Exploring Artesia: Where You Need to Go

Whether you live in or are planning to visit, Artesia, New Mexico is #AbsolutelyAttractive with so many places to stop and grab a picture. It is our avid oil and gas industry, farming and ranching, agriculture and the railroad that support life in Artesia which results in being able to keep our city an attractive city.

Named for World-Famous Artesian Wells

Artesia…founded in 1905, named from artesian water wells and nestled in Southeast New Mexico; there is always something to do outside on any of the 300+ days of sunshine each year. At Artesia Visitor Center, grab a Walking Tour guide and follow it around the city to find some incredible bronze statues. Stroll through Heritage Walkway which depicts the history of Artesia through murals and tile work and on summer nights bring chairs to catch a family fun movie. Pay your respects at Baish Veterans Park.

Cheer on the Artesia High Bulldogs as they play football at the World Famous Bulldog Bowl which was featured in a 1993 issue of National Geographic. Jaycee Park has over 180 acres and is home to many sports, a ¾ mile track, benches, permanent workout equipment, picnic tables, and playground equipment.

Eagle Draw is also becoming a popular park with a paved trail stretching 3.2 miles through town making it perfect for those walking, jogging or training for a 5K run. When the day is just too hot, grab some sunscreen and a swim suit and head over to the brand new state of the art Aquatic Center to cool off. Free outdoor festivals such as Red Dirt Black Gold and Balloons and Tunes Festival draw families from far and wide. If the weather does happen to get bad we offer great indoor stops as well.

The Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center and the Artesia Public Library (named New Mexico’s Most Beautiful Library) showcase the history of Artesia. After you have eaten dinner at one of the many local eateries, catch a show or concert at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center to round out the perfect date night.

Artesia MainStreet

You’ll find Artesia MainStreet has pretty much anything you might be looking for without the mall. It is where life, business, art and fun thrive. Downtown Artesia is made up of a very diverse set of businesses, groups and organizations. The diversity of our MainStreet District is the heartbeat of our city, driving the economic, civic and creative landscape that our community is proud to display.

Walking up and down Main Street you will find 11 larger than life statues that depict the history of Artesia through bronze art. You will also find numerous eateries, shops, places to lodge, and hopefully you get the chance to see a show or concert at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center. Originally opened in 1932 as a movie theater the Ocotillo had major renovations in 2008 and is now home to touring professional entertainers, world music, children’s productions, dancing, education, and artistic and cultural opportunities for all ages.

As part of its initiative to serve the entire community, the Ocotillo building is suitable and available for rent for private events, business meetings and presentations.

Artesia is also home to “New Mexico’s Most Beautiful Library”

Located just off Main Street, the unusual roofline of the Artesia Public Library is shaped to represent the mountain horizon west of Artesia. Inside the library you will find a mural painted Fresco-buon style by New Mexico’s famed artist, Peter Hurd. Originally painted in the 1950’s inside a building downtown Houston, it is approximately 47 feet wide by 15 feet tall and weighs nearly 25 tons. It is a must see when visiting Artesia. Be sure to hear the story about how the mural traveled to New Mexico from Houston. It’s incredible.

Artesia’s new Aquatic Center also depicts a little bit of history with its unique design. It boasts two tube slides, an oil derrick style splash pad, two indoor pools and a bulldog shaped outdoor pool complete with a lazy river as a collar. There is even an indoor space available for rent for private events, training and business meetings.

Plan your trip to Southeast New Mexico around one of the many events going on all year long. Events include parades, fairs, car shows, fireworks, BBQ competitions, red dirt concerts, craft shows, clays sporting shoots and even hot air ballooning. Check our website calendar for all the details and dates for each event.

Add it all up and you have the perfect adventure awaiting you right in the heart of the Pecos Valley.

Make Artesia your hub for day trips to surrounding cities with so many places to stay and feel comfortable and welcomed.

Our visitors are #AbsolutelyAppreciated.