NORTHWEST REGION
With spectacular scenery and a throwback to Hollywood’s heydays, Gallup is a destination as unusual as the natural setting itself, according to Matt Robinson, tourism and marketing manager for the City of Gallup.
The Red Rock Park Convention Center is the city’s premier event location, tucked between the beautiful red-rock formations and in the shadow of the amazing Church Rock and Pyramid Peak. The facility can accommodate approximately 500 people, with breakout rooms, a kitchen, RV/camping spots, hiking trails, and a museum reflecting the area’s Indigenous peoples.
“Red Rock Park is unique,” Robinson says. “There is no other facility in New Mexico—or perhaps the entire country—that has such a beautiful backdrop and similar amenities.”
The recently renovated El Morro Events Center in historic Gallup offers 3,600 square feet of space and includes a kitchenette and modern audiovisual equipment. It can accommodate up to 120 people and can be divided into two smaller spaces. In addition, the facility is a stone’s throw from shopping, eating, and attractions.
Known for hosting Hollywood celebrities in years past, the historic El Rancho Hotel provides a beautiful outdoor area for hosting events, along with a restaurant, a gift shop, and the historic 49s Bar. The hotel gallery features photographs of Hollywood stars, and guest rooms are named for Hollywood celebrities. “This was the favorite hotel for celebrities during the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood,’” Robinson says. “Plenty of big stars stayed there, including John Wayne.”
The 66-room Comfort Suites Gallup offers a small meeting room, but what makes this property stand out is its Veterans Museum with beautiful tributes to veterans and historic objects, including a Navajo Code Talkers room, Pearl Harbor exhibit, and Medal of Honor collection. The 105-room Hilton Garden Inn is the city’s biggest and newest hotel with meeting space, offering a 3,000-square-foot event space and an onsite restaurant. The 74-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott Gallup is also a modern facility with a 2,500-square-foot conference space.
Gallup offers plenty of entertainment options for convention attendees, including unique shopping at historic trading posts, featuring jewelry, pottery, blankets, and items reflective of local cultures.
For dining, Robinson suggests Jerry’s Café for a unique downtown experience and excellent Mexican food, while Oasis Mediterranean offers an unexpected and delightful find. “Highly rated on Yelp, it’s one of the best restaurants in the Southwest,” he says.
