
Road Trip to Silver City, New Mexico
Looking for a quick escape from the triple digit temperatures? Silver City might be a great road trip getaway for you and your family.
Silver City is an easy three hour drive (or less) from Vail. Simply hop on I-10 East and take exit 22 in Lordsburg. From there, follow NM-90 W to Silver City.
Most people don’t think about Silver City as a getaway from Vail, however you might be surprised by how much there is to do. If you love nature, history and culture, this is a great weekend escape. It’s about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Vail and filled with fun outdoorsy activities for the whole family. Some of the most fun attractions are outside of the city limits, which makes it a perfect road trip getaway.
Here are a few of the must-sees we recommend.
Plan a Picnic By the Catwalks
At the end of Highway 174 is the Catwalk Recreation Area. You can either plan to camp overnight here or spend the day hiking in this scenic area.
Start your day by hiking along the Catwalk Trail. Here, you’ll be taken along several catwalks, which were built during the mining period in the late 1800’s. This trail is along Whitewater Canyon, which was used to provide water for the mill and town. There are very narrow stretches of the catwalks and at times you’ll find yourself as high as 20 feet above the canyon. It’s a unique hike and one people of all ages will enjoy.
Make sure to check in before you go! Flood damage has caused the catwalks to be closed in some areas. Click here for the latest information.
Gila Cliff Dwellings
Perhaps one of the most impressive sites in New Mexico are the Gila Cliff Dwellings. These are located about 40 miles north of Silver City but they are worth the drive.
These dwellings were the home of the Tularosa Mongolian community. Over time, this community carved into the caves on the side of the mountain to build the shelters. There are six caves in all. Only three are open to visitors.
Please note that you will need to be in decent physical shape to hike around in the dwellings themselves. The trail is steep and rocky to reach the three caves. You are asked to only bring water on your hike up, however there are picnic areas near the visitor center if you wanted to pack a lunch for your family.
Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery
After all the hiking and playing outdoors, you’ll be hungry when you get back into Silver City. To satisfy your hunger and thirst, we suggest the Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery.
This restaurant serves up pub style food, along with plenty of local beers on tap. They work hard to keep everything as local as possible, including the wines and spirits.
Depending on when you go, you might hear some live music. This is one of the best places to catch a live music show in Silver City, so be sure to add it to your list.
Your Turn!
These attractions are only the tip of the Silver City iceberg. Have you ever been to Silver City? What was your favorite thing to do while there? Share with us on our Facebook page.