Location: Alamogordo
Top Things to do in Alamogordo
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Alamogordo, New Mexico (NM)
Alamogordo /ˌæləməˈɡɔːrdoʊ/ is the seat of Otero County, New Mexico, United States. A city in the Tularosa Basin of the Chihuahuan Desert, it is bordered on the east by the Sacramento Mountains and to the west by Holloman Air Force Base. The population was 30,403 as of the 2010 census. Alamogordo is known for its connection with the Trinity test, the first explosion of an atomic bomb.
Restaurants in Alamogordo
1. White Sands Missle Range Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 460 reviews
The White Sands Missile Range Museum provides a comprehensive look at the history of the lands upon which the range occupies today, from the earliest people, through the Apache Wars, to the Manhattan Project, V-2 Rocket, the Cold War, and beyond.
Reviewed By Fran4747
For my husband who had about 20 model rockets as a kid, this was a great thrill to see the real things! They have quite a comprehensive display of rockets and related artifacts plus interesting info about the development and testing of nuclear bombs. Very educational! The Trinity site (where they test exploded the first atomic bomb is only open during a spring and fall open house, so if you want to tour that, you might want to check the calendar. This is a military base, so be sure to have identification / passports if from out of country. It was very quick entry the day we went. My husband was particularly impressed they had a V-2 middle on display.
2. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Set against the west-facing escarpment of the Sacramento Mountains, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park features scenic views from 44 campsites, historical exhibits and a fully restored 19th century ranch house. Springs from Dog Canyon support a variety of unexpected plant life on the short nature trail and for the adventurous, the Dog Canyon National Recreation Trail rises 3,100 feet in 5.5 miles. Oliver Lee's ranch house is only accessible with guided tours. Call the visitor center for the current schedule.
Reviewed By 971ginaa - Dallas, United States
Camped in a 35” motorhome. We are self-contained so cannot comment on restrooms/shower facilities. Site #2. Water and electric site – dump station on site. Love this Park, will return. Pros – - Spectacular views of the mountains and valley – gorgeous cactus landscape - Very quiet - Sites are quite spacious. - Convenient to White Sands Nat’l Park - Hiking trails in the park. Cons – - none
3. Flickinger Center for Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
4. McGinn's PistachioLand
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,640 reviews
PistachioLand- 2019 Alamogordo Small Business of the Year. Home of the World's Largest Pistachio, Pistachio Tree Ranch & Arena Blanca Winery -is owned and operated by the McGinn Family and is home to 12,300 trees and 6,000 wine producing grapevines. The original trees were planted in 1980. Today, Pistachio Tree Ranch is a fully integrated farm where the McGinn Family grows pistachios, makes pistachio candy and packages pistachio products sold on their farm and around the United States. Arena Blanca Winery features the McGinn Family's wines produced on the farm from grapes grown in their vineyard. The World's Largest Pistachio was finished in 2008 and was built as a tribute to Tom McGinn, whose vision was to grow pistachios in the New Mexico desert. It stands 30 feet tall and has been featured in New Mexico Magazine. Named a New Mexico Treasure by the NM Cabinet Secretary of Tourism, June 2014, on New Mexico Television episode 3. Open every day. Motorized Farm Tours Daily 10-4.
Reviewed By EpicGuy12 - Queen Creek, United States
We caught a glimpse of this place after we drove into town and after some further research we decided to stop for a visit in front of the world's largest pistachio and do some shopping. I will say their gift shop is larger than you think but the main reason for stopping was their pistachios both the savory and sweet. They were simply amazing and after trying a few samples we walked out with quite a few bags. The staff is very friendly and helpful and it added to making our experience there a worthwhile one. If you are in the area, stop by and support this wonderful local business.
5. International Space Hall of Fame
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Take a simulated walk on Mars and see space exhibits that span exploration from the earliest rocketry experiments to futuristic Space Station 2001.
Reviewed By JudyC530 - Vancouver, United States
This attraction is actually part of the New Mexico Space Museum so you will find pictures of the Hall of Fame inductees on all four levels of the museum as well as a combination display of all inductees on the main level. Also, Ham, the chimpanzee who led the way for humans to travel into space, is buried at this site. Without all of these amazing people, our space program would not be where it is.....we are blessed...
6. Shroud Exhibit and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Non-profit 501-c-3 NM corporation formed to educate the public concerning the Shroud of Turin and the connection to New Mexico history through the world's largest scientific expedition ever launched to study a single artifact, which began in NM because of a proof developed in NM in 1976. Our mission is to make the Shroud of Turin an experience available to everyone through facts, exhibits and research. The exhibit features a full-size color scientific grade image of the Shroud and the only interactive 3D exhibit using a VP-8 Image analyzer, as well as recent 3D works by Dr. Petrus Soons. With the exception of the Covid-19 restrictions, open Mon-Tues & Thurs-Sat 1-5PM, Sunday 2-4PM. Multilingual exhibits and movies available.
7. Heart of the Desert
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 338 reviews
Heart of the Desert is a working pistachio ranch and vineyard with four retail establishments in New Mexico. We are best known for our farm fresh pistachios and Award-Winning New Mexico wines. Each store offers wine and pistachio tastings. We offer worldwide shipping and produce attractive gourmet baskets that make great corporate and family gifts. Visit the Largest Heart in the World! Heart of the Desert’s trademark heart welcomes you to the ranch, standing 26’ tall and 20’ wide at the main store in Alamogordo. Free farm tours are offered that showcase how pistachios are grown and processed as well as a stunning Tuscany themed patio that overlooks the groves and is available for private parties or enjoying a relaxing glass of wine. Free Tours Daily June - August: Monday through Friday, twice a day at 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM. September - May: Monday through Friday at 1:30 PM. Groups: We are happy to accommodate groups of 10 or more by appointment. Buses Welcome!
