Gallup

Route 66 town in western New Mexico, known for Native American jewelry, trading posts, and ceremonial gatherings.

Gallup bills itself as the Indian Jewelry Capital of the World, and it is not exaggerating. With over 70 retail and wholesale outlets dealing in Native American jewelry, baskets, pottery, rugs, and paintings, the town is the place to come for the arts of the Southwest's tribal nations. The annual Inter-Tribal Ceremonial in August brings together dozens of Indian Nations from across the country for several days of dancing, competitions, and one of the region's largest Native American art markets.

The town sits on Route 66 in western New Mexico, close to Zuni Pueblo and the Navajo Nation. It is not the prettiest place, but it is authentic and full of character. Richardson's Trading Post is the real deal — overwhelming in the best possible way. The El Rancho Hotel, built in 1936 for Hollywood productions shooting Westerns in the surrounding landscape, is the most atmospheric building in town and a genuine piece of American film history. The Navajo Code Talkers Museum tells a remarkable story of the Navajo language used as an unbreakable military code in the Pacific War.

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Eating Out

Gallup's restaurant scene reflects the town's position at the crossroads of Navajo, Zuni, and Hispanic cultures. You will find solid New Mexican and Mexican food at family-run places along Route 66, and frybread and Navajo tacos are easy to come by. Nothing fancy, but the flavors are genuine.

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Shopping

Gallup is the Indian arts and crafts hub of the Southwest, with over 70 retail and wholesale outlets dealing in jewelry, baskets, pottery, rugs, and paintings from the region's tribal nations. It can be overwhelming. If you want genuine reservation-style red moccasins with white soles, or a hand-woven Navajo rug, this is where you come.

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When to Go

Gallup sits at about 2,000 metres elevation and has a high desert climate — hot summers, cold winters, and low humidity year-round. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for visiting, with warm days and cool nights.

August is the month to come if you want to see the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, which runs for several days in the middle of the month. It's the cultural high point of Gallup's year and worth planning around. Summer afternoons bring frequent afternoon thunderstorms that cool things down quickly and make for dramatic skies over the red rock mesas.

Winter can be cold and occasionally snowy, but the dry air and low humidity make it feel less harsh than comparable temperatures elsewhere. The Indian trading posts and downtown are open year-round regardless of season.