Get Out and Explore

Alamogordo is rich with area attractions and family activities. Click the toggle for each attraction to learn more.

Alameda Park and Zoo
http://ci.alamogordo.nm.us/coa/communityservices/zoo.htm
Alameda Park & Zoo is the oldest zoo in the Southwest. It was established in 1898 by the railroad. The zoo contains about 300 animals of 90 different species. The zoo has a playground area and shaded picnic tables that are included in the entry fee. Hours 9 am to 5 pm every day except Christmas & New Years Day.

The Cloud-Climbing Rail Trail
http://www.nmrailstotrails.org
About 10 miles of the old, abandoned Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railroad grade that runs from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft have been converted to rail trails in various sections, and are open to the public. The sections are separately accessable and have different degrees of difficulty, from easy walking at a grade of less than 6% to an eight mile loop that consists of an elevation change of about 1,000 feet and a few steep slopes. The rail trail highlights include magnificent panoramic overviews of the surrounding areas, 100 year-old wooden railroad trestles and culverts, impressive geologic formations, running streams, and five climatic and vegetation zones, rising from Chihauhaun desert to a sub-alpine landscape. Most of the rail trail sections have shelters, benches, and large interpretive, educational signs that explain the main features of the area.

Desert Lakes Golf Course
http://www.desertlakesgolf.com/
This is quickly emerging as one of the finest 18-hole golf courses in southern New Mexico. It recently was renovated to make it a more challenging and beautiful course. After a round or two, relax in the lounge and restaurant and enjoy the people and scenery. Open 7- days per week weather permitting.
(575) 437-0290

Fort Stanton State Monument and Museum
www.fortstanton.org
This 150-year-old pre-Civil War fort (1855) was home at one time to some historical figures of Lincoln County. These include Kit Carson, “Black Jack” Pershing, Billy the Kid, Buffalo Soldiers and interred WWII Germans. The fort is open daily for self-guided tours. In July, “Fort Stanton LIVE!” an annual event presents the fort as Living History with military re-enactors, storytellers, Mescalero Apache dancers, and Buffalo Soldiers, with tours, food booths, music and more. Located on NM 220 between NM 48 and US 380, northeast of Ruidoso. Museum hours vary. Admission is free. Fort Stanton, NM (575) 354-0341

Founder’s Park
https://goo.gl/Wd5yCv
Founders Park was started in 1998 during Alamogordo’s centennial celebration to honor some of the people and cultures involved in the establishment of the City. In the park, you will find several bronze sculptures by local artists including one featuring the three cultures most responsible for today’s Alamogordo-Native American, Spanish Conquistador and American Cowboy. Located at the corner of US 54/70 and 10th Street. FREE

Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wines
http://www.heartofthedesert.com
New Mexico’s oldest and largest producing pistachio groves are a “must visit” in our area. Free tours of the operation are given daily, M-F, year round at 1:30 pm. During the summer months (Memorial Day thru’ Labor Day) an additional tour at 10 am is given. The tour is in depth and shows you how pistachios are grown, processed, roasted, and packaged. Special tour times are available for groups of 10 or more. Free sampling of all the pistachio products and wines is especially popular at the gift shop.

The large heart is a roadside beacon and many marriage proposals have occurred on the steps of the heart. Weddings on the Tuscan themed patio surrounded by the pistachio trees, have made Heart of the Desert one of the top ten places to get married in New Mexico.

Events include “Wine Down Wednesdays”; artist instructed painting classes on canvas or glass; yoga and live entertainment on the patio. Check the website for current happenings.

Location: 7288 Hwy 54 – 70 (mid -point between Alamogordo and Tularosa)
Hours: 8 am to 6 pm, M-S, and 9 am to 6 pm on Sunday
Website: www.heartofthedesert.com
Phone: 1-800-432-0999 or 575-434-0035

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino
https://innofthemountaingods.com/
New Mexico’s premier mountain resort awaits you with impeccable AAA Four-Diamond service, mouthwatering cuisine for every palate, incredible gaming action, and breathtaking alpine scenery to nurture your soul. Situated high in the picturesque mountains of Mescalero, New Mexico just outside of Ruidoso, guests return time and time again to Inn of the Mountain Gods to enjoy the clean mountain air, stunning panoramic views, and exciting entertainment options. Upon your arrival, you’ll be greeted by a stunning lobby featuring a sweeping view of the snowcapped mountains, lake championship golf course, and now our brand new Apache Eagle Zip-Line!

Lincoln National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln/
Located in South Central New Mexico, the Lincoln National Forest is known as the birthplace of the world-famous Smokey Bear, the living symbol of the campaign to prevent forest fires. The original bear is buried in Capitan, New Mexico.

The Lincoln consists of three ranger districts: the Sacramento, Smokey Bear and Guadalupe. There are three major mountain ranges: Sacramento, Guadalupe and Capitan that cover 1,103,441 acres in four different counties in Southeastern New Mexico. Elevations of 4,000 to 11,500 feet pass through five different life zones from Chihuahuan desert to sub alpine forest. Vegetation ranges from rare cacti in the lower elevations to Engelmann spruce in the higher elevations.

Temperatures also vary with elevation. At higher elevations, 7,000 feet and up, summer nights are a chilly 40 degrees F. and days are a warm 78 degrees F.,while winter temperatures can drop to 15 degrees F. at night and rise to 40-50 degrees F. during the day. At lower elevations, 6,000-7,000 feet, winter temperatures rarely fall below 0 degrees F. and usually run from teens to 50’s F. Summer temperatures range from 50 degrees to 85 degrees F. At the lowest elevations, 4,000 to 6,000 feet, temperatures are generally 10 degrees higher throughout the year.

