NM2007 - New Mexico Attractions Guide

NORTHERN NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque Biological Park
(505) 764-6200
This premier environmental education complex offers an understanding of New Mexico and our biologically diverse world. From its beginning in 1927, the Rio Grande Zoo has grown to more than 1,000 animals, living in their natural habitats. Encompassing 170 acres, the "BioPark" is the only facility of its kind in the nation. It's one of the nation's best managed, most attractively presented facilities. The Albuquerque Aquarium exhibits tell the story of a drop of water traveling from the headwaters of the Rio Grande in southern Colorado, across New Mexico, and into the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande Botanic Garden has a state-of-the-art conservatory, formal theme gardens, and a demonstration garden. A portion of the Rio Grande's cottonwood bosque within the Botanic Garden showcases this distinctive natural environment.

Bandelier National Monument
(505) 672- 3861
These 12th century Anasazi ruins, with excavated ceremonial kivas, petroglyphs and pictographs, nature trails, and a historical museum, tell of a time when "The Ancient Ones" created pottery and farmed in Frijoles Canyon. Backcountry trips are available. 50 miles northwest of Santa Fe.

Coronado State Monument
(505) 867-5351
The Pueblo ruin of Kuaua was once home to agriculturists who thrived on the banks of the Rio Grande. Preserved murals are among the finest examples of pre-Columbian art in North America. Study these original panels at the monument named for Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, whose expedition sojourned in the area during the winter of 1540-41. Bernalillo.

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Chama Depot, Highway 17, Chama, NM 87520
Reservations: (888) 286-2737.
(505) 756-2151; (888) CUMBRES
America’s longest and highest steam railroad! The days of the steam-powered locomotives are gone, but you can still hear their expressive whistle here. The Old West comes alive again during six and a half hours on narrow-gauge rails, chugging through Cumbres Pass and over the Toltec Gorge through 64 miles of some of the most beautiful country in the Southwest. Catch the train in Chama for a nostalgic ride back to the days when steam engines opened new frontiers. A national historic site, voted one of the four best rail trips in the U.S. by the prestigious Society of International Railway Travelers.

El Rancho de las Golondrinas
(505) 471-2261
Take a 20-minute drive south of Santa Fe and travel back in time on a visit to El Rancho de las Golondrinas (Ranch of the Swallows), in La Cienega. This "living museum" depicts more than 300 years of life in a Spanish Colonial village.

Fort Union
(505) 425-8025
Fort Union, north of Las Vegas, was a base of civil and military operations 1851-91 and the largest U.S. military post guarding travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. It is a memorial to the men who played a key role in shaping the destiny of the Southwest.

Georgia O'Keeffe and the Ghost Ranch Landscape Tour
Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu
HC77, Box 11, Abiquiu, NM 87510
(505) 685-4333
A guided tour of the area she loved, explored, painted and lived in for more than 50 years at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu. Tours are held mid-March through November; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, weather permitting at 1:30 p.m. Approximately one hour long, $25. Reservations are required. (505) 685-4333 ext. 0. The tour does not include a visit to the Georgia O'Keeffe home at Ghost Ranch, which is on private property and not open to the public.

Jémez State Monument
(505) 829-3530
Set in San Diego Canyon, visit the ruins of Giusewa, the ancient settlement ancestral to present-day Jémez Pueblo, and the site of San José de los Jémez, a 17th-century Spanish mission church. Closed Tuesday. 43 miles north of Bernalillo, Jémez Springs.

Petroglyph National Monument
(505) 899-0205
See more than 15,000 rock engravings carved into the volcanic escarpment on Albuquerque's west mesa. These images relate the history of past native and immigrant cultures and are the centerpiece of this national monument. Native populations continue to visit the historical and ceremonial areas of the petroglyphs in continuation of traditions and religion. Nowhere else is such a concentration of prehistoric rock art so close to a major city.

Sandia Peak Tramway
(505) 856-7325
This tram glides to the top of the Sandia Mountains (10,378 feet) where a spectacular 11,000-square-mile view unfolds of the Cibola National Forest, deep canyons, granite spires, mountain ranges, the Rio Grande Valley, and the city of Albuquerque. It is the world's longest continuous-cable aerial tramway, and it's just outside Albuquerque.

Santa Fe Southern Railway
410 S. Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 989-8600; (888) 989-8600
Take a trip through the beautiful high desert country of northern New Mexico on early century vintage coaches or 1950s luxury lounge cars. Passengers also have access to the open-air flat cars. Snack and cash bar on board. Seasonal events include special summer live-music barbecue trains, Fourth of July fireworks and Polar Express trains. Available for charters, weddings, and groups. Call for reservations and schedules.

