9 Towns in New Mexico With Vibrant Downtown Areas
Many of New Mexico's small towns have bustling downtown areas with a charming and lively atmosphere. Spend time at the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell or Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos, dine at JC's New York Pizza Department in Las Vegas or Amador Patio Bar & Grill in Las Cruces, stay at Hotel La Fonda de Taos in Taos or Hotel El Rancho in Gallup, go on a shopping trip at Route 66 Townhouse Welcome Center & Gift Shop in Tucumcari, or take a trip to Silver City or Truth or Consequences for annual events like the Taste of Downtown Silver City or the Truth or Consequences Fiesta. Read on to find more places to eat, shop, and explore in these nine towns with vibrant downtown areas.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a charming town with a vibrant downtown area in New Mexico. The City of Las Vegas Museum and Rough Rider Memorial Collection is a great place to learn more about the Las Vegas area's heritage. Art enthusiasts will love the nearby Las Vegas Arts Council, which houses an art gallery and hosts craft fairs, workshops, and productions. Many antique stores run by community historians are also in the area. Stroll through the town's oldest antique store, Plaza Antiques, shop for shoes at Plaza Boots, or explore the vintage record store Music Album.
Stop by JC's New York Pizza Department for authentic New York-style pizza or The Skillet for New Mexican cuisine and enticing cocktails. For a pleasant spot to stay in the heart of downtown, consider the historic Plaza Hotel, which has Victorian-style rooms, a cafe, and a saloon that overlooks Plaza Park. Storrie Lake State Park and the Montezuma Hot Springs are a short drive away for outdoor exploration.
Las Cruces
Las Cruces's best restaurants, shops, and entertainment are in its downtown district. The Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market on Main Street is one of the country's top farmers' markets. It spans seven blocks and features various vendors selling everything from art to handmade jewelry. Main Street is also home to popular spots like Downtown Blues Coffee, Boneyard Cantina, Amador Patio Bar & Grill, JAX Rooftop Lounge, Broken Spoke Taphouse, Club 575, Rio Grande Theatre, RAD Retrocade, and AmadorLive. Many shops selling clothing, jewelry, gifts, books, and games line the downtown streets, too.
The Plaza de Las Cruces features picnic areas, a splash pad, and a stage for live music. Various museums and cultural attractions, such as the Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science and Branigan Cultural Center, are other fun things to do in downtown Las Cruces.
Roswell
Those into extraterrestrials will love the many UFO-themed attractions in the heart of downtown Roswell. Take a trip to the International UFO Museum and Research Center to explore several exhibits focused on the history of UFO encounters. The Bricktown: Alien Attack is another tourist attraction signature to Roswell, with displays, interactive activities, and a gift store. For an out-of-this-world experience, a virtual reality outing at Spaceport Roswell is ideal. You will also find that the Roswell UFO Spacewalk, a retro-like alien art exhibit, is also intriguing. The downtown area hosts the annual Roswell UFO Festival with guest speakers and panels, live entertainment, costume contests, and a parade.
Other points of interest in Roswell include the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, the Roswell Museum, and the Walker Aviation Museum. A visit to Roswell is incomplete without a stop at Fatman's Beef Jerky. Pecos Flavors Winery & Bistro is a must-visit dining and wine-tasting destination too. Or, show off your creative artistic side at Imagine That! Scrapbooks & Gifts, then stop by Casa Bella Boutique for a pleasant shopping experience in downtown Roswell.
Los Alamos
At the center of downtown Los Alamos are famous museums unique to the area, like the Los Alamos History Museum and Bradbury Science Museum. A walking tour of the city's historic downtown area is also worthwhile. Boese Bros Brewpub and Bathtub Row Brewing offer fantastic food and craft beers. Cottonwood on the Greens and Blue Window Bistro are other dining options in the area. In the summertime, Los Alamos hosts a weekly event featuring live music, arts and crafts, and a beer garden on the Central Park Square lawn.
Downtown Los Alamos is also home to many annual festivals and events for locals and visitors, including the Los Alamos Day of Arts and Culture and Los Alamos WinterFest.
Taos
Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos offers one of the most vibrant downtown areas in New Mexico. Go sightseeing and explore museums like the Kit Carson Home & Museum, Harwood Museum of Art, and Taos Art Museum. Walk the downtown streets to find spots like the Las Comadres Gallery, which has a collection of paintings and fine jewelry. There are many unique shops, from stylish art wear pieces at Artemisia to gifts at I Love Taos.
