What are the scenic drives and things to see in this area other than White Sands National Monument?

Any favorite restaurants or places to stay?

HTTY

There's the National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak near Cloudcroft.

http://nsosp.nso.edu/pr/

You can visit the nearby Apache Point Observatory as well.

http://www.apo.nmsu.edu/

Both offer scenic views from their observation platforms, and there is a visitor's center at the NSO.

Who's going--just you? A couple or family? My husband and I have stayed at the Lodge at Cloudcroft:

http://www.thelodgeresort.com/

We've stayed there with our kids in one of the Pavillion rooms, which is just down the road from the hotel but has a little extra room and you can still use the sauna and hot tub.
We haven't been much since they built a gazebo over the hot tub.

We've gone hiking several times in the Lincoln National Forest:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/lincoln

Lincoln is near Ruidoso and Cloudcroft. With its Billy the Kid connections, it's a scenic bit of Old West history.

Lee Ann

Thanks for these suggestions. We will use them.

HTTY

Cranachin,

Are there vistas when driving from Cloudcroft to the National Solar Observatory, or is the road mostly lined with trees barring expansive views?

HTTY

HTTY -

I haven't actually been to the observatories, although I wanted to visit them. But I have heard the trip is worth it.

I HAVE done the Socorro-Carrizozo-Alamogordo-Artesia (with trip down to Carlsbad)-Roswell-Capitan-Carrizozo-Socorro route many years ago, and I remember it being quite scenic (desert in parts, forest in parts). I do remember there were good vistas on at least parts of the Roswell to Socorro stretch, because we could see Sierra Blanca Peak. I wish I could remember what the drive through Cloudcroft was like, but unfortunately it has been too long. I just remember that there were trees, but not how many, and I'm not sure where my pictures are.

I can second Lee Ann's vote for Lincoln, though - it was quite interesting.

http://www.nmmonuments.org/inst.php?inst=7

The Wortley Hotel in Lincoln has important Billy the Kid connections. I don't know what the accommodations and the food are like, but you might want to check it out just because of the history.

http://www.wortleyhotel.com/index.html

You can also stop in Capitan at Smokey Bear Historical Park. The real-life Smokey Bear (no "the" in the middle) was found near Capitan as a cub in 1950 and was buried there in 1976. We did not go to Ruidoso, so I can't comment on it.

http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD/Smok...eyBearPark.htm

Another place of possible interest is the Trinity Site (first atomic explosion). The Trinity Site is open to tour only twice a year, the first Saturdays in April and October. Entrance to the T.S. is near San Antonio, south of Socorro. San Antonio, by the way, is notable as the birthplace of Conrad Hilton and home to the Owl Bar and Café, famous for its green chile cheeseburgers.

over 21000 petroglyphs at the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site at Three Rivers, New Mexico , located about 30 miles north of Tularosa is fun to climb and wonder around looking and finding countless rock art .. course the In of the Mountain Gods casino resort is well worth a visit even if not gambling .. huge lake and other stuff to do .. Lincoln is worth the drive and visit the many museums in the small town, it is not commercial at all . we stopped and took pictures of the many old missions as well .. White Sands is fun to sled down the hills .. rent the sleds at the visitor center .. hot and dry out there as well .. Smokey Bear Museum is cool .. lot of this stuff is in higher cool mountain areas .. hope you have a fun time.. Cloud Croft was not much to see but the sun observatories were actually more interesting .. the drive is beautiful .. get a map cause the road can get confusing, everything looks the same since they wind this way and that .. Ruidosa is a small fun place to walk and lots of good eats .. the visitor center is very helpful there ..

Thanks, 2dogs, for the encouragement. We will use your
suggestions when we are in NM next week.

HTTY

Ruisidoso is under siege with a massive fire. Your plans may need to be changed.

http://www.ruidosonews.com/

Yikes! Thanks for the heads up.

I'll keep myself informed: "Ruidoso is open for business and is not currently impacted by the fire. Visitor and Tourist areas are open and it is business as usual. If you are planning a trip it is a good idea to confirm your plans but, at this point we are open and all is good here. The race track and casino were not damaged in the blaze which was behind their location."

http://www.ruidoso.net/forestconditions/fires.html

HTTY

I only know what we see on our local news, which serves the whole state. Glad to know things still seem to be functioning down there. It is dry, windy here and that makes for very tough conditions. Hopefully, all will be well for your trip.