Santa Fe Top Gun Adventures
Santa Fe Municipal Airport
Santa Fe, NM 87507
(505) 422-2300; (866) 484-2300
Ever consider experiencing the awe-inspiring beauty of New Mexico in three dimensions? Be there! ... Strap yourself into the legendary U.S. Navy SNJ WWII advanced trainer that all fighter pilots flew. Saturate your senses with a spectacular New Mexico panorama combined with the nostalgia of the war years and the visceral thrill of flight. Do it only with our former navy carrier fighter pilots and in one of the world's most beautifully restored, meticulously maintained high performance radial engined aircraft! A mind altering gift. Details at www.santafetopgun.com

THE NORTHEAST CORNER

Natural beauty is the principal attraction of this isolated part of New Mexico. It is natural ranch country that supports extensive wildlife. Make a scenic and historical tour from Las Vegas north on I-25 through vast open spaces to Raton with a stop at Ft. Union National Monument and a side trip on N.M. 58 to the 150-year-old town of Cimarron and its magnificently restored St. James Hotel. From Raton, take U.S. 64/87 into an area of extinct volcanoes to the town of Capulin, north of which on N.M. 325 you can drive to the top of Capulin Volcano, a national monument with spectacular views. From there, continue through open country to Clayton. From Clayton, turn off on N.M. 120 to Roy and then through the Canadian River Gorge (one of New Mexico's many mini Grand Canyons) to rejoin I-25 at Wagon Mound, another landmark on the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail.

EASTERN NEW MEXICO

Bosque Redondo Memorial/Fort Sumner State Monument
(505) 355-2573
The site of the million-acre Bosque Redondo Reservation where more than 9,000 Navajo and Mescalero Apache were interned by the government, 1863-1868. Learn about this tragic time through photographs and text along the interpretive trail. Fort Sumner.

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 1246, Socorro, NM 87801
(505) 835-1828
This is a beautiful sanctuary, so grab a good bird book, binoculars, and a picnic lunch and enjoy a day at the Bosque. Its 57,000 acres are the winter home for Canadian and snow geese, sandhill cranes, and many species of duck. The best bird-watching time is November to mid-February at dawn and dusk. On the Rio Grande, 16 miles south of Socorro.

Carlsbad Caverns 
(505) 785-2232
Wander through majestic underground caverns to marvel at the strange formations deep within the earth. More than 3 miles of paved and lighted trails let you gape in awe at stalactites and stalagmites. A million bats make their home in the Bat Cave section of the caverns and fly out of the cave in unison to hunt insects every evening during the summer — a spectacular sight. The park contains at least 70 known caves. Guided tours available.

City of Rocks State Park 
(505) 536-2800
The City of Rocks, a giant's playground created by volcanic violence and carved by thousands of years of wind and rain, is a short drive from Silver City on U.S. 180. From a distance, it is a monolithic city with skyscrapers and bungalows, complete with boulevards and streets.

El Camino Real International Heritage Center
P.O. Box 175, Socorro, NM 87801
(505) 854-3600; Fax: (505) 854-3609
New Mexico's newest State Monument interprets the history of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, the first and oldest trade route in what is now the continental United States. This trail blazed by Don Juan de Oñate in 1598 was a 1500-mile trade route that carried people, ideas and products from New Spain (Mexico City) to its northern frontier, New Mexico. See an exhibit on the architecture and artifacts of the colonial era plus gardens and nature trails. Discover the traders, adventurers, Native Americans, settlers, and soldiers who shaped New Mexico and the West. Today, I-25 parallels this National Scenic Byway. 35 miles south of Socorro.

Elephant Butte Lake
This is is the largest lake in New Mexico with 220 miles of sandy beach lining its shores. Excellent fishing, motor and sail boating, water skiing, golf, and camping make this a great recreation destination. Five miles from Truth or Consequences.

Fort Selden State Monument
(505) 526-8911
This adobe-brick outpost once housed cavalry units of black troops nicknamed "Buffalo Soldiers," and was the boyhood home of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. See living history encampments the second Saturday of each month. 13 miles north of Las Cruces.

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
(505) 536-9461
This is an area of cave dwellings of prehistoric Mogollan Indians, and offers a glimpse of the homes and lives of the people who lived here in the 13th and 14th centuries. The Mogollon built 40 rooms in five caves. Located 44 miles north of Silver City.

Lincoln National Forest
(505) 257-4095
This is a mecca for outdoor activities — camping, hiking, bike riding, fishing, horseback riding, tennis, and golf. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the rugged cliffs and sheltered canyons of the Sacramento Escarpment and the forested slopes and snowy peaks of the Sierra Blanca Mountains. Call the Smokey Bear Ranger Station.

