2-Minute Travel | Corrales, New Mexico

Corrales is an oasis of fields and cottonwoods tucked between the west bank of the Rio Grande and Rio Rancho. Though the largest shopping mall in New Mexico is 10-minutes away, Corrales feels like being in the country.It is a friendly, down to earth community, where everyone waves. There are a lot of folks riding horses and many of the businesses provide hitching posts, with a few offering discounts to customers who cruise by on horse rather than a car.

The narrow, green space attracts gardeners and farmers. It is the type of community where one neighbor brings you fresh eggs and another gives you fresh honey. If you want wool, there are plenty of resident alpacas.
Signs at both ends of Corrales warn motorists: “Drive slow, see our village. Drive fast, see our judge.” They aren’t kidding, but it is New Mexico’s shortest scenic byway so there is ample reason to slow down and enjoy the scenery.There are no buildings over 150 years old in Corrales due to repeated flooding. The old Corrales acequia, or irrigation ditch, was dug in the early 18th century to divert irrigation water from the north end of the valley through the village for irrigation.

For those unfamiliar with New Mexico: it is a fall ritual to buy bushels of chile. We roast them and freeze them for use in everything throughout the winter. Running out of chile before the following year’s harvest is a crisis that most residents prefer to avoid.

For people who don’t enjoy traffic and large crowds, Corrales is a great place to enjoy the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. They launch from the Fiesta Park, but often they land in Corrales or, at least, stop long enough for a splash & dash in the Rio Grande.