Grants, NM Road Trips

It was established by three Canadian brothers who had the contract to build a section of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad through the area in the 1880s. After the construction of the railroad, Grants survived as a rail and lumber town, serving as a section point on the Santa Fe Railroad and terminus for short line logging railroads that operated in the Zuni Mountains. The Mormon farmers up the road at Bluewater helped it gain prominence as the "carrot capital" of the US. Grants expanded dramatically during the 1950s as a result of the discovery of rich uranium ore in the area. A crash in the uranium market around 1980 seriously damaged the town's economy, but it has recovered somewhat.

New Mexico Mining Museum, 100 N. Iron Ave. M-Sa 9AM-4PM. Chronicles the region's uranium-mining history. $3, students and seniors $2. It's rare for a scenic turnout/rest area along an Interstate to be worth mentioning in a "See" entry, but two exceptions are nearby. A viewpoint between Albuquerque and Grants gives a striking view of the "Sky City" at Acoma Pueblo. Further west, another scenic turnout offers views into one of the continental United States' most recent volcanic basalt flows, erupted from a vent a few miles south of the highway some time in the last 2000 years (estimates for the age vary). Grants is a good base for visiting the western pueblos of New Mexico. Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni are all nearby, and offer much to the visitor interested in the Pueblo Nations. Acoma's Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum at the base of the mesa, seek to sustain and preserve Acoma culture. Films about Acoma history are shown and a café serves traditional foods. Visitors seeking to tour the pueblo must check in here for their tour. Feast days, pow-wows, and various events throughout the year keep things interesting at all three pueblos. Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, HC 61 Box 28, Ramah (take 1-40 to Grants from Albuquerque going west, get off on Exit 81, past El Morro, turn left on BIA 125 then head up BIA 120), ☏ +1 505-775-3804. A non-profit shelter for wolves and wolf dogs, Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is northwest of Grants along Highway 53.

Like most small communities, Grants has its share of local events and festivals. Call the Chamber of Commerce at +1 505-287-4802 or the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center at +1 505-876-2783 for more information. The El Malpais Visitor Center, on the east side of the city at Exit 85 off I-40, is a good place to get oriented with the area. Exhibits in the center highlight the many outdoor recreation opportunities in the region. The center's theater shows the award-winning short documentary "Remembered Earth," a wonderful film that reveals the story of the regions landscapes. The USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management all cooperate to run the center. The primary draw of the region is the enticing mix of outdoor recreation and cultural sites. With two national parks, a national forest district, a Bureau of Land Management conservation area, designated wilderness, and a nearby state park, there's plenty for the outdoor recreation seeker to do out here. Cycling, cross country skiing, hiking, birdwatching, astronomy, photography, jeeping, ATV riding, horseback riding; it's all possible in the area. For those interested in the cultures of New Mexico, the three nearby pueblos and the Navajo Nation offer many opportunities to get acquainted with the Native Americans of the region. Feast days, fairs, and other events are usually open to the public, and tours of the pueblos are usually available. Acoma has a very well organized tour enterprise that makes it easy to visit the pueblo.

La Ventana, Geis Street (one block north of Santa Fe avenue). Has delicious steaks and New Mexican cuisine. Non-smoking and open late. El Cafecito, 820 E Santa Fe Ave, ☏ +1 505 285-6229. A local favorite for basic New Mexican cuisine including Navajo Tacos and Blue Corn. El Ranchero, 705 Highway 66 (in Milan), ☏ +1 505 876-1032. Has killer hot red chile. Wow Diner, 1300 Motel Dr (off Exit 79 in Milan), ☏ +1 505 287-3801. A newly opened restaurant sheathed in stainless steel with a great menu. The chains include Denny's, Subway, Blake's Lotaburger, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, and Sonic Drive-In. Canton Cafe, 1212 E. Santa Fe Ave, ☏ +1 505 287-8314. Serves Chinese food at a low price. Quite crowded during lunch and dinner. 1 Asian Super Buffet, 1508 E Santa Fe Ave (On the strip along Santa Fe Avenue), ☏ +1 505 285-5505. 11 AM–9 PM daily. An inconspicuous building with a small selection that is primarily attractive due to its proximity to several hotels and cheap price. $12.50 lunch, $14.50 dinner. 2 Spicy Bite Indian Restaurant, 1203-1299 Motel Dr, Milan (Exit 79 off of I-40), ☏ +1 505 356-0044. 7 AM–11 PM daily. Tucked away in an unassuming building by a truck stop, this restaurant lives up to its name: clear your sinuses on a cold desert night with some very spicy and tasty food. Alternately, come during the lunchtime for the great buffet, which is worth every penny. $14. (updated Dec 2024)

A few watering holes exist here. Some can be a bit on the rough side; tippler beware. All are located along Santa Fe Avenue, which is also Route 66 through Grants and Milan. Route 66 Junkyard Brewpub. The first brewpub in Grants: locally brewed beers, live music, sports bar area with big screen televisions, burgers and BBQ from the food truck. (updated Aug 2016) La Ventana Restaurant. Has a small but pleasant bar for a more mellow atmosphere.

Most of the usual motel/motor-lodge chains can be found near I-40 exits. Best Western, Days Inn, Holiday Inn (Express), Super 8, Travelodge and the Choice Hotels collection (specifically, a Quality Inn) all have franchises. Most are not fully booked during most of the year, but reservations are a good idea at peak travel times, and also during the first or second week in October, when the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fills hotels and motels up to a hundred miles away. For the more adventurous, some old Route 66 classics are still hanging on along the Mother Road on the east side of town. Check out the Southwest Motel $34.95+ for more budget oriented accommodations.

Grants is about 75 mi (121 km) west of Albuquerque and 60 mi (97 km) east of Gallup, along Interstate 40, which at this point follows the historic Route 66. Albuquerque International Sunport is the nearest major airport. Grants is not served by any commuter airlines, but it's so close to Albuquerque that you might as well drive anyway.

Grants sprawls more than its current population would suggest. It's not large, but many of the motels are near the Interstate and fairly far out of downtown, such as it is. As such, driving or cycling are the preferred modes of transport. A bike is handy for around town, but a car is a must for getting to the various nearby attractions. Public transport in the form of a local bus line is available; call the Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce at +1 505-287-4608 for more information. Schedules tend to be irregular. There are no taxi services in the city.