Best Things to Do in Gallup

Gallup is a historic railroad town along Route 66 and a cultural center of western New Mexico. Founded in 1881 along the railroad, the city grew through rail traffic, coal mining, and trade with nearby Native American communities. Today, Gallup is especially known for its Navajo and Zuni influences, reflected in its art, jewelry, trading posts, and local traditions.

Don’t Miss

Downtown Gallup & Route 66

Historic Route 66 runs through downtown Gallup, passing neon signs, trading posts, restaurants, murals, and buildings that reflect the city’s railroad and highway history. Coal Avenue is the heart of downtown, with a walkable stretch of shops, galleries, and restaurants. Dozens of public murals are scattered throughout the area, depicting local history, Native cultures and Route 66. McKinley County Courthouse Square is a block away and hosts community events throughout the year.

Trading Posts

Gallup is one of the best places in New Mexico to shop for Native American art. Trading posts throughout the city sell Navajo rugs, Zuni jewelry, pottery, paintings, and carvings by artists from across the region. Several have operated for generations. Richardson’s Trading Company, located along Historic Route 66, dates to 1913, while Perry Null Trading traces its history to 1939.

Red Rock Park

Just east of Gallup, Red Rock Park has hiking trails, a rodeo arena, campground, cultural museum, and some of the best scenery around Gallup. The Pyramid Rock and Church Rock trails climb into the surrounding formations and provide wide views across the high desert. If you like exploring the outdoors at all, visit Red Rock Park.

Museums & Culture

Gallup has several museums worth visiting if you want to understand the city’s history and its relationship with Native communities of the region.

• Gallup Cultural Center – Located inside the historic Santa Fe Railway depot, with exhibits on Native art, weaving, silversmithing, Route 66, and local history.
• Rex Museum – A small downtown museum covering Gallup’s railroad, mining, Route 66, and community history.
• Red Rock Museum – Displays Native pottery, rugs, jewelry, artwork, and exhibits on the peoples of the surrounding region.

Food & Drink

Gallup has a nice mix of New Mexican food, diners, and old Route 66 restaurants.

Good local stops include:

• Jerry’s Cafe – A longtime downtown favorite known for New Mexican food and green chile.
• Earl’s Family Restaurant – A classic diner restaurant that has served travelers and locals for decades.
• El Rancho Restaurant & 49er Lounge – Inside the historic El Rancho Hotel and worth visiting for the setting alone.

Be on the look out for Navajo foods like fry bread and Navajo tacos, which appear at local restaurants, festivals, and roadside stands throughout the region.

Events

Gallup’s biggest cultural event is the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, held each summer for more than a century. The multi-day celebration brings together Native artists, dancers, musicians, rodeo competitors, and tribes from across the region and beyond, with powwows, parades, art markets, performances, and rodeo events.

Other major events include:

• Red Rock Balloon Rally – Held each December at Red Rock Park, with hot air balloons flying among the surrounding sandstone cliffs.
• Gallup ArtsCrawl – Held on second Saturdays from spring through fall, with artists, vendors, live music, food, and galleries filling downtown around Coal Avenue.
• Gallup Summer Indian Dances – Summer performances that take place in McKinley County Courthouse Square.

The Red Rock Balloon Rally is especially cool. It’s the second largest balloon rally in the US behind the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The combination of colorful balloons and the red sandstone formations around Church Rock makes it one of the most photogenic events in New Mexico.

Outdoors & Around Town

Gallup is surrounded by many unique attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Popular options are:

• Hiking at Red Rock Park
• See the Sculptures at We The People Park
• Driving south toward Zuni Pueblo
• Visiting El Morro National Monument
• Hiking & mountain biking in the Zuni Mountains
• Heading north into the remote Chaco National Historical Park
• Continuing east toward El Malpais National Monument

Gallup is about an hour from many remote attractions and natural sites, making it a convenient base for exploring the region.

Where to Stay

Gallup has plenty of hotels along I-40 and Route 66. The standout is the El Rancho Hotel, a 1937 Route 66 landmark that once hosted stars including John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Kirk Douglas, Ronald Reagan, and Humphrey Bogart. Its rooms are named after Hollywood actors, and the lobby is filled with historic photos and movie memorabilia. Even if you are not staying overnight, it is worth stopping inside.

How Long Should You Stay?

Half a day is enough to see downtown, browse a trading post, and stop at a museum. A full day gives you time to add Red Rock Park and explore the city at a more relaxed pace. If you’re using Gallup as a base for Zuni Pueblo, El Morro, or El Malpais, spending a night or two makes sense.

Gallup is a regional hub where Native cultures, railroad history, roadside Americana, and the red-rock landscapes of western New Mexico all meet. It’s a little rough around the edges, but that is part of its character.