ART City

"We stopped on our way home from Santa Fe to see the hidden gem - Art City outside of Tucumari, New Mexico. This expansive property hosts incredible art installations, dispersed camping, RV sites, cabins and campers for a unique experience in the New Mexican desert. When we arrived, we were greeted by our friend Benigno, who gave us a full tour of the structures, campsites, and each art piece - even the toilets are art! The pieces are spread across the property against the beautiful scenic backdrop of the mesa, taking us nearly 2 hours to visit each one. We lucked out and stayed during a full moon, giving us a fantastic night glow - no need for flashlights! We hung out by the fire and dreamed up different events we'd like to host or attend at Art City in the coming year. Art City is its own destination point, a great place to visit with a group of friends, kid friendly for a family trip, or as a venue for hosting an art collab or festival. Nearby Tucumari has it own artistic charm, with refurbished motels, diners, and murals along old Route 66. Looking forward to many more visits, maybe next time during a new moon so we can take full advantage of the starry desert skies."

"This review will just be about one of the many options for sleeping accommodations they offer here. This place is SO FREAKING COOL! The art deserves a separate review and I plan on doing that after I've processed the experience I had there. I'm almost speechless at how moving Art City is. It really is a special magical place. Enough of that though, the cabin my partner and I stayed in turned out to be one half of a storage container that has been turned into first class accommodations! Check out the pictures! Since I'm speechless yall really should go to their website and see what they have going on out there. If you are driving through and want to see and experience something truly one of a kind Art City is IT!"

"I met the owner proprietor about a year before in Marfa, and he tried his best to describe his vision for the place. As fine a job as he did, though, nothing could've prepared me for the mixture of inviting comfort, chic art, and stark beauty. I photographed the art well into the night, slept like a baby in their refabricated container, then woke up and shot some more. Took a glorious outside shower, and soaked up the stellar autumn morning vibes. It's a perfect spot to spend a night or three, as a pit stop or a destination. Food, coffee, bakeries and shops are just down the road, but the distance is perfectly prescribed. One can still plug into the land and art, day or night, and feel a rejuvenating boost of whatever you sought, whatever called you here."

"A lovely place to spend a few hours or a couple of days to explore an outdoor gallery for large, interesting art. (And I think that you can actually buy some of the art.) You can stay in the Airstream (as I did) or in a cabin or trailer, and I think that they also have camping. There is a sheltered outdoor kitchen, showers, a lovely hot tub, and a sauna. It makes a comfortable base for exploring Tucumcari's Route 66, the Dinosaur Museum, the surrounding desert, and the area lakes. By staying overnight I was able to see the art lit up at night, and hear the cicadas and coyotes. The folks running Art City are nice and stay out of your way. A flock of wild turkeys may gobble at you."

"Art City is worth your time. I came away feeling inspired, connected to both the land and likeminded people, and looking forward to my next stay. Just off of ol’ Route 66 you’ll find a magical place of flowing water, beautiful vista views, and cottonwood trees standing guard over renowned art installations that have been collected and repurposed with intention. Among the art pieces are cozy living quarters, campsites, and gathering spaces that include an outdoor kitchen, a sauna, a wood-fire hot tub, and more. There’s such a great feel to this place. Can’t wait to come back."