in New Mexico i've visited the site on February twenty first and twenty second of this year , 2026…read more Established in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico was created to protect, restore, and provide a vital migratory stopover for sandhill cranes, geese, and ducks. Spanning 57,331 acres (30 000 are wilderness), the area has a deep history, having been a home to the Piro people and later named for the Apache tribes that used the riverside forest. The name means "woodland of the Apache" in Spanish, acknowledging the region's historical use by Prior to the 1600s, the Piro people lived in the area, with archeological sites like Qualu indicating substantial early settlements. The area was part of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Road of the Interior Land), with Spanish caravans passing through the vicinity. It's not too far from the Salinas missions. The refuge was officially established in 1939 to conserve migratory birds, particularly after populations had dwindled due to habitat loss. It is famous for playing a critical role in the recovery of the sandhill crane population and serves as a winter home for thousands of waterfowl. It has become an income producer for the hotels. RV's parks and restaurants in the area. It helps rural New Mexico, like many parks in the country, help rural areas. Rep. Vasquez, a New Mexico Congressman stated the consequences of the cancellation of the annual Festival of the Cranes, a major cultural and economic event that typically brings $2 to $3 million in revenue to Socorro County and contributes to the refuge's broader $15.8 to $17 million annual economic impact to the rural area. Like most parks , it's hanging on having had its funding gutted by the recent federal government. Sadly , it's going from forty five staff to ten , which includes several volunteers. There's only two staff assigned to the water management of the wetlands now. They've been able to keep the Visitor Center open with volunteers and a staff member. as it helps provide information and some income from souvenirs. Quite frankly , it almost makes me weep with the amount of intentional destruction that the federal government caused. That's my opinion and I hope and pray that they'll survive to have some funding restored.

The park can see lot of snow geese and sandhill cranes. But at 7am, the temperature only 21degree…read more If you like to watching or taking pictures, you will not be disappointed in here. It is a good place to watch migration. Birds in February.

The Very Large Array is one of those must-see sites if you have a bit of scientific curiosity. It…read moreis very out of the way (to avoid external radio noise), but very well worth the two-hour trip from Albuquerque. It is absolutely inspiring. I recommend attending during an open-house where the researchers, scientists, and support people are there to share their vast knowledge. Stunningly good. https://public.nrao.edu/visit/very-large-array/

Very cool stop we didn't plan on making. So glad we did! Great tour guides and very easy walking…read moretour. Didn't think we would but plan on at least an hour there. Tour guides were very friendly and knowledgeable and didn't make you feel dumb for asking questions.

What a great tour Curtis put together for us!! Happened to meet the Spaceport America Director on…read moreour tour. Quite an honor. So much information! Don't forget to shop for T-shirts and gifts at https://www.spaceportamerica.com/shop/

We stopped into the Spaceport Visitor Center to check it out. It's small and doesn't have a lot but…read moreit has some cool stuff to play with especially if you have kids. They no longer have any trips to the Spaceport so that's a bummer but hopefully soon. I would give it more stores if there was a There is a nice visitors' center in the front with some friendly people to assist. They gave us a few great ideas like the Passion Pie Cafe which I'll go into in a separate review. For good ideas during your visit to T or C, give this place a try.

On the main one-way street [Broadway] through downtown, a sign identifies where to find the public…read morelibrary--an easy block West on Foch Street. Much to my surprise, this fine albeit small branch is located within a very good visitors center, which also includes a museum/information on "Spaceport America", most closely identified with Sir Richard Branson & space tourism. Both the library and the visitors center were very capably handled by two extremely knowledgeable women, each dedicated to bringing the best information & services to any curious individuals who enter. Besides a plethora of printed documents in all forms from newspapers to postcards to maps to fliers, she answered all my queries pertaining to this area, notably "Why would any traveler a hundred years and more before venture away from the reliable freshwater source of the exotic Rio Grande/Rio Bravo by veering Northeast through the forbidding/water-less "Jornada Del Mureto" ("Journey of Death")? [To avoid the inevitable/agonizing pre-(motor)vehicle route over a very rough but relatively "flat" route.] My wife & I walked further inside, to the "Spaceport America" information/museum, stopping briefly to observe an appealing hands-on display/command module for children. Far more interesting were hands-on displays concerning gyroscope effects and keeping your balance/center-of-gravity, both very challenging for astronauts, much less for us non-astronauts!

