Things to do in Alamogordo, New Mexico: The ULTIMATE Weekend Guide
Are you looking for the best things to do during an Alamogordo weekend trip? Then you are in the right place. Alamogordo is a beautiful small town in New Mexico, mostly famous for its proximity to the White Sands National Park.
But the town has so much more to offer than that. Keep on reading and find out how to best spend a 3-day weekend in Alamogordo, NM.
Let’s get to it!
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Side note: The following post was written by Sabrina, a local of Alamogordo. This way, you can be sure you are reading the best and most accurate weekend in Alamogordo itinerary. Locals know best! See the author’s bio at the end for more information.
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Top Things to do in Alamogordo: Quick Weekend Trip Overview
Short on time? Here’s a quick overview of the best things to do in Alamogordo during your 3-day getaway! From epic sunsets to unique roadside attractions, you’ll fall in love with this little corner of New Mexico.
- Day 1: Hike the Alamo Canyon Trail, lunch at 19th Hole, Pistachioland, & sunset stroll at White Sands, dinner at D.H. Lescombes
- Day 2: Breakfast at Plateau Espresso, hike Alkali Flat Trail, dinner at SJ’s Si Senor, and drinks at 575 Brewing Company
- Day 3: Hike the Osha Trail, Alameda Park Zoo, Toy Train Depot, Heart of the Deserts Winery, and dinner at Pizza Patio
Keep reading below for all the details to make planning the perfect weekend trip to Alamogordo seamless!
How do I get to Alamogordo?
The closest airport to Alamogordo is in El Paso. You will need a rental car to go from El Paso to Alamogordo since there is no good public transportation system in place in Southern New Mexico.
What is the best time to visit Alamogordo?
The best time to visit Alamogordo and the White Sands National Park is Spring or Fall. In the summer, it can get extremely hot, while in winter temperatures drop below freezing. There are a lot of things to do in Alamogordo that happen outside, so be sure to check temperatures before booking your trip.
Where should I stay in Alamogordo?
Alamogordo itself is not very big, and most hotels are in the same area of town. Sadly, there are no hotels directly near the White Sands National Park.
It is possible to camp there if you obtain permission first. Most Alamogordo hotels are on the Southern side of town, along the White Sands Boulevard. This is a great area to stay in Alamogordo since most restaurants are in that area as well.
Recommendations:
- Budget-friendly Option: Days Inn By Wyndham Alamogordo
- Mid-range Option: Holiday Inn Express & Suites
- Luxury Option: Home2Suites By Hilton Alamogordo
- Dog-friendly Stay: Home2Suites By Hilton Alamogordo
- Unique Option: White Sands Backcountry Camping
Sample 3-Day Alamogordo Weekend Itinerary
Now that we’ve covered a bit of the background info, let’s dive into the complete 3-day Alamogordo itinerary!
Day 1 in Alamogordo
- Morning:
Starting off your first morning in Alamogordo, you should explore one of the cool hiking trails that start right next to the city. Alamogordo is located near the Sacramento Mountains, so that is an awesome place to explore.
Our favorite trail is the Alamo Canyon Trail, which will lead you through the canyons and provide an awesome view of the Tularosa Basin. The hike is moderately challenging, but the views are definitely worth it.
Alternatively, you can check out the Goat Springs trail, which starts right near Desert Foothills Park. This trail is a little more challenging but totally worth it as well. The views over the city are just too good to pass up on.
If you are not so much into hiking, a great place to check out in town is the Tularosa Basin Museum of History. You can learn so much about the White Sands National Park, the city of Alamogordo and also about the neighboring towns Ruidoso, Three Rivers, and Cloudcroft.
- Afternoon
Grab some lunch at the 19th Hole Grill & Bar – they serve delicious Mexican food.
Since it can get pretty hot in the afternoons, it is a great time for indoor exploration. Alamogordo has some pretty neat museums, like the American Museum of Space History or the Shroud Exhibit and Museum.
This is also a great time for souvenir shopping. You can check out the biggest pistachio in the world at McGinn’s Pistachioland and buy some delicious nuts there. They also sell all sorts of local stuff, so it is a great place to check out. If the weather is nice, you can ride a small train through the orchard and even taste their delicious pistachio wine.
- Evening:
In the evening, you can check out one of my favorite things on the trip: the Sunset Stroll with a ranger at White Sands National Park.
This activity is completely free, and you can learn so much. You can sign up for the walk in the visitor center, and they’ll direct you to the meeting point. You can also watch a quick movie in the visitor center, so you’ll already have some background information on the park.
