Gallup Travel Guide
City Southwestern city known for Native American trading and crafts
Gallup sits on Route 66 amid mesas and trading posts and serves as a center for Native American jewelry, rugs and powwows. Travelers come for trading-day stalls, silver and turquoise galleries, and desert drives into Navajo Country.
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Why Visit Gallup? #
Bordering Navajo and Zuni lands, this Route 66 city draws visitors for Indigenous arts and roadside heritage. Downtown galleries and trading posts sell silver jewelry and Navajo rugs, while the annual inter-tribal powwow and weekly markets highlight music and crafts. Short drives lead to red-rock vistas and petroglyph sites, and hearty Southwestern cuisine-green-chile stews and frybread-anchors meals after a day of browsing and cultural exchanges.
Best Things to Do in Gallup
Gallup Bucket List
- El Rancho Hotel - Historic Route 66 hotel decorated with Western memorabilia and old Hollywood photos.
- Gallup Cultural Center - Displays on Native American arts, rug weaving, and local cultural heritage.
- Red Rock Park - Red sandstone formations with petroglyphs, short hikes, and picnic spots overlooking Gallup.
- Trading Posts along Historic Route 66 - Family-run trading posts selling Native jewelry, rugs, and crafts from area tribes.
- Gallup Flea Market - Weekend market featuring Native American vendors, crafts, and regional foods along Route 66.
- Window Rock & Navajo Nation - Seat of Navajo Nation with museums, memorials, and cultural events about ninety minutes.
- Zuni Pueblo - Traditional Zuni community with ceremonial sites, artisan workshops, and local galleries nearby.
Best Time to Visit Gallup #
Gallup's high‑desert climate means cold winters and warm, sunny summers with cool nights. Spring and autumn are particularly scenic for drives and hikes; summer monsoons can bring brief, intense storms.
Best Time to Visit Gallup #
Gallup's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 6°C and lows of -10°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cold with highs of 18°C and lows of -1°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 11 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 52 mm of rain.
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September
September is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -5°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 7°C and lows of -9°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Gallup
Gallup has direct rail access via Amtrak's Southwest Chief and a small municipal airport; larger airline connections are usually through Albuquerque. For most visitors the Amtrak or a rental car from ABQ are the primary ways to arrive.
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ): ABQ is the nearest major commercial airport (about 140-150 miles east; ~2-2.5 hours by car). Options: rental car from ABQ (~US$40/day) is common; a private shuttle or taxi for the full route is possible but expensive (expect US$150-220, ~2-2.5 hours).
Gallup Municipal Airport (GUP): GUP is a small regional/general aviation airport serving Gallup; scheduled commercial service is limited. Ground transfers from GUP to downtown Gallup are short (≈10 minutes) and inexpensive-local taxi fares typically run US$10-25.
Train: Gallup is served by Amtrak’s Southwest Chief (Gallup station). The station is centrally located (201 W Coal Ave); train service connects Gallup west toward Flagstaff/Los Angeles and east toward Albuquerque/Chicago. Typical onboard fares vary by route and booking time, but regional trips (e.g., Gallup-Albuquerque) can be in the low tens of US dollars if booked in advance; travel time by rail to Albuquerque is several hours.
Bus: Intercity bus service (Greyhound and regional carriers) serves Gallup. Bus travel times to Albuquerque are roughly 2-2.5 hours depending on route; fares commonly fall in the US$20-40 range.
How to Get Around Gallup #
Gallup’s compact downtown is pleasant to walk for shops, Route 66 sights and galleries. Many attractions and neighborhoods outside the core are best reached by car, so driving is the most practical option. Taxis and limited rideshare service are available, but service can be patchy at night; plan ahead for transportation if you’re staying outside the central area.
Where to Stay in Gallup #
- El Rancho Hotel - Historic Route 66 property with character.
- La Quinta by Wyndham Gallup - Reliable budget chain, practical amenities.
- El Rancho Hotel - Historic hotel with western-era decor.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Gallup - Consistent mid-range chain with breakfast.
- El Rancho Hotel - Top historic property in town.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Gallup - Premium rooms available in peak times.
Where to Eat in Gallup #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Gallup's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Gallup #
Nightlife in Gallup tends to be relaxed and local. You’ll find Route 66 bars, small pubs and hotel restaurants offering evening entertainment and occasional live music. The city isn’t a late-night party destination, but there are authentic local spots to grab a drink and enjoy live performances on select nights.
- El Rancho Hotel - Historic hotel with a bar and occasional live music and events.
Shopping in Gallup #
Gallup is known for Native American arts and trading-post-style shops along Route 66; downtown has galleries and stores selling jewelry, crafts and regional goods. Expect independent traders rather than large chain malls. If you’re hunting for authentic Southwestern jewelry or handcrafts, downtown galleries and route-side trading posts are the places to look.