Pueblo history, historic buildings and art come together along Main Street in Mountainair. The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Visitor Center is in town; Quarai and Abó are destinations in the surrounding area.

Pueblo History and Visitor Center

The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Visitor Center in Mountainair shows a short film about the Pueblo peoples and missionaries who lived in the Estancia Basin. The main visitor center has restrooms, a museum and a bookstore. It also has an accessible entrance and exhibit area for visitors with mobility impairments. Check accessibility information before your trip.

Historic Buildings

The Dr. Robert J. Saul Recreation Center was built in 1934 using local materials. These include sandstone from nearby canyons, columns made from tree trunks and hewn beams from trees in the Manzano Mountains. The Shaffer Hotel at 100 W Main Street is a listed property and is considered an icon of the community. The Mountainair Municipal Auditorium meets Criterion A of the National Register and is considered the most significant public building ever built in Mountainair. The railroad depot built by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company still stands on the eastern edge of town; it is a reminder of the town’s railroad history.

Art, Market and Events

Works by many local artists can be seen along Main Street on walls, buildings and in galleries. Art is not limited to galleries: works can also be found on walls and buildings. An art walk guide is available for a self-guided tour. Farmers sell their produce at Mountainair’s outdoor market.

During its heyday, Mountainair was known as the “Pinto Bean Capital of the World.” The annual Sunflower Festival includes an arts and crafts show featuring works by local and regional artists. Mountainair also hosts the annual Firecracker Jubilee, a Fourth of July celebration. Local and regional gymkhana rodeos are also typically held. If you’re traveling for a festival, check the dates for your travel year.

Nature and Trails

Manzano Mountains State Park is a good place to watch wildlife and birds and take photographs. Hiking and camping are also possible there.

Destinations in the Surrounding Area

At Quarai, the one-mile Spanish Corral Trail passes through a piñon-juniper forest. Abó is nine miles west on US Highway 60. There, you’ll find a 0.5-mile trail, ruins, a visitor center, a picnic area and easy hiking trails. The trail at Abó is half as long as the Spanish Corral Trail; the two trails also differ in their described surroundings: at Quarai, the trail passes through the piñon-juniper forest.

Discover more destinations: Moriarty.

View the broader travel overview: Torrance County.