Armand Hammer United World College of the American West

Armand Hammer United World College of the American West Review

About 5 mi northwest of Downtown in the village of Montezuma, students from around the world study language and culture at the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West. Looming over the school property is the fantastically ornate, vaguely Queen Anne-inspired Montezuma Castle, a former resort hotel developed by the Santa Fe Railroad and designed by the famous Chicago firm of Burnham and Root. The structure that stands today was the third incarnation of the Montezuma Hotel, which opened in 1886. Student-led tours of the castle are available on certain Saturdays (call ahead). Check in with the guard booth at the campus entrance.

Continue another ½ mi past the campus turnoff on NM 65 to reach signs (on the right) for the hot springs that inspired Montezuma's tourist boom in the 1880s. Soaking in these relaxing, lithium-laced pools is free, as long as you follow basic rules: no nude bathing, no alcohol, and bathing only between 5 am and midnight. If crowds allow, try soaking in all three different pools; temperatures vary significantly but the views of the castle and the creek are lovely from each pool.