Farmington, New Mexico
It made sense for us to stay in Farmington for the three days we were in northwest New Mexico, because it was centrally located to everything we wanted to see- Chaco Canyon, Shiprock, Mesa Verde National Park, and Aztec Ruins National Monument.
There’s no doubt, as far as location goes, Farmington is a great home-base when visiting the best ruins in New Mexico.
You’ll find Farmington has your standard hotel/motel options, numerous Airbnb rentals, and plenty of restaurants. There are major supermarkets, farmers markets, and shopping centers in addition to specialty shops and art galleries for all of your shopping needs.
But honestly, the best thing about Farmington for us was the food.
Roadside Fry Bread– We were passing a local farmers market on our way to Aztec Ruins National Monument when I spotted a sign advertising fresh fry bread at a roadside farmers market. I told my husband we were making a detour!
A Native American family was making the bread by hand on-site under a simple tent. Every family member had a job including this 4-year-old little girl who was kneading dough. She stole my heart! Fresh hot fry bread was coated in cinnamon-sugar or powdered sugar and served piping hot on paper plates.
If you’ve never had fry bread, it’s similar to county fair funnel cake. I could have eaten my weight in the stuff! So good!
Hometown Burgers– This little place served a green chile burger that I could eat on the reg. Green chile burgers are a New Mexican specialty, so you’ve got to have at least one while you’re in the Land of Enchantment. The service at Hometown was friendly and quick, and the fact that it’s locally owned made it even better. Don’t pass this place up! Please.
Other Things to Do in the Farmington Area
Kutz Canyon Badlands- Angel’s Peak
Angel’s Peak overlook at Kutz Canyon, 30 miles southeast of Farmington, is definitely worth a stop on your way to/from Chaco Canyon. Kutz Canyon is a Bureau of Land Management site and has no entry fee. There are a few picnic tables where you can sit and take in the view, as well a short nature trail where you can stretch your legs.
We stopped just before sunset on our way back from Chaco, and the colors of the badlands were gorgeous!
Kutz Canyon is an oil field, but it did not detract from the view. Don’t be deterred if you see a lot of heavy equipment on your way to the overlook.
Salmon Ruins
This Chaco-era site is conveniently located right in town. If you are interested in seeing Ancestral Puebloan ruins and don’t want to make the trip to Chaco, visiting Salmon Ruins in combination with Aztec Ruins National Monument is a good alternative. (And then go to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado to really get blown away!)
The only way you can access the actual ruin site is through the museum. There is a $5 admission fee for adults. See the Salmon Ruins website for more details on fees and other off-site tours that can be arranged.
Aztec Ruins National Monument
Aztec Ruins is located 14 miles northeast of Farmington in Aztec, NM. Well worth your time and very easy to access, Aztec Ruins is a great option if you don’t want to make the drive to Chaco Canyon. There is no fee to enter the National Monument. You can read more about my visit to Aztec Ruins National Monument in my companion article, “(Not) Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico“.
Bisti Badlands
If I ever return to this area of New Mexico, I will definitely make a trip to Bisti Badlands! Just 40 miles south of Farmington lies this stunning wilderness featuring amazing geologic features. Bisti is rugged and remote. The Bureau of Land Management recommends hikers be equipped with GPS units, as it is easy to become disoriented among the rocks.
Farmington Public Library
Yes, I said a library.
You may have figured out that I’m kind of bookish. Oddly enough, when we were at the farmers market eating fry bread, we were asked by a couple of locals if we’d ever visited the library. Turns out, Farmington Public Library won an award for its culturally significant architectural design. The entry door faces east like traditional Dine (Navajo) structures and the lobby is built to reflect the design of a traditional kiva. We were told we should make a point to drop by while staying in Farmington, so we did.
We stopped for a few minutes to take a quick look around. The natural light coming through the windows made the space so inviting and created a sundial effect. It was easy to see why the City of Farmington is so proud. The exterior also had some interesting details including these colorful horse sculptures. If you love libraries, check this one out!
For more information on activities in and around Farmington, New Mexico, visit New Mexico’s tourism website.
I hope you enjoy your visit to New Mexico! Thanks for reading!
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