Gallup: Route 66, Culture and Red Rocks

Gallup combines the history of Route 66 with vibrant culture and the distinctive landscape of red sandstone cliffs. In the downtown area, today’s Coal Avenue and numerous historic buildings recall the town’s development: Coal Avenue was originally part of Route 66, while some buildings on a historic walking tour date back to the late 19th century. Anyone looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Gallup can make the desired mix of local history, events, museums and excursions in the surrounding area the starting point for planning their trip.

Route 66 and Historic Places in Gallup

Downtown Gallup is designated as a Historic District. Many buildings there are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The El Rancho Hotel is particularly well known—a historic hotel on Route 66 in Gallup, New Mexico. It was built on U.S. Route 66 in 1936 and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The El Morro Theatre is used for film screenings, performing arts and other cultural events.

The museums also explore important chapters of the region’s history. The Navajo Code Talker Museum at the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce honors the contribution of Indigenous Americans to the United States’ victory in World War II. The George Galanis Multicultural Center offers programs and art activities honoring the neighboring Native American cultures as well as Gallup’s history. It also houses a collection about the history of the Navajo Code Talkers. The Storyteller Museum and the Route 66 Theater are part of the Gallup Cultural Center.

Murals, Markets and Cultural Events

For a walk through the city, Gallup offers more than 30 colorful murals in the downtown area, all within walking distance of one another. A map for the Downtown Mural Walking Tour is available at the Visitor Center or can be found online. The Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center is located at 106 West Highway 66 in downtown Gallup.

The events calendar adds further highlights. The Gallup Summer Indian Dances and Art Market is an annual event featuring traditional dances and the opportunity to meet the dancers and musicians. It takes place at Courthouse Square, 215 West Aztec Avenue. Every August, the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial showcases Indigenous art, dances, music and rodeo; it was first held on September 28, 1922. The Gallup Arts Crawl program includes arts and crafts activities for children, art demonstrations, book signings, open galleries and live performances.

Red Rocks and Excursions in the Surrounding Area

Red Rock Park is located near Gallup. It covers 640 acres and is characterized by red sandstone cliffs that formed more than 200 million years ago during the Mesozoic Era. The Red Rock Park Museum uses interpretive exhibits to present the culture of the Ancestral Puebloans as well as today’s Zuni, Hopi and Navajo communities. Since 1981, the annual Red Rock Balloon Rally has also been held near Gallup.

This makes it possible to combine different types of vacation days: In the city, historic architecture, murals and cultural institutions take center stage, while Red Rock Park showcases the landscape and its geological history. When searching for accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you primarily want to use Gallup as a starting point for cultural discoveries or as a base for a trip with additional excursions in the surrounding area.

More Experiences for Planning Your Trip

The Gallup 9th Street Flea Market offers food, handicrafts, jewelry, livestock and household goods. Golfers can enjoy the 18-hole Fox Run Golf Course, which measures 6,400 yards and has a par of 71. The Rex Museum, on the other hand, should not currently be planned as an open visitor attraction: It is closed due to construction work and the development of exhibitions. The museum presents changing exhibitions with local and regional artifacts once visits are possible again.

As an addition to your trip planning, you can also view the pages on Ramah and Zuni.

For the overarching travel overview: McKinley County.