Alamogordo

Spend some time in this small New Mexico town that is big on thrilling outdoor adventures and space history.

Surrounded by a vast area of desert and mountain ranges, Alamogordo's epic landscapes are ripe for exploration. The New Mexico city fascinates with its space and military history and a trip to the town will present the chance to learn about the development of rockets, hike up cliffs or go on a nighttime bike ride across a lunar-like landscape.

Those who love the outdoors will find plenty to entertain in Alamogordo. Embark on a hiking expedition through Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, a sprawling protected region at the mouth of Dog Canyon in the Sacramento Mountains. Take the path that winds along a limestone ravine and up cliffs for superb views of the desert landscape.

Explore the vast area of gypsum dunes at the White Sands National Monument, a dazzling natural wonder covering 275 square miles (712 square kilometers) of desert. Go on ranger-guided hikes, full-moon bike rides and scenic drives to discover the features of the dunes. Adjacent to the national monument is the White Sands Missile Range, the site of the world's first atomic bomb explosion.

Learn more about the area's history at the New Mexico Museum of Space History, an institution dedicated to the role that New Mexico has played in the U.S. space program. See rockets, moon rock and satellites and visit the grave of Ham the chimp, the first primate in space. The museum is also the home of the International Space Hall of Fame where you can learn about the country’s most famous astronauts. The space museum is a great place to take children, as is Alameda Park Zoo, which houses more than 250 exotic and indigenous animals.

For your evening's entertainment, reserve seats at the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts. The theater hosts plays, concerts, musicals and dance recitals.

Reach Alamogordo by flying into El Paso International Airport, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of the city before continuing by rented car. Trains also go as far as El Paso. You can also experience the adventure and captivating history of the state by traveling by bus.