Reviewed By 915MexiCan - Addison, United States
Driving down highway 70 in either direction you'll notice the giant "heart" of the desert and that describes this place perfectly. It's not as gimmicky as a giant nut but that's what makes this place so great. The atmosphere, the people, and of course their delicious variety of pistachios. The owners Mary Ann and George are also some of the nicest people I've ever met. They also have a great selection of souvenirs, treats, and wines! I recommend taking a tour and taking one of their fairly priced baskets of pistachios. They make great local gifts for friends and family. Finally, if you'd like to just relax with a nice glass of pistachio wine or a cup of their pistachio ice cream, the back patio has amazing atmosphere.
8. Tularosa Basin Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By JerryM302 - Los Angeles, United States
After spending the morning out at White Sands, we next drove a few blocks to the Tularosa Basin Museum, which is owned and operated by the Tularosa Basin Historical Society. As we entered a charming woman greeted us and gave us a brief overview of the museum and invited us to spend as much time as we wanted perusing its exhibits. The prize item in the collection is a 47-star U. S. flag. New Mexico was admitted to the union as the 47th state on January 6, 1912, followed by Arizona as the 48th state on February 14, 1912. The museum collection holds personal accounts, relics and photographs of local history, as well as a bison trophy head, a display devoted to Holloman Air Force Base, an exhibit containing items recovered from the Manhattan Project Trinity Test Site and artifacts from prehistoric Native American tribes that were found in caves above Alamogordo. The collection includes over 3,000 historical photographs of the local area and an archive of historical documents and a nice display of pottery from the La Luz Pottery Factory, a former factory in La Luz, New Mexico. The site there includes three houses, an adobe warehouse and kiln, a clay processing plant, and storerooms, which were built circa 1929. The factory, founded by Rowland Hazard, made roof and floor tiles as well as pots until it closed down in 1942. The complex has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 29, 1979. We closed out our visit by stopping at the museum gift shop, which sits in a room that formerly housed the building’s pharmacy and soda fountain.
9. Alameda Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 203 reviews
Alameda Park Zoo is the oldest Zoo in the Southwest.
Reviewed By gc9773
Becca (Education Staff) was awesome! Diverse array of animals given the small size! Really enjoyed feeding the birds! Well worth an hour or two of your day!
10. New Mexico Museum of Space History
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 561 reviews
This museum complex includes the space museum, Planetarium, IMAX® dome theater, Hubbard Space Science Education Facility, and the International Space Hall of Fame.
Reviewed By 805williamm - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
If you are interested in the history of rockets or space flight history, this museum is a “Must See”. This museum is located on the hillside on the Eastern side of Alamogordo, overlooking the town of Alamogordo & Holloman AFB in the distance to the west. It is very easy to find, just follow the signs. There is plenty of parking space, checkout the website for the latest admission prices. Outside the main building you will find the “John P Stapp Air & Space Park”, named after the fastest man alive. Col Stapp rode the Rocket Sled that achieved a speed of 632 MPH. At the other side of the main building you will find the “Daisy Track”, named after the “Daisy Air Rifle” it was an air powered sled on a track, designed to test the effects of acceleration & deceleration on the Human Body. There is also a full size mock up of the X37. It is a “Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory Simulator”. The X37 was designed for the capture and deployment of satellites with a rapid turnaround at much less cost that the convention way of deployment. In the “Air Park” there a lot of other exhibits, from small to very large rockets and jet engines, A Mercury Capsule, X-7A Test Vehicle, the remains of an actual WWII V2 Rocket that was test fired at White Sands Missile Range, there is even a full size “Little Joe 2”, this rocket was used to test the Apollo Series “Launch Escape System”, it is also the largest rocket ever fired from New Mexico. Just outside the main doors you will find a Lockheed F-117A cockpit mockup “Ingress & Egress” Trainer, There is a metal mockup of an “Apollo Command Capsule”, it is known as a “Boilerplate”, this one was used to trail Army & Navy Capsule Recovery Personnel, and you haven’t even got into the main building yet. Inside the main build there is even more to see and lots of information. The Ladies at the ticket desk will give you a lot of information as well. We started the tour at the top of the building, the elevators are fun the with the sights and sounds of “Star Trek”, I must admit, it is the best elevator I have ever used. There are a lot of exhibits from the early days of rockets right thru to the modern era. There are real and mockups of missiles, suits that have actually flown in space, models of various satellite’s, various components of the guidance systems of different types of rockets, some of the communication systems and other electronics, All the exhibits have information boards. There are even space suits of every size so that children, no matter how small, can dress up in a space suit and have their pictures taken. One thing that we found great fun was the chance to have a go at flying the space shuttle and landing it at Kennedy Space Centre. It took me 2 attempts, but I made it! I have included a picture of the simulator screen in this review, just to prove I did it! As you walk down one of the walkways, you will find one wall has been turned into The International Space Hall of Fame, it has pictures of, and information about, all the people from around the world who have made a major contribution to the quest for space exploration. Once again there is a lot of information and for anyone interested in history, there is a lot for you to learn, just by reading this wall. We had a great time here, I recommend you checkout the website to get the latest information, because as we were leaving we were told that the Museum is due to be expanded and have a lot more exhibits and things to do.
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