Local area

Like No Place Else on Earth! Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and created the world's largest gypsum dune field. Open until sunset.

The International Space Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to recognize the imagination, efforts, and achievements of those who have endeavored to advance man's knowledge of the universe, and his ability to explore space.

Southern New Mexico's only IMAX® theater -- the world's largest format projection system -- will take you out of this world with a wraparound screen and surround sound. The Clyde W. Tombaugh IMAX® Dome Theater also features a planetarium with a Spitz 512 star projector. Have a seat in our cool state-of-the-art theater. . . with several great movies to choose from, you may want to spend the day!

The Alameda Park Zoo has more than 12 acres and over 250 exotic and indigenous animals. An education center, gift shop, restroom facilities, picnic area, and playground are all available inside the zoo grounds. Oldest Zoo in the Southwest estabilshed 1898. Open Daily 9 am - 5 pm except Christmas and New Year's Day Admission: 2 years old and under: FREE 3 years to 11 years old: $1.50 12 years to 59 years old: $2.50 60 years and older: $1.50

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, found in 1950 in the Capitan Mountains is buried in Capitan, New Mexico. Enjoy Rails to trails of US 82. Smokey Bear District

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 and championship golf course.

As the country’s southernmost ski area, Ski Apache offers the best warm-weather powder skiing in the world with snowmaking on 33% of the mountain. The slopes offer a mix of wide beginner slopes, tough bump runs, a huge bowl, nice cruising runs and a terrain park with jumps, tubes and rails. Here are just a few of the highlights: 55 runs served by 11 lifts New Mexico’s only passenger gondola Ski instruction programs Vertical drop of 1,900 ft Top elevation is 11,500 ft Over 750 ski-able acres