The Other Las Vegas

When we hear Las Vegas, most of us think of that big amusement park for adults in Nevada.  

But there is another, very different Las Vegas, in New Mexico.  A wonderful, historic, old western railroad town, about one hour east of Santa Fe, along north Interstate 25.

The town is still suffering from a weak economy but is slowly coming back.  The lack of heavy tourism is a curse and blessing at the same time.  Most stores are funky and cheap (among many empty store fronts), but the entire town feels completely authentic.

That said, we really have to talk about two parts worth visiting:  Plaza Square with the hotel by the same name, and adjacent Bridge Street.  

But also the area around the train station, which became the new center with the arrival of the railroad in 1879.

Doc Holliday ran a Saloon in Las Vegas, NM, and Billy the Kid and Jesse James supposed to have met at the old Adobe Hotel.  

You just pop into Estella’s on Bridge Street for a simple but delicious, New Mexican lunch.  Always order with “Christmas” (red & green chili) and Sopapillas.

“I wasn't the leader of any gang. I was for Billy all the time.”  Billy the Kid to a Las Vegas, New Mexico reporter after his arrest.