Lincoln State Monument
(505) 653-4372
This once quiet Hispanic village saw a period of lawlessness made famous by such characters as Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett. They are gone, but the spirit of the 1880s lives on in the streets of Lincoln, where six of the buildings are set up as museums.

New Mexico Museum of Space History
437-2840, (877) 333-6589
This complex includes the Space Museum, Planetarium, Tombaugh IMAX® Dome Theater, Hubbard Science Education Facility, and the International Space Hall of Fame. Walk into a simulated space station, push buttons, operate computers, and get a feel for space travel.

Smokey Bear Museum
(505) 354-2748
The real Smokey Bear was found by a New Mexico game warden in 1950. An orphaned cub, clinging to a charred tree after a 17,000-acre forest fire, became a national hero. Smokey was buried here, in the Smokey Bear State Historical Park in Capitan, which houses a museum and gift shop.

Socorro Heritage and Visitors Center
217 Fisher Ave., Socorro, NM 87801
(505) 835-8927
Socorro celebrates history, technology, birds and balloons, desert sands, and enchanted skies. Socorro is home to wildlife refuges, radio telescopes, a mineral museum, a university, a historical mission (church), a performing arts series as well as numerous other facilities and events. Stop at the Visitor Center to pick up area information, walking tour maps, and to learn more about the history and culture of Socorro and the surrounding area. Historic artifacts, photos, and documents are on display.

White Sands National Monument
(505) 479-6124
More than 275 square miles of undulating, ever-changing brilliant white gypsum dunes make this area a great natural wonder. Driven by strong winds, the sands slowly, constantly advance, covering the desert, making it habitable for only a few species of plants and small animals. The drama of the formation of the dunes is shown in a diorama.

Very Large Array (VLA) Telescope
(505) 772-4011
The largest radio telescope in the world with 27 moveable dish antennas on three 12-13 mile long radial arms sits 49 miles west of Socorro. It receives radio waves from distant astronomical objects, processes and interprets the information. The low latitude of the site permits coverage of 75 percent of the sky.

WESTERN NEW MEXICO

Chaco Culture National Historical Park
(505) 786-7014
The haunting remains of this ancient Anasazi civilization challenge your imagination. Once a thriving community, between 750 and 1300 A.D., it is now a national historical park. Remnants of an elaborate system of roads and the crumbling remains of multistoried dwellings testify to an advanced and far-reaching civilization of ancestors of the Pueblo people.

El Malpais
(505) 285-4641
This spectacular volcanic area, partially formed as recently as 1,000 years ago, features volcanoes and cinder cones, lava flows, ice caves, and the longest lava tube system in the U.S. Called "The Badlands" in Spanish, the area is rich in ancient Pueblo Indian history and has diverse ecosystems. Grants.

El Morrow National Monument
(505) 783-4226
The pool of water that lies at the base of Inscription Rock has drawn travelers for eons. The Anasazi came to the pool and left their mark in the form of petroglyphs. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Spanish explorers stopped here for water and left inscriptions on the rocks. Later, pioneers and homesteaders left their marks. The carvings are an historical record and a documentation of all the cultures that passed this way. Ramah. 42 miles southwest of Grants.

Shiprock
Called "The Winged Rock" by the Navajo, this volcanic plug towers 1,500 feet above the desert. According to legend, the huge rock once grew wings and carried the Navajo people to safety after an attack by a neighboring tribe. Just south of Farmington.

STATEWIDE SPORTS AND RECREATION

New Mexico State Parks
(888) NMPARKS www.nmparks.com
Celebrating 75 years in 2008, New Mexico State Parks continues to be the best way to experience the culture and natural beauty of New Mexico. From interpretive educational and historical programs and family-friendly events, to outdoor recreation and relaxation, New Mexico State Parks are truly enchanting. And with 34 parks to choose from, the Annual Camping Permit is the best bet in the country — now valid for a full year from month of purchase. Log onto www.nmparks.com or call 888-NMPARKS for more information.

Rafting, Canoeing, Kayaking
Try a rafting, canoeing, or kayaking trips from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, or Chama. There is also overnight rafting on the Rio Grande and the Rio Chama. Call the chamber of commerce for brochures.

Camping
Campgrounds are in or near all of the national forests, parks, and monuments and at most state parks. Check with the National Park Service ((505) 988-6100), the Forest Service ((505) 438-7840) or the New Mexico State Parks ((505) 476-3355) for rules and availability.

Fishing
Many lakes, streams, and rivers are brimming with fish, offering challenges for fly-fishing and bait fishing. Fishing requires a license, available at hunting and fishing stores. New Mexico Game and Fish: (505) 476-8000.

Hiking
The trails are one of the best ways to experience the unspoiled beauty of the wilderness. Contact the National Forest Service ((505) 438-7840), the State Park and Recreation Division ((505) 476-3355) and the Bureau of Land Management ((505) 438-7400).

