Top 5 Things to Do in Gallup New Mexico

Gallup, New Mexico is a destination located along Route 66 that’s worth the road trip! 

Gallup has many reasons for tourists to stop and stay because it’s within a two-hour drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I’m sharing my favorite things to do in Gallup, New Mexico for your next visit.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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-Friendly Trails

The trails are open to dogs if you’re 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.

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

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

Some signs 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.

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride with X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures at Red Rock Park

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.

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

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

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

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 from the cold while they prepared the balloons for our flight in the early morning.

As the day progressed the temperatures warmed up an additional 30 degrees which is pretty common.

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

In the summer, 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.

The Hot Air Balloon Experience at Red Rock Park

Red Rock Park is truly phenomenal with gorgeous views at every turn.

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

To rise above the formations in a hot air balloon is truly magical.

If you’re normally scared of heights this experience is so gradual that you barely even notice when you’re lifting off the ground.

The awe of the surrounding views will help you quickly forget how high you are above the ground.

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!

You can help set up and disassemble the hot air balloon with the team if you choose to.

It’s fun to help and makes you even more connected to your hot air balloon ride.

During your flight, a team on the ground with a radio 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.

Red Rock Balloon Rally

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

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

2. Try a Great Local Restaurant in Gallup, NM

One of my favorite parts of travel is the food. New Mexican cuisine doesn’t disappoint, especially if you like green or red chilis.

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.

A few local recommendations to check out during your visit are Jerry’s Cafe (406 W Coal Ave.), which was voted Gallup’s best green chili, Anthony’s A Taste Of The Southwest, and Grandpa’s Grill.

Navajo “frybread” (deep-fried bread) is also a must while you’re in town.

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

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

Shop While You Dine

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

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

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

3. Visit El Rancho Hotel on Route 66

1000 E Hwy 66, Gallup, NM

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

El Rancho was a popular hotel for guests from all walks of life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Shop From Local Artisans in Downtown Gallup, NM

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

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

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

You’ll find multiple trading posts in the city with a large selection of merchandise.

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

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

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

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 want a safe place to keep their valuable saddles.

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

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

5. Celebrate Local Native American Culture

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

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

Tourists can learn more about different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.

Attend the Gallup Summer Indian Dances & Art Market

In the summer I highly recommend attending the Gallup Summer Indian Dances & Art Market at Courthouse Square.

The free event starts on June 4, 2024, and runs every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday throughout the summer until August 29, 2024.

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

Photos are allowed and encouraged at this event.

This is a rare photo opportunity because cameras aren’t allowed without special permission if you visit a reservation.

During my visit, we witnessed 15 crown dancers from the Apache tribe for the first time in Gallup.

This made the experience even more special.

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

Watch the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

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

At this event, there is representation from Native American tribes from all over the United States.

Multiple events over several days include special displays by Native American artisans and vendors.

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

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

Where to Stay in Gallup, New Mexico

During my visit, I stayed at Springhill Suites (1105 W Lincoln Ave, 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, and trundle in addition to the King Size bed and included a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave.

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