adventuremomblog

Top 5 Things to Do in Gallup New Mexico

Gallup, New Mexico is destination located along Route 66 that’s worth the roadtrip!  Gallup has many reasons for tourists to stop and stay and is located within a two-hour drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I’m sharing more about some of my favorite adventures to try in Gallup during your visit.

This story is brought to you in partnership with Gallup Real True and J. Vero & Associates and contains affiliate links.

downtown Gallup NM at night e1569266681468

One of the things that I appreciated about the community of Gallup, New Mexico is that they are unapologetically themselves.

What you see is what you get. You get authenticity from your very first encounter.

You see a diverse community that IS a welcoming community with a small-town feel.

Street art in Gallup NM

Gallup is completely surrounded by the Navajo Nation and has been named America’s most Patriotic Small Town by Rand McNally.

Pyramid hill trail at Red Rock Park in Gallup NM e1569112620361

1. Visit Red Rock Park

825 Outlaw Rd, Church Rock, NM

With an average of 279 sunny days per year in Gallup, you have the perfect excuse for an outdoor adventure hiking at Red Rock Park.

Pyramid Hiking Trail Red Rock Park

Red Rock Park is the perfect place to take in closer views of the red rock formations and majestic Pyramid Rock along the 3-mile moderate trail.

view of Church Rock at Red Rock Park in Gallup NM e1569333184984

Church Rock Trail

A 2.6 mile out and back hike, Church Rock Trail is another trail option at Red Rock Park that allows hikers to experience a closer view of Church Rock.

dog on hiking trail at Red Rock Park in Gallup NM

Dog-Friendly Trails

The trails are open to dogs as well if you are traveling with your pet and there is also a campground at Red Rock Park with electric and water hookup if you want to stay overnight at the park.

Red Rock Park also has a 5000 seat arena for outdoor performances special events, and rodeos.

Pyramid hill trail at Red Rock Park in Gallup New Mexico e1569112741633

In preparation for your hike, you’ll definitely want to bring water and also be mindful of the changing elevation.

view of another hot air balloon from the basket 1 e1569332139243

I would also recommend dressing in layers and wearing sunblock because you are hiking in full sun.

Pyramid Rock at Red Rock Park in Gallup NM e1569332446467

There are signs that mark the trail distance and elevation change as you progress on the trail.

The benches are a great place to stop and rest and admire the view along the way.

Hot Air Balloon Ride with X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride with X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures

I’ve been fortunate to have gone hot-air ballooning twice in Gallup, New Mexico. Both of those experiences have set the bar pretty high.

view from hot air balloon in Gallup NM

My first hot air balloon ride was in the summer and my second ride was in the winter.

What sets the experience apart from other locations IS the landscape!

downtown Gallup NM at night 1

In the winter, the basket for the hot air balloon can hold more people. Group size is a big factor how many can fit in the basket in the summer.

hot air balloon Gallup NM e1569340575328

What should you wear during a hot air balloon ride?

If you Gallup during the colder months, make sure that you dress in layers and dress WARM during the morning.

My fingers were numb while they were preparing the balloons for our flight in the early morning but as the day progressed the temperatures warmed up an additional 30 degrees which is pretty common.

hot air balloon ride in Gallup 1

What should you wear to ride a hotel air balloon in the summer?

If you visit in the summer months you will want to wear something comfortable because not all hot balloons have a gated door to enter the basket.

I also recommend wearing sunglasses and close-toed shoes because the location of the landing may be on uneven ground and you might need to walk a little bit through the brush to the truck and trailer.

hot air balloons at Red Rock Park in Gallup NM e1569463873106
Hot Air Balloon Ride with X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures
Hot Air Balloon Ride with X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures at Red Rock Park

The Hot Air Balloon Experience at Red Rock Park

Like I said earlier the landscape at Red Rock Park is truly phenomenal with gorgeous landscape views at every turn.

The landscape is even more AMAZING when you view them from the sky!

view of another hot air balloon from the basket

To be able to rise above the formations in a balloon is truly magical.

If you are normally scared of heights I will tell you that this experience is so gradual that you barely even notice when you are lifting off the ground. The awe of the surrounding views will help you quickly forget how high you are above the ground.

view above hot air balloon in Gallup NM 1 e1569341717455

When you ride with X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures you’ll also have a new appreciation for the pre and post work that goes into your flight.