Neat lil museum of Billy the kid. You can get a free map of local things to see including smokey…read morethe bear burial site and museum. Friendly and helpful staff, definitely stop on in for helpful info about the town

We stopped before driving the Byway, lots of pamphlets and things to do in the area. There's a map…read morethat you can actually walk inside of the byway itself, so you can get a sense of where you're going. We got there shortly before they opened, so checked out the park across the parking lot with the horses - really nice! The woman at the counter was nice, and very helpful. She was able to answer many of our questions. We drove the byway in about 2 hours with a couple of stops, and very much enjoyed the scenery, the Smokey the Bear monument etc... I would highly recommend both the visitor center and the drive!

The visitors center is super informative and great to stop at for souvenirs & more information if…read moreyou're intrigued about White Sands or even want a map of the area. They also offer guided sunset strolls which seems really cool and I even witnessed a child getting sworn in as a junior ranger, too cute!

This visitor center is quite small in size. It's attached to a gift shop that's larger (this is…read morealso where you rent the sleds) Visitor center has few things. In comparison to the other visitor centers we've been to for national parks - this one is really small. Usually there's a section to learn about the location for kids to go through but it wasn't. Very quick in and out situation.

Stop in for all kinds of info. Very helpful staff. Take a walk across the big ditch while you're…read morehere. I needed Billy the kid info, and they came through for me.

Walked in guy sitting behind the desk reading a magazine did not speak to us when we walked in, did…read morenot speak as we walked around, did not ask if we needed anything, did not speak to us when we left the building. If it is a visitors center, a welcome center I believe speaking to people is the best tool you have to help visitors and to engage in conversation. It was odd, awkward and uncomfortable even my 14 year old mentioned how rude it was to not speak to us. To welcome people involves speaking.

Our first visit to Silver City so we went and found the Visitors Center. Very nice building with a…read morereplica of Billy the Kid's cabin on site as well. Inside there is quite a bit of information on the area. But we received the best information from the woman who was manning the desk. She informed us that the Bikes and Blues festival was going on, told us about the different events. Everything we wanted to see; old town, where they were holding the festival were all walking distance from the center. We were able to leave our car there and walk to see all the sights.

Pros: Beautiful and natural landscape..view native plants and watch the sunset…read more Cons: Many state parks and businesses close early. The park office closes early and you won't be able to stamp your travel book etc.

First tip - bring sunglasses. Serious sunglasses. Like the kind you wear after your pupils get…read moredilated at the eye doctor. The sand reflects the sun and makes everything brighter Second - heed the heat warnings. We visited on an 85 degree day. But out on the sand dunes it is hotter. There is no shade. And the white sand reflects the heat making it 10-15 degrees hotter. We actually saw a man being rescued off the Dune Life Nature Trail with heat stroke. This is only a 1 mile loop trail. That being said - this is a pretty quick visit. We drove the 16 mile scenic loop. (Any car can make the drive). Stopped quite a few time for photos. Stopped to climb the dunes. And took a walk down the Playa trail. I think we were in and out in about 2 hours. We wanted to take the Nature Life trail - but didn't want to interfere with the emergency vehicles. And the boardwalk is currently closed. If we had done one of those - that would have added an hour. But White Sands is truly an extraordinary sight. From about 10-15 miles away - you can see the white sand dunes in the distance. As you drive into the park, you see scrappy green and brown vegetation growing out of the gypsum sand and you wonder how but about 4 miles in, most of the vegetation just disappeared and you just see miles of white sand. It's crazy. It's a quick visit, but definitely a visit worth making.

Emily and Andy were amazing tour guides. Super informative and enthusiastic. They did great with…read moretelling the stories and providing comedic relief. Also stayed very professional even with distractions. 10/10 would recommend these two.

We had a great time on our Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque! MARY was a fantastic, informative…read moreand fun guide! Great job MARY and THANK YOU!!