Interesting Day Trips from Valley Vista Getaway - Southwestern New Mexico

Cochise County, located in the southeastern corner of Arizona, is a vast and colorful landscape steeped in the history of the Old West. This region is a part of the San Pedro Valley, a section of the Sonoran Desert, but it is also defined by its "Sky...

Douglas, Arizona is a small but charming border community with a rich history that dates back to the Old West. Located in Cochise County, it sits right on the U.S.-Mexico border across from its sister city, Agua Prieta, Sonora. Founded as a copper sm...

Lordsburg, New Mexico, is a classic Old West town that serves as a convenient and historically rich stopover on Interstate 10. Situated in the "bootheel" of the state, Lordsburg's origins are tied to the Southern Pacific Railroad, which arrived in 18...

Bowie, Arizona is a small community with a big connection to the history of the American West. Located in the southeastern part of the state, it's perhaps most famous as the gateway to the Fort Bowie National Historic Site. This is a must-visit for a...

Bisbee, Arizona is a vibrant and eclectic town nestled in the Mule Mountains. Once a booming copper mining town, Bisbee has since reinvented itself as a haven for artists, history buffs, and free spirits, earning the slogan "Keep Bisbee weird." Visit...

Willcox, Arizona is a high-desert town known for its unique blend of Old West history, thriving agriculture, and burgeoning wine scene. Once dubbed the "Cattle Capital of the Nation," Willcox still honors its ranching roots, with the Rex Allen Museum...

Puerto Palomas de Villa, also known simply as Palomas, is a small border town in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, directly across the border from Columbus, New Mexico. While it may not be a major tourist destination, Palomas has a unique appeal for vi...

Silver City, New Mexico is a charming and historic town that combines a vibrant arts scene with the rugged beauty of the Gila Wilderness. Tucked away in the southwestern corner of the state at a cool 6,000-foot elevation, the town's roots are in the ...

Gleeson, Arizona is a fascinating ghost town that offers a glimpse into the raw history of the Old West. Located in Cochise County, just a short, scenic drive from Tombstone, Gleeson was a bustling copper and silver mining town in the early 20th cent...

The Fort Bayard Historic District, located near the village of Santa Clara, New Mexico, is a site rich with history from the Old West and beyond. Established as a U.S. Army outpost in 1866 to protect settlers and miners from Apache raids, the fort wa...

Tombstone, Arizona is a town that truly lives up to its nickname, "The Town Too Tough to Die." This legendary Old West town is a National Historic Landmark, famous for its role in the silver mining boom and, of course, the infamous Gunfight at the O....

Pearce, Arizona is a historic ghost town that offers a tangible glimpse into the area's rich mining past. Situated in Cochise County, the town's history is tied to the Commonwealth Mine, a major gold and silver producer discovered in 1894. Though the...

The Mimbres Valley, located in southwestern New Mexico, is an area of immense archaeological and natural significance. It is most famously associated with the Mimbres culture, a sub-group of the Mogollon people who inhabited the region over a thousan...

Hatch, New Mexico, proudly calls itself the "Chile Capital of the World," and for good reason. This small village, nestled in the fertile Rio Grande Valley, is world-renowned for its exceptional chile peppers. A trip to Hatch is a sensory experience,...