It is hard to say where the old west begins. It could be easier to use history as a map when exploring the origins of western lore, the lawless, the legends and the paths through the land of enchantment. Before Boot Hill and the O.K. Corral in Arizona, before the flashy, seductive lure of one-armed bandits in Nevada, there was a Spanish colonial-style town along the Santa Fe Trail. It was the setting for the rise of the gunfighter. Gambling and bandits, the disreputable and desperados, followed the railroad when it was built in 1880.

The city of Las Vegas, New Mexico, situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is a small community and its unique culture whispers stories about some of history’s greatest real-life legends. The town forged men and women who had learned to drive a path through hardship to find and found those thriving meadows. Swindlers, vagrants and tramps arrived in the latter part of the nineteenth-century, names like Doc Holiday, Big-Nose Kate, Billy the Kid and Jesse James made their mark in Las Vegas, New Mexico, not long before a story big enough could be told that could handle Sam Elliot’s mustache.

Today, the spirit that founded Las Vegas is living on during an annual event commemorating the celebrated bravado of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders. It began in 1899 as a reunion of the Spanish-American war’s Rough Riders to be held every year at the Historic Plaza Hotel. The original Rough Riders have all passed on, but during the past 15 years, riders of the modern sort, motorcycle enthusiasts, have established an annual three-day charitable celebration around this occasion.

A visit to Las Vegas is not complete without a stay at the Historic Plaza Hotel. Sitting on the beautiful, tree-lined town plaza, the strong red brick, orderly edifice is crowned by a grand Victorian cornice. The Saloon, Range Cafe, and gift shop inside make a delightful destination in themselves for locals and visitors. Western style radiates from polished wood floors and decor. Indicative of its appeal, the hotel was chosen, inside and out, for key scenes in the renowned western thriller, ‘No Country for Old Men.’ Select rooms are named after some of the legendries that have visited the hotel.

Famous actors and directors have been continually mesmerized by the town and left those imprints with a variety of films and TV productions, including the iconic movie Easy Rider and the hit drama series Longmire. This other Las Vegas remains a grand stage filled with an old-fashioned picturesque setting that speaks of yesteryear.

The Historic Plaza Hotel attracts large events throughout the year with space for banquets and of course, lodging. National holidays are special in Las Vegas, with the hotel becoming the centerpiece for big occasions and is known for its elaborate Christmas displays augmented by local tradition.

From the breeze of the wild west to the wilderness, Las Vegas, New Mexico area includes plenty of year-round opportunities. Against the backdrop of the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains are endless outdoor possibilities including several natural hot springs, birding, camping, fishing, golf, and mountain biking. Thousands of acres of natural countryside and forest areas afford hikers and backpackers a variety of beautiful terrain and trails.

A local favorite for great outdoor recreation is Storrie Lake State Park, just four miles to the north of Las Vegas on Route 518. The lake contains approximately 1,100 surface acres of water and is well known for its activities including windsurfing, water skiing, swimming, boating (motorized and non) and fishing for rainbow trout, catfish, and large or smallmouth bass. When applicable, off the lake there’s RV camping with hookups, regular camping, volleyball courts and educational programs. Storrie Lake State Park provides a great spur-of-the-moment getaway to catch the sun and some of those fish, minutes from a town that vibrates full of memories, voices, and historical details.

Note: as with all areas and accommodations, social restrictions and operational rules are in place. Stay up to date with the latest information or changes around the pandemic and learn of any restrictions that may apply before travel.