Downtown Farmington shops are generally open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Saturday. Native American arts and crafts are best purchased at trading posts, either downtown on Main or Broadway streets, or west of Farmington on US 64 toward Shiprock. You may want to check out the following stores: One of the best in the city is Fifth Generation Trading Company, 232 W. Broadway (tel. 505/326-3211; www.tannertrading.com). Trading since 1875, the Tanner family offers jewelry, Navajo rugs, pottery, alabaster sculptures, old pawn, and katsinas (kachinas). Bob French Navajo Rugs, on US 64 18 miles west of Farmington (tel. 505/598-5621; www.bobfrenchnavajorugs.com), sells silver and turquoise jewelry and a range of antique and new rugs. Hogback Trading Company, 3221 US 64, Waterflow, 17 miles west of Farmington (tel. 505/598-5154), has large displays of Indian jewelry, rugs, and folk art. And Navajo Trading Company, 126 E. Main St. (tel. 505/325-1685), is an actual pawnshop, with lots of exquisite old jewelry; you can peruse bracelets and necklaces while listening to clerks speaking Navajo.
Historic Art Stroll -- Northwestern New Mexico's lush green fields and mild (mostly) climate are attracting more and more artists. A great place to sample some of the lively work is Artifacts Gallery, 302 E. Main St. (tel. 505/327-2907; www.artifacts-gallery.com) in Farmington. Set in a Victorian-style lumber building is a collection of art studios whose artists are often on hand to discuss their work. Just down the street, step into Andrea Kristina's Bookstore & Kafé, 218 W. Main St. (tel. 505/327-3313; www.andreakristinas.com). This lively place, in a historic building with tables set amid bookshelves, has a great selection of books and offers live music, poetry, and films on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 9pm. A range of coffee drinks and soups, salads, sandwiches, and pizza dress the menu. It's open Monday to Friday 7am to 9pm and Saturday 8am to 10pm. In nearby Aztec, stop in at Feat of Clay, 107 S. Main St. (tel. 505/334-4335). A cooperative gallery, it holds the work of 14 local artists and has great prices. Look for "Molten Treasures," glass jewelry by Jinx Bolli. While in Aztec be sure to take some time to stroll through the town's newly renovated 19th-century historic district.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
