9 Prettiest Downtown Strips In New Mexico
New Mexico is a mixture of wonders, from the towering mountains and forests surrounding towns to the deserts scattered throughout. The diversity of America's fifth-largest state in terms of land is fantastic for several reasons. For one, it makes the downtown areas rich with culture and offers unique experiences. These landscapes are the perfect settings for downtown strips.
These strips may be small, but each town offers unique experiences through its shops, culture, and restaurants that you won't find anywhere else. Here are some of our downtown strips in New Mexico that we think are absolute treats to visit.
Chimayo
Not far from Santa Fe rests the small town of Chimayo. It's primarily known for traditional crafts like weaving, tinsmithing, and wood carving. These crafts are enough of a draw for people, as many stores stock up on those crafts. You can get a sense of hand-woven textiles by checking out Ortega's Weaving Shop and Galeria Ortega.
Aside from fabulous textiles, Chimayo is also a frequent pilgrimage site thanks to the El Santuario de Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas — otherwise called The Shrine of Our Lord of Esquipulas or El Santuario de Chimayo. Every Holy Thursday or Good Friday, thousands make the journey from as far as Albuquerque to that area. After all that, one nice place to grab a bite to eat is Rancho de Chimayo, a restaurant that feels like home and brings original New Mexican dishes that have been fine-tuned and perfected for decades.
Taos
Close to the Colorado border is the town of Taos. While it's more recognized for its skiing, mountain biking, and fishing ventures, its downtown area is still stellar, especially with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains further out. For basic clothing essentials alongside local roasted coffee and art, turn to B.E.E.Spoke. Casa Cristal Pottery in nearby El Prado shows off Southwestern and Mexican pottery products, with each piece being hand-painted. For more unique experiences, visit the Golden Anderson Studios, a working jewelry studio and showroom owned by jewelry artists Gail Golden and David Anderson.
However, the most likely unique option is to attend the First Friday on Bent Street event. Every month, visitors and locals gather for this weekly event, a big celebration and showcase of the community's talents and products.
Silver City
Named for its silver mining back in the day, its central downtown district still draws in crowds with its historical-style buildings. History buffs will love it here, as the buildings are Victorian, Queen Anne, or Italianate style. Beyond that, various art galleries, antiques, crafts, and more await you. To get a good taste of the artistic scene, check out the Grant County Art Guild Gallery, which features 35 local artists in various crafts. You can also appreciate the atmosphere at Nancy's Silver Cafe, which has been serving authentic Mexican and American dishes for over 30 years.
The Silver City Museum and Store is excellent for those who intensely appreciate history. It's all stored in the historic 1881 H.B. Ailman house. Alternatively, you can rest at a spa in Datura Therapeutic Day Spa, which offers facials, body treatments, reflexology, spa manicures, and pedicures.
Pojoaque
Home to the first Spanish Mission, the town's Native American culture dates back centuries and offers nothing short of an authentic Native American experience. Its downtown strip encapsulates this with their Poeh Cultural Center and Museum, which was built to promote public understanding of, and respect for, Pueblo history and culture. To add to that history, you can also check out the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder art collection, just three miles from town, where over 300 one-of-a-kind pieces are scattered throughout.
Speaking of the Hilton, the other major draw to Pojoaque is the hotel's casino. Notably, it is a 61,000-square-foot Vegas-style casino, which is one of the finest you'll find in New Mexico. Its lower levels also house many restaurants, which you don't want to miss out on either. One of the most notable is the Turquoise Trail, an homage to iconic Route 66 restaurants. Its classic American and Southwest cuisine blend is a delightful experience for all.
Roswell
Primarily known for its UFO encounters, Roswell has embraced its extraterrestrial roots and has multiple stores revolving around that theme. That alone is an interesting walk in and of itself, but the stores themselves have some unique options too. The store Ancients of Days offers an assortment of rocks, fossils, crystals, and geodes.
Alternatively, Hangar 209 is excellent for tourists as it offers a variety of souvenirs, apparel, books, coffee, and more. And if you're feeling artsy, check out Imagine That!, a mega crafting and gift superstore for anyone who loves crafting and scrapbooking.
Farmington
The historic downtown area of Farmington is the go-to district for unique and local retail. Over the years, it's been working with Main Street America to revitalize the downtown area with events and stores. As a result, Farmington has a variety of events all year round and some unique stores that sell art, clothing, jewelry, home necessities, cosmetics, and more.
To capture that experience, first check out the Studio Bake Shoppe for an assortment of baked goods, including some Gluten-free options. Or, if you need a bigger meal, visit Three Rivers Brewery for a meal and beer. They even offer brewery tours for those interested.
Entertainment is also plentiful in Farmington's downtown area, with the Totah Theater featuring regular concerts and other events. In addition, several art galleries are scattered throughout town, such as the Artifacts 302 and Wal Art Gallery. Farmington also hosts a quarterly Art Walk, which brings the downtown area more life with Scottish music, Indian drums and chanting, and garage bands.
Gallup
Rich in Native American history and culture, Gallup is along the historic Route 66 and offers a lot for history buffs, art lovers, and those who love the great outdoors. Visiting the Gallup Cultural Center captures Native American cultures and Gallup's history. You can also check out the Rex Museum for local and traveling exhibits that are rotated out throughout the year. For art lovers, the murals scattered throughout the entire town are a treat, and they're all walkable, particularly downtown, which has over 27 murals.
And for anyone who appreciates the unique landscape of Gallup, Red Rock Park is one of the best places to go and offers the city's best views. After you're done for the day, swing by Earl's Family Restaurant for unique shopping and dining experiences. You can order both food and handmade Native American jewelry and goods. The vendors will visit each table, so you don't have to get up.
Los Alamos
Los Alamos wasn't always the charming town that it is today. Initially, it was created as a secret city during World War II and played a part in conducting scientific research and nuclear history. That history is now more contained in the Los Alamos History Museum, the Manhattan Project National Historic Park, and the Bradley Science Museum.
Outside of the history, you can grab a brew at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op, where you can take a picture of the bathtub or a Hoppenheimer IPA, named after Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer. Or if you want to get a lay of the land, the Los Alamos Nature Center gives you a chance to learn about local wildlife, get trail maps, and has a playground section for the kids.
Las Vegas
Not to be confused with the Las Vegas in Nevada, the same namesake in New Mexico is still enchanting in its own unique way. For those who love history, there are nine historic districts in addition to the downtown strip. With all of that combined, there are well over 900 buildings. To get a feel for the history, check out the City of Las Vegas Museum and Rough Rider Memorial, which has historical items dating from as early as the 1300s. For something more modern, visit Gallery 140, which showcases the diverse work of local artists and craftsmen.
For more local flavour, check out Abraham's Tiendita, which offers an assortment of tamales, burritos, and tacos, and it's served faster than even fast food chains. And if you want something lighter, Cafe Colibri beckons with its charming ambiance and aromatic coffee brews. Between the cozy atmosphere and serving of unique foods you wouldn't expect from a cafe (like green chile stew, paninis, and quiche), Cafe Colibri is bound to have something you'd discover and enjoy.
From various cultural attractions to beautiful landscapes, vibrant stores, and authentic New Mexican cuisine, these are some of the prettiest downtown strips to check out and towns overall to explore. The amount of history, art, and culture in these towns is brimming, and each one has its own unique experience, whether that's through celebrating or learning about Native American culture or the atomic bomb. Plan out a day trip or even a weekend to experience more of what New Mexico offers you, as each town has something for everyone.