New Mexico Museum of Space History
http://www.nmspacemuseum.org
Formerly known as the Space Center and International Space Hall of Fame, this facility operates as a part of the New Mexico Office of Cultural Affairs and was opened in 1976. The neighboring Clyde W. Tombaugh Space Theater is outfitted with a 40-foot wrap-around OMNIMAX screen and audio system. Visitors tour a model 2001 space station. Also, adjacent to the complex is the John P. Stapp Air and Space Park with a collection of historic space items such as the Sonic Wind I rocket sled. The NMMSH is located on Hwy 2001 off of Scenic Drive. Open 7-days per week. (575) 437-2840 Toll Free: (877) 333-6589

Old Town Alamogordo
https://www.go-newmexico.com/Old-Town-Alamogordo/
Old Town Alamogordo has a variety of retail shops on New York Avenue. The buildings are of the early 20th Century and contain many different architectural designs.

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/nmparks
Named for Oliver Milton Lee, a pioneer southern New Mexico rancher and state legislator, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is located at the mouth of Dog Canyon in the rugged Sacramento Mountains south of Alamogordo. Water flows year-round in Dog Canyon, creating a quiet green oasis in contrast to the surrounding prickly desert setting. The 180-acre canyon was an early Apache stronghold, and records show that at least five major battles occurred in the area between government troops and Mescalero Apaches. For many centuries, visitors have been drawn to this place of surprising beauty. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is located 12 miles south of Alamogordo via US 54. (575) 437-8284

Performing Arts
http://www.flickingercenter.com/
Alamogordo is also the home of the Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts, Alamogordo Music Theater and the Community Concert series.

PistachioLand
www.pistachioland.com
McGinn’s Pistachio Tree Ranch a.k.a. PistachioLand

After you visit the Alamogordo, New Mexico area you will think of pistachios in a much more delicious and memorable way!! The McGinn family took their little slice of New Mexico desert and turned it into a Pistachio and Wine heaven waiting for you – visit the Roadside Attraction – the World’s Largest Pistachio at the place that Larry the Cable Guy dubbed ”Only in America”.

At PistachioLand you will also find a lovely log cabin store open daily year-round and an authentic winery and vineyard with wines sure to please any palate. (The on-site winemaker is often serving the free samples!!) The Country Store offers pistachios in many flavors, pistachio candies, a wide variety of New Mexico products, T-Shirts and gift packages.

In recent years, PistachioLand has been featured in major travel magazines, has two segments on a statewide news channel, has been highly photographed, filmed in a 2012 released movie starring Academy award winning actors, and was featured on the History Channel in July 2013.

Come take your own photos, try McGinn’s Famous Pistachio Brittle made right at PistachioLand. So much to see, taste and try!!

PistachioLand hours and info:
Hours: 9-5 Daily
Tel.: 800-368-3081
Web: pistachioland.com

News: http://retailindustry.about.com/od/CustomerEngagementStrategies/a/What-Is-A-Customer-Experience-Defining-Creating-Managing-Retail-Experiences.htm

PistachioLand Tours:
Motorized tours of the Vineyard and Orchards are offered seven days a week at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Special tour times available for groups of eight or more.

Three Rivers Petroglyph Site and Recreation Area
https://www.blm.gov/visit/three-rivers-petroglyph-site
The Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is one of the few locations in the Southwest set aside solely because of its rock art. The number and concentration of petroglyphs here make it one of the largest and most interesting petroglyph sites in the Desert Southwest. More than 21,000 glyphs of birds, humans, animals, fish, insects and plants, as well as numerous geometric and abstract designs are scattered over 50 acres of New Mexico’s northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces Field Office, 1800 Marquess, Las Cruces, NM 88005. Phone (575) 525-4300. Recreation area phone: (575) 585-3458. This number also has a recording about the site and a recorder to leave messages. Two RV sites are $10 each night.

Toy Train Depot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Toy_Train_Depot
The Toy Train Depot has a small-scale train ride departing every 30 minutes from the depot, circling Alameda Park. Hundreds of model train and toy trains are on display inside the 100-year-old depot, including a 1,000 square foot HO layout depicting Alamogordo in the 1940’s. The Toy Train Depot houses the smallest scaled working train in the world. Hours are noon to 5 pm Wednesday through Sunday. (575) 437-2855

Tularosa Basin Historical Museum
http://www.alamogordohistory.com/
Tularosa Basin Historical Museum is adjacent to the Alameda Park & Zoo. Large display of articles and photos of the history and early days of the area. Open 10 am to 4 pm Monday – Friday; 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday. Closed Sundays. (575) 434-4438

White Sands National Monument
http://www.nps.gov/whsa/
At the northern end of the Chihuahua Desert lies a mountain-ringed valley known as the Tularosa Basin. Rising from the heart of this basin is one of the world’s great natural wonders — the glistening white sands of New Mexico. White Sands is New Mexico’s number one National Monument attraction. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum cover nearly 300 square miles of desert. The dunes are ever changing, growing, cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. Slowly, relentlessly, the sand covers all. White Sands National Monument preserves a major portion of the world’s largest gypsum dune field, along with the plants and animals that have successfully adapted to this harsh environment. The Monument is located on U. S. Highway 70, fifteen miles west of Alamogordo. Open daily except Christmas. (575) 479-6124

The Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce has collaborated with students from NMSU-A , who are currently enrolled in the English: Technical and communication course. These students designed a website geared towards anyone in New Mexico who is looking for new places to visit. As Native New Mexicans, they have provided information on the state parks they have visited or would like to visit in the future. Be sure to check their website out!