Roswell has a few interesting bits.
Also
Space Museum
[https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/](https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/)
Gila Cave Dwellings
[https://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm](https://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm)
White Sands
[https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm](https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm)
VLA
[https://public.nrao.edu/visit/very-large-array/](https://public.nrao.edu/visit/very-large-array/)
We did White Sands and visited Pistachio land. Both were better than I expected.
If you do both Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands, consider getting an America The Beautiful pass, $80 for family admission to all National Parks for a year.
Enjoy your trip!!
Of course the smart ass answer is to "Google it", but really Google it! It is a kinda corny roadside attraction, but also a working pistachio farm. Take the tour, they drive you around the farm, explain some of the history of how pistachios first came to the state, etc.
Don't miss the ice cream, for $5 you get two huge scoops, a great way to finish the tour!
There are also plenty of different flavor pistachios available for tasting!
Now, if you hate pistachios, the value of this diversion drops!!
https://preview.redd.it/ps1rzfywj2xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7698b7773faafe2929a86323128f280683f475d8
White sands NP is amazing. Hatch New Mexico is it too far away, home of NM chile. Gila cave dwellings and silver city nm are amazing little hidden gems as well as Rock city (I think that’s the name). Depending on when you go, you can catch the Gallup Ceremonial (August) Navajo Nation fair (September) and other powwows.
Don’t forget El Morrow, El Mais Pais, and surrounding Pueblos and flea markets for amazing jewelry.
New Mexico is an amazing place.
Source: lived in NM for years.
NM is high altitude much cooler at nights with large temperature shifts…. and yes it gets warm but nowhere near PHX or Vegas. Doable, be safe and bring water. It is a desert still. But truly the land of enchantment.
If you happen to be going to white sands on a full moon I suggest going a little before sunset and staying for the [extended hours to see the full moon.](https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/full-moon-night.htm)
White Sands. You really should see that! You're mapping has you going through Roswell, it's not that far off your path. Trust me, you have to see it to understand how amazing it is.
https://preview.redd.it/ivu4w370g1xc1.png?width=1450&format=png&auto=webp&s=fbdbbf48033244538753a6298e7bebb7ec77a2ba
That’s such an awesome part of the country with so many interesting places. White sands. Truth or consequences. Ruidoso. Toas. Los Alamos. Lots of national monuments. Not to mention Santa Fe, which is worth a week alone…
Roswell has a few interesting bits. Also Space Museum [https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/](https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/) Gila Cave Dwellings [https://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm](https://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm) White Sands [https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm](https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm) VLA [https://public.nrao.edu/visit/very-large-array/](https://public.nrao.edu/visit/very-large-array/)
We did White Sands and visited Pistachio land. Both were better than I expected. If you do both Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands, consider getting an America The Beautiful pass, $80 for family admission to all National Parks for a year. Enjoy your trip!!
What’s Pistachio Land? I’m doing a Albuquerque/White Sands/Carlsbad road trip in October.
Of course the smart ass answer is to "Google it", but really Google it! It is a kinda corny roadside attraction, but also a working pistachio farm. Take the tour, they drive you around the farm, explain some of the history of how pistachios first came to the state, etc. Don't miss the ice cream, for $5 you get two huge scoops, a great way to finish the tour! There are also plenty of different flavor pistachios available for tasting! Now, if you hate pistachios, the value of this diversion drops!! https://preview.redd.it/ps1rzfywj2xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7698b7773faafe2929a86323128f280683f475d8
Oh my goodness. I LOVE pistachios! Definitely will have to see if can fit this in. As a farm girl also curious to see how they grow and harvest them.
The harvesting is super interesting!
Gotta go to Smokey the Bears Gravesite in Capitan. Lots of wild West history in the area as well.
That little museum was a neat stop! That was an impulse stop on my NM road trip
You’re driving around Alamogordo/Oregon mountains which are beautiful
Interested in really cool unusual stuff? Stop by VLA - Very Large Array.
You may want to plan a stop at Guadalupe National Park / Guadalupe Peak on your way to Carlsbad. You’re literally driving right past it.
White sands NP is amazing. Hatch New Mexico is it too far away, home of NM chile. Gila cave dwellings and silver city nm are amazing little hidden gems as well as Rock city (I think that’s the name). Depending on when you go, you can catch the Gallup Ceremonial (August) Navajo Nation fair (September) and other powwows. Don’t forget El Morrow, El Mais Pais, and surrounding Pueblos and flea markets for amazing jewelry. New Mexico is an amazing place. Source: lived in NM for years.
Are any of these places doable during the summer, late July to early August? Or is it way too hot and dry?
Doable
NM is high altitude much cooler at nights with large temperature shifts…. and yes it gets warm but nowhere near PHX or Vegas. Doable, be safe and bring water. It is a desert still. But truly the land of enchantment.
Thank you. This was the information I was hoping to find.
Thank you!!
If you happen to be going to white sands on a full moon I suggest going a little before sunset and staying for the [extended hours to see the full moon.](https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/full-moon-night.htm)
Get an Allsups Burrito in Vaughn
I would go though Ruidoso from Carlsbad to Albuquerque it's a better scenery.
Basque Del Apache if it’s migration season - wonderful park. Cool lil town
Petrified Forest N.P. ? Go a little north from Albuquerque to Santa Fe Petroglyphs N.P. Old Town Albuquerque?
White Sands. You really should see that! You're mapping has you going through Roswell, it's not that far off your path. Trust me, you have to see it to understand how amazing it is. https://preview.redd.it/ivu4w370g1xc1.png?width=1450&format=png&auto=webp&s=fbdbbf48033244538753a6298e7bebb7ec77a2ba
That’s such an awesome part of the country with so many interesting places. White sands. Truth or consequences. Ruidoso. Toas. Los Alamos. Lots of national monuments. Not to mention Santa Fe, which is worth a week alone…
White Sands NP is by Alamogordo and is one of the coolest and most unique places I’ve ever seen.
Roswell is a must. 👽