Silver City Is the Most Enchanting College Town in New Mexico to Visit in Fall

Fall is easily my favorite season. I love the colored leaves, cozy sweaters, and the cool (not freezing) temperatures. But here in New Mexico, autumn is just a bit different. The desert landscape doesn’t offer the vibrant fall colors like you’ll see in eastern states, and the daily temperatures are still quite warm—I’m typically not ready to pull out my favorite sweaters yet. But, in college towns across the Land of Enchantment, autumn is when these towns come alive.

Students are seen walking down main streets, communities welcome students back with excitement, fall activities fill calendars, and so much more. Silver City, New Mexico, home to Western New Mexico University, is one town in the Land of Enchantment that I find practically perfect when the seasons change. In fact, it deserves a spot at the top of your fall bucket list.

Silver City is the type of place where you'll plan your return trip before your first visit is even over. Just over 9,000 people live in this town in Southwest New Mexico, which is nestled next to the Gila National Forest and sits at the foothills of the Pinos Altos Mountains. Here, you’ll enjoy breathtaking landscapes and a higher elevation, resulting in more distinct seasons than other parts of the state.

For centuries, the area of present-day Silver City was home to Native Americans, Hispanics, and Anglo settlers. In the late 1870s, it became a boom town when silver was discovered in the area. Today, it is still a busy community focusing on Western New Mexico University.

As students return each fall, you’ll notice the excitement. Numerous events are held on campus this time of year, like a "Welcome Back Bash" and Homecoming festivities for students and alumni. The Western New Mexico University Museum is just one must-visit destination for students and the community. It is a place where you can learn more about this area, its history, and culture through vast collections of pottery, artifacts, and crafts.

And while campus is certainly a charming area in town, there’s nothing quite like Silver City Main Street. This historic downtown was preserved and revitalized in the 1980s to create a space to spend hours on a fall day. We love to sip hot beverages at the local coffeehouses and stroll through the art galleries, antique stores, and retail shops. Plus, the architecture, design, and decor on the buildings and along the streets are quite intriguing.

However, I believe the nearby outdoor activities make this college town stand out—especially if visiting on a fall day. For example, the Boston Hill Trails System, located on the edge of town, is home to multiple hiking trails, many of which are perfect for beginners. Several trails form short loops, or you can combine these trails to form a longer hiking adventure.

Plus, if you are willing to take just a short drive outside of town, you’ll find even more incredible places to explore, like the Gila Cliff Dwellings and McCauley Hot Springs. Approximately 30 miles away is City of Rocks State Park, another excellent destination for hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking. But you can also stay right in town and visit some of the city parks that look magical when surrounded by fall foliage, such as Big Ditch Riverwalk Park, one of our favorites.

Silver City is a fall getaway filled with excitement, community, history, and natural beauty. It's a fall getaway you deserve—plan your trip today with Only In Your State's Dashboard itinerary planner. If you need more fall inspiration, check out our ultimate list of fall activities in New Mexico.

Feature image: Brent Hall - stock.adobe.com