Taos Mesa Brewing's Taproom, Taos Ale House, and The Alley Cantina are popular bar and nightlife options in the lively downtown area. The Taos Plaza is the center of the Taos Historic District, which has live music, farmers markets, and cultural events. The historic Hotel La Fonda de Taos is a quaint place to stay in the vibrant district.
Silver City
Silver City is situated in the foothills of the Gila National Forest and offers lovely outdoor adventures in its surrounding area. The Catwalk National Recreation Area is perfect for taking a long walk and picnicking. City of Rocks State Park provides ample opportunities to explore the hiking trails, a botanical garden, and a public night sky observatory. Besides its scenic beauty and abundance of nature, Silver City has a historic downtown district with a thriving arts, culture, and culinary scene. Silver City's Main Street Plaza, next to Big Ditch Park, has many events like Makers Market for artists, makers, and growers to showcase their products.
The lively area also hosts the annual Taste of Downtown Silver City event, which gives attendees a sample of the best downtown restaurants in the collection. For Dia de los Muertos, people fill the streets to celebrate with music, arts and crafts, food, and a parade. In downtown, you can also see the latest films at a beautifully restored Art Deco theater, enjoy craft brews at a distillery, hear live music at a bustling coffee shop, see works of art at a gallery, and dine on American cuisine with Southwest flair at a local cafe.
Gallup
Experience the Native American culture like never before in the heart of downtown Gallup. At the Gallup Native Arts Market, shop for everything from art to handmade jewelry, then explore the Gallup Cultural Center to learn about the Native American heritage and culture. Take a mural walking tour for fascinating facts about the talented artists behind the colorful murals you will encounter downtown. The seasonal Gallup Arts Crawl features art demos, book signings, live music, and multiple vendors.
Downtown Gallup offers many shopping options for Native American keepsakes and local goods. Coal Street Pub is where you can find some of the finest microbrews from New Mexico. Jerry's Cafe is a Gallup staple, as the family-owned and operated restaurant has been a part of the downtown area since 1976. Make the most of your stop in Gallup with an overnight stay at the historic Hotel El Rancho.
Tucumcari
Tucumcari's proximity to Route 66 makes it an ideal destination to visit while traveling through New Mexico. Its downtown area is just as exciting. The quaint Kandel's Street Sips in the downtown area offers the finest teas and other specialty drinks. The Jackalope Coffee Haus & Smoothie Bar inside Blanco Creek Boutique is another option for grabbing a beverage on the go. Tucumcari Ranch Supply, home of Watson's BBQ, is a delightful place to dine with smoked meats and affordable lunch specials on the menu. Tucumcari's downtown district has many museums, like the Tucumcari Historical Museum and Tucumcari Railroad Museum.
Take a short walk to the Route 66 Townhouse Welcome Center & Gift Shop for appeal, gifts, and antiques. Odeon Theatre, a historic Art Deco landmark in the area, showcases the latest and vintage films if you are seeking a night out at the movies. The nearby George Molinas Memorial Park offers individuals and families the perfect spot to host picnics, parties, and gatherings.
Truth or Consequences
Truth or Consequences is such a unique town with so much to offer. In the historic Las Palomas Plaza, take a pleasant stroll, explore one of the ancient hot springs, or visit the Geronimo Springs Museum. Art galleries, shops, and studios participate in the monthly Second Saturday Art Hop, which brings residents and visitors together for a lively evening in the heart of downtown Truth or Consequences. The Truth or Consequences Fiesta, an annual event for nearly 50 years, is a beautiful celebration for the community that includes a rodeo, a beer garden, contests, and a parade.
After a day of walking, stop by Los Arcos Steak & Lobster, Outer Edge Pizzeria, Passion Pie Cafe, A & B Drive-In, or Sidekixx Bar & Kitchen for dining. The vibrant downtown area is also a place for live music, entertainment, and holiday events. East of downtown is Ralph Edwards Park, the seasonal Sierra County Farmers Market site.
Discover Vibrant Downtown Areas
Whether you have heard about them or not, these New Mexico towns with vibrant downtown areas will make you want to explore them all. Step out of the norm of exploring big-name cities and settle into one of these nine communities on your next New Mexico vacation, from Las Vegas to Truth or Consequences.
