles Caldera National Preserve offered a fresh perspective on the remains of the ancient volcano, its sacred place among Native people, and the struggle over greater access for those who want to fish, hike, and camp there. Personally, I loved getting a chance to take an instant photography workshop there in the winter and a Tenkara fly-fishing clinic in the summer—which were both valuable reminders of the importance of public lands.” —Steve Gleydura, Editor in Chief

8. A Tale of Two Crops: Chile vs. Cannabis

Taos Mountain Grown roots cannabis plants.“Getting freelance writer Bill Shapiro and photographer Alex Harris to examine the shifts in New Mexico’s agricultural landscape was an absolute dream. The story and photos were beautiful, enlightening, and very personal, offering a fresh perspective on our state’s signature crop and the challenges it faces.” —Steve Gleydura, Editor in Chief

9. New Mexico’s Shroom Boom

Founder of Full Circle Mushrooms holding a block of golden mushrooms in her fruiting room in La Mesa, New Mexico.“As a member of a farming family, I’m keenly aware of the pressures agriculture faces in a rapidly changing climate. That’s why Lynn Cline’s deep dive into New Mexico growers turning to mushroom production as a resilient, sustainable food source was especially compelling.” —Candolin Cook, Senior Editor

10. A Ghost Town with Spirit

Historic buildings line the narrow main street of Mogollón, New Mexico, under a bright blue sky surrounded by forested canyon walls.“Molly Boyle’s visit to Mogollón reveals a ghost town that’s anything but empty—rich with history, character, and lived-in details, reached by a winding mountain road that signals a slower pace. It’s now at the top of my New Mexico towns-to-visit list for 2026.” —Candolin Cook, Senior Editor