If you’ve never visited Raton, I urge you to check it out. Between its small-town charm, history, and surrounding natural beauty, it’s a place that can both delight and enchant visitors. If you’re curious to learn more about this historic town in New Mexico and all it has to offer, consider a weekend getaway that will allow you more time to explore.

Located just 6.5 miles south of the New Mexico-Colorado border is the small community of Raton. While a city, it is small with a population of just over 6,000 people, and has that small-town charm we all love.
Milwaukee3181/Wikimedia Commons
It's also the highest point along the Historic Santa Fe Trail and is known as "Raton Pass."
Raton was settled in the 1880s once the railroad came to town. Pictured here is the Santa Fe Depot which was built in 1903 in a Spanish mission revival-style for the Santa Fe Railroad. Today, it serves as a stop for Amtrak.
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Head downtown and you'll find plenty of historic buildings like El Raton Theatre. Built in 1929, this movie theatre had its grand opening in 1930 and the first film it showed was Song of the West.
115 N 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740, USA
peetre/Google Reviews
It's still used as a movie theatre today. Imagine watching a movie in such a historic spot.
A couple of doors down from El Raton Theatre is the Shuler Theater. This landmark in downtown Raton first opened its doors in 1915 and serves as the premier performing arts center in northeast New Mexico.
Shuler, 131 N 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740, USA
Austria01/TripAdvsior
Raton's historic downtown is also home to several restaurants and galleries as well as shops like Solano's Boot & Western Wear.
101 S 2nd St, Raton, NM 87740, USA
Solano's Boot & Western Wear/Google Reviews
While the historic sites are a must-see while visiting Raton, so are the parks and mountains in town. Pictured here is Climax Canyon Park where you can hike along the Climax Canyon Trail. This easy 2.7-mile loop trail leads to epic scenery as well as unique geological features. It's definitely worth exploring while visiting Raton!
Climax Canyon Park, Raton, NM 87740, USA
K Culp/AllTrails
As you can see, Raton is a wonderful place to spend a day or even longer. Come and explore this charming historic town in northeast New Mexico!
DorianSummers/Wikimedia Commons

 

Do you want to spend time exploring this historic town in New Mexico? If you’ve visited Raton before, please share your favorite things about it in the comments. To learn more, visit the Explore Raton website.

Plan on spending the night in Raton? Check out some of the town’s unique vacation rentals on Vrbo.

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Raton, NM 87740, USA