CITY SPOTLIGHT:

Your Guide to Gallup, New Mexico

Know Before You Go: About Gallup

Experience a fun, southwestern getaway when you make your way to this vibrant New Mexico city.

Gallup is one of the most vibrant cities of New Mexico—the culture, the colors, the food and the locals are all very captivating—and it’s not completely over-run with tourists either. This is also the place to pick up cheap turquoise jewelry and objects, since more than 80 percent of the world’s turquoise comes through town. If you love turquoise—or you want to experience a fun, southwestern getaway, get ready to take a trip to Gallup.

Monsoon Weather

Gallup enjoys low humidity year round due to its location in the high desert of the Colorado Plateau. Snow is uncommon and melts quickly. Pack an umbrella if you’re visiting during the summer months or in the dead of winter. Summer temperatures rarely reach in the 90s. Average daily temperatures in the winter hover in the low 50s, but by December and January, the daily highs dip down to freezing. July is one of the wettest times of year, as monsoonal moisture drifts northeastward from the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico.

A Mix of Cultures

A stroll down Route 66 and Coal Avenue gives you a taste of the city’s Native American and Hispanic heritages. Shops sell Navajo rugs, Pueblo pottery and Southwestern-style jewelry. If you find yourself in Gallup in August, make time for the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, a celebration of Indian life with costumed dancers, authentic food and rodeo competitions. December brings the popular Red Rock Balloon Rally, which features hot air balloonists from all over the nation.

Turquoise, Silver and Beadwork

Gallup serves as the commercial hub for the vast Navajo Nation that surrounds it. More than 300,000 Native Americans live in the surrounding 27,425 square miles. Trading posts and other retail outlets sell authentic goods—no imports allowed. Tourism also contributes to Gallup’s economy. Drivers on Route 66 stop, shop, eat and stay. Hiking trails roam into the canyons north of the city and lead to interesting formations like Kit Carson Cave.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

If you’re in a hurry to get here, Interstate 40 forms the northern border of the city. The closest commercial airport is 140 miles east in Albuquerque, but Amtrak’s Southwest Chief chugs through town daily. Gallup Express, the city’s public transportation system, operates on weekdays. Routes include downtown Gallup and the Zuni Reservation, just 35 miles south.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in Gallup.

hot air balloon over Gallup

Things to Do in Gallup

Enjoy a view of the breathtaking red rock cliffs and explore this charming, historic destination.