'''Silver City''' is a town in the southwestern part of New Mexico, USA. An old mining town, it is currently undergoing rebirth as a modest high-tech center and jumping-off point to a number of attractive areas in the mountains. The small nearby towns of '''Bayard''', '''Hurley''', etc., are also covered in this article.
Get in
There is intermittent air service via commuter airlines from Albuquerque. Road access is best from the southeast, via US 180 from Deming, and southwest, via NM 90 from I-10 near Lordsburg. NM 152 connects Silver City to I-25 near Truth or Consequences to the east, and is a scenic and interesting drive, but one with some daunting hairpin curves that may challenge drivers of large, unwieldy vehicles. Access from the north is sharply limited by the roadless '''Gila Wilderness'''.
Get around
See
'''Silver City Museum''', 312 W. Broadway, ''+1 575'' 538-5921. Open Tu-F 9AM - 4:30PM, weekends 10AM - 4PM. Free. Memorabilia of Silver City's mining-town past.
Do
Silver City Blues Festival. ough Park, downtown Silver City. ttp://www.mimbresarts.org/Blues_Home.html. ay 22 - 24, 2009.
Buy
Mimbres Region Arts Council. RAC. O Box 1830. 88-758-7289. ww.mimbresArts.Org. Silver City Blues Festival
Eat
The Mexican food is good all over town.
'''The Drifter''' 711 Silver Heights Boulevard - Old fashion diner
Drink
'''The Flame''' 2800 N Pinos Altos Rd - An interesting experience
'''Buffalo Bar''' 211 N Bullard St - Interesting is not quite the right word
'''Silver City Brewing Company''' 101 E College Ave - Say hi to Bob
Sleep
'''Carter House''', 101 N. Cooper St., ''+1 575'' 388-5485. Two lodging options here: a well-regarded B&B in an historic building, or dormitory-style accommodations as part of the American Youth Hostels system.
'''Comfort Inn Silver City''', 1060 E. Rt. 180. Indoor pool & hot tub, free high-speed wireless internet. Entire hotel is non-smoking. Usually one of the first to fill up.
'''The Cottages at Pinon Canyon''', 2037 Cottage San Road, ''+1 800'' 938-3001 ''(toll free)'' or ''+1 575'' 388-3000. Set comfortably by Gila National Forest. Pricey, but how often can you stay in a place that was the childhood home of a man who walked on the Moon (astronaut Harrison Schmitt)? ON 7/18/2008 I called to make a reservation and both numbers were disconnected. Is this place still in business?
'''Holiday Inn Express''', 1103 Superior St. Generic hotel-chain lodging, nothing special but comfortable. Newer building than the other nearby chain hotels. Includes free high-speed internet.
'''Palace Hotel''', [http://www.zianet.com/palacehotel/] 106 W. Broadway, 575-388-1811. Renovated historic hotel in downtown.
Get out
Silver City's mountain setting allows for a number of fine excursions to outdoor points of interest:
'''City of Rocks State Park''' [http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/emnrd/parks/cityrocks.htm], south of town via NM 61. Fee $5/day for day use; campground fees start at $8/night and range upward depending on access to hookups, etc. A number of interesting short hikes are possible through weird terrain reminiscent of better-known Chiricahua National Monument across the state line in Arizona (another good, but long, excursion from Silver City).
'''Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument''' [http://www.nps.gov/gicl/] north of town, a unit of the national park system. Fee $3/day for individuals, $10/day for families; Park Pass applies. Trails to archaeological sites are open for day use. No lodging at the monument; plan to stay in Silver City.
'''Gila Wilderness''' is a large roadless area north of town, reachable via any number of trailheads in the area. Good for day hiking and backpacking.
'''Pinos Altos''' is a mining ghost town located six miles north of Silver City on State Road 15. It has been converted into a tourist attraction and features museums, restaurants, lodging, and art galleries. [http://www.pinosaltos.org/]