Hot Springs and Hippies: Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

From a tourist's point of view, the original name of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico is probably more appropriate and attractive: Hot Springs. An NBC radio game show, Truth or Consequences, announced it would air a show in whatever town in America renamed itself after the show first. Hot Springs, New Mexico did exactly that, and has been Truth or Consequences (T or C) ever since 1950. That remains the main attraction of this sleepy desert town near the banks of the Rio Grande: hot mineral springs baths.

Getting There
That is the easy part, for those with a car. The town is directly off I-25 between Las Cruces and Albuquerque.

Hot Springs

A good hot springs bath operates on multiple levels. The first bath is the hottest, with water straight from the spring. This is allowed to drain off into a different (sometimes lower) pool which is warm. The final pool is cool or cold. One circuits these pools, with the last dip being a refreshing shock.

Traveling backpackers out seeing America are strongly encouraged to stay in the AYH hostel of T or C. The accommodations are arranged either in converted trailers or in tipis, and starting with the staff running the place, it looks like a place that began life as a hippie outpost and never quite left that period behind. The hostel comes with its own hot springs bath, with the cold bath being served by a dip in the Rio Grande itself.

Those looking for something more upscale are encouraged to skip the seedy motels of the area and go directly up to at least a three star. There are a number of hotels with on-site hot springs, some offering private hot mineral water baths in the rooms. Examples include the Charles Motel and Hot Springs, Riverbend Hot Springs, Sierra Grand Lodge, the Firewater Lodge, and the Blackstone Hotsprings.

Hiking
The desert hiking opportunities around Truth or Consequences make for good day-trips, but there are no maps and therefore one must ask for information regarding where the specific trail heads are. There are trails at the two reservoirs near town, Elephant Butte and Caballo Lake, and also around the Rio Grande. Always remember to wear a sun hat, light, loose clothing that covers plenty of skin, and take plenty of water on any desert hike.

Eats
Of course, a place like T or C is a great town to go hunting for Mexican or Mexican-American food. Casa Taco serves some of the best tacos in the southwest, and it makes for a great lunch stop. For dinner, consider the family-friendly La Cocina, or La Pinata (owned by a Mexican family). For more barbecue than is humanly possible to digest, go to Barbecue on Broadway.

Sources: Personal experience.