Horse Racing
New Mexico offers the best quarter horse and thoroughbred racing in the Southwest. Ruidoso Downs: 378-4431; Albuquerque: (505) 266-5555.

Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiers take to the backcountry where snow is deep, views spectacular, and solitude revitalizing in more than 9 million acres of national forest. Call ski areas for more information.

Horseback Riding
There are more than 4,000 miles of designated horse trails on public land. Information: (505) 476-3355.

Biking
Mountain biking is a great way to see the national and state parks and forests. Most larger city park and recreation departments have trail maps. New Mexico State Parks and Recreation Division: (505) 476-3355.

GOLF

Nowhere in the world will you find a more varied playing environment. The public courses are unparalleled in their natural beauty. At higher altitudes the air is so thin, golf balls travel further.

Sandia Casino Golf Club
I-25 & Tramway, Albuquerque, NM 87144
(505) 798-3990
Sandia Golf Club features a world-class golf experience offering a visually stunning and strategic 18-hole golf course designed by Scott Miller, a 16,000-square-foot Pueblo-style clubhouse and exceptional guest services that are certain to exceed the expectations of even the most seasoned golf traveler. Stretching from 4,900 to more than 7,700 yards from the back tees, this spectacular golf course provides a memorable and exciting experience.

Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe
206 Caja del Rio Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87509
(505) 955-4400; (888) 735-4657
The moment you approach the first tee, you'll marvel at the incomparable 360-degree views of three mountain ranges. The stunning panorama remains constant through the 18 championship holes and the 9-hole executive course. Marty Sanchez Links offers a driving range, the Fairway Café Restaurant & Bar, rentals, and a Pro Shop and is one of the best values in the Southwest without compromising services, amenities, or a professional staff. Come play a round and see why Marty Sanchez Links is … Santa Fe's course! Monthly specials and events.

Towa Golf Resort
Hwy. 84/285, 12 miles north of Santa Fe
(505) 455-9000; (877) 465-3489
Towa Golf Resort, located in the heart of beautiful Northern New Mexico, offers challenging golf, amazing southwestern vistas and first-rate service, with 27 of the 36 holes designed by Hale Irwin and William Phillips now open for your enjoyment and golfing pleasure. A first-class clubhouse and golf shop features a full-service restaurant and bar, complete with meeting facilities. Towa already has become one of the top public golf courses in the Southwest. Play Towa and experience golf's newest legend!

GAMING

Camel Rock Casino
Hwy. 84/285, 10 minutes north of Santa Fe
(800) GO-CAMEL (984-8414)
Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, Santa Fe's closest fun spot is just minutes north of the Plaza on Highway 84/285. Camel Rock Casino has more than 600 of the hottest new slot machines plus blackjack, roulette, Let it Ride, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, and craps. Camel Rock Casino offers exciting daily and monthly promotions from cash to cars to trips. There are lots of ways to win, so come out and "Catch the Fun at Camel Rock Casino!"

Cities of Gold Casino and Hotel
15 miles north of Santa Fe
(505) 455-3313
More winners, more often! Loosest slots in New Mexico. Our premier casino has 40,000 square feet of full-service gaming, 365 days a year. More than 600 of the newest, hottest slot machines, with no muss, no fuss, ticket in, ticket out. Plenty of table games including single hand blackjack, 5x odds on craps and roulette. The poker room features nightly tournaments. Nightly bingo sessions. The Golden Buffet offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy your favorite beverage in the Golden Cantina. The Cities of Gold Casino has it all!

Sandia Resort & Casino
I-25 & Tramway, Albuquerque, NM 87144
(800) 526-9366
The Sandia Resort & Casino features graciously appointed, oversized guest rooms including 30 luxurious suites in a seven-story tower. A multitude of dining options include a 410-seat signature buffet, a themed steakhouse, and Bien Shur, a rooftop gourmet restaurant sure to please even the most discriminating palates. Indulge at the full-service Green Reed Spa, offering 10 treatments, and state-of-the-art fitness center. The Sandia Resort & Casino is located just north of Albuquerque, N.M. along Interstate 25 and 10 minutes from the Albuquerque airport.

Sports Bar Race Book & Casino
14 miles north of Santa Fe
(505) 455-3105
Located in Pojoaque north of Santa Fe on Hwy. 84/285, the Sports Bar Race Book & Casino features "Fast Horses, Hot Slots and Cold Beer." After placing a wager, watch horse races live from all over the country on the big screen TV or on your personal monitor. A lot of folks enjoy the comfortable slot room with more than 150 liberal slot machines. Or, enjoy your favorite adult beverage watching your favorite TV sporting event.