It definitely takes a team to pull together a successful flight experience!

perspective from inside the hot air balloon during setup in Gallup NM
hot air balloons at Red Rock Park in Gallup, New Mexico

You can even help set up and disassemble the hot air balloon after your flight. It’s really fun to help and makes you even more connected to your ride.

sugar skull hot air balloon new

During your flight, there is a team on the ground with a radio who drives to your landing destination for pickup. The pilot and the driver are in constant communication during your flight.

When you return to the parking lot, you will participate in a special ceremony with your pilot to celebrate your incredible adventure.

balloon glow in Gallup NM

Red Rock Balloon Rally

If you visit Red Rock Park in the first weekend in December you can enjoy a beautiful sight at the Red Rock Balloon Rally.

balloon glow Gallup NM

There are over 150 balloons that participate and there is even a special balloon “Glow in the Park” event.

Meal at Jerrys Cafe in Gallup NM

2. Eat Local in Gallup

One of my favorite parts of travel is the food. New Mexico food does not disappoint, especially if you are a fan of green or red chili.

Anthonys A Taste Of The Southwest in Gallup

Try Your Meal Christmas-style

New Mexican meals with chilis don’t typically include sour cream or queso. If you can’t decide between red or green chili you can order “Christmas-style.”

It’s the best of both worlds on top of your entree of choice.

Jerrys Cafe in Gallup NM e1569112448843

A few local recommendations to check out during your visit are Jerry’s Cafe, who was voted Gallup’s best green chili, Anthony’s A Taste Of The Southwest and Grandpa’s Grill.

Make sure that you also try Navajo “frybread” (deep-fried bread) while you are in town.

Anthonys A Taste Of The Southwest in Gallup

While you are dining you might notice local artisans walking from table to table with their jewelry.

This is pretty common in the community but might catch you off guard if you are not expecting it.

Grandpas Grille in Gallup e1569331074295

Shop While You Dine

You might find a jewelry piece of your dreams from a local artisan but if you don’t, that’s ok, and you can just politely say “no thank you.”

If you need a caffeine boost, make sure that you stop at Gallup Coffee Company. 

Sammy Cs Rock n Sports Pub Grille in Gallup e1569330442212

Sports fans MUST visit Sammy C’s Rock n’ Sports Pub & Grille displaying over 5,000 rock and sports autographs and memorabilia.

El Rancho Hotel in Gallup New Mexico e1569112880726

3. Visit the El Rancho Hotel

1000 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM

Located on Route 66, El Rancho Hotel is a historic hotel built in 1936. 

El Rancho Hotel sign in Gallup NM e1569114141500

El Rancho was a very popular hotel for guests.

El Rancho Hotel Gallup NM e1569334834923

Many celebrities stayed at the hotel who were in the area filming westerns on location around Gallup in the 1940s and 50s.

lobby at El Rancho Hotel Gallup NM e1569334906785

El Rancho Hotel is a time capsule in the best kind of way.

Inside El Rancho Hotel National Historic Site in Gallup New Mexico 1 e1569113622463

From the moment that you enter the hotel, you get a sense of what it was like in another period in time.

El Rancho sign Gallup NM e1569335956290

This allows the next generations to have a glimpse into that era.

Photographs Inside El Rancho Hotel National Historic Site in Gallup New

Whether you stop in for a few minutes, a meal, or an overnight stay, El Rancho Hotel is definitely worth a stop!

Photographs of famous guests Inside El Rancho Hotel National Historic Site in Gallup New

The second floor is covered in photographs of famous patrons who stayed at the hotel over the years.

Doris Day sign at El Rancho hotel Gallup NM e1569335505510
room at El Rancho hotel Gallup NM e1569335582492

There are also signs to mark the rooms where famous guests slept too.

Ronald Reagan sign at El Rancho hotel Gallup NM

You can even sleep in the same suite where a former President, Ronald Reagan slept.

shopping in downtown Gallup NM e1569114734292

4. Shop From Local Artisans in Downtown Gallup

You may not realize that 80% of the jewelry that you’ll find in Santa Fe was actually made by artisans around Gallup!

beautiful bracelets in Gallup e1569152745412

There are 1,000 artists and 100s of traders in the region.

Native American Dances Gallup NM 1

This makes Gallup a great place to purchase jewelry, especially if you are a big fan of turquoise, art, and crafted goods.

shop in Gallup NM e1569335396890

You’ll find multiple trading posts in the city with a large selection of items to choose from.

shop in in Gallup NM e1569114047206

The Gallup Native Arts Market is another great to purchase from a local artisan if you visit during the time Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in August.

art in Gallup NM

I love to purchase prints when I travel and I have two pieces from local artists displayed in my home.