The sunset stroll takes about an hour, and the ranger will walk the dunes with you as the sun sets behind the Organ Mountains. It is truly a sight to behold. This is also a great opportunity to snap some pictures, so make sure to bring your phone or camera.
After the sunset stroll, have a nice first dinner at D.H. Lescombes. Make sure to reserve your table beforehand, it is the busiest restaurant in town.
Read my full guide to visiting this epic National Park!
Day 2 in Alamogordo
- Morning:
Start off your second day in Alamogordo with a delicious breakfast at Plateau Espresso. This small café is one of my favorite places in town. They have awesome breakfast sandwiches and an amazing view too.
Head over to the White Sands National Park for a bigger hike. I recommend the Alkali Flat Trail. It is the longest trail in the park, but it is also the most beautiful. You can plan for a 3-hour hike, with some stops in between.
Make sure to pack plenty of water and some sunscreen. If you’d like, you can also bring a picnic blanket and a basket full of food for lunch. There are even BBQ stations you can use, and it is the perfect backdrop for a meal.
This activity will take most of your day. After all that hiking, you’ll probably want to jump into the hotel pool and relax a bit in the sun until dinner time.
- Evening:
For the second evening in Alamogordo, you should definitely check out SJ’s Si Senor. This is the best Mexican restaurant in town, and locals are raving about it.
They don’t take reservations, so you’ll have to be there early to snatch a table. Make sure to try some of their mixed food platters, so you can try a couple of Mexican dishes all at once. Of course, you need to sample the locally grown chiles as well.
If you would like a drink after your meal, head over to 575 Brewing Company. It is the hangout spot in the city.
Psst: White Sands National Park is DOG-FRIENDLY and it’s one of my all-time favorite dog-friendly national parks. We stopped here on our pup-friendly New Mexico Road Trip.
Day 3 in Alamogorgdo:
- Morning:
On your last day in Alamogordo, you can either head back to White Sands for another trail or venture up the Sacramento Mountains into the Lincoln National Forest.
Great trails in the area are the Bridal Veil Falls Trail and the Osha Trail. You can even see the stunning Mexican Canyon Railroad Trestle on your way.
Make sure to stop at the Tunnel Vista Observation Site on your way up the mountain for an awesome view.
- Afternoon:
In the afternoon, you should check out the Alameda Park Zoo. It is a great place to see some wildlife and learn about them at the same time.
If zoos are not your thing, you can check out the Toy Train Depot or the American Armed Forces Museum.
- Evening
On your last evening, you should head over to the Heart of the Deserts Winery. They have a tasting patio where you can sample some locally grown wine. Make sure to try their specialty wines, such as the chile wine or the pistachio wine.
After some delicious sips of wine, have dinner at Pizza Patio. It is the most beloved pizza joint in town, and you can even sit outside if the weather is nice.
If pizza is not your thing, try Thai Cuisine, they have delicious and authentic food as well.
Other Things To Do in Alamogordo
- Desert Lakes Golf Course: the beautiful golf course is a great place to check out if you have some extra time. You can play a round and enjoy the beautiful backdrop of the Sacramento Mountains.
- Tularosa is a cute little town close to Alamogordo. They have some great shops for souvenirs, with lots of local and indigenous art on display. Check out beautiful potter and handwoven rugs.
- The Three Rivers Petroglyph Site is a bit outside of Alamogordo as well, but it is very interesting. You can see ancient petroglyphs carved in stone there.
Where (else) to Eat in Alamogordo:
- Carino’s Italian Restaurant: serving delicious Italian cuisine, and even having a happy hour. This is a great place for pasta lovers.
- Y’all Steakhouse is a great place for meat lovers. You can eat delicious steak in a lovely atmosphere.
- Caliche’s Frozen Custard: Caliches is a small ice cream shop that sells delicious sweet treats. Make sure to try their typical New Mexican ice cream with green chile sauce, it is a hidden gem tip.
Other Tips to Know Before Visiting Alamogordo:
- You will definitely need a car to get around Alamogorod. The city does not have a public transportation system.
- Alamogordo is located near the White Sands Missile Range. When driving on the highway, it is possible that they close it down for an hour for missile tests.
- For the same reason, check with White Sands National Park if there are any tests scheduled. It is possible that they have to close the park from time to time
- If you want to combine your visit with other cute towns in the area, check out Ruidoso and Cloudcroft.
- It can get pretty hot and sunny in the Tularosa Basin, so make sure to bring always enough water and sunscreen.
About the Author!
Sabrina is an Alamogordo local and knows all the spots and hidden gems in the area. She is a hobby blogger exploring New Mexico together with her husband. Check out all things New Mexico on her blog or Instagram!
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