The Most Criminally Overlooked Town In New Mexico And Why You Need To Visit
The quaint town of Silver City lies in southwestern New Mexico, on the edge of the Gila National Forest. Despite its charms, it’s often overlooked because it isn’t close to any of New Mexico’s bigger cities or off a freeway. You don’t arrive at Silver City by accident but it’s definitely worth coming here by design.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
Inside, you’ll find the Silver City Museum, which provides a solid introduction to the founding of the town in 1870 and local history over the subsequent 100 years. The museum has collections devoted to the area’s Native American tribes and to the mining industry that was key to settling the town. (Address: 312 W. Broadway, Silver City)
Silver City residents took this disaster in-stride and simply converted the back doors of their businesses into front doors, which is why the buildings now open onto Bullard Street rather than Main Street, as you might expect.
In addition to being a peaceful place to relax, this riparian habitat also helps to ensure the survival of the endangered Chiricahua leopard frog. For directions.
In Silver City, this spot is Boston Hill, an area consisting of old mining sites that have now given way to trails. (Address: S. Cooper Street, Silver City)
(Address: 1000 W College Avenue, Fleming Hall, Silver City)
There’s something happening almost every month, from Chocolate Fantasia in February (yes, that’s a chocolate festival) to a rodeo in June, and a Clay Festival in July. Silver City puts on a blues fest, the Chicano Music Festival, the Southwest Festival of the Written Word, and numerous car shows throughout the year. For more info.
You won’t be bored in this underappreciated part of the state. Just outside Silver City is the Santa Rita Mine, which is so immense that it swallowed an entire town! The Gila National Forest is made for scenic – if twisting – drives like the Trail of the Mountain Spirits, which leads you to the incredible Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Have you been to Silver City?
