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Explore historic New Mexico: Where to eat, stay and play in Las Vegas, New Mexico

Courtesy of New Mexico True

Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth Tucker Elizabeth Tucker Journal Staff Writer

Published October 3, 2023 - 4:14 p.m. Modified November 8, 2023 - 1:58 p.m.

An hour east of Santa Fe, Las Vegas is a popular spot for movies with more than 900 historic buildings on the Historic Registry. It is close to nature and rich in culture.

There may not be casinos and slot machines on every corner, but if you are looking for a vacation spot off the beaten track, Las Vegas, New Mexico, is definitely one to add to the list.

Things to see

Fort Union

Just a 30-minute drive north of Las Vegas, Fort Union is the remains of the largest 19th-century military fort in the region. The fort now has tours, events and kids' programs.

LOCATION: 3115 NM Highway 161, Watrous, 505-425-8025

HOURS:

Summer Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Winter Hours: Labor Day to Memorial Day 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The monument is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

COST: Free

Fort Union Drive-In Theater

This is one of the few drive-in theaters left in New Mexico. There is enough space for 340 cars. The theater shows double features on the weekends.

LOCATION: 26 NM 518, 505-425-9934

HOURS: 7-midnight, Friday-Sunday

COST: $20 per carload

Montezuma Hot Spring

Located near United World College, these hot springs are just six miles northwest of Las Vegas. It is said that Jesse James and Billy the Kid may have spent time in these rejuvenating waters.

Though the UWC is a private college, the hot springs are open to the public. They are divided into pools of varying temperatures, ranging from 102.7 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

LOCATION: State Rte 65, Montezuma

HOURS: None

COST: Free

Walking Tours

Enjoy exploring the districts of Las Vegas, see some of the film locations for the many movies shot around town, and finding iconic murals throughout your tour. The town has more than 900 buildings on the Historic Registry.

Where to eat

Charlie's Spic & Span

Calling itself "The meeting, eating, greeting place of Las Vegas," this restaurant offers northern New Mexico favorites served fresh daily.

LOCATION: 715 Douglas, 505-426-1921

HOURS: 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Daily, closed Tuesday

The Skillet

An art-bar and restaurant, this establishment serves contemporary food and cocktails. Owner Isaac Sandoval originally made a 300-pound iron skillet as a performative art work, which evolved into a food truck, eventually becoming a full brick-and-mortar restaurant and bar. The restaurant is located in a renovated 1924 limestone building.

LOCATION: 619 12th, 505-563-0477

HOURS: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Daily, closed Sunday

El Rialto Restaurant

Serving tacos and margaritas, this restaurant aims to use the freshest ingredients available.

LOCATION: 141 Bridge St., 505-454-0037

HOURS 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday

Places to Stay

Las Vegas has a variety of places to stay, ranging from historic hotels to cozy cabins and campgrounds.

Historic Hotels

The Plaza Hotel, called "The Belle of the Southwest," overlooks Old Town Plaza Park. The hotel has been in the heart of the town for 125 years and offers Victorian guest rooms.

Dining options here include Prairie Hill Café Restaurant and Byron T’s Saloon

PRAIRIE HILL CAFÉ HOURS: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday

BYRON T'S SALOON HOURS: 12-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

LOCATION: 230 Plaza, 505-425-3591

BOOKING: Rooms can be booked online.

Hotel Castañada is located in the historic district, roughly one mile east of the Plaza Hotel and Old Town Las Vegas.

The hotel has a restaurant and bar, Bar Castañeda & Kin at Castañeda, which features a full dinner menu with local products, a seasonal cocktail menu and

BAR CASTAÑEDA HOURS: 5-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday-Sunday

KIN HOURS: 3-7 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday; closed Wednesday; 3–8 p.m. Saturday

LOCATION: 524 Railroad, 505-425-3591

BOOKING: Rooms can be booked online.

Cabins and campgrounds

Cabins are available just an hour's drive from town, offering quiet retreats from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Campgrounds and RV hookups can be found around nature reserves and state parks, offering varying degrees of amenities.

Out in Nature

Storrie Lake

Less than 15 minutes from Las Vegas, this lake offers all the lake activities a visitor could want, ranging from boating to fishing and primitive camping to RV hookups.

The lake facilities include picnic shelters, restrooms with water, showers, a playground and Visitor Center with exhibits.

LOCATION: Highway 518, Mile Marker 3.5, 505-425-7278

HOURS: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. October-March; 6 a.m.-9 p.m. April-September.

COST: varies based on activity. A full list of activities and their costs can be found at emnrd.nm.gov

Villanueva State Park

Just a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas, enjoy camping along the Pecos River in developed campsites offering electricity, a dump station and RV Hookups. First-come-first served campsites are available year-round, Summer spaces are available April though October and winter spaces are available November through March.

The spot has trout fishing, and catfish are available in the summer. Life jackets are required for tubing.

Pets are welcome on leashes, please clean up after your pet.

LOCATION:The park is located on NM Highhway3 between I-40 and I-25

HOURS: 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. Day use hours; 10 p.m.-7 a.m.

COST: Varies by reservation; $40 Annual Day Use Pass; $180 for in-state or $225 for out-of-state Annual Camping Pass.

Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge

This nature reserve offers sweeping views of prairie lands back-dropped by rugged mountain ranges to the west, and dropping into the canyons of the Gallina River and Vegosa Creek to the south. It is a good spot for hiking, wildlife viewing and shooting — both for photographers and hunters.

Some of the birds to keep an eye out for are: sandhill cranes, bald eagles, northern harriers, Swainson's hawks, American kestrels, long-billed dowitchers, sandpipers, wild turkeys and a variety of ducks and geese.

The Visitor Center is currently closed for remodeling, but there are several walking trails, and a self-guided driving tour loop for visitors to enjoy.

LOCATION: 435 NM Highway 281, Mile Marker 4, 505-425-3581

HOURS: Sunrise to Sunset Daily

COST: Free