Los Lunas

Los Lunas is a nice little town about 20 miles south of Albuquerque in Central New Mexico.

Los Lunas is a village in Valencia County, New Mexico, United States. In 2020, the village had a population of 17,000. It is the county seat of Valencia County. Los Lunas is part of the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

Los Lunas was established in the 18th century and developed as an agricultural community along the Rio Grande. The area was named after the Luna family, an influential Spanish colonial family.

Today, Los Lunas combines a growing suburban community with its historic agricultural character. Its location makes it convenient for visitors exploring central New Mexico while offering access to nearby outdoor and cultural attractions.

The original land grant was made to Don Adrian Luna Candelaria in 1716, but within two years it was given to the Luna family. Some Civil War battles were fought near the village. Los Lunas became the county seat in 1876 and became an incorporated village in 1928. The Los Lunas Decalogue Stone is located nearby.

A United States Army Air Forces bombing range, used by elements of the 509th Bomb Wing out of Kirtland Army Air Field, later Kirtland Air Force Base, was located here during and after World War II.

The village offers a variety of events to go to. Among them are annual events such as: the St. Patrick's Day Balloon Rally; Fourth of July Parade, celebration and fireworks display at Daniel Fernandez Park; and the Holiday Electric Light Parade down main street (NM Highway 6).

Los Lunas is just off Interstate highway 25, although travelers can also get there via the far more scenic back roads, like NM 314. The nearest major airport is in Albuquerque.

A commuter railroad, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, connects Los Lunas to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and some of the other small communities along the Rio Grande. The Los Lunas station is at the intersection of Courthouse Road and NM 314, about a half-mile south of the intersection of NM 314 and Main Street. The train runs with limited service daily.

The junction of NM 314 and Main Street (NM 6) marks the center of town. I-25 runs north-south west of town.

• Los Lunas Museum of Heritage & Arts, 251 Main St. SE, ☏ +1 505-352-7720. Tue-Sat 10AM – 5PM (closed Sun Mon). Local museum documenting the history and culture of Los Lunas and Valencia County, with historical objects, photographs and rotating exhibits. free. 
• Daniel Fernandez Park, 1103 Highway 314 SW. Community park with open spaces and recreational facilities. free. 
• Los Lunas Historic District — Historic area containing older buildings and reminders of the village's agricultural and Spanish colonial heritage.

• Rio Grande — Major river running through the valley west of Los Lunas, with surrounding agricultural land and wildlife habitat.

• Teofilo's Restaurant, 144 Main St (just east of the junction of NM 314 and NM 6), ☏ +1 505-865-5511. In an old house, serves excellent New Mexican food. $8-12. 
• Ribs BBQ, 120 Nelson Lane (just northeast of the intersection of NM 6 and NM 263), ☏ +1 505_866-0000Phone with wrong format. Serves excellent BBQ, and brews their own beer onsite. $7-$12 

There are a few places to sleep around the Main St/I-25 intersection, mainly chain motels, like the Quality Inn and a Days Inn. There's also the Western Skies Inn & Suites, 2258 Sun Ranch Village Loop (just west of the Main St/I-25 intersection), +1 505 865-0001.

Santa Fe ← Albuquerque ←

N  S

→ Belen → Las Cruces