Madrid, New Mexico: A Ghost Town Adventure

Updated November 15, 2025

My husband and I were in Santa Fe, where I attended a medical conference on wilderness medicine. I don’t practice in the wilderness, but this conference offers fascinating lectures on topics not covered at any other event.

No other medical conference I’ve attended teaches the management of spider, tick, snake,bear, and shark bites, by speakers who have climbed Mount Everest and hiked Antarctica, among other exotic places.

Wild Hogs-the movie

As with Santa Fe and Taos, art rules in Madrid. Walking around, you may feel like you are on a movie set- and in a way, you are.

The 2007 movie Wild Hogs was filmed here. ( an affiliate link)

Veteran actors John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, and Tim Allen portray middle-aged men who take a motorcycle trip through New Mexico to California. Along the way they find adventure they weren’t expecting, including encountering a motorcycle gang made up of midlife men who don’t like outsiders. But it’s all in fun and good for a lot of laughs.

The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video to rent or buy.

Madrid, New Mexico

Nestled on the northeast side of the Sandia Mountains is Madrid, New Mexico. Sitting midway along The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, Madrid is categorized as a ghost town even though this small village of about 400 residents is bustling during the summer months with shops, restaurants, and galleries catering to the many visitors along this ancient path.

And at nearby Los Cerrillos, you can go horseback riding at the Broken Saddle Riding Co.

a man and woman both on horses — We enjoyed a sunset horseback ride while visiting Santa Fe and Taos in New Mexico.

Exploring the HEART of health in New Mexico

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Watercress Words by Dr. Aletha

Dr. Aletha

Also from our New Mexico trip

The Art and Science of New Mexico

Taos is an art mecca both within the town and at the Taos Pueblo, which is also a must see for those interested in Native American history and culture. At the pueblo, tribe members display and sell handmade arts and crafts.

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Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.