November 6, 2025

I pulled into Madrid, NM, not sure what to expect. I’d driven through the town many years before without stopping, noting I might want to explore it later. But this time I had a destination: Java Junction, a quaint coffee house with a loft upstairs available for overnight rental. Little did I know I’d find one of my favorite stops on this trip.

Like many of the shops in this town, Java Junction is located in a charming house converted to a business. The coffee shop is downstairs, surrounded by a patio and garden with plenty of seating options for sipping a favorite beverage or enjoying a sandwich or wrap from their menu. I “checked in,” which was just a matter of saying hello since there was a self-check-in code for entry. After browsing their gift section—I’m not one to pass up a gift shop—I ventured up to my accommodation for the night via a steep narrow staircase with a separate entry.

I’d only expected a small room, enchanted by the idea of spending the night above a café. What I found was far more: a lovely bedroom area, a full kitchen, and private outdoor deck. It was the entire upper floor of the building, essentially an apartment. I wished I’d booked it for more than one night. In fact, I wished I could just move in.

I set my overnight bag down and returned downstairs. I’d arrived early enough that shops and art galleries were still open. I strolled along the street, admiring gardens filled with whimsical sculptures and artistic metalwork. Vendors nodded hello from porches. The ambiance of the town was welcoming and friendly.

I found my way to a grocery store, also housed in an older building. Each room offered a different department of food: dry goods in one room, refrigerated items in another, snacks in yet another. It was a delightful contrast to larger grocery stores.

The stroll back to Java Junction allowed more gallery browsing, but I soon settled back in my lodging, where I spent time writing on the deck. Eventually hunger caught up with me, and I headed for the Mine Shaft Tavern, where I ordered a grilled veggie sandwich that was delicious. I listened to a bit of live music to soak up the atmosphere of what was clearly a very popular place, and then I returned to Java Junction for some late-night reading and a good night’s sleep.

In the morning, I grabbed a breakfast burrito in the café and took it back upstairs to enjoy with a freshly brewed mug of java on the back deck. It was a perfect start to the day.

Before leaving, I stopped downstairs to announce my reluctant departure. I looked over a community board in the café where customers could purchase a coffee or other treat for someone to discover and enjoy. The outsides of the folded notes indicated the gift was “for a firefighter,” or “for a teacher,” or simply “for someone who needs cheering up.” It was a lovely activity, and I added my own gift note to the board.

Madrid is located along the 52-mile Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, a route that runs from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. It’s the kind of back road I love, well worth getting off the main interstate. Madrid itself is a fantastic stop along the way, perfect for anyone with an appreciation for small towns, quaint shops, and a backroads adventure.