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Vacation in Silver City - New Mexico
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Jump to:
Overview,
Things To Do,
Transportation,
Climate,
Accommodations,
Cost
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Area Overview
Southwest New Mexico has an undeniable personality from its ruggedly beautiful landscape, echoes of vanished cultures and a continuing, complex human heritage. The region's deep Hispanic and Native American roots are reflected in the distinctive foods, architecture, familty ties and community celebrations. The valley where Silver City is located was known as San Vicente in the early 18th century. It would undoubtedly have been a permanent Spanish or Mexican settlement if not for the continuing Apache hostilities. In 1870 when silver was discovered, the town of Silver City was christened. Over the years, Silver City has had many descriptive slogans describing the area: "The Biggest Little City", "Air Conditioned By Nature", "Gateway to the Gila". In the early 20th century, people from across the nation came to the Silver City area in relief from consumption (tuberculosis) due to the area's congenial climate.
Silver City is the gateway to the 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest. The forest offers the diversity of mountains, deep canyons, meadows, streams and rivers, and semi-desert country. Elevations range from 4,200 to 10,900 feet and cover over four out of six life zones.
With a wonderful year-round climate, individuals are drawn to the area to enjoy hiking, biking, rock-hunting, golf, hunting, fishing, camping, bird-watching and much more. Silver City is the first "Gateway Community" along the Continental Divide Trail that runs from Mexico to Canada.
The Silver City area has become a haven for artists and artisans. Silver City boasts over 30 art galleries. Throughout the area you will find painters, photographers, silversmiths, potters, jewelry makers, leather toolers and many other talented people who help make the Grant County area unique.
Though the Town of Silver City is relatively small, it is home to the four-year Western New Mexico University. The area is served by commercial air traffic with daily flights between Silver City and Phoenix, Arizona, as well as Albuquerque, New Mexico. The county boasts a public transit system, Corre Caminos. The Gila Regional Medical Center is a growing health care facility with specialty doctors, including a Cancer Treatment Center.
Grant County, New Mexico has lots to offer. Arts and culture, great educational facilities, numerous community events and festivals, opportunities to become involved in community development, wonderful outdoor adventures, outstanding healthcare facilities, and a cost of living that is good for most family budgets.
Includes Cities/Towns: Arenas Valley, Bayard, Buckhorn, Cliff, Faywood, Fort Bayard, Gila, Glenwood, Hanover, Hurley, Lordsburg, Mimbres, Playas, Santa Clara, Silver City.
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Things to Do |
Recreation & Fitness
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Play in the 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest.
Enjoy golf at the Silver City Country Club.
Ride in the Tour of the Gila bike race.
Fish in various lakes, rivers and streams.
Go rock climbing with peaks up to 10,900 feet.
Hike the Continental Divide Trail or any of the other miles and miles of trails.
Visit one of the many museums in Grant County.
Take a leap back in time at any of the area's old Ghosttowns and Calvary Forts.
This is an Art Community. Enjoy the area's art scene by visiting galleries or attending concerts.
Go horseback riding.
Hunt for gems, pretty rocks, ugly rocks, fossils, gold, silver, turqouise, copper, pyrite, crystals, flourite, and lots of other types of stones.
Soak in one of the many "hot Springs" in the area... natural and man-made.
Visit the log cabin that sits on Billy The Kids old homesite.
Visit Billy The Kid's mother's grave
Shop, dine out, go bowling, attend a movie, or just sit and watch the night's spectacular view each evening. At 6,000 feet, the skies are beautiful.
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Cultural Activities
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Our area celebrates the arts in many ways. No matter what your interests, you will find some event that meets your interests.
