Northwestern New Mexico’s MainStreet Communities: Farmington and Grants
A trip to the northwest corner of New Mexico provides MainStreet visitors ample opportunities to embrace New Mexico’s rich past. Around 25 miles from Farmington, you’ll find Aztec Ruins National Monument, which includes the majestic 600 year old Aztec West “great house”, standing three-stories high, longer than a football field and containing the fully restored 40-foot “Great Kiva”. Only 8 miles outside Farmington, you’ll find Salmon Ruins, featuring an 11th Century Chaco dwelling. Chaco Canyon/Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located about 75 miles from Farmington. This spectacular site was the major urban center of Pueblo culture at its height, between 850 and 1250 A.D. This ancient culture created huge monuments, constructed roads, used astronomy, and developed a huge economy, leaving behind the largest excavated pre-historic ruins in North America.
For the golfer, Farmington’s Pinon Hills Golf Course is a must. In 2002, Pinon Hill was rated by “Golf Digest” as the #1 municipal golf course in the nation!
The area surrounding Grants also contains many cultural treasures. Acoma Pueblo, also known as “Sky City,” is the oldest continually inhabited dwelling in North America. Since 1075 A.D., Natives have lived high atop the towering mesa. Tour the pueblo, visit the museum and take in the San Esteban del Rey Mission, built in 1640. Acoma is 12 miles off I-40, just east of Grants. 25 minutes west of Grants is Casamero Pueblo, featuring open air ruins of Chaco era houses and kivas.
28 miles west of Grants is Bluewater Lake State Park, home to great trout fishing, boating and hiking. Hikers may also enjoy visiting El Malpais National Monument 10 minutes from Grants, featuring expansive lava flows and sandstone formations. A further 15 minutes into the heart of the El Malpais, you’ll find the fire and ice of Bandera Center Ice Caves, home to an amazing underground ice cave created by volcanic activity.
