Who would have guessed that a city named Las Vegas could be both sleepy and a hidden gem? The one here in the Land of Enchantment certainly lives up to that identity. With over 900 historic buildings, you could say there are quite a few things to see in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Sitting in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Las Vegas is just lively enough to have a population of over 13,000 but still maintain a small-town feel.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr Its location helps, but the biggest factor is the large number of historic buildings scattered throughout town.
Actually, large is an understatement. Las Vegas has more than 900 buildings on the historic registry, making it easy for visitors to get lost in the history here.
Simon Foot/Flickr
Wandering through town, you’ll encounter beautifully ornate brick buildings ranging from bustling banks to elegant hotels.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr The buildings here are colorful and feature intricate details that whisk you back to their Victorian origins.
Part of the reason so many original buildings still stand is thanks in part to the city’s boom and bust.
cmh2315fl/Flickr The city became rich and one of the largest in the Southwest following railroad construction in the 1880s. It continued to thrive until the industry began to decline in the 1950s. Since fewer companies were coming into town, there was no reason to bulldoze buildings for new developments. So the old buildings sat undisturbed.
Thanks to restoration efforts, today you can enjoy the charming views on guided or self-guided tours to learn about the buildings and the people worked, lived, and loved inside.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
On tours, you’ll have a chance to see charming, well-maintained Victorian homes in the Queen Anne style or bungalows.
Amanda Quintana-Bowles/Flickr
Even the interiors of some homes and commercial buildings maintain a vintage ambiance, where you’ll feel like you stepped back in time.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
Have you had a chance to explore the beautiful history in Las Vegas?
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
You can learn more about the city of Las Vegas by visiting the town’s tourism website.
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
Its location helps, but the biggest factor is the large number of historic buildings scattered throughout town.
Simon Foot/Flickr
The buildings here are colorful and feature intricate details that whisk you back to their Victorian origins.
cmh2315fl/Flickr
The city became rich and one of the largest in the Southwest following railroad construction in the 1880s. It continued to thrive until the industry began to decline in the 1950s. Since fewer companies were coming into town, there was no reason to bulldoze buildings for new developments. So the old buildings sat undisturbed.
Amanda Quintana-Bowles/Flickr
Looking for a bite to eat while you’re in town checking out these historic buildings in New Mexico? Check out The Skillet, located on 12th Street! Read more in This Funky Small Town Restaurant In New Mexico Is Incredibly Unique.
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Address: Las Vegas, NM 87701, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To See In Las Vegas, New Mexico July 17, 2020 Leah What is the oldest town in New Mexico? New Mexico has such a rich history and includes some of the oldest buildings in the entire United States. With such old places still around, you might be wondering where the oldest town is. There are a couple of different answers to this. For the oldest town or city, that honor goes to Santa Fe. The capital city of New Mexico was founded around 1610 and still has tons of beautiful, historic buildings throughout it. However, it is not the oldest settlement in New Mexico. The place that has been around the longest while being continuously lived in is the Taos Pueblo. The cluster of adobes that make up the pueblo has been occupied and lovingly cared for by residents for over 1,000 years. What are the oldest buildings in New Mexico? After visiting this interesting small town in New Mexico, you may be wondering where else in the state you can find more historic buildings - maybe even the oldest ones. As mentioned above, the Taos Pueblo is the oldest that has been actually lived in for the longest. There are other settlements that were from around the same time that are ruins today but can still be explored, such as the Aztec Ruins or those in the Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Did you know that New Mexico is also home to the oldest church in the United States? The San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe was built in 1610 and holds that title. What underrated places in New Mexico should I visit? There are many places to visit in New Mexico that many people might not have heard of before. Even if they aren’t the most popular spots, they are still worth checking out if you’re looking for fun things to do. If you’re looking to visit a fun “blast from the past” kind of town, Lincoln, NM is a great option. It is said to be the “most authentic old west town remaining in the United States,” with its historic buildings and western aesthetic. For a more natural, underrated spot, discover the beauty of Plaza Blanca, or The White Place, near Abiquiu. The strikingly white cliffs are a stark contrast to the lush desert landscape below.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To See In Las Vegas, New Mexico
July 17, 2020
Leah
What is the oldest town in New Mexico? New Mexico has such a rich history and includes some of the oldest buildings in the entire United States. With such old places still around, you might be wondering where the oldest town is. There are a couple of different answers to this. For the oldest town or city, that honor goes to Santa Fe. The capital city of New Mexico was founded around 1610 and still has tons of beautiful, historic buildings throughout it. However, it is not the oldest settlement in New Mexico. The place that has been around the longest while being continuously lived in is the Taos Pueblo. The cluster of adobes that make up the pueblo has been occupied and lovingly cared for by residents for over 1,000 years. What are the oldest buildings in New Mexico? After visiting this interesting small town in New Mexico, you may be wondering where else in the state you can find more historic buildings - maybe even the oldest ones. As mentioned above, the Taos Pueblo is the oldest that has been actually lived in for the longest. There are other settlements that were from around the same time that are ruins today but can still be explored, such as the Aztec Ruins or those in the Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Did you know that New Mexico is also home to the oldest church in the United States? The San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe was built in 1610 and holds that title. What underrated places in New Mexico should I visit? There are many places to visit in New Mexico that many people might not have heard of before. Even if they aren’t the most popular spots, they are still worth checking out if you’re looking for fun things to do. If you’re looking to visit a fun “blast from the past” kind of town, Lincoln, NM is a great option. It is said to be the “most authentic old west town remaining in the United States,” with its historic buildings and western aesthetic. For a more natural, underrated spot, discover the beauty of Plaza Blanca, or The White Place, near Abiquiu. The strikingly white cliffs are a stark contrast to the lush desert landscape below.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Mexico has such a rich history and includes some of the oldest buildings in the entire United States. With such old places still around, you might be wondering where the oldest town is. There are a couple of different answers to this. For the oldest town or city, that honor goes to Santa Fe. The capital city of New Mexico was founded around 1610 and still has tons of beautiful, historic buildings throughout it. However, it is not the oldest settlement in New Mexico. The place that has been around the longest while being continuously lived in is the Taos Pueblo. The cluster of adobes that make up the pueblo has been occupied and lovingly cared for by residents for over 1,000 years.
What are the oldest buildings in New Mexico?
After visiting this interesting small town in New Mexico, you may be wondering where else in the state you can find more historic buildings - maybe even the oldest ones. As mentioned above, the Taos Pueblo is the oldest that has been actually lived in for the longest. There are other settlements that were from around the same time that are ruins today but can still be explored, such as the Aztec Ruins or those in the Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Did you know that New Mexico is also home to the oldest church in the United States? The San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe was built in 1610 and holds that title.
What underrated places in New Mexico should I visit?
There are many places to visit in New Mexico that many people might not have heard of before. Even if they aren’t the most popular spots, they are still worth checking out if you’re looking for fun things to do. If you’re looking to visit a fun “blast from the past” kind of town, Lincoln, NM is a great option. It is said to be the “most authentic old west town remaining in the United States,” with its historic buildings and western aesthetic. For a more natural, underrated spot, discover the beauty of Plaza Blanca, or The White Place, near Abiquiu. The strikingly white cliffs are a stark contrast to the lush desert landscape below.
