NEW MEXICO: Full Of Decrepit Shacks & Old Churches - The Stark Beauty Of "The Land Of Enchantment" 

As a born and raised New Mexican, I'm glad that our older cities are getting more attention and that people are learning more about our history. So thank you.

My great grandfather William Letcher was co owner of the Plaza Hotel. You can still see faded lettering on the side of the building “Ilfield & Letcher”. It was quite emotional for me when I went back ..unfortunately during Covid ..to lay my hands on the cold stone wall of the building gazing into the ballroom. They put all their goods on 45 donkeys and traveled all the way from Taos to Las Vegas to open the store..quite remarkable!

In Las Vegas, just a short walk from the "Howdy" cowgirl sign (7:26), across Grand Avenue, is E Lincoln St, the location of a bar Doc Holliday once owned in 1879. It's the 4th storefront off of Grand and is a one-story building.

I love the amount of research you do and share with us about the towns in your videos. That alone sets your channel apart from so many others. I started following you from nearly the start, saw you add so much into the videos and watched your channel grow -- well-deserved! Thank you for all your work!

In New Mexico we call town squares 'plazas' I love the hotsprings and arm and hammer world college in Las Vegas, NM ❤😊

I always enjoy you and the wife’s interesting and educational travels. Thank you for educating everyone. Also, you give many of us travelers ideas for interesting vacation locations with a lot of history. Stay safe. 🙂

Honestly, I never heard of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Fascinating town in many ways with a beautiful main street. Santa Fe is known for having a cool vibe . Thank you again for allowing many people to get acquainted with parts of this country that rarely gets any exposure.

I was born in New Mexico and lived in Las Cruces for many years. I am always happy to see anything about N.M.

Seeing that miraculous winding staircase was worth watching the entire video. Thanks, folks...

That church and staircase are awesome. I never would have guessed that the oldest church was in New Mexico. Its a cool state. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels.

Nicole is adorable and always adds an extra dimension to your videos. As if she's seeing it through the eyes of the viewer and making the right comments and asking the right questions.😊

Thanks for doing some of NM. I moved from the Pacific Northwest to Taos 22 years ago and have never regretted the move. It’s stunningly beautiful here year round. The mix of cultures is wonderful. FYI: As you look at the San Miguel chapel, there’s a small street on the left. In your film one can see some adobe houses on the street to the left. The unprepossessing brown adobes are some of, if not the oldest houses in Santa Fe. Another awesome film, as expected - thanks.

Hey thanks, I've been everywhere too. Nic is warming nicely to camera. I like your vids, no stress, just driving around looking at stuff.👍

I miss my home state, I lived there went to school, got married, had my children there , and I will return to NM, when when I die.

Ah,my home state- born and raised in Alamogordo. New Mexico has many beautiful places especially the mountains and White Sands. Spent most of my youth trapsing through the Sacramento mountains and the desert hunting arrowheads. I miss her. Great place to visit.

Every time I watch your videos, I'm usually starving by the end, I wonder way!

Absolutely fascinating adventure! I never knew there was a Las Vegas New Mexico. It was a very cool place but to be honest, I didn't see a house that was worth more than $40-50,000. Santa Fe is such a marvelous place! Interesting that you were at the Lorretto Chapel. There was an episode on Unsolved Mysteries from the early 1990's telling the mystery of the staircase. So very cool 🤠👍🏻. You two rock and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your adventures. Thank you Joe and Nicole 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤠👍🏻

Lived in Lincoln county New Mexico in the capitan mountains since 97 . Viva New Mexico.

I’m not complaining, but I thought you guys were going to rest awhile 😂. For my enjoyment I’m glad you’re Back On The Road Again

9:45 That is the "Harvey House." Harvey houses were a string of hotels built in trainyards, early 20th century. With the decline of passenger rail (and rise of Amtrak) in the late 1960's, the Harvey Houses were closed. This particular Harvey House was used in the filming of Red Dawn (1984), late in the movie. Exterior scenes of the TV series Roswell New Mexico were also filmed in Las Vegas.

The circular capitol building was very cool! My favorite capitol building so far. And the circular staircase in the church is so beautiful. I wonder if the choir actually used it without railings? I can't even imagine going up and down the staircase without railings!

I used to live in Las Vegas and in Santa Fe. Thanks for the video!

That mural was painted when the movie Red Dawn was filmed in the Las Vegas, NM area.

I think I prefer Las Vegas, New Mexico over LV Nevada.

