Silver City Travel Guide

  City of Rocks
by toonsarah
  • City of Rocks
      City of Rocks
    by toonsarah
  • Buckhorn Saloon, Pinos Altos
      Buckhorn Saloon, Pinos Altos
    by toonsarah
  • Storm approaching
      Storm approaching
    by toonsarah
  • Fire station, Pinos Altos
      Fire station, Pinos Altos
    by toonsarah
  • Fire station, Pinos Altos
      Fire station, Pinos Altos
    by toonsarah

Flights to Silver City

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Pro

bocmaxima profile photo

 beautiful setting, undiscovered, untainted town 


Con

mhellman profile photo

 Mine closing caused economic downturn (but mine is gradually reopening) 


In a nutshell

sherita profile photo

 The Gila Cliff Dwellings are unlike any others I've seen in New Mexico or Arizona and are well worth the trip. 

 

Explore Silver City

Things to Do  

Silver City Museum

Silver City Museum, Silver City

 toonsarah Says:  The museum in Silver City isn’t large but it’s in a nice old Victorian house and is apparently worth a quick visit to see the old photos of the town (especially before the floods that created the Big Ditch – see previous tip). Unfortunately though we spent too long taking... 

The Big Ditch

The Big Ditch, Silver City

 toonsarah Says:  It may seem odd that a “ditch” is a “thing to do” but this is no ordinary ditch. In fact until the end of the 19th century it was Silver City’s Main Street! But around that time there was a series of floods, and one result of these was that on the night of July 21st 1895... 

An incredible example of community participation!

An incredible example of community participation!, Silver City

 mhellman Says:  Penny Park is a wonderful playground that is both a terrific place to take children as well as a symbol of what happens when a community comes together for the benefit of all. Built and maintained entirely with donations and volunteer labor, this place is the envy of much... 

Hotels  

Murray Hotel

 26 Opinions

Holiday Inn Express Silver City

 1 Review and 64 Opinions  We only stayed one night. The front desk staff was very friendly and provided us with several... 

Restaurants  

Alotta Gelato: Best ice cream in town

Alotta Gelato: Best ice cream in town, Silver City

 toonsarah Says:  When we set off to explore Silver our host at the Inn on Broadway mentioned that the best ice cream could be had at this place towards the north end of the main street, Bullard. So when we arrived at that end of town we decided to pop in for our first ice cream treat of the... 

Jalisco Café: What’s the hurry?

Jalisco Café: What’s the hurry?, Silver City

 toonsarah Says:  The Jalisco Café occupies a row of three or four old shops at the bottom end of the main street, Bullard. Having checked out the several restaurants at the southern end of town, near our accommodation, we settled on this one, as it looked welcoming and had an appealing New... 

Isaac's Bar & Grill: Try the Bison!

Isaac's Bar & Grill: Try the Bison!, Silver City

 sherita Says:  I love bison and heard Isaac's had both a burger and meatloaf. When we first arrived there was no one at the front door, just a sign that said to seat yourself. We had to wait what seemed like a long time but was probably only about five minutes for someone to give us a... 

Java the Hut: Deli Food and Great Coffee

Java the Hut: Deli Food and Great Coffee, Silver City

 Basaic Says:  Java the Hut is located on Bullard Street in the Historic District. They specialize in deli sandwiches, hot dogs, and different types of coffees and teas. Hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday and 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays. This place is... 

Nightlife  

Buffalo Bar: Where everyone goes ...

Buffalo Bar: Where everyone goes ..., Silver City

 toonsarah Says:  According to the Moon Handbook on New Mexico, “Just about everyone in town mixes at the Buffalo Bar”, so we decided to do the same. It’s an unpretentious-looking (and unpretentious) bar on the main drag, Bullard, towards its southern end. When we first went in and took seats... 

The Watering Hole: Nice Place to Drink, Watch Sports and Meet People

The Watering Hole: Nice Place to Drink, Watch Sports and Meet People, Silver City

 Basaic Says:  The Watering Hole is a small club with TVs for watching sports, light food, and good drinks. It is in the same building as the Red Barn Steakhouse and the same parking area as the motel where I was staying. The waitress changed the channel at the request of some patrons so... 

