Silver City, New Mexico: A Beautiful Respite from the Desert Heat

While living in Tucson for several years, Mike and I had the opportunity to check out many unique places we might not have seen otherwise. As it is still quite hot here in September, we decided to plan a cool escape to high desert of New Mexico. While I love the beauty of the Sonoran desert, I am always up for exploring new places. Silver City, a small high altitude city in southwestern New Mexico, was a wonderful, easily accessible, & much cooler summer getaway from The Old Pueblo.

It’s a tiny community of just 10,000 residents, whose origins began as a mining town back in 1878. The scenic community sits at the foot of the Mogollon mountains. Today, the town is most popular with retirees seeking a laid-back mountain escape. Due to the proximity of a handful of natural wonders, it’s also a great base for exploring the natural wonders of New Mexico.

On our mini weekend getaways, we enjoyed a little bit of peace and quiet in the mountains, as well as some daytrips to historic sites in the region. Overall, it was a fantastic mini escape from the heat of the Sonoran desert.

A cool escape from the desert!

The mild climate has made this town a popular vacation destination for desert dwellers seeking a cool escape from the brutal summer heat. You can only take so many days at 100+ degrees before you need a break. At an altitude of 5895 feet, Silver City is an oasis in the New Mexico desert: one offering mild 85 degree summer days, lush surroundings, and easy access to outdoor recreation.

If you are tired of the summer heat in Tucson, it’s a super easy roadtrip of just 3.5 hours. Likewise, it’s only 4.5 hours from Phoenix, so an easy heat escape that offers a much more relaxed vibe than touristy Flagstaff.

While Tucson frequently sees temps soar anywhere from 100-105 for months on end, Silver City offers a more moderate summer climate, with temps typically hovering near the mid-upper 80’s. There is always a nice breeze in the air and plenty of shade to be found, so really it is a great escape for anyone seeking a quick change of pace from the extreme heat of the desert.

We loved sitting outside enjoying our coffee in the near perfect temperatures. The weather was also perfect for our outdoor activities. It was so nice not to have to set our alarm for 6am to beat the heat.

Downtown Silver City: An artististic delight

Silver City is most well known for its’ vibrant arts community. Downtown you will find a wide assortment of art galleries. Throughout the year, many renowned festivals like the Clay festival and the Fiber art festival take place. Little touches here and there like artwork adorning the walls in local cafes and coffee shops and eclectic colorful buildings and murals give the town a unique artistic flair.

I absolutely love visiting all these charming communities out West which have changed almost nothing. It’s so exciting and strange to walk around these towns that seem stuck in the past. The architecture, the colors, the local businesses – it’s such a refreshing change of pace from our busy, modern, monotone, strip mall world. Here’s a few pictures I took of all the quirky, colorful buildings.

The downtown is very small but loaded with independent businesses. Locals shops, restaurants, art galleries, coffee shops and vintage stores dot the main street. There’s a great little used book and record shop which offers tons of classics at affordable prices. We saw many antique and vintage shops.

And, of course, there are plenty of touristy shops – good luck leaving without picking up at least one gorgeous handmade Southwestern style specialty! I love the colorful historic look of all the buildings – simply strolling around is an experience.

Recommended restaurants & coffee shops

We love to support local businesses whenever we travel. It supports the community, plus there is a certain charm lacking in modern corporate chains.

First up, we wanted to check out the local coffee scene. We both love independent coffeehouses especially those offering a funky, colorful, or cozy vibe (basically the anti-Starbucks). Tranquilbuzz is an eclectic coffee shop which serves delicious espresso drinks in an artsy setting. It’s a must visit for any coffee lover out there.

The unique decor alone warrants a visit. I loved the vibe – the ambiance was so colorful and old-school. It felt nothing like a corporate chain where you are rushed out with a paper cups. Drinks were served in mugs, there were games to play, and attractive decor all around.

Dining options are a bit limited, however, we saw a few quaint cafes, Mexican restaurants, and pizza places. In recent years, Silver City has been touted as an emerging foodie destination, although it still has a long way to go. Nevertheless, there is a decent enough selection for a small town.

Shrevk’s Italian is a cute little local Italian place with the friendliest service. They offer your standard Italian fare like ravioli, lasagna, and pasta. Vicki’s Eatery is the best choice for vegetarian and gluten-free diners with many healthy choices. Update: As of 2023, both these restaurants are closed.

