Top 10 Things to do in Socorro, New Mexico (NM)

April 20, 2022 Milan Banda

Socorro is a city in Socorro County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is in the Rio Grande Valley at an elevation of 4,579 feet (1,396 m). In 2012 the population was 8,906. It is the county seat of Socorro County. Socorro is located 74 miles (119 km) south of Albuquerque and 146 miles (235 km) north of Las Cruces.
Restaurants in Socorro

1. New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series

1 Olive Ln Macey Center, Socorro, NM 87801-4831 +1 575-835-5688 http://nmtpas.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series

The New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series (NMTPAS) in Socorro, NM presents a variety of regional and national touring shows at Macey Center, which is located on the beautiful New Mexico Tech campus. Our shows are affordable and fun for all families.

2. NRAO Very Large Array

The Plains of San Agustin, Hwy 60, Socorro, NM 87825 +1 575-835-7410 http://public.nrao.edu/visit/very-large-array/
Excellent
83%
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5.0 based on 23 reviews

NRAO Very Large Array

Reviewed By CMPTexas - Tucson, United States

After visiting Trinity Site nearby, we heard or read that the VLA would be having an “Open House” on the same Saturday. So, we took advantage and drove the 44 miles from Socorro after lunch. Normally, you can tour the grounds and Visitors Center on your own. But, this Open House meant Guest Speakers and guided tours. The guides are professionals who work or have worked there, and the insight they provided was spectacular! They give the history of the telescope, how it schedules the scientific work to be done, the telescope mechanical and electrical components and how they operate, how they produce images with radio waves picked up by the telescope, and so much more. They take you into the very areas where all this work is being performed; the computers and the correlator, the interferometer, just to name a few. They explain how they manage to move the 250 ton telescopes from one position to another. Quite interesting, really! So glad we attended the Open House. I would highly recommend that if you’re at Trinity Site on the 1st Saturdays of April or October, make plans to come here to the VLA and take the tour and hear the guest speakers. You won’t be disappointed.

3. New Mexico Tech Golf Course

801 Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM 87801-4681 +1 800-428-8324 [email protected]
Excellent
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Good
44%
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4.5 based on 16 reviews

New Mexico Tech Golf Course

4. National Radio Astronomy Observatory

50 Miles West of Socorro, NM Off U.S. Hwy. 60, Socorro, NM 87801 +1 575-835-7243 [email protected] http://public.nrao.edu/visit-us/
Excellent
72%
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4.5 based on 305 reviews

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

This site is home to the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array astronomical radio telescope, one of four major telescopes operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). The VLA is the most scientifically productive ground-based telescope in the world. Our visitor center and interpretive film will get you oriented to the purpose and function of the telescope, and a self-guided tour path will take you up close to one of the VLA's 27 230-ton dish antennas.

Reviewed By hamgal - Hanover, United States

The open house enabled us to go inside and learn about the Array as well as see the huge installation of radio telescopes. The presentations were very interesting and educational.

5. Old San Miguel Mission

403 El Camino Real St, Socorro, NM 87801-5106 +1 505-835-1620
Excellent
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4.5 based on 85 reviews

Old San Miguel Mission

Reviewed By jswdhw - New Boston, United States

Wonderful breakfast place. Has several items to select from. The New Mexico omelette was big, fluffy and filled. Great service. The staff were so friendly.

6. Capitol Bar

110 Plaza St, Socorro, NM 87801-4562 +1 575-835-1193 http://www.socorro-nm.com/capitolbar.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 9 reviews

Capitol Bar

7. Harold's Southwestern Gifts

714 Highway 85, Socorro, NM 87801-4163
Excellent
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4.5 based on 6 reviews

Harold's Southwestern Gifts

Reviewed By barrymG2380QJ

Every time I pass through Socorro on business I make it a point to visit Harold's and buy something local. Today it was a bunch of packages of Las Cruces Candy Co. spicy brittles; other times it's been books or local crafts. The proprietors are very friendly and fun to chat with. Shop at Harold's and support a wonderful local business.

8. Mineralogical Museum

801 Leroy Pl Bullock Blvd and Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM 87801-4681 +1 575-835-5140 http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/museum/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 40 reviews

Mineralogical Museum

Reviewed By Tolvanera

After a great meal at Yo Mama's, we stopped by the Mineral Museum. We loved the outdoors pond and fountain with the gorgeous polished petrified wood on display. Inside the building, there was a wealth of lovely rocks and minerals to view. I bought some samples of my favorites for a very good price point. I love looking at nature's wonders and will enjoy them in my home for years to come. We drove around the campus. The golf course was very nice looking! I'd always wanted to visit the Capitol Bar on the plaza, just because it has always seemed like it would have some real history attached to it. I was not disappointed! Nice place with a lovely patio! Great daytrip to Soccorro. Next on my list is going to the Quebradas area when it cools off a bit. Everyone everywhere we went was welcoming and helpful. Can't wait to come back!

9. Quebradas Backcountry Byway

County Road A-129, Socorro, NM 87801 https://www.blm.gov/visit/quebradas-backcountry-byway
Excellent
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4.5 based on 10 reviews

Quebradas Backcountry Byway

Reviewed By 50pats

Such a nice stretch of road for camping, few fences to keep you out, multiple pull-offs and some side roads to explore. Maintenance was good at all the arroyo crossings, no deep sand. Some small rocks on the road made it better for dual-sports than for the light cruisers we brought. With the dual sports we could have gone further into the landscape on the side roads that descended into old quarries or followed arroyos. The last 2 miles of road at the south end (off BLM land) had a little sand- stay away from the sides of the road!

10. Fort Craig National Historic Site

Ft Craig Rd, Socorro, NM 87832 +1 575-835-0412 http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/socorro/fort_craig.html
Excellent
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4.0 based on 64 reviews

Fort Craig National Historic Site

Reviewed By LankyOmaha

We had not planned to stop by Ft. Craig, but we decided to based on Trip Advisor reviews. We were glad we did. It is off the interstate on an 8 mile dirt road. Very little is left standing, but there is enough to get a feel for its size. Ft. Craig had an interesting history of the civil war and the plains wars in the southwest.

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