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Truth or Consequences is a small city in New Mexico with a peculiar name. It features natural hot springs as well as plenty of opportunities for recreational activities in the area.
Introduction to Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences, often abbreviated as T or C, didn’t always have an unusual name. It was originally incorporated as Hot Springs in 1916 and had about 40 hot spring resorts by World War II.
In March 1950, Ralph Edwards (1913-2005), the host of the popular NBC Radio show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air his 10th anniversary show from the first town to name itself after the show. Hot Springs officially made the change on March 31, 1950, and the show was broadcast from there the next evening. Edwards visited T or C the first weekend of May every year for the next 50 years to host an annual event that became known as the Fiesta.
Today, Truth or Consequences still holds the Fiesta. It includes a beauty pageant, parade, and stage show. There are now about 10 functioning hot springs mostly catering to out-of-town visitors. The downtown area is mostly situated between Main Avenue and Broadway. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and bars as well as a few shops.
Where to Stay in Truth or Consequences
There are options to stay at regular hotels or motels as well as hot springs resorts.
Desert View Inn
We stayed at the Desert View Inn, which is a short drive from downtown Truth or Consequences and very reasonably priced. It has clean comfortable rooms and a very friendly owner. We enjoyed our one night there and would be happy to stay there again.
Where to Eat in Truth or Consequences
We had some very good meals during our visit to town.
Passion Pie Cafe
We stopped for a coffee and piece of pie at Passion Pie Cafe. Both were excellent and we were happy we stumbled upon the place. Sorry I don’t have a better picture!
Johnny B’s
For dinner, we headed north of town to Johnny B’s. It’s a sports themed restaurant serving Mexican and American food. They have great sandwiches as well as a big breakfast menu. I had a huge combination plate that included two enchiladas, a chile relleno, a taco, and a tamale, served with rice and beans. I went back to the hotel full and happy.
El Faro
For breakfast the next morning, we stopped at El Faro for breakfast. I had an omelet served with refried beans. They have an all-day breakfast menu as well as traditional Mexican and American specialties. I’d like to have the chance to go back and try some of their other dishes.
The Brazen Fox (Permanently Closed)
We had a meal at a small taqueria, the Brazen Fox. They had a selection of tacos that were pretty good.
Lee Belle Johnson Building
In the heart of Truth or Consequences is the Lee Belle Johnson Building. It hosts both the Spaceport America Visitor Center and the Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway Visitor Center, which commemorates Chiricahua Apache warrior Geronimo (1829-1909).
Spaceport America is the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport and is located southeast of the city. Visitors can learn more about the spaceport through interactive displays and even book tours.
Geronimo Springs Museum
The Geronimo Springs Museum is dedicated to the history of Truth or Consequences and the surrounding area. It’s full of interesting exhibits.
The museum is open daily. Admission is US$6 for adults, US$3 for kids age 6-18, and free for kids under 6 (as of April 2025). It averages around 3,000 visitors a month from across the US as well as other countries.
Exhibits
The Geronimo Springs Museum has a wide variety of exhibits covering all sorts of topics. First, there are authentic artifacts related to Apache and Hispanic heritage on display.
Other exhibits are dedicated to ranching and homesteading in the area, with items dating back to the 19th century. The ranching exhibit includes hats and brands used by local ranchers.
Archaeology exhibits include a mastodon skull and other prehistoric fossils as well as Native American ceramics and tools.
Wilson Room
The Wilson Room contains photographs and memorabilia from the 20th century in Truth or Consequences and Sierra County. The most important item is a teller window from the First National Bank of Hot Springs, which was chartered on June 25, 1917, by A.H. Hilton. In 1918, the bank was sold to Robert Martin, and in 1927 to Frank Winston. The branch now operates as the Bank of the Southwest in Truth or Consequences. Just beyond the Wilson Room is a display about the railroad coming to Truth or Consequences.
Heritage Room
The Heritage Room is decorated with murals by local artist Delmas Howe (b. 1935). They portray Geronimo, Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate (1550-1626), American writer Eugene Manlove Rhodes (1869-1934), and Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa (1878-1923). Bronze sculptures of the same figures surround a fountain in the center of the room. They were made by New Mexico native Hivana Leyendecker.
The Heritage Room once served as the New Zealand Bar. A corner of the room is dedicated to the bar complete with an original mural. It pays homage to the town’s Old West roots.
Ralph Edwards Room
Perhaps the most interesting room in the Geronimo Springs Museum is the Ralph Edwards Room. It tells the story of how the town got its name and displays colorful costumes, photographs, and memorabilia.
In March 1950, Ralph Edwards (1913-2005), the host of the popular NBC Radio show Truth or Consequences, announced that he would air his 10th anniversary show from the first town to name itself after the show. Many towns responded, but the town of Hot Springs, New Mexico, stood out from the rest.
The show’s producer, Ed Bailey, went to Hot Springs to discuss details with Mayor Glen Mims and State Senator Burton Roach. The city council unanimously decided to call a special election two weeks later. On March 31, 1950, citizens voted 1294 to 295 in favor of the name change, and Hot Springs officially became Truth or Consequences. The show was broadcast from there the next evening, and Edwards led a parade two miles long to celebrate the event. Around 10,000 people lined the route.
Edwards visited Truth or Consequences the first weekend of May every year for the next 50 years to host an annual event that became known as the Fiesta. It came to include a beauty pageant, parade, stage show, and other events. Memorabilia from Fiestas over the years are on display, as well as This Is Your Life events in town. The Fiesta is still held every May.
Outdoor Exhibits
Outside the museum are more exhibits, including farm equipment and an authentic windmill. There’s also the Hardcastle Cabin, which was built in the 1930s and stood in the nearby Black Range Mountains. It was disassembled and moved next to the museum in the 1990s. The cabin is decorated with authentic items that would have been used inside.
Riverbend Hot Springs
Of all the hot springs in town, we chose to visit the Riverbend Hot Springs. It’s located right on the banks of the Rio Grande and also includes a hotel geared towards couples.
All prices are based on one or two people and are current as of May 2025. Towels and robes are available for rent at an extra fee:
- Visitors can get an hour of access to public pools for US$30 from Monday through Thursday and US$40 from Friday through Sunday.
- 50 minute private soaks in open-air pools along the river cost US$40 from Monday through Thursday and US$50 from Friday through Sunday.
I opted for a private soak in the evening and was very happy with my choice. The pool was very hot and it was extremely peaceful and relaxing.