If you have the time, the historic Buckhorn Saloon about 20 minutes away in the high altitude town of Pinos Altos is a nice choice for dinner. It’s a really nice drive over. If you are heading out to the Gila Cliff dwellings, it’s a nice stop on the route.

The ambiance here is really rustic, with an upscale touch. I love the cozy fireplace and the warm inviting atmosphere. We saw numerous families celebrating birthdays. They offer steaks and much more including a delicious southwestern mac and cheese.

Where to Stay: Bear Mountain Lodge

The highlight of our vacation was staying at the charming Bear Mountain Lodge. We got everything we were looking for here: a peaceful escape from the busy suburban area of Tucson we live in. If you are looking for a quiet getaway, this is the place for you as the property sits on 178 aces amidst the beautiful Gila National forest, surrounded by pine trees and gorgeous mountains.

For the nature lover, there are miles of on-site trails and the vibe is relaxing and peaceful. The surroundings are just gorgeous and perfect for relaxing vacation activities – whether it be reading a book, bird watching, hiking, relaxing with a cup of coffee/tea, stargazing etc.

I just loved the low-key vibe, the tranquil surroundings, the artwork inside and out, the nature trails, and the beautiful architecture of the property. Definitely one of the best places I’ve stayed in recent years. I can’t imagine staying in a corporate chain over this beautiful lodge.

The inn was built in 1928. Today, it is considered a historic property. On an interesting side note, the lodge was featured in the popular publication “1000 Places to See Before you Die.”

The lodge itself is beautiful with a big porch for enjoying breakfast or relaxing with a drink. The inside features eccentric Southwestern style decor with a gorgeous fireplace. Looking around, you will notice many beautiful & eclectic pottery and art pieces which are available for purchase. The design is uniquely New Mexican, definitely a nice change of pace from the usual bland chain hotel.

This is one of those places where everywhere you look you see something interesting – none of those boring watercolor paintings that hotels like Comfort Inn use. Even the breakfast room was gorgeous with eccentric artwork, gorgeous chandeliers, and a rustic fireplace.

A full breakfast is available each morning in the cozy dining room. If weather permits, you can take a seat outside on the lovely patio facing the mountains. We dined inside because the decor was so interesting, although we did enjoy some tea and coffee on the patio. We thoroughly enjoyed the blueberry cream cheese stuffed French Toast and the Vegetable Frittata. 24/7 coffee and teas, as well as afternoon snacks (usually homemade cookies).

Because the lodge is located a bit far from town (about 15 min), it’s convenient to have breakfast on-site. This way you can get an early start prior to exploring all of the wonderful natural sights around the region. The food was wonderful and the design was so beautiful that I can’t imagine dining anywhere else even if the restaurants were nearby.

Art at the lodge

Lurking around the property are many artistic surprises. Most notably, the One Million Bones Art Installation. In June of 2023, one million handmade bones were placed on The National Mall in Washington, D.C. as a petition to raise awareness against the genocide happening in the Darfur region of Sudan, Congo, South Sudan, Syria, and Burma. The project, started by installation artist Naomi Natale in Albuquerque to spark awareness about the horrors of genocide, received participation from people all around the world.

When the installation ended at The National Mall, the bones were stored until finally being transferred to this property in April of 2018.

Learn more about One Million Bones exhibit

More beautiful art sculptures throughout the property. The entire property, both inside and out, is such a gorgeous place to explore. Definitely take some time to soak it all in. Just strolling around the grounds is like visiting a free art museum.

Staying at the lodge basically forces you to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings! Refreshingly, there are no TV’s on the property. Don’t worry – you will not miss the TV here! There’s plenty to do – the hiking trails are wonderful, wildlife watching is plentiful (so many deer!), there are horses & mini horses on property, the art is wonderful, and there is a well stocked library if you want to catch up on any reading. I only wish we had a few more days to enjoy the peace and quiet a bit longer.

Lodging choices

Rooms are quiet and comfortable with little artistic touches throughout. You have the option of reserving a room in the main lodge or in Myra’s Retreat. Myra’s is a 4 room property with a shared common area and outdoor patio.

We stayed in Myra’s Retreat. The shared common room included a well stocked library, board games, and morning coffee/tea service at 7am daily. The design is beautiful with a unique Southwestern flair. It was very quiet and relaxing.

I love the extra design touches throughout. The decor was really unique compared to a standard chain!

We loved enjoying coffee on the adirondack chairs on the shaded outdoor patios. Coming from Tucson or any other low desert area, just being able to sit outside will be a real treat during the summer season!