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Located in the southeast corner of New Mexico, Carlsbad is about 4.5 hours from Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Right now (Summer 2022) you must make reservations to tour the caves. The last time we were at the caverns we walked into the caverns. At the visitor's center we got a listening device that provided information about the cave and formations as we walked to the bottom. The trail down is paved and is a little over a mile. Even in the summer the cave is cool, so it has never felt like a strenuous walk. Once you are done with your tour, you take an elevator back to the earth's surface using an elevator.
Another highlight of a visit to Carlsbad Caverns is the bat flight. Each night just after sunset, over 1000 bats return to the cave. There is an amphitheater where you can participate in a ranger talk and wait for the bats to return. I don't like bats, but this experience is really amazing. (the bat population seems to be falling right now - so the swarm may be smaller than years past).
We highly recommend this activity. You can enjoy the historic train, the outdoor beauty, and you may be lulled to sleep by the sway of the train as it makes its journey. This historic railroad is about 2 hours from Santa Fe, and 3 hours from Albuquerque. Tickets on the train will take you on a day-long train ride from Chama to Antonito, Colorado (you can take a half-day trip but we recommend the full trip). It is possible to drive to Chama (where the train leaves), take the train trip, and return to Santa Fe or Albuquerque in the evening, but it is a very long day.
The train ride is beautiful and takes you through areas that can only be reached by the train. As part of your tickets you will receive lunch. You are provided tickets for specific seats on the train, but you are free to walk through the train and stand in the open air car during the right.
Gallup
Gallup
Gallup is on the edge of the Navajo Nation and is about 4 hours from Santa Fe and 3 hours from Albuquerque. Gallup has been a Route 66 destination and has been an historic destination for movie stars.
Hotels
Hotels
The El Rancho was remolded during the pandemic and has nicely appointed well priced rooms. We visited in Summer 2024 and had a nice room at the front of the hotel.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Earls Family Restaurant - Good New Mexican food. Great service, and local artists will walk around the restaurant selling artwork you can buy from them as you eat.
El Rancho Restaurant - I think this might be a hit and miss place for food and drink, but having any experience at the El Rancho is worth a story or two. I have had great Mexican food and good drinks at the bar. My friend Anne and I once stayed until closing time at the bar, and met a lot of very interesting people.
Oasis - I know Gallup does not seem like an obvious place to get Mediterranean food, but it is! Try out the Oasis and any other Mediterranean restaurant that may be open when you visit.
Shopping
Shopping
One great reason to go to Gallup is to buy artwork from Native artists and to explore the town's historic trading posts. Even if you don't want to buy anything, visiting the trading posts is an eye dazzling experience.
Art Galleries - there are too many to list, but enjoy browsing the art galleries in the downtown area.
Perry Null (trading post)
Sights
Sights
El Rancho - It is an old hotel and you don't have to be staying there to go in. Making a stop into the lobby is a trip back in time to a place that is both real and unreal. The hotel has a small giftshop and restaurant.
Gallup Historic Downtown - A fun and interesting place to wander up and down the streets.
Gallup Flea Market - Open every Saturday. A good place to get art, food, and watch people.
Near Gallup
Near Gallup
Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site - An hour west and north of Gallup. A great National Historic site.
Wolf Sanctuary - About an hour east and south of Gallup. Beautiful Wolves and a great tour. We recently did an early morning tour in which we got to feed the wolves. I highly recommend!
Las Cruces & Mesilla
Las Cruces & Mesilla
The city of Las Cruces is a modern midsize city. We usually spend our time in Mesilla just on the edge of Las Cruces.
Hotels
Hotels
Lately we have been staying at Airbnbs in near Mesilla. But we do have some "go to" hotels in the area.
Best Western Mission Inn - an older motor court hotel. I love listening to the birds singing in the trees outside the rooms in the mornings I have stayed here.
El Encanto - is near the mall, lots of chain restaurants, and near an electric car charging station. The hotel rooms are large, but I feel like I can always hear the traffic no matter what side of the hotel I stay on.
Movies
Movies
Fountain Theater (Mesilla) - In 2019 we were lucky enough to stumble into the grand reopening on the Fountain Theater just off the Mesilla plaza. Even before the reopening, the theater had a nice series of second-run films. Great venue.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Andele (Mesilla) - is my favorite restaurant in the area. New Mexican food and great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
La Posta (Mesilla)- is probably the most famous restaurant in the Las Cruces area. The main entrance area is home to several parrots. Some people really treasure the food, but I go for the experience.
