With the Grand Opening of Organtica South, our new clinic location in Silver City, I felt compelled to share some great things to do in that part of our state because I LOVE this area. On the weekend of our Grand Opening there are two great events happening. If you don’t have plans for Labor Day Weekend, I’ve just made it easy for you below. Check out the two great road trips to get there too! Cannagramma
On Saturday, Sept 1, 2018, Silver City is having a delicious fundraiser called A Taste of Downtown. This tasty event promotes all their downtown eateries, and speaking from experience, there is some great food to be had in this town.
On Sept 1, 2 & 3 Grant County will hold its Rolling Stones Gem and Mineral Show. Admission is FREE!
If you can’t make it to Organtica’s Grand Opening on Labor Day Weekend, not to worry. There are always tons of things to do in Silver City, Grant County and the surrounding areas. First thing though…there are two ways to get to Silver City from Central and Northern New Mexico. From Albuquerque, Trip #1 is 5+ hours, but offers unusual fun along the way. Trip #2 is 4+ hours and is a wet dream for those who love a challenging road trip, because the New Mexico Black Mountain Range is a breathtaking roller coaster ride.
Silver City Trip #1
Go south to Socorro and turn right! This route on US 60 is the longer trip but it takes you past the VLA (Very Large Array) made more famous in the Jody Foster movie, “Contact”. The VLA is open to visitors for tours on certain weekends. Check their website to plan your trip.
Continue west on Hwy 60 from the VLA to Datil, NM. Here you can follow through on Hwy 60 another 22 more miles for pie in Pie Town, NM. Why go out of your way for pie? Well, because you can, you probably have the munchies, and the pie is damn good!
Back in Datil you turn south on NM 12. This takes you through some beautiful forests and landscapes that skirt the border between NM and AZ. Just after you pass through Reserve, NM you will head south on US 180 down to Silver City, traveling aside one of the largest wild areas in America, the Gila Wilderness.
Right off of US 180 is the Ghost Town of Mogollon. Once a thriving silver mining town, Mogollon offers a very cool glimpse of New Mexico’s past. May through October you can do some hiking in Mogollon, visit old graveyards, stop for lunch at the cafe, visit the mine museum, art galleries and an antique store. It’s a really nice diversion.
Continuing south on US 180 will take you through a few more small towns; Buckhorn, Cliff and Gila, before dropping down into Silver City. The views go on forever.
Silver City Trip #2
This is the trip for those who want to go FAST but still enjoy the landscape. Travel south on I-25 past T or C and take NM Hwy 152 to Hillsboro. Hillsboro is a pretty sleepy town but you may find some good eats for lunch. The real thrill begins several miles past this village when you enter the Black Mountain range. This trip is not for the faint of heart or those prone to car-sickness, but for the right people it’s a helluva good time. Take the time to stop at some of the scenic look outs because the views are breathtaking. Once you are through the mountains you will drop down into the beautiful and diverse Mimbres Valley. In Santa Clara NM 152 merges with US HWY 180 right on into Silver City.
Other places in the area worth visiting are the Gila Cliff Dwellings, Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House in Pinos Altos, Mimbres Valley, Lake Roberts, The Santa Rita/Chino Mine and so much more!
So is it time for a Road Trip? I think so. Come on down to Silver City. Good eats, great adventure, lots of art, and of course, Organtica South!