Transportation  

Three ways to get here. FROM...
7dolphin7 profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

7dolphin7 11 reviews

Three ways to get here. FROM I-10, 1) Go West on Hwy 180 out of Deming, NM about 48 miles. 2) Go North on Hwy 90 from Lordsburg, NM about 45 miles. 3) Come in from Arizona on Hwy 180 and head east, about 120 miles from teh AZ/NM state line.
Once in SIlver City, use the Corre Caminos Bus transit (Grant County Transportation) an let them worry about the driving. Very low prices and goes most places in Silver City. Outside Silver City you will need your own vehicle.

Written Oct 5, 2002

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Shopping  

Lots of galleries!
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mhellman 22 reviews

What to buy: Silver City is known for the number and variety of art galleries in town, several of which are run co-operatively. The quality is good, and the works are usually far less expensive than similar offerings in more trendy towns like Santa Fe and Taos.

Most galleries can be found on Bullard St. or Yankie St. (which crosses Bullard St). Open house/walking tour events happen from time to time-- ask around.

Updated Jun 11, 2005

Phone: 505) 538-2505 or 1-888-758-7289

Website: http://www.mimbresarts.org

Related to:
 Arts and Culture

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Local Customs  

The Official New Mexico State Question...

The Official New Mexico State Question..., Silver City

 mhellman Says:  ...is "Red or Green?" This refers to whether you would like red or green chile sauce on your food. You may wish to ask your server which one is hotter that day and order accordingly depending on your tastes and tolerance. My personal favorite is green, as I find that green... 

Friendly natives

Friendly natives, Silver City

 mhellman Says:  People in Silver City are very friendly and will often say hello to anybody they may pass on the street. This sometimes startles visitors, especially those from the East Coast of the US (where many people on the street keep their head down and avoid eye contact with... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Watch out for deer!

Watch out for deer!, Silver City

 mhellman Says:  When driving in outlying areas, be careful to avoid hitting deer. Keep in mind that most such accidents occur at dusk, and that deer usually travel in groups of two or more-- so if you see one, be aware that another may be nearby.US Rt. 90 from Silver City south (toward... 

A brief word to the wise...

A brief word to the wise..., Silver City

 mhellman Says:  Silver City is not crime-free (what place is?). Like much of New Mexico, Silver City's crimes are generally alcohol- or drug-fueled: drunk driving, domestic violence, vandalism, etc. The cops are friendly and professional and are trying to keep the lid on.Like many places in... 

Tourist Traps  

There are not any tourist...
7dolphin7 profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

7dolphin7 11 reviews

There are not any tourist traps I know of, but some of the local Arts and Crafts shops can be a little pricy for thier products. Gasoline is always higher in Silver City than on the Interstate accesses from I-10 by about .20 cents/gallon.

Written Oct 5, 2002

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Off The Beaten Path  

Pinos Altos

Pinos Altos, Silver City

 toonsarah Says:  Driving north out of Silver towards the Gila Cliff Dwellings you will pass a half-hidden turning to Pinos Altos. But unless you are really in a hurry (and no one in a hurry should be driving winding Highway 15), do take the turning and spend a few minutes exploring this... 

City of Rocks State Park

City of Rocks State Park, Silver City

 toonsarah Says:  If you like unusual landscapes and photogenic rock formations, this is the place for you. A group of bizarrely-shaped rocks rises from an otherwise fairly featureless plain as if they had been placed here by ancient man, but this is a completely natural construction. The... 

Unusual, accessible natural wonder

Unusual, accessible natural wonder, Silver City

 mhellman Says:  About 30 miles east of Silver City is City of Rocks State Park. A volcano blew its stack about 30 million years ago and deposited a pile of rocks hundreds of miles away on an otherwise flat plain. These monoliths have survived wind and water and have incredible shapes. Great... 

Favorites  

Many-coloured Silver

Many-coloured Silver, Silver City

 toonsarah Says:  Silver City has a pleasingly raffish air, with many of its old buildings not only smartened up but also brightly painted. Unlike many western towns, its buildings were built in stone or in cast iron, and have stood the test of time. Also unlike some carefully “restored” old... 

Comments

 
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Map of Silver City