Chocolate Fantasia (for chocolate lovers)
Silver City Blue Festival (great blues musicians for a weekend festival)
Chicano Music Festival
Red Dot Art gallery Tour
Pinos Altos October Fiesta
Rolling Stones Gem and Mineral Society Rock Show
Gun Shows
Arts and Crafts Shows
Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo
County Fair
WNMU Theater / Jazz Events
Hurley Pride Festival and Car Show
Independence Day Activities
Silver City Clay Festival
Bash on Broadway
Signal Peak Challenge Bike Race
Men's and Women's Senior Softball Tournament
Copper County Car Show
Monthly Gem and Mineral Society Field Trips
Salsa Tasting Contest
New Mexico Tamale Festival
Dead of the Dead weekend in October
Pickamania (Blue-grass, folk, Americana music festival)
San Vicente Art Fair
Farmers Market
Fall Harvest Festival
These are only a few cultural activites for you to enjoy.
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Attractions
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Play in the 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest.
Enjoy golf at the Silver City Country Club.
Ride in the Tour of the Gila bike race.
Fish in various lakes, rivers and streams.
Go rock climbing with peaks up to 10,900 feet.
Hike the Continental Divide Trail or any of the other miles and miles of trails.
Visit one of the many museums in Grant County.
Take a leap back in time at any of the area's old Ghosttowns and Calvary Forts... take a walking tour of Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark.
Visit the Fort Bayard National Cemetery.
This is an Art Community. Enjoy the area's art scene by visiting galleries or attending concerts.
Go horseback riding.
Visit La Esperanza Winery and Vineyards in the Mimbres River Valley.
Hunt for gems, pretty rocks, fossils, gold and silver.
Take a day trip to hunt for rocks with the Grant County Rolling Stones Gem & Mineral Society (the 3rd Saturday of each month).
Check out the world's largest collection of Mimbres Native American Pottery at the Western New Mexico University Museum.
Enjoy the tasty products from the local breweries and distilleries.
Visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Park.
Climb around, camp out or just look at the evening skies at the City of Rocks State Park.
Soak in one of the many "hot Springs" in the area... natural and man-made.
Shop, dine out, go bowling, attend a movie, or just sit and watch the night's spectacular view each evening. At 6,000 feet, the skies are beautiful.
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Transportation |
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Corre Caminos is a county-owned public bus system that runs through-out Silver City and Grant County. Presently, there is commercial air service from Grant County Airport to the airports in Phoenix, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Train service is available at Lordsburg and Deming, New Mexico... under an hour south of Silver City.
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Climate |
Monthly Temperatures / Rainfall
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Low
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Avg
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High
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Rain |
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January
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27.5
F°
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41.6
F°
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55.8
F°
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1.0
"
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February
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30.5
F°
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45.2
F°
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59.9
F°
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1.0
"
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March
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33.9
F°
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49.7
F°
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65.4
F°
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0.6
"
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April
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39.1
F°
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56.3
F°
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73.5
F°
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0.4
"
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May
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47.8
F°
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65.1
F°
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82.5
F°
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0.6
"
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June
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56.3
F°
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73.4
F°
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90.5
F°
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0.8
"
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July
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62.2
F°
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76.0
F°
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89.9
F°
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3.3
"
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August
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61.1
F°
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74.3
F°
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87.5
F°
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3.0
"
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September
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55.3
F°
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69.5
F°
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83.7
F°
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1.8
"
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October
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44.5
F°
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59.5
F°
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74.4
F°
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1.4
"
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November
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33.5
F°
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48.7
F°
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63.9
F°
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0.9
"
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December
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27.5
F°
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41.5
F°
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55.5
F°
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1.3
"
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Best Time To Go:
Spring and fall.
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Though we have a wonderful temperature climate year-round, there are some months where we do not see much rainfall. Though the elevation is 6000 feet above sea level, the winter's are mormally very mild with only small amounts of snow. Even during the summer months, just open the windows to enjoy the mild evening temperatures.
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Accommodations |
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Within the communities you will find several hotels/motels, as well as bed and breakfast facilities. Throughout the county and surrounding area you can find numerous bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, cabin getaways and resorts. Check out www.silvercity.org to find a place to sleep, relas, and getaway.
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Costs |
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Additional Information
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Visitor Information
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Back to:
Overview,
Things To Do,
Transportation,
Climate,
Accommodations,
Cost
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