If you are into history some of the latest thinking is that the Coronado Expedition (1540 - 1542) to find the fabled seven cities of gold passed through about 35 miles to the west of Silver City.
They would have come north roughly through Douglas Az, crossed Interstate 10 just inside the New Mexico state line and then continued up through an area called Mule Creek along route 78 which is 10 miles off 180 northwest of Silver City.
North of there they most likely went through the Reserve area on 180 and finally way north up to the Zuni Pueblo area - which is south of Gallup NM.
From there they turned east over to Albuquerque area where they wintered. This was a big expedition. Maybe 500 soldiers and 1,500 Indians from down in Mexico. And a herd of cattle, spare horses, etc.
Don't know that there is actually anything at all to see or do in the Silver City area regarding Coronado but at least you'll have some idea of a bit of history in that area.
I might mention that the scholars may not be in total agreement about Coronado's route so this is just some new thinking based on recent research. Starting back around WWII they thought maybe he went north more over on the Arizona side of the border.
That's why route 191 over on the Arizona side is called the "Coronado Trail."