Taos Moccasins made in Gallup NM

You’ll find Taos Moccasins and Santa Fe leathers are manufactured in the basement at City Electric Shoe Shop in downtown Gallup.

Perry Null Trading Company e1569454256632

Perry Null Trading Company located at 1710 S 2nd St, Gallup, is another shop worth a stop!

Perry Null Trading Company Gallup NM e1569334125914

The Saddle Room at Perry Null Trading Company

During our visit, Perry Null took us to the Saddle Room where saddles are stored for customers who wanted a safe place to keep their valuable saddles.

I’ve never seen so many saddles in one location. I’m sure that they could hold a record because each row could hold hundreds of saddles and there were multiple rows.

Native American figures at Perry Null Trading Company e1569454857878

The incredible detail in each piece displayed will make it easy to lose track of time while you wander the shelves and cases.

Summer Nightly Native American Dances in downtown Gallup NM e1569117305584

5. Celebrate Local Native American Culture

The five main Native American tribes near Gallup are the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Acoma, and Laguna.

As a midwesterner, I loved learning more about the diversity within the different area tribes.

Tourists have an opportunity to learn more about different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.

singers at Summer Nightly Native American Dances Gallup NM e1569364981146

Gallup Summer Nightly Native American Dances

In the summer I highly recommend attending the Gallup Summer Nightly Native American Dances.

They take place every evening from 7-8 pm,  Memorial Day through Labor Day at the McKinley Courthouse Square Plaza.

Nightly Native American Dances in Gallup e1569152945189

The Gallup Summer Nightly Indian Dances last about an hour and showcase Native American music and dances.

Summer Nightly Native American Dances in Gallup NM e1569365061985

Photos are allowed and encouraged at this event.

Summer Nightly Native American Dances in downtown Gallup NM copy 1 e1569365120461

This is a rare photo opportunity because cameras are not allowed without special permission if you are visiting a reservation.

Apache tribe in Gallup NM 1 e1569365258109

During my visit, we were able to witness 15 crown dancers from the Apache tribe for the first time ever in Gallup.

singers at Summer Nightly Native American Dances Gallup NM copy e1569365218168

This made the experience even more special.

Apache dancer in downtown Gallup NM e1569379369717

The event is held weather permitting and there are bleachers available for observing guests. I would recommend arriving a little early if you want a good seat.

Inter Tribal Ceremonial parade downtown Gallup e1569117825240

Watch the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

Another MUST SEE event in August is the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial.

Inter Tribal Ceremonial parade downtown Gallup New Mexico 1

At this event, there is participation from Native Americans from tribes from all over the United States.

Inter Tribal Ceremonial parade downtown Gallup NM e1569117860743

There are multiple events that take place over several days that include special displays by Native American artisans and vendors.

Inter Tribal Ceremonial parade in downtown Gallup NM e1569117798645

The evening parade was an incredible display of colorful clothing, dancing, and music.

It was incredible to witness the representation of Native American tribes from all over the United States.

the Inter Tribal Ceremonial parade downtown Gallup New Mexico e1569118020601

Inter-Tribal Ceremonial runs from Wednesday through Sunday on select dates every August. You can check the schedule of events for more details.

Springhill Suites Gallup NM

Where to Stay in Gallup, New Mexico

During my visit, I stayed at Springhill Suites (1105 W Lincoln Ave, Gallup, NM.) You can save on booking a hotel room in Gallup here. 

room at Springhill Suites Gallup NM

My King Size suite had plenty of space to work and rest with the bedroom area separated from the living area.

The room could sleep 4 with a sofa bed, trundle in addition to the King Size bed and included a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave.

colorful mural in downtown Gallup NM

Ready to plan your Route 66 Roadtrip?

 5 Epic Adventures You Need to Experience in New Mexico

Save this article for later. Pin the image below>>

Top 5 Things to Do in Gallup, New Mexico

3 thoughts on “Top 5 Things to Do in Gallup New Mexico”

  1. I been living in the area for the past 3 years another nice place to check out is McGaffey, New Mexico.

  2. Thank you so much for the info. I’m traveling in June & staying in Gallup. I did t know about the nightly dances so I will be there!

Leave a Comment