Five blocks of Raton's original town site are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with some 70 significant buildings. It's best to explore the historic district by foot, allowing 1 to 2 hours. Start at the Raton Museum, 108 S. 1st St. (tel. 575/445-8979), where you can pick up a walking-tour map. The museum, open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm, displays a wide variety of mining, railroad, and ranching items from the early days of the town. If you're not up for the full tour, at least take a stroll down 1st Street to see the Mission Santa Fe Depot, 1st St. and Cook Ave., a 1903 Spanish Mission Revival structure, where Amtrak still stops. Also of note is the Wells Fargo Express Building, 145 S. 1st St., erected in 1910, also in Spanish Mission Revival style. Now it houses the Old Pass Gallery, (tel. 575/445-2052), which features regional art well worth perusing. Across the street is the Abourezk Building, 132 S. 1st St., which over time has been a drugstore, dry-good and grocery store, and is now home of the Heirloom Shop (tel. 575/445-8876), a fun antiques shop. My mother likes to buy vintage handkerchiefs here.

A few blocks west on 2nd Street, be sure to take note of the Shuler Theater, 131 N. 2nd St. (tel. 575/445-4746), which brings a variety of productions to Raton, including concerts of Music from Angel Fire. Across the street, shoppers will enjoy Santa Fe Trail Traders, 100 S. 2nd St. (tel. 575/445-2888), which carries turquoise jewelry, Native American pottery, and weavings.

Hat Cemetery -- While strolling Raton's main drag, step into Solano's Boot & Western Wear, 101 S. 2nd St. (tel. 575/445-2632). As well as selling the latest in cowboy/cowgirl chic, the place has a "hat cemetery" where northern New Mexico and southern Colorado ranchers have retired their bent and sweaty favorites.

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.