Best Things to Do in Alamogordo

Alamogordo sits in the Tularosa Basin between White Sands National Park and the Sacramento Mountains.

For a relatively small city, it is surrounded by lots of interesting attractions in southern New Mexico. White Sands, space and missile history, pine forests, and several unusual landmarks are all within easy reach. Alamogordo has plenty worth seeing on its own, with even more waiting just beyond the city.

Don’t Miss

Museum of Space History

If you didn’t know, the largest rocket and space testing ground in the US is the White Sands Missile Range. Sitting on a hillside above the city of Alamogordo, the New Mexico Museum of Space History explores New Mexico’s important role in rockets, missile testing, astronomy, and the American space program. The museum includes rockets, spacecraft artifacts, a planetarium, the International Space Hall of Fame, and exhibits covering figures such as Robert Goddard and John Paul Stapp. Outside, the John P. Stapp Air & Space Park displays several large rockets and pieces of aerospace equipment.

White Sands National Park

Just outside Alamogordo, White Sands National Park protects the largest gypsum dunefield in the world. Miles of brilliant white dunes stretch across the Tularosa Basin, creating one of the most alien landscapes in the United States. Hike across the sand, sled down the dunes, and stay late if you can. White Sands is big reason people visit Alamogordo and one of the most popular attractions in the state.

Pistachio Paradise

You can’t drive through Alamogordo without seeing signs for the world’s largest pistachio. Just north of town are two popular pistachio farms: McGinn’s PistachioLand and Heart of the Desert. PistachioLand is the more touristy of the two, with a winery, gift shop, farm tours, and the giant pistachio that has become one of Alamogordo’s best-known roadside attractions. Heart of the Desert offers a quieter farm experience, along with its own winery and tasting room. Both sell locally grown pistachios, flavored nuts, candy, wine, and other New Mexico products.

Museums & Culture

Alamogordo has a good collection of museums for a city its size. Top picks include:

• New Mexico Museum of Space History – Covers rockets, astronauts, missile testing, and New Mexico’s role in the Space Age.
• Tularosa Basin Museum of History – Explores the history of Tularosa Basin (it’s a great museum jam packed with stuff).
• Alameda Park Zoo – The first zoo west of the Mississippi, 40+ species and a low admission price.
• Toy Train Depot – A small railroad museum with model trains and exhibits on the region’s railroad history.

If you only have time for one museum, make it the Museum of Space History. It is one of the most distinctive museums in New Mexico.

Food & Drink

Alamogordo has plenty of classic New Mexican food along with a few long-running local institutions. Popular spots include:

• Hi-D-Ho Drive In – Old-school burger stand known for burgers, fries, and green chile.
• CJ’s Si Señor Restaurant – A longtime local choice for New Mexican and Mexican food.

• Caliche’s Frozen Custard – Famous for its creamy frozen custard and classic diner feel.

And since you’re in southern New Mexico, putting green chile on basically anything is a safe choice.

Events

One of Alamogordo’s most distinctive annual events is the White Sands Balloon Invitational. Held in September, the event features hot air balloons launching from White Sands National Park and Ed Brabson Balloon Park in Alamogordo, weather permitting.

Another unusual local tradition is the Burning of the Bull, held at the Alamogordo Fairgrounds each fall. The event features live music, vendors, fireworks, and the ceremonial burning of a large painted bull.

Outdoors

Alamogordo sits at a transition zone between the Chihuahuan Desert and the Sacramento Mountains, which means you can go from open desert to pine forest in half an hour.

Popular outdoor activities include:

• Hiking and sledding at White Sands National Park
• Hiking at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park (it’s great!)
• Exploring the Sacramento Mountains and Lincoln National Forest
• Driving up to Cloudcroft for mountain trails and cooler temperatures
• Exploring Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
• Driving the Sunspot Scenic Byway through the mountains
• Exploring the Red Sands OHV Area east of town

The nearby Lincoln National Forest rises from desert elevations to forests above 10,000 feet, making Alamogordo a good base for exploring completely different landscapes in the same day.

Where to Stay

Most of Alamogordo’s hotels, restaurants, and stores are located along White Sands Boulevard. It’s the most practical part of town to stay if you’re visiting. For something more scenic, Cloudcroft is a quaint town in the Sacramento Mountains. Cloudcroft is considerably cooler, surrounded by forest, and only about half an hour from Alamogordo.

How Long Should You Stay?

1 day is enough to see the main attractions.

Spend the morning or evening in White Sands National Park to avoid the heat, visit a few museums in town, and end the day with a glass of pistachio wine! Alamogordo can also serve as a base for a couple of days if you plan to see Cloudcroft, Three Rivers, or other nearby places. While Alamogordo itself is fairly quiet, white gypsum dunes, pine-covered mountains, space history, and desert landmarks are all within easy reach!