Tucumcari- spending the night (coupon, motel, restaurant)

[Finding Home]

Hi,
My husband and son are driving across country. They want to stay the first night in Tucumcari. We have never been to NM. There are only a couple of motel choices in Tucumcari. Is it safe there for them and there truck?

Thanks!
FH

[6 FOOT 3]

I never hear anything bad about Tucumcari so it should be fine. Its right next to I-40 so there should be enough amenities for travelers and i think its population is about 7,500 people.

[Towanda]

We spent a night in Tucumcari about five years ago. It was very quiet, we felt safe ... and we ate at a great New Mexican restaurant which I cannot remember the name of....

[catman]

On Old Route 66 in Tucumcari there is the Blue Swallow Motel. It's been there since 1939, one of the oldest motels still operating in the country. I stayed there several years ago. The rooms are tiny, but it's an interesting place, and very clean.

[DOUBLE H]

I stayed in the Blue Swallow a while back. Catman is right-the rooms are maybe 16 ft. long and wide. An old Route 66 town- one of the few towns left where almost all of the Mom and Pop motels are $25 a night or less. And they are OK rooms. I worked on a pipeline there in the fall of 1982 and I regret not moving there. I still do. A decent place for breakfast is Dels Diner.Down the street is a sombrero shaped that had great Mexican food. Been a while since I have been down there.

[catman]

The Blue Swallow Motel wasn't nearly that cheap, but it's sorta special. It might have been that cheap in 1982, though; a lot of places were $25 in 1982. There aren't many under $40 any more.

I like Tucumcari; it's rather sleepy. It would be a good place to do nothing.

[DOUBLE H]

Hi Catman-that was a quick response as I just signed up on city data maybe 20 minutes before your post! I was through there almost 2 years ago and stayed in the motel across the street from the Pow Wow Best Western. That was the motel I stayed in when I worked there. I forgot to mention in my last post I always have the coupon books with me.I pick them at the truck stops like Rip Griffins,Giant,T-A, etc.I stayed there for $23. The one thing that got my attention was the yellow tape stretched across the truck terminal(about 5 miles east of town). Any idea as to what is up with that.

[DOUBLE H]

Catman- I am a little new at this. Forgot to mention that there was not one vehicle parked there-car, pickup, semis-nothing. I thougfht that was purteee weird. The yellow tape stretched across a good ways.I mean, that is good sized truck stop and 1-40 is always busy with semis.

[catman]

I don't know what the yellow tape was about. That is weird, no doubt about it. Nothing good, I'll bet.

[Celia9393]

Tucumcari is a very nice town. My friend and I drove to NM about a year or so ago. We drove old Route 66 where available. Blue Swallow Motel was our choice. Small, spotless nostalgic rooms and the owners were so gracious. Depending on truck size, parking might be tight. I think the rate was $38. for 2. We had a tire problem and went to the tire place nearby and the service was outstanding. In fact many post cards and letters stuck on the bulletin board which stated that if you were ever going to have car trouble in NM, it should be in Tucumcari because of the service!! Since we had time to burn while waiting for the tires, we strolled the street talking to shop owners and eating 1950s food. Although my path took me often through Tucumcari many times, it was the very first time to experience this place. Loved it and never felt safer anywhere.