Attractions
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Alamogordo Attractions
White Sands Monument-
Rising from the heart of this basin is one of the world's great natural wonders, New Mexico's White Sands. Great Sahara-like dunes of gypsum sand cover 300 square miles of the desert. The White Sands Visitor Center is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day 8AM to 7PM with extended hours for the Full Moon Tours. During the fall, winter and spring, the Visitor Center is open 8AM to 5PM. Call (575)-479-6124 for more information.
Desert Lakes Golf Course-
Complete with a new $2.3M clubhouse facility, is a true desert gem, with the Sacramento Mountains providing a spectacular background for an 18-hole championship golf course, one of the finest in southern New Mexico.
The Alameda Zoo-
The oldest zoo in the southwest with nearly three hundred animals and ninety species. The zoo was initially created as entertainment for train travelers on stop-over while their locomotives refueled. Hours- Daily 9AM to 5PM. Closed Christmas and New years. 575-439-4290
Oliver Lee State Park-
The site of historic battles between the US Army and the areas Apache tribes. Located about 12 miles south of Alamogordo off of US 54 and Dog Canyon road. Oliver Lee State Park delivers a lot more than one would expect. The park has 44 developed campsites, 16 of which have electric service and ten have shelters. Public restrooms and showers are also housed within the park. Hiking, tours, wildlife and rich human history of the region is all here. 575-437-8284
New Mexico Space Museum and IMAX theater-
Over twenty-five countries have contributed in furnishing content and informational exhibits for this space museum. A visit to the museum includes a very complete tour of the history of space exploration and rocket technology. Many exhibits are interactive and the appeal is broad to all ages.
Annual Events-
Annual events include the White Sands Balloon Invitational, Cottonwood Arts and Crafts Festival, Otero County Fair & Rodeo, Trinity Site tours, Summer Tailgate Concerts, Desert Light Film Festival, White Sands Film Festival, Memorial Day Hang Gliding Fly-In, Columbus Day Hang Gliding Fly-In, Amistad Border (R/C) Fly-In, Community Earth Day Fair, Thunder in the Desert Model Rocket Launch and more.
Events
March
Dog Canyon Experiences
Oliver Lee State Park: Star Parties, Hikes & various programs offered.
April
Trinity Site Tour – White Sands Missile Range: The first atomic bomb explosion took place here. Trinity is a national historic landmark which is open to the public twice a year only in April and October.
Website 575-678-1134 or 575-437-6120
Trinity: The Atomic Bomb Movie - Free at the Clyde W. Tombaugh IMAX Dome
Theater at the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
Website 575-437-2840 or 877-333-6589
Bataan Death March-White Sands Missile Range—
Memorial walk/run activities to commemorate a part of military history.
Community Earth Day Fair- Alameda Park Zoo
Annual butterfly release, vendors, booths
Desert Light Film Festival – NMSU-Alamogordo Campus
Middle and High School film competition open to NM Students
Seminars, film screenings and awards
Website 575-434-5882 or 575-439-3626
May
National Astronomy Day- New Mexico Museum of Space History
Features astronomy events, rocket launches, and sunspotting.
877-333-6589 or 575-437-2840
Heritage Preservation Day
Gus Macker /Saturday in the Park – City of Alamogordo
3on3 Basketball Tourney with a Salute to the Military
June
NM Space Academy begins-NM Museum of Space History
Summer program for kids k-12.
White Sands Institute begins Summer Session @ White Sands National Monument
Instructional Education Classes in photography, art and science
Website 575-439-3626 or 575-679-2599
Miss New Mexico Scholarship Pageant –
Cloudcroft Renaissance Fantasy Fair – Cloudcroft, NM
2-Day event with booths, vendors, costumes & more
Thunder in the Desert Model Rocket Launch
Stealth Classic Softball Tournament
High Rolls Cherry Festival – High Rolls Mountain Park, NM
Cherries, crafts, vendors & more
Spotlight on Tailgate-Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts
A series of musical enjoyment every other Saturday night at the International
Space Hall of Fame, Bring your food and family.
July
Independence Day Parade- City of Alamogordo
Floats and participation encouraged
Fireworks Extravaganza- NM Museum of Space History
Parking lot of the Museum display
Freedom Bike Rally – July 4th
Motorcycle holiday event
Miss Alamogordo/Otero Scholarship Pageant
Christmas in July Bazaar
August
Reach for the Stars – Oliver Lee State Park : Star party and activities
White Sands Institute Ends Summer Program
Educational classes on White Sands National Monument thru NMSU-A
Website 575-439-3626 or 575-679-2599
Otero County Fair – Otero County Fair Association
Pioneer Village-Rodeos, livestock judging, food, rides, and games
September
Cottonwood Arts & Crafts Festival – Alameda Park
Arts, crafts, vendors, booths, activities and live music
White Sands Balloon Invitational/Tularosa Basin Wine & Music Festival
Simultaneous festival weekend with events at White Sands National Monument
and the Alameda Park
Oktoberfest @ Holloman Air Force Base
Hale-Bopp/White Sands Star Parties – NM Museum of Space History
Astronomy at White Sands National Monument and in Cloudcroft, NM
October
Trinity Site Tour - White Sands Missile Range: The first atomic bomb explosion took place here. Trinity is a national historic landmark which is open to the public twice a year only in April and October.
Website 575-678-1134 or 575-437-6120
Chaparral Kennel Club Dog Show
Trinity: The Atomic Bomb Movie-Free at the Clyde W. Tombaugh IMAX Dome Theater
at the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
Website 877-333-6589 or 575-437-2840
Annual X PRIZE CUP Event
Celebrating the future of space exploration
Website 877-333-6589 or 575-437-2840
Open House – Oliver Lee State Park: Programs and activities
High Rolls Apple Festival - High Rolls Mountain Park, NM
Apples, crafts, vendors & more
November
Antique Collectible Show
White Sands Institute Year-round Educational Programs start @ White Sands National
Monument
Website 575-439-3626 or 575-679-2599
December
Christmas Parade – Downtown on Old New York Avenue
“Deck the Hall” Holiday Music Fest-NM Museum of Space History
Website 877-333-6589 or 575-437-2840
Christmas Craft Show- City of Alamogordo
Annual craft show/vendor booths