Location: Silver City
Top Things to do in Silver City
What to do and see in Silver City, United States: The Best Places and Tips
As suggested by its name, Silver City began as a mining town at the height of the prospecting boom in the 1800s and has survived a long Wild West history that hosted such notorious notables as Billy the Kid and "Dangerous Dan" Tucker. Evidence of its even earlier history can be seen at the nearby Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, where ancient homes of the Mongollon Pueblo still stand. Hikers, cyclists and outdoors enthusiasts flock to explore the scenery of the Gila National Forest.
Restaurants in Silver City
1. Gila National Forest
Overall Ratings
5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By Lori H
Loved this place! Definitely worth the long winding drive. The dwellings were amazing. There was a volunteer up in the dwellings that was very knowledgeable and helpful in pointing out things I probably would have missed. The hike to and from the dwellings was not as hard as I was expecting based on what I had read. Definitely recommend.
2. Silver City Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By sandyf665 - Silver City, NM, United States
Lots of information and directions for local businesses and interesting places to explore! Friendly folks,clean restrooms and local art on the walls. A great place to be your first stop in Silver City. And at that location you can check out a rustic log cabin...MoreThank you so much for your review. I'm pleased that you enjoyed your experience and invite you to return soon. My favorite phrase, "it's all good!"
3. Silver City Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
In a restored 1881 Mansard/Italianate house, you'll find this fascinating history museum, which includes more than 20,000 items and artifacts related to the people and history of southwest New Mexico.
Reviewed By uphill69 - Pensacola, Florida
Our fourth day here and we visited. A good depiction of the history of Silver CIty, definitely a unique corner of the universe. For a mining town a whole lot better looking than Butte MT. The "big ditch" floods definitely cataclysmic. But the town learned from its follies. ONly a donation is requested. easy to get around.
4. Western New Mexico University Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
MexicoLocated on the campus of Western New Mexico University, this museum features important collections including Casas Grandes pottery, artifacts of Prehistoric Southwestern cultures, historic Navajo rugs and photographs of Silver City and surrounding areas.
Reviewed By chacochaos - Lexington, ky
Wonderful collection of Mimbres pottery from SE New Mexico. Could have explained how we do not know more about these people because of the destruction caused by pot hunters destroying any other useful artifacts retrieving these pots, but some of the collection may have been donated by these people. It will be closed at the end of July for 14 months to redo the old building it is in. A small sample of this beautiful pottery collection be in a nearby building, but the wide range of artistic styles, pottery types, and different ages can only be seen in the whole collection, so hurry on down. Photos are not allowed.
5. Chino Mine Vista Point
Overall Ratings
4 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By MeanderingMax - South Dakota
We took a drive out on a Saturday afternoon and the fence along the pilot was locked up tight, there was no access to the information placards or the actual vista area. After reading that others faced the same situation, I wonder if, when it is accessible and how do visitors find that information.
As a photographer, it seems to me that a late afternoon or early evening visit would produce the best photos - if you can get in.
6. Penny Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Scep - El Paso, Texas
The first thing which must be said is that this is just one of several (many for a town this small) parks in Silver City. It is adjacent to a skating park. The playground lost some of the charm of the made by locals playground which was burned by vandals (twice) before the community purchased a more traditional set of playground equipment. The first piece of equipment I would have purchased would have been live security cameras. That unpleasant comment aside, the playground is great for children. During warm weather there are leafy trees which offer some shade. At all times I have been there, families were there to watch the children and the children were well behaved and having a lot of fun. Silver City seems an excellent community to rear small children and this playground is evidence.
7. Big Ditch Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By MaryEllenM27 - Kalispell, Montana
We were able to get some interesting photos of the bridges and foliage at Ditch Park but were dismayed by the bums hanging around....and the bottles, cans and other trash thrown down into the waterway below the bridges. Its a shame because the town has obviously tried to do a nice attractive reclamation project along the waterway there.
8. La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By ClaimsMachine - Los Lunas, New Mexico
I took the trip out there and wasn't disappointed. Although a bit out of the way, the wine was very flavorful. My only complaint was the had no Pinot noir to sample. Overall I enjoyed myself and the staff was very friendly.
9. Lake Roberts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, Arizona
Lake Roberts is a man-made lake in the Gila National Forest along NM35, about 20 miles southeast of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. We visited the lake while driving the Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway. It's a pretty lake surrounded by pine trees, and has campgrounds and a picnic area. We saw people fishing and there was at least one wheelchair-accessible fishing pier (license required). The lake is stocked with trout in cool months and has channel catfish and small mouth bass in warm months. Good for bird watching too; we saw several different waterfowl. Restrooms are available. At the northwest end of the lake there is a commercial business that rents cabins and a small convenience store.
10. Mimbres River Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Crpl_D - Tucson, Arizona
The Nature Conservancy's efforts and money were well-spent when they decided to preserve this beautiful section of the Mimbres River. The riparian habitat is absolutely gorgeous. Lots of birds and tracks along the edge of the perennial river show that deer and lots of other wildlife use the area much more than people do. The entrance to the preserve does not have any signs so locating it can be a little tricky. Travel north from San Lorenzo about eight miles on NM Route 35/61. Pass the town of Mimbres and start looking for mile markers. About one fourth mile past mile marker 8, look for a big rustic barn on the right. Take the little dirt entrance toward the barn and park your vehicle. The hikers entrance is the start to a 2 minute walk to the river. The barn is unoccupied but has two hand made picnic tables under protection from the weather. Bring water and anything else you need. Entrance is free of charge. If you are visiting Silver City and enjoy nature and riparian habitats, consider this stop "a must see."
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