Things to Do in Farmington New Mexico
ANASAZI RUINS
A number of Anasazi Ruins dot the surrounding areas, with the Mesa Verde National Monument providing insight into the Anasazi’s “cliff dwelling” era and the Aztec Ruins National Monument, which is deemed the “religious center” of the Anasazi. About eight miles from the city sits an ancient town at the Salmon Ruins, with one of the largest settlements, Chaco Canyon, situated 75 miles from Farmington.
MUSEUMS
The Farmington Museum oversees four separate facilities that highlight an array of art, science and culture. The Farmington Museum and Visitors Center at Gateway Park offers patrons a variety of exhibits displaying the history of the area’s cultures through traveling exhibits and regional and national juried art shows, in addition to lectures, workshops and events. Children can find hands-on, science-related exhibits at the Children’s Museum and Science Center or observe a variety of species of birds and animals at the Riverside Nature Center. The fourth facility operated by the Farmington Museum is the Harvest Grove Farm & Orchards, which features antique tractors and other early agricultural equipment.
Also not to miss is the Bolack Museum, the Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village in nearby Aztec and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Durango.
CONNIE MACK WORLD SERIES
Each August, Farmington hosts the American Amateur Baseball Congress-sponsored Connie Mack World Series, which provides youth and adult baseball players seven league divisions in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The World Series has become amateur baseball’s largest and most acclaimed tournament since its inception in 1965.
Recreation in Farmington NM
CITY PARKS
A handful of parks dot the map of Farmington, providing ideal spots for both passive and active recreation. The River Corridor is characterized by nearly five miles of multipurpose trails and areas for recreation. Trails for jogging, bicycling and nature walks can be accessed here, along with a number of bird-watching observation areas and a picnic area. Brookside Park features a pool, picnic area, basketball court, skateboard bowl and a playground, while both Civitan Park and Kiwanis Park are equipped with picnic tables and playgrounds.
FISHING
Farmington is blessed with several lakes and rivers offering anglers excellent spots for fishing. Prime trout fishing is available year-round along the San Juan River and Jackson Lake, with La Plata River providing a site for brown trout fishing in the springtime. Further fishing spots not to be missed include Navajo Lake, stocked with trout, kokanee salmon and warm water species, and Morgan Lake, which provides year-round bass, crappie and catfish fishing.
GOLF
Both public and private golf courses are located within and surrounding the Farmington community, affording a challenge to golfers of all skill levels. Perhaps the most notable of them all, Pinon Hills Golf Course opened its public course in 1989 to rave reviews. Not only was Pinon Hills recognized as “one of the best new desert golf courses” by Golf World magazine, but it was also rated the #1 Municipal Golf Course in the Nation by Golf Digest in 2002. Additional public courses in the area include Civitan Municipal, Hidden Valley in Aztec and Riverview Golf Course in Kirtland. And a private course sure to provide a day of golfing enjoyment is the 18-hole San Juan Country Club, featuring a 6,450-yard course for a par of 70.
CAMPING
Several areas for camping and recreational activities are available throughout this New Mexico region. Navajo Lake State Park offers campers three camping areas – The Pine River Site, the Sims Mesa Site and the San Juan River Recreation Site – as well as popular pastimes such as boating, water skiing and fishing. Located in the Nacimiento Badlands, Angel Peak Recreational Area features 16 family camping and picnic units, with Chaco Canyon’s Gallo Campground providing 49 sites with available picnic tables.
Looking to hook up the RV? A number of RV Parks can be accessed in Farmington. Top picks within the city include Dad’s RV Park, Lee Acres RV Park, Mom & Pops RV Park, Riverside RV Park and Sundowner. Additional RV facilities located nearby include Angel Peak RV Park, Archeleta’s RV Park, Ruins Road RV Park, Desert Rose Resort, Navajo Lakes Campsites and Valley Meadows RV Park.
SWIMMING
The Farmington Aquatic Center is a fully-equipped, year-round facility offering its visitors an indoor Olympic-sized pool, diving boards, a 15-foot double loop water slide and a children’s play area. Lions Pool offers indoor swimming as well, with Brookside Park providing an outdoor pool perfect for cooling off in the summertime.
FITNESS
Staying active is easy through such facilities as the San Juan College Human Performance Center and the Royal Spa Fitness Center. Equipped with a three-court gymnasium, a 1/8-mile running track, a weight room, cardiovascular equipment, fitness rooms and an indoor climbing wall, the San Juan College Human Performance Center is a choice facility for staying in shape. The Royal Spa Fitness Center houses a variety of modern cardiovascular equipment, an expansive weight room, an indoor pool, racquetball and handball courts, group exercise rooms and classes, a full-size basketball court, personal training and more.
Arts and Entertainment IN Farmington
PERFORMING ARTS
Farmington is fortunate enough to have a number of cultural outlets in the performing arts, with the only community theater group in San Juan County, the Theater Ensemble Arts, Inc., providing three productions each season (October through April). The Civic Center Foundation for the Performing Arts presents off-Broadway performances at its 1,200-seat performing arts theater at the Farmington Civic Center, while the Silhouette Performing Arts Series, sponsored by San Juan College, presents outstanding family entertainment each year.
The newly renovated Totah Theater, located in Downtown Farmington, is another option, which holds a modern 200-seat theater. And, in the summer months, make sure to check out the Outdoor Summer Theater, which presents popular productions Thursdays through Sundays at 8:00 p.m. What’s more, the area is home to the 65-piece San Juan Symphony, which presents four concerts at the Henderson Fine Arts Center Performance Hall at San Juan College every season.
GAMING ENTERTAINMENT
Taking a chance on Lady Luck is easy with three casinos located within proximity to Farmington. Situated in Ignacio, CO, the Sky Ute Casino is teeming with the newest slot machines, six card tables and Bingo, along with two delicious restaurants and comfortable accommodations, with the Ute Mountain Casino offering nearly the same amenities in Towaoc, CO.
The region’s newest and largest casino, located a mere 15 minutes from Farmington, is the SunRay Park and Casino. More than 500 modern slot and video machines and live and simulcast horseracing can all be accessed here, along with the favorite SunRay Sports Bar & Grill.