From Wikitravel

Truth or Consequences [1] -- be prepared for more than the usual puffery from an "official" page), locally called T or C and formerly known as Hot Springs, is a town in New Mexico in the United States of America. It gets its curious name from a 1950s-vintage television show that offered to film an episode in some little town far from Hollywood, if that town would change its name to match the show's. Hot Springs, New Mexico needed an economic boost, agreed to the deal, and has gained notoriety and consequently tourist business as a result.

[edit] Get in

T or C is located along Interstate highway 25 between Albuquerque and Las Cruces. There is no nearby air service; the Albuquerque airport, which is served by most United States airlines and is a major hub for Southwest Airlines, is about 150 miles north, and the airport at El Paso, Texas a similar distance south. The New mexico Speed limit is 75 in most places, it's a quick and easy drive, but suggest you plan to arrive before dark. The interstate is not a place to be after dark if you are not familiar with the area. Be sure and gas up at Socorro from the north or Las Cruces from the south, each about 70 miles away, unless you have plenty of gas to get there.

[edit] Get around

Better have a car, no public transportation, but there is a taxi service in town if you want to get looped at one of the local pubs. Do NOT drink and drive....the penalty for manslaughter is easier to deal with.

Another viewpoint: The entire downtown district is very walkable. That would include all 10 lodging options that offer hot mineral baths, plus the shopping/gallery district, plus 7 places to dine, at least 2 of which would be open for each meal of the day. You can take the bus from Albuquerque, rent a car ahead of time from Whitehead Auto for a day or two of exploration, and spend the rest of the time exploring the art of doing almost nothing--soaks in different bath houses, walks to the galleries (don't forget Celestial Creations, which showcases New Mexico art and more) or the river, getting a massage.

[edit][add listing] See

Don't you dare miss the Geranimo Springs Museum, or the Veterans memorial park

• Celestial Creations (Best of New Mexico made), 220 N Date St (corner of 2nd Ave on main drag), ☎ 575-894-7591, [2]. 10-5. Not just a Gallery, this art space specializes in made in New Mexico gifts, jewelry, gourmet foods, home decor, apparel, souvenirs, ceramics, pottery, stained glass, and a variety of art, including southwestern, primitive, Native American, modern, impressionistic, watercolors, oils, acrylics, fiber, and metal wall & lawn or garden art. Over 2,000 items in inventory representing over 100 New Mexico artists, artisans, craftspeople and companies. Written up in New Mexico Magazine (Feb 08 Artscapes) and on the NM Fiber Arts Trail, a truly unique, almost museum-like experience. Plan on an hour to browse. They have an old-fashioned cafe-style booth for you to sit and rest, sell bottled water, and often have New Mexico Pinon Coffee to sample in cooler weather. Air conditioned in the summer. Open every day but Wed. $2.00-$3,000.00.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Water sports, remarkably enough. T or C is on the Rio Grande between Elephant Butte Reservoir and Caballo Lake, two artificial lakes built mainly for flood control and water management, which however offer opportunities for fishing and small boating. (Note that there are frequent weather advisories for boaters on these lakes resulting from high winds; take these advisories seriously, as fatal accidents involving overturned and unmanageable sailboats are distressingly common here.)
• Check out the local hot springs (this is also the former name of T or C). The Artesian Bath House is a good one. For soaking outdoors in riverside pools, try Riverbend Hot Springs. The ultimate is the new Wet Room at the Blackstone Hot Springs and Lodging. The most economical is the Indian Hot Springs, which has free-flowing water with a pebble bottom. Each of the 10 has something unique to offer. Sierra Grande Lodge offers full spa services along with your hot mineral baths. Charles Motel & Spa has 2 8-person private rooftop jacuzzis with hot mineral water. All of the hot springs are concentrated in the old part of town. If you have the time and like to walk, it's actually a nice walking tour to go check them all out, then decide where to make your reservation. Plan on a couple of hours.