What a fascinating video. I love the spiral staircase. That Loretto Chapel is absolutely beautiful. I wonder if the staircase was carved. Either way it is just beautiful. I'm so glad you guys take us along with you. The food looks delish! God bless and safe travels. 💗

It's amazing to me how all these small downtowns look the same despite where they are located in the USA! Same building designs, layout, etc. It's really nostalgic and sad seeing some of these downtowns in your past videos that are now abandoned and decaying. I always wonder what these downtowns looked like back in their glory days. All the buildings occupied with small business. Lots of foot traffic supporting them. I love seeing old pictures of these small downtown areas at Christmas time with the lights and decorations up back in a simpler time in America. I really enjoy your videos of these old towns. Nice job.

Expensive lunch! Very nice town.

As a Canadian from Toronto, Ontario, I must say I love your videos.

The church staircase was amazing !! Thanks for telling us the story about it Joe !

And those meals looked good.

That staircase and the backstory is simply amazing! Boggles the mind. I'm in awe!

The Plaza played a role in the film adaptation of the late Cormac McCarthy's "No Country For Old Men." The hotel was where Chigurh captured and killed Carson Wells. McCarthy, btw, was a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

A lot of history in New Mexico thanks brother 👍

Las Vegas NM is one of my favorite small towns. Thanks for covering it!

Nice to see Nic n Joe back on the road again so soon. Love all the fascinating places and history. Plenty on my bucket list now. Remember Joe, Plymouth Duster Mercury Cougar 😊

난 미국 도시 여행할때 이것저것 설명해주는 이사람거 본다. 영어발음도 편해서 알아듣기도 좋다. 강추 I like your explanation easy to listen. Seems like as if I am travel in the US. Thanks From s Korea.

My ex-bf from high school’s aunt and uncle lived in LV,NM… they unfortunately died on hwy 666 on their way to El Paso TX….. just something that I’ll never forget about that town. Still makes sad for his family. Even though it’s been 35 yrs.

I love the trips and restaurant reviews, thank you!

This was so interesting and very educational. The churches were incredible. Always good to see. Thank you.

Love "old" churches - I live in the UK and old churches are as an example St Martins in AD 597! 👍

That Calumet mural is leftover there from the movie "red dawn" that was filmed there in the 80s featuring Patrick swayze...if I remember correctly anyway

san miguel church is the name of every church in dozens of western movies, when you walked in it looked just like the inside of the church from "shanghai noon" starring jackie chan and owen wilson at least the set was inspired by it and the bell was even part of it

New Mexico is completely different from every other state in the union. Heavy Native American Culture, Spanish, and Mexican culture.

Amazing church. I wish I could see in person. The staircase is a miracle.

Enjoyed Las Vegas, NM and the history you sharing today. The oldest Church was awesome to see close up, Thanks Nicole for lighting a candle... Chills came over me with the back story of the Miraculous Stairway, so cool. Loved the Stations of the Cross in the second Chapel. Thanks Joe & Nicole for sharing, see ya next video...

How crazy is that i just spent last night there on my way back to tucson

Fantastic video again. The stair case is mind blowing to say the least.

Ive been a NM resident for 10 years. A bit like stepping back in time! I ve learned more about New Mexico watching your video than ive picked up on my own in the past 10 years😂...thanks for the education ❤

Thank you Joe and Nic! Such a beautiful town, Santa Fe is! And the churches are incredible!! Safe journey, friends!!! 💞

You tell some interesting stories. You bring these small towns to life.

Wow 1610 church. That’s old. Omy, cool. Thanks

Thank you! So enjoyable! Love seeing Nicole getting stamps at the Capitol , its so sweet how you both get that done ❤️❤️

I, again, enjoy your repartee and easy going style of narrative. My best to and your wife!

wow i sure would love to own that 1970 Mercury Cougar at 8:30 that was parked in front of Body shop. About 1977 or 78 a friend of mine had one that was lime green with a Black top it had a 351 Cleveland in it and it would really run. i was 13 or 14 and he was 17 or 18. we once had 12 or 13 teen aged girls in it with us. memories .....

Thanks!

With the buildings and history you would think tourism would do well. But the neglect has gone on for too long. Those old hotels could be brought around. Great video, much appreciated!

How's the new Jeep working out? A few things missing in this video are the mileage on the vehicle, the price of gas, and of course the all important cat sighting!

Hi Joe & Nic, we really enjoy your videos! My wife and I always bet on what Nicole will eat for lunch. We’re usually correct in our guesses 😀

If you watch Red Dawn (1984) , a lot of these locations can be seen in this movie. The Longmire series was filmed there, too.

The best thing about living in west Texas is that is close to New Mexico...the land of enchantment. Always had a wonderful time there.

Thank you, you two for the educational information & enlightenment !

I could watch the Texas and southwest videos all day. Another excellent video! Thanks Joe and Nic. Stay safe in your travels!

Enjoying your travels. Thanks for posting.

