Golden, NM

Set along the scenic Turquoise Trail between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Golden is a quiet rural community with deep Southwestern roots. Once a booming gold-rush hub in the late 1800s, the area now offers wide-open desert living and big mountain skies. A few historic landmarks still define the stretch, including the picturesque 1830s San Francisco Catholic Church and the family-owned Henderson Store, which has welcomed travelers since 1918. For anyone seeking a quiet, rustic retreat within reach of the city, Golden provides plenty of timeless New Mexico charm.