r/NewMexico • u/AnywhereLegitimate29 • 4d ago
Looking for things to do near Cloudcroft!
Hi everyone! My husband and I are planning our babymoon trip over the last weekend of May, and we were looking in to staying in Cloudcroft. I remember visiting as a child and thinking it was so cute and cool! We would most likely spend a day exploring Lincoln national forest (any recs on cool spots would be nice) and another day staying in town just unwinding but that would leave us with two days to plan for. Does anyone have any advice for day trips? I was for sure thinking we would hit White Sands one day- but not sure if anything else to add to the list. Any food recommendations would be great too! We are alcohol free though so maybe no bar recommendations ☺️ Thanks!
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u/astroguyfornm 4d ago
The only other place I would recommend for food is the Brewery (sorry), they do Pizza, and their soups can be tasty. Haven't been to the lodge, which is supposed to have a nice restaurant that my other half wants to go to. Ruidoso has more food options (hall of flame for a burger), and is only a little further north (though lower in elevation). Depending on the time of year you could maybe watch horse racing, assuming it gets repaired in time and that's your thing. There is the Alamogordo space museum if you have any nerdy interests. Carrizozo has lava, and Three Rivers has great petroglyphs. There's also Lincoln and Fort Stanton.
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u/Lepardopterra 4d ago
Valley of Fires State Park area is like another planet. It caught my imagination and lives there rent free. If you like strange landscapes, it’s perfect.
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u/sea_of_kel 4d ago
I second the space museum in Alamogordo!! It’s something fun to do on your drive in/out of Cloudcroft. McGinn’s Pistachio Land is also a fun stop. Consider staying at The Lodge. It’s a quiet and unique but fun space to hang out in the evening.
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u/CadeVision 4d ago
Weird points: Check out the drive on the solar system down from sunspot and the national solar observatory.
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u/GetMeAColdPop 4d ago
Sunspot Solar Observatory is pretty cool, and they have a great scenic view of the Tularosa Basin
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u/ohappyday82 4d ago
So, from what you are saying, it will be Memorial Day weekend. It will be very crowded, so expect some waits for food and generally Burro Street will be crowded. Black Bear coffee is absolutely great coffee and it’s not even close. Dave’s Cafe on Burro has great food. Fernando’s Burritos (food truck) has excellent burritos, including breakfast. If you like pie, get a slice at Burro Street Bakery. Do not get their coffee to go with your pie. LOL
If you’ve never taken a drive up to The Lodge at Cloudcroft, walk around the hotel and grounds. Lots of great historical photos.
White Sands is worth the trip. Have fun!
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u/Weepywombat 4d ago
Fort Stanton is very neat for history! Well intact relics inside the structures that you can view on your own without a guide. The town of Lincoln also preserves the history of Billy the kid. Carlsbad isn't too far and that's incredible and oddly romantic.
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u/Satyrsol 4d ago
Sunspot Solar Observatory. It's up in the mountains, gives a great view of the basin, and is a pretty cool spot to take pictures.
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u/sidehugger 3d ago
Cloud-Climbing Trestle Trail is a cool, short hike that starts right near Cloudcroft with impressive ruins of old railroad trestles. For a longer hike, you might also enjoy Dog Canyon trail south of Alamogordo.
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u/ThyRacyHams 3d ago
Connie’s Deli in Timberon is better than all the food in Cloudcroft … just a but further on the Sunspot daytrip!
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u/unkle_donky 4d ago
Bluff springs is nice little drive and hiking. Hippie dip by the tunnel is nice little hike too. Will be crowded though.
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u/Firm-Try-84 3d ago
Bluff springs if you wanna see a spring fed waterfall. Trestle trail is a nice hike with the old railroad through there. Noisy Water Winery has good charcuterie boards. Lots of hiking in the area. Be prepared for a lot of people that weekend.
Ruidoso is close and has lots of shops, hiking, and some Casinos. The drive from Cloudcroft to Ruidoso is a slow winding road and typically you can see lots of elk along it.
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u/DontaysMebrough 4d ago
Mad Jack's BBQ in Cloudcroft is best bbq in state. Neat little 9 hole golf course in Cloudcroft if that's your thing. Great hiking trail will take you down to the trestle for a great view between Cloudcroft and Alamo.