Shopping
Shopping
COAS Books - In the city center (the farmer's market is outside the front doors on Wednesdays and Saturdays). Large used bookstore with moderately good prices.
Farmers & Crafts Market Las Cruces - a large farmers market (with crafts) in the city center. Fun place to shop and enjoy being around people. Open on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
Lulu - fun jewelry, gifts, funky t-shirts.
Mesilla Book Center - located on the Mesilla plaza. Fun old bookstore with a large number of regional books for sale.
Sights
Sights
Dripping Springs Natural Area - 10 miles east of Las Cruces. It is a green and beautiful area with history, hikes, and humming birds. Highly recommended!
Mesilla - It is worth taking time to walk around the village of Mesilla and the main plaza. There are many interesting old adobe buildings and some good shopping opportunities.
New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum - Animals and history and a great place to learn.
White Sands National Park - It is about 1 hour east of Las Cruces. This is a must-see location if you have never visited. Plan to take off your shoes and run around on the dunes. Pick up a lunch in Las Cruces and enjoy an afternoon picnic in the special eating shelters. A beautiful otherworldly place.
Lincoln is about 3 hours from Albuquerque and Santa Fe. This has been one of our family's favorite places to go for decades (since my dad learned to drive as a teenager!). As with all things, Lincoln changes and has its high points and low points. I will start off with the reasons you should visit Lincoln. It is a great example of a small historic New Mexico town. So many pieces of history intersect in and around Lincoln. It is the Mescalero Apache homeland. It is near Fort Stanton, a fort that has a rich and unique history and a monument worth visiting. Lincoln played a key role in the Lincoln County War, a war that included Billy the Kid. The New Historic Site in Lincoln. The historic area includes 17 structures, many of which you can tour. Walking up and down the town's street and imagining the activities of a different time.... it is a refreshing experience that forces us all to slow down.
We have spent many days and nights at the Wortley Hotel in the middle of Lincoln. The Wortley Hotel is trying to open in 2023. Our current place to stay in the area is about 20 minutes from Lincoln at the Hurd Gallery and Guest Homes.
Additional Sights and Food
Additional Sights and Food
Hurd Gallery in San Patricio/Hondo Valley
Oso Grill in Capitan - award winning burgers
Smokey the Bear Historical Park in Capitan.
Tinnie Silver Dollar restaurant in Tinnie/Hondo Valley
(Truth or Consequences, NM)
T or C is about 3 hours from Santa Fe and 2 hours from Albuquerque. It is a funky fun town, a good place to slow down and unwind. We recommend staying a night or two at a local hotel and enjoying some local food. Wandering the downtown areas is enjoyable and a great opportunity for taking pictures.
Hotels
Hotels
Blackstone Hotsprings - One of our favorite places to stay when we are traveling the state. Each room has a theme and each room has its own tub that can be filled with hotsprings waters. Most, if not all, rooms have a small kitchen and an outdoor patio.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Los Arcos Steak and Lobster - People travel from far and wide to enjoy a dinner at this steakhouse. Good food and great service.
Shopping
Shopping
Xochis Bookstore - It isn't always open, but it is always interesting to visit this store when it is. Used and antique books shelved in small rooms throughout the building.
Sights
Sights
Elephant Butte Lake - New Mexico's biggest and busiest lake. It isn't like visiting a Midwest lake, but it does offer an opportunity to enjoy water in the middle of the desert! The lake and lakeshore can be very busy on weekends and holidays.
Geronimo Springs Museum - We haven't ever been inside, but people say this is a great place to stop and knowledgeable guides are available to answer questions.
Space Port America - Offers tours of the runways and facilities. Tours seem to change based on the current uses of the facilities. We have taken two tours at different times and have found them to be really interesting with great guides.
White Sands National Park - It is about 1 hour east of Las Cruces and 20 minutes west of Alamogordo. This is a must-see location if you have never visited. Plan to take off your shoes and run around on the dunes. Pick up a lunch before you leave town and enjoy an afternoon picnic in the special eating shelters. A beautiful otherworldly place.
White Sands image: by diana_robinson is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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