Hotel El Rancho in Gallup, New Mexico
We've had the opportunity to get out on the road and explore Route 66 in New Mexico numerous times, both eastbound and westbound.
A popular stop on those road trips is the City of Gallup, in far western New Mexico, near Arizona.
Map showing the location of Gallup, New Mexico on U.S. Route 66
 Welcome to the City of Gallup, New Mexico ... "Most Patriotic Small Town in America" |
Visiting Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup is the largest city between Albuquerque and Flagstaff, and has a population of about 22,000 residents.
The city sits at an elevation of 6,512', and is known as the "Most Patriotic Small Town in America". It is located about 140 miles west of Albuquerque, and 185 miles east of Flagstaff, and only 23 miles from the Arizona-New Mexico border. The city is located in the middle of the Navajo Reservation.
The city was founded in 1881 as a railhead for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, and named after David Gallup, a paymaster for the railroad.
Because of the nearby rugged terrain, it was a popular location in the 1940s and 1950s for Hollywood Westerns and has hosted many well-known movie stars such as John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Ronald Reagan and Kirk Douglas.
Gallup has over 90 restaurants and 30 hotels, including the historic Hotel El Rancho, and is a popular stopover point for those traveling Historic Route 66.
Hotel El Rancho in Gallup, New Mexico"Charm of Yesterday ... Convenience of Tomorrow" R.E. Griff came to Gallup in the early 1930s and loved the stark landscapes, mesas and endless vistas. He built the Hotel El Rancho in 1936 and it soon became a popular staging area for Western movie productions. During the 1930s and 1940s over 100 Westerns were shot in the Gallup area, with numerous stars lodging at the El Rancho. The large guest list included John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, Ronald Reagan, Mae West, Kirk Douglas and many more. Today, the popularity of the hotel remains and is a favorite stopping point for Route 66 travelers! The Silver Screen restaurant features an original ranch-style dining room with high ceilings, exposed wood beam trusses and rustic cowboy décor. The Silver Screen takes an uncomplicated approach to familiar favorites with an emphasis on traditional Southwestern flavors. It’s a fun, casual setting! The elegant 49er Lounge is a great place to unwind and cool down after a day of roadtripping on Route 66! It’s widely agreed, the finest Native American artwork is created in New Mexico. And Gallup has been at the center of it all for more than 100 years. For much of that time the Ortega family has offered outstanding Indian arts and crafts at its shops here and in Arizona. Today, The Last Trading Post located in the Hotel Rancho specializes in rugs and blankets, silver and turquoise jewelry, pottery, Katsina (Kachina) dolls and carvings, and other traditional Native crafts from some of the Southwest’s finest artists. The Hotel is located at 1000 East Highway 66 in Gallup ... phone 505.863.9311 For more information, visit the Hotel El Rancho Website and Hotel El Rancho on Facebook Read traveler reviews and view more photos about the Hotel El Rancho on TripAdvisor |
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Gallup Area Attractions
Area attractions include:
- Manuelito Visitor Center
- Navajo Code Talker Museum
- Gallup Cultural Center in the historic Santa Fe Railway depot
- Red Rock Park & Museum
- 1928 El Morro Theatre
- Rex Historical Museum
- Summer nightly Indian dances at the McKinley Courthouse Square Plaza
- Fly over Red Rock Canyons in a hot air balloon
- High Desert mountain bike trails
- Hike the Church Rock trail for spectacular vistas of the surrounding landscape
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
- and much more
Shopping Gallup
Shopping is also a big local attraction, with 110 trading posts, shops and galleries in Gallup, making the town the undisputed Southwestern center for authentic Native American art.
Shops like the Bill Malone Trading Company, Richardson's Trading Post and others are popular shopping destinations.
Retail stores in downtown Gallup, New Mexico
More Lodging, Dining and Attractions in Gallup ... from TripAdvisor
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Gallup Hotel Directory, Traveler Reviews and Reservations Gallup Restaurant Listings and Reviews Gallup Attractions and Things to Do |
Gallup Cultural CenterThe Gallup Cultural Center offers diverse programming and arts that celebrate the Native American cultures that neighbor Gallup, as well as Gallup's unique history. It was created in 1996 at the historic Santa Fe Depot by the Southwest Indian Foundation. The Center is located at 201 East Highway 66, Gallup, New Mexico 87301 Gallup Cultural Center Website
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More Scenes & Attractions Around Gallup |
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Rex Historical Museum |
Richardson's Trading Post & Pawn |
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Gallup ... in Western New Mexico |
Hot air balloons over Gallup |
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Welcome to Historic Downtown Gallup |
City of Gallup neon Downtown Parking sign |
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Neon sign at Jerry's Cafe |
USA RV Park in Gallup |
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More Information and Resources about Gallup |
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Interactive Map of Gallup, New Mexico
MORE NEW MEXICO ROUTE 66
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