When we first moved to Silver City and lived in town, we spent almost every weekend exploring a nearby area and had some wonderful adventures. A word to the wise is to take provisions with you when you go exploring. Our area is a frontier area and many of the most picturesque places you may want to visit are extremely isolated, so you won't be able to stop and eat in a restaurant or sometimes even buy a bottle of water, so take drinks and maybe food along with you.

We're not going to give you a huge amount of information because there's lots of information about these areas in other places on the web, at the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce , and in various local publications.  But here's what we want you to know:

Pinos Altos

The small community of Pinos Altos (High Pines in Spanish) is very near Silver City, only about 10 miles away, up into the mountains north of town. Pinos Altos is very small, but does have an ice cream parlor, a post office, a gallery or two and the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House where you can stop in and have a drink or a great dinner. During some parts of the year, there is also a melodrama at the Opera House. Check out the frontier displays in cases in the Opera House. If you want to take some more time, follow the road that goes to the Cliff Dwellings. It loops around and comes out on Highway 152 after a beautiful drive through the Mimbres Valley. Check out information on the Pinos Altos Arts Fair and the P.A. October Fiesta.

Cliff, Glenwood and Mogollon

View of the Gila River in Cliff.

Fort Bayard and The Mining District

Just a few miles from Silver City on Highway 180 East, you can turn north to visit historic Fort Bayard, originally an outpost to protect settlers from Apaches in the area. At one time the fort was occupied by "Buffalo Soldiers," African-American troops of the U.S. Army.

Santa Clara, Bayard and Hurley are the three communities that makeup what's known as the "Mining District," just a few miles east of Silver City. By the way, Bayard has some wonderful little neighborhood restaurants with great Mexican food. If you're interested in having a bird's eye view of the mine, head out Highway 152 and stop at the Santa Rita lookout point.

The Mimbres Valley

A drive through the Mimbres Valley on a motorcycle or in a convertible is a wonderful experience – or maybe even on your bicycle if you're in incredible shape. You can get to the Valley by taking 180 East until you turn left either on New Mexico 35 or turn into the tiny town of San Lorenzo. The road makes a loop through the gorgeous valley, which changes from rolling hills and valleys to mountains and high pine forests before you arrive at beautiful Lake Roberts. Eventually the twisting and turning road intersects with Highway 15 which goes through Pinos Altos and back to Silver City. There are a couple of restaurants on Highway 35 where you can eat lunch or dinner or have dessert and a cold drink if you wish. If you want to make a day of it, you can follow 35 up to the Gila Cliff Dwelling, where you can look around at the ancient home of the Mogollon Indians, or wait for a guided tour. Check out info on the Mimbres Valley Harvest Festival scheduled in October.

Deming, Columbus and Las Palomas, MX

Deming is about an hour's drive from Silver City, and is similar in size. However, the setting is different since Deming is in a more flat and desert-like area. On the way to Deming from Silver, be sure and stop by "The City of Rocks" for a spectacular presentation of rock formations. There are a few different stores than there are in Silver and a museum. If you want to drive another half an hour, you can visit Columbus, right on the Mexican border and visit another museum and the Pancho Villa State Park. One of Columbus's historic events was a raid by Pancho Villa. Just a few miles farther, you cross the border into Las Palomas, a dusty little Mexican border town. Many people visit Palomas to have dental work done, get an eye exam or buy prescription medication. The famous "Pink House” is a great place to have a meal and a margarita. There are usually strolling mariachis and a wonderful gift shop with Mexican items for sale. Crossing the border may take a little time, but is not too much of a hassle, and even though Las Palomas is very small, you still get a bit of the flavor or Mexico.

Lordsburg

The much smaller town of Lordsburg is about 45 miles west of Silver City out NM Highway 90. You pass through the Burro Mountains about 25 miles from town and then move into a desert valley. Lordsburg is very near the Arizona border and one great destination is the Chiricahua Mountain Range, the stronghold of Apache chief Cochise, one of the last of the tribe to surrender to the U.S. Military. The small town of Rodeo has a good restaurant, the Rodeo Tavern, but check to be sure it's open. Otherwise, this is an isolated area but well worth a visit if you want to visit the beautiful mountain range. You drive from the desert up, up, up into gorgeous pine forests, and you may not see another person on your trip. There are beautiful places to walk and explore. Not too far from Lordsburg is Portal, AZ, and that's a hummingbird haven. Most hummingbird books feature photographs taken in the Portal area.

Big Cities Nearby (Tucson, AZ - Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX)

Antique store in Old Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico.

While Silver City is wonderfully isolated from the city scene, you can reach one of several large cities within a drive or two to three hours. Closest is Las Cruces, which is less than an hour from Deming. Las Cruces is less than 100,000 so still small enough to easily get around in for shopping and entertainment. It's only about 45 minutes more to drive to El Paso, Texas, a much larger city with more to do, including a zoo and amusement possibilities for families. El Paso has an international airport and most trips to the East Coast will require a visit to El Paso.

It's about a 3-hour drive to Tucson, AZ from Silver City, driving through Lordsburg. Tucson is a beautiful, sprawling desert city, also offering many opportunities for entertainment and shopping. Tucson also has a nice zoo and several desert attractions and caves in the area. The airport is very accessible, just on the edge of town so you don't have to go all the way into the city to reach the airport. Phoenix is not too much farther if you want to visit a larger city with much more to offer.

Keep in mind that traveling to any of these larger cities, involves visiting a warmer climate, so be prepared for things to heat up before you get back to the more temperate weather of the Silver City area.