Las Vegas: Shopping & Dining

Tapetes de Lana is just one of Las Vegas’ shopping highlights

Shopping

When the railroad arrived in 1879, Las Vegas was split into the “Old Town” area (the Plaza and Bridge Street) and “New Town” area (the Douglas Avenue area). Thus, Las Vegas has two distinct MainStreet shopping and dining districts.

“Old Town” Shopping, in the Old Plaza and adjacent Bridge Street

Inside Stuff

Circle the historic Old Plaza in search of treasures and bargains. Art & Stones (247 Plaza), housed in a cool old mercantile store, features gems and work from local artists. For one of the best selections of antiques in the state, visit Plaza Antiques (1805 Plaza), and while you are there, ask to see their sock monkey collection! Tapetes de Lana (1814 Plaza) features rugs hand-woven by proprietor Teresa Victor,weaving demonstrations,a large selection of locally made jewelry, hand-blown glass, hand-woven textiles, and Talavera pottery. While the artists give you an on-site demonstration, sample some fresh brewed coffee from the Travellers Café in the back of the shop. Fine arts of all sorts are on display at the El Zocalo Gallery (212 Plaza). Stuff (623 12th Street) advertises a “cornucopia of collectibles, antiques, furniture, vintage clothing, decorator items and gifts.” And the building is very interesting, too!

Tome On the Range

The main street leading from the Plaza, Bridge Street, is lined on both sides by shops of every sort. Love Music (164 Bridge Street) is a gathering place for music lovers, and features a broad selection of CD’s from local artists. Bike enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at Cycle Supply (165 Bridge Street). Mariposa Herbs & Gifts (123 Bridge Street) offers medicinal herbs to soothe what ails you. Add to your closet with New Moon Fashions’ (132 Bridge Street) large selection of elegant, comfortable styles, both ethnic and American, in sustainable, ‘green’ fabric such as Tencel, fine Moroccan rayon, and handkerchief linen. Or, go dude, as in “ranch,” at Popular Dry Goods (119 BridgeStreet) by picking up some boots and Wranglers. Everything from local history to the latest best-seller is on the shelves of Tome on the Range (116 BridgeStreet), and check out their used book selection and café at the cleverly titled Second Tome Around (131 Bridge Street).

War Dancer Gallery

There are plenty of spots to satisfy the art lover on Bridge Street, including Tito’s Gallery (157 Bridge Street). Tito’s features not only a range of fine arts by New Mexican artists (including hand-pulled block prints and a selection of Retablos), it is housed in the town’s old jail building, where one of the cells was used as a location for “Easy Rider.” Unikat (153 Bridge Street) showcases fine jewelry in metal and stone, most of it made by proprietor and goldsmith Andrea Gottschalk. WarDancer Designs and Gallery (150 Bridge Street)offers a wonderfully diverse variety of art, including custom jewelry designed by proprietor Neita Fran Ward and Navajo silversmith Brian Billie, fine arts in many other mediums and Pendleton clothing.Cabeza de Vaca Gallery (206 N. Plaza) is a rotating exhibit of paintings by owners and various artists.

Shopping in the Douglas Avenue Area

Patti Goetsch, the proprietor of A Farmer’s Wife (608 Douglas Ave) not only makes her delicious jams with home grown ingredients, she also creatively pens a story for each creation! Patti also features a large selection of local and regional foods like salsa and honey. The 20th Century Store (518 6th Street) has an impressive display of antiques and glassware, while Roughrider Antiques (501 Railroad) is a 5,000 square foot mall of antiques and collectibles of all kinds provided by 20 vendors - all featured in yet another beautifully-restored building. A local institution for decades, Gordon’s Jewelry (606 Douglas Ave) carries everything from a thoughtful gift to lavish wedding rings.

Byron T’s, inside the Plaza Hotel

Dining

“Old Town” Dining on the Plaza and Bridge

There are two main Las Vegas landmarks on each side of the Plaza. The first is the historic Plaza Hotel, built in 1882. Inside, you’ll find the newly remodeled Landmark Grill (230 Plaza, 505-425-3591). Ample servings of breakfast, lunch, and dinner are presented under high Victorian ceilings and pressed-back wooden chairs.

Also in the Plaza Hotel, Byron T’s Saloon (230 Plaza, 505-425-1455), an old wooden floor saloon serving up delicious drinks and bar food.

Across the Plaza, the other Las Vegas landmark, Plaza Drugs (178 Bridge Street, 505-425-5221), contains an old fashioned soda and ice cream parlor, the perfect stop to satisfy that sweet tooth.

The El Rialto

El Rialto (141 Bridge Street,505-454-0037) has been a local and tourists’ favorite for many years. The family restaurant has a salad bar and offers grilled steaks and chops, a New Mexican menu including El Rialto’s delicious fajitas served with grilled chicken or steak and guacamole, and their famous stuffed sopapillas. Cocktails, wine and beer are also available.

Estella’s Café (148 Bridge Street, 505-454-0048) is well known for their Northern New Mexico staples, like tamales and carne adovada.

Even more great New Mexican food can be found on the Plaza at El Encanto (1816 Plaza, 505-454-9195), a family-operated business with thirty years of experience specializing in fresh, homemade New Mexico cuisine: Huevos Rancheros, menudo, tamales, tacos, and green chile.

Dining in the Douglas Avenue area

Ask a local or just about anyone who has visited Las Vegas, and they are likely to tell you the one place you have to go is Charlie’s Spic and Span (715 Douglas, 505-426-1921). For almost 50 years, the diner has been full of folks downing everything from burritos to green chile cheeseburgers.

Dick’s Liquor’s and Deli (705 Douglas, 505-425-8261) offers a full American and Southwest menu, with great dinner entrees, good vegetarian choices and salads, burgers and ribs, and deserts made on the premises. If you order some sandwiches for take-out you can watch them being constructed while you shop from a wonderful selection of wines, beers, liquors, aperitifs and liqueurs.

Beans & Sweets (1209 National Avenue) is a great place for a cup of coffee or an espresso coffee drink, fruit smoothie, or fresh juice. Homemade bakery treats include brownies, pecan rolls, scones, biscotti, and pastries.

Las Vegas’ well loved Italian eatery d’Vino’s (510 Douglas, 505-425-3805) boasts a long wine list to accompany your tapas and manicotti.

Mary Anne’s “Famous” Kitchen (528 N. Grand, 505-426-8929) serves up famous burritos on classic checkered tablecloths.

At the State Café (516 N. Grand, 505-454-9589) locals dine at the old-fashioned long lunch counter.

Finally, for a little pick-me-up, stop by Super Chief Coffee Bar (514 N. Grand,505-454-1360), where the locals go for their caffeine fix.