Espanola is a small town in New Mexico in the United States. While of limited interest as a tourism destination itself, its location midway between Santa Fe and Taos, combined with its proximity to a number of Pueblo Indian communities, makes it a useful staging point for trips into north central New Mexico.

Attractions

Most of the interest in Espanola resides in what's around it, rather than in the town itself. However, the area can be photogenic under good lighting conditions; Ansel Adams' famous "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941," considered by some the finest photographic black-and-white print ever made, was taken just north of Espanola. Bring your camera and see what you see.

Lodging

 • The major chains Super 8 (505-753-5374), Days Inn (505-747-1242), and Comfort Inn (505-753-2419) all have franchises in town that are serviceable but not special.
 • Several of the pueblos have hotels that are associated with their respective casinos. The closest is the Best Western Ohkay Casino Resort at San Juan Pueblo, just north of town, phone 505-747-1668.

Dining

 • Anthony's at the Delta is a surprisingly good (and expensive) Southwestern restaurant with a beautifully decorated interior. 228 Paseo de Ote, 505-753-4511. Lunch and dinner.
• El Paragua is the best place in town for "New Mexican" cuisine (stuffed sopaipillas with red or green chili, etc.). 602 Santa Cruz Road, near one of several starting points for the "High Road to Taos;" 505-753-3211. Lunch and dinner.

Get out

 • Three Native American pueblos border the town: Santa Clara Pueblo and San Ildefonso Pueblo on the south, San Juan Pueblo on the north. Several other pueblos (Nambe, Pojoaque, Tesuque) are nearby. All are good sources of American Indian arts and crafts; Santa Clara and San Ildefonso are particularly noted for fine black and red pottery. Santa Clara also contains the Puye Cliff Dwellings, an interesting archaeological site (fee). Several of the pueblos host casinos.
 • Taos, Santa Fe and Los Alamos with Bandelier National Monument nearby are all short drives from Espanola. The primary route to Taos follows the Rio Grande and passes a number of picturesque little villages, many with seasonal fruit stands. (Don't bother with the peaches at these; in the main, they're not local products but are trucked in. Much of the other produce, however, is, including apples and chili.) This stretch of the Rio is excellent white water, but there are more outfitters/tour operators in Taos and Santa Fe than in Espanola.
 • Espanola is the gateway to much of the red-rock country of north central New Mexico made famous by artist Georgia O'Keeffe. The small town of Abiquiu is northwest on US Highway 84, with a pleasant motel and attached restaurant (Abiquiu Inn, Cafe Abiquiu) and Abiquiu Lake, a man-made lake on the Rio Chama that can offer some boating and fishing, depending on the level of the lake (it's often drawn down in fall and winter to prepare for spring runoff). Ghost Ranch, O'Keeffe's famous estate, lies beyond, with a small visitor center. There are a number of hiking and photography opportunities in this area.