Monthly Art Hop. Most shops and galleries are open late on the 2nd Sat of each month. From 6-9 p.m., many host Artist's Receptions or offer food and/or music. Starts at Celestial Creations at Date and 2nd Ave. and continues down both Main Street (2 blocks away) and on the one-way section of Broadway, plus the streets in between. On Main Street is Art Galore and Dust & Glitter, over on Broadway are numerous shops and galleries ending up at Rio Bravo where Broadway ends and turns into Date Street. Free rides from one stop to the next courtesy of the Downtown Gallery District Assoc and Rockin'Ass Ranch (yes, the rides are really in a mule-drawn wooden wagon just like in the olden days... :)

Check out www.sierracounty.net for events. Changes weekly.

[edit][add listing] Buy

One word:

walmart

• Celestial Creations (Best of made in New Mexico items), 220 N Date St. (2 blocks from Historic Hot Springs Bath House District), ☎ 575-894-7591, [3]. 10-5. If you're looking for genuine New Mexico made gifts, apparel, souvenirs, gourmet foods, art, jewelry, Native American and more, this place is not to be missed. With prices from under $2 to 3 grand, there is something for every taste and budget. Looking for things that say "Truth or Consequences", "Elephant Butte" or "New Mexico" that were actually made in New Mexico? THIS is the place to shop. From wood slab magnets at under $5 to Santo Domingo Pueblo American Indian made turquoise necklaces at $80-$300, you can find all sorts of authentic New Mexico made goodies to take home. Closed Wednesdays. $2 and UP.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

This needs some serious editing, the times have changed...

• La Cocina, #1 Lakeway Drive. T or C's favorite Mexican restaurant, located right off of I-25. This is _still_ a great place to eat..take your mom there (September 2008) The best ribeye steak in town; big enough for most folks to share. Beer and wine, but it's still a real family atmosphere. Good for American and New Mexican fare. AND they are open on Sundays (really, it's a big deal in T or C). For a full bar and a more adult ambience, go to Los Arcos, just down the road on N. Date St.
• T R C's Big-a-Burger, 719 W. Main St. A locally owned burger joint (Now Closed and for sale, the owner was killed in a Jeep accident in 2008 A shame..it had a great rep, I never made it there to eat). Pass up McDonald's and come here for the real deal. The beef is from the owner's own personal ranch!
• Hilltop Cafe, 1301 N. Date St. Where the locals eat, and breakfast is the favorite meal. Its a small place that attracts all the locals, so prepare to wait in line on saturday or sunday morning. (Watch for needles in the parking lot and don't expect to get cofee to go, they don't have "to go" cups), I'd skip this one and eat right across the road at Los Arcos Steak joint)

• Cafe Rio, 620 S. Broadway (Williamsburg). Closed.

• Big Food Express 212 Warm Springs Blvd (Elephant Butte). Amazing diverse menu with all the old favorites along with a focus on Chinese food. Great atmosphere, great prices, my personal favorite ...I find this hard to believe, unless you are related to the owners! intersting menu, but the staff is not what I would call friendly, it seemed like an interruption when I tired to bring a party of 6 there last year it's on most locals "forget it" list, which is a shame as the food wasn't all that bad, but the "atmosphere" is not what I'd patronize)) Skip it and head over to the Restaurant at the Sierra del Rio Golf Course ( closed Mon/Tues nights), or the new italian Joint in Town, Bella Luca, you can get an acceptably good pizza there). The Elephant Butte inn has good oysters and decent food, Casa Taco is always packed ( food is decent, and it's a great place to see the locals as is Hodges Corner restuarant).

You'll want to skip over Denny's until they get the servers under control but one of the old reliables in town is BBQ on Broadway..just head "downtown", it's hard to miss. Decent food, good prices if you want a taste of T or c locals.

