So much to do

For site-seekers and the curious, day trips from Hacienda De Mi Madre offer a range of opportunities. Choose from family fun in nearby parks to exploring cultural and natural history to learning about space travel to great contemporary shopping, and more.

Classic mission style

Search your surroundings

The Village of Tularosa was originally settled in the 1850s as a farming community and was incorporated in 1863. Located in the delta area of the Tularosa River, it’s name means “many cattails.” The original 49 Blocks have an open ditch irrigation system which accounts for the vast number of trees in the village.

Today’s traveler can enjoy pleasant, shaded strolls through the neighborhoods or easily walk to nearby eating places or art and gift shops, and even a market that specializes in New Mexico chiles. Get acquainted at the Village of Tularosa web site.

Dune sledding at White Sands

Active and outdoors

An expansive and unique dune field of soft gypsum sand, White Sands National Monument is a fun-filled destination for dune sledding, hiking, bicycling, stargazing, picnicking and breath-taking photography.

Contrast the white dunes with the rugged, rolling black lava formations at Valley of Fires Recreation Area. For moderate to rugged hiking, visit Oliver Lee Memorial State Park with its rich cultural history, or the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site with its centuries-old rock markings.

Visitors may also enjoy a longer day trip to the extraordinary wonders of Carlsbad Caverns.

Rock climbing at Oliver Lee

Step back in time

History comes alive on many levels in Otero County. For a look upward, visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo or drive to the mountaintop village of Cloudcroft. A scenic drive to the northeast over Sierra Blanco leads to Smokey Bear Historical Park, birthplace and resting place for one of America’s most famous symbols, and Fort Stanton, which housed Buffalo Soldiers, legends of the Old West and German POWs during its long tenure.

Two times a year, visitors can enter the nearby White Sands Missile Range to visit Trinity Site, the scene of the first nuclear explosion.

Petroglyphs at Three Rivers

Sure bets for fun

About an hour to the west, Las Cruces offers a diverse cultural history that comes alive today in its art galleries and fiestas. Horse racing, great food and upscale shopping are a short drive away in Ruidoso while the Inn of the Mountain Gods serves up the best in dining, entertainment and gaming. In the winter, test your downhill skills on the 55 runs, 750 acres and 1,900-foot vertical drop of Ski Apache.

And to really stretch the outer limits of your imagination, take off to legendary Roswell to sample its festivals, museums and mysteries.