Welcome to the Land of Enchantment. Pretty exciting to see ya'll in my state, Love your videos. 🙏

Thank you for sharing all these wonderful states and towns. ❤❤

Sad so many beautiful building . They don t make beautiful building like these any more thanks for another great video Really enjoy them all

Wow, those churches are absolutely amazing! Thank you for such a thorough and engaging tour of both of them. I had never heard of Las Vegas, New Mexico, prior to your video, and now I really want to visit. Hope that restaurant is still around when I make it there.

I love the state of New Mexico - I had a good friend there ,(fellow trumpet player) we were to make 2 bases for playing music, alas, he died in 2014. I love the food, architecture and general vibe. What a great state - I haven't been to Santa Fe, have to see it sometime

Glad I found this page great information on different states and the cities

What a contrast to the NE those figures ! Southern charm ? Eery area has it´s ups and downs. What great work bring this to us !

That's so cool. About the oldest church. Wow. And the stair case. Look forward to seeing your videos. And learning about each town and the vital statistics of the towns

I went to a concert at the San Miguel church not long ago. The altar is magnificent. The adobe walls are very thick, allowing temperature regulation.

The Casteneda Hotel in Las Vegas next to the train depot is open, and has a very nice restaurant with local craft beers on tap. It was the very first Harvey Hotel built along the Santa Fe railroad line. Fascinating video.

The Castaneda was recently remodeled and opened. Im surprised to see it closed again. Love your videos!

I have never heard of Las Vegas New Mexico. Thank you for your exploration ethic, I have learn a lot about different states and regions their history.

That was a fascinating road trip! Thanx 4 the vid! BTW that food looked delicious! Stay safe.

There's a family camp right outside of Las Vegas where I spent my summers as a child teen and even young adult. There was a wicked "planned burn" last year around Hermits Peak and it almost took the camp out.

Thanks 😊 Joe and nic 😊

Very interesting! Another enjoyable ride along🎉

Very enjoyable trip with a lot of unique architecture.

I've only been to New Mexico a couple of times and from what I've seen it's a beautiful and interesting state your video confirms that. Another great video.

I want all that yummy food from Santa Fe. Thanks once again Joe & N and I con't wait for your video from Arizona

So interesting to hear about the unknown carpenter (angel). Beautiful city, thank you for the tour.

Yummy!!!. Rooftop nachos ❤😂 Dude had madd REAL carpenter skills when he built those stairs

Downtown Las Vegas might look familiar to some people because that was the location for the Absaroka Sheriff office in the fictional town of Durant WY in TV series Longmire.

Fascinating video guys … great work. If those old buildings and churches could talk what incredible stories they could tell. Being from the Southwest (Arizona) I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you for sharing the incredible story of the staircase wow just really makes you believe

I really appreciate I learned alot from you

I just discovered your channel. I love how you travel off the beaten path to show us the side of town that we don't normally get to see. Very interesting!

Thank you again for lovely travel

Hey guys, love this video. I appreciated all the info about the churches, that was great! Enjoy all your videos. Wishing you well.

The Castenada Hotel, a former Harvey House built on the Sante Fe railroad, was one of the few places a respectable woman could work at. It was restored. And was open for several recent years.

I stayed at the hotel in the Las Vegas square maybe 8/10 years ago. It was ok , sort of historic, decent breakfast, but a patron's dog almost destroyed the pastry table by jumping up and pulling on the table cloth. I remember the waitress constantly addressing me as Sir on every sentence spoken..

I ate at a Santa Fe restaurant back in the 90s. I don’t remember the name of the place but they served chili (red or green were the choices) with every meal. Even if you requested no chili you still got some. I don’t remember if I got red or green chili but it was the hotter of the two. I drank about 4 cups of water and had ice cream cake to put out the fire in my mouth. A good lunch but damn that chili was hot!

Another great video. Thanks.

I thought y’all were going home for awhile after your long trip! But you’re already back on the road. You and Nic are officially nomads now! 😂 Thanks for this lovely video!

I like Las Cruces, New Mexico, I remember when I was a kid, we used to drive by their on the way to El Paso, Texas where my Grandmother lived. I cannot believe how much it has grown since then. They are building many new homes out there. The price is awesome you get more for what you pay for compared to California. I live in Los Angeles and the prices out here are outrageous. I love the Organ Mountains. Some homes have beautiful views. I Love Las Cruces. I am retired and thinking about moving out there.

I love your videos, they are by far the best tour videos on youtube. Cotton plant Ar was my favorite so far. Thank you very much please consider doing nw mo as well

Yea that is amazing about that staircase!!

The Calumet sign in Las Vegas, is leftover from the movie Red Dawn that was filmed there in the 1980s. The movie took place in "Calumet, Colorado".