• Cafe Bella Luca, Jones Street (between Main and Broadway). We were thrilled when Chef Byron, formerly of Sierra Grande Lodge, opened this restaurant with wife Jessica. They throw their own pizza dough and have offer more than just the traditonal red sauce, plus the toppings you expect from designer pizza. Large portions on most entrees makes it easy to share and then pick up an appetizer to share, too. Most appetizers are served on a bed of their organic mixed greens (no iceberg in the house!). Fetticinia Alfredo is a favorite of ours, as is the Grinder sandwich at lunch. Beer and wine. Outdoor patio. moderate.  edit
• Barbeque on Broadway, Broadway (in the one way section downtown). closed Sun. Really good bbq brisket of beef. We like to ask for the fries to be cooked a couple minutes longer, but they are real, just like my mom use to fry up for us for a lunch treat! Their hours recently changed (they used to close at 4 p.m.!) but they still close pretty early. They have an inexpensive breakfast special that's a great deal, too. If you order a burger, it will be very well done unless you specify, but if you do, it's a good burger. Yummy pies, too.  edit
• Pacific Grill, N. Date (near 7th or 8th Street). Good salad bar where they actually have separate bowls of iceberg/American salad and mixed greens, then all fixin's. Actually, the ONLY salad bar in the county. Pretty decent Asian food. They have a tendency to rush you through; even when I've asked them not to put the order right away, I always get the entree before I'm even finished with my salad. Closed Sun & Mon.  edit
• La Pinata, S. Broadway, Williamsburg. This is the locals' favorite for down home, family owned Mexican food. Not New Mexican, just Mexican. GREAT green chile sauce. Usually crowded, expect to hang out. Closed Sundays.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

First, drinking and driving is a serious crime in New Mexico. Your life is ruined if you are arrested for it. Have a Designated driver or take a cab. Seriously. If you insist, make sure your medical insurance is up to date, you have a friend with access to a couple of thousand for bail money and your car has airbags that work. Running off the road is easy and in some places it's a really really long way to the bottom.

You'll find a number of watering holes in town. Couple of sawdust joints like the "Pine Knot Saloon" on 3rd street at one end to the Golf Course Brassie @ Sierra Del Rio with four 50 inch plasma screens and a granite bar at the other.

Do em all, something for everybody, welcome to New Mexico

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• The Charles Motel and Spa, 601 Broadway, 800-317-4518 [4], claims to be "an affordable hot springs spa" with massage therapy, wraps, etc., in addition to rooms and (hot!) spring baths.

• Riverbend Hot Springs, 100 Austin, +1 575 894-SOAK(7625), is a "Budget Resort" with the town's only riverside hot spring pools. Several types of lodging and spa treatments are available.

[edit] Get out

Go to both lakes...nuff said.

1. Caballo Lake is much quieter than most of Elephant Butte Lake and is great for fishing and camping. There are 4 marinas at Elephant Butte Lake, 3 year-round, which offer rentals of pontoon boats, jet skis etc., even overnight. More camping and r.v. campgrounds.

1. Elephant Butte Lake is the largest lake in the state, even when the water's low. To see the actual Elephant Butte (an island just offshore), go to the Dam Site Recreation Area. Take 3rd Street from Date St. in T or C. Go about 4 miles; turn left at the Dam Site Recreation Area and follow the road down to the lake. Dam Site Restaurant there has a great patio, the best view in the county, and a full bar. Be wary of the food; chefs come and go there and it varies greatly in quality.

1. Sierra Del Rio Golf Course. T or C Municipal Golf Course.

1. Take a drive to Hillsboro. One-half hour. 2 restaurants, 2 or 3 galleries/shops, nice ride.

• Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge [5] is about 60 miles north; see Socorro article for details.

• Spaceport America [6] -- seriously! -- will be constructed about 30 miles southeast of town. Watch this space (so to speak), as major construction is expected to begin in 2008, with large-scale launch operations by 2010 -- maybe.

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