5 Things You Must Do in Alamogordo

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Alamogordo, meaning “fat cottonwood” in Spanish is in New Mexico. Its fame lies in the fact that first atom bomb testing was done here and also that the first chimp to go to space was born here.

1. Visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History: The museum exhibits early rocket experiments of Robert Goddard to a mock up of the International Space station. It also has an IMAX theater, the only one in New Mexico. Pay a tribute to the astronauts of challenger and Columbia in the Astronaut Memorial Garden and visit the grave of Ham, the first chimpanzee in space.

2. See the local history: Visit the Tularosa Basin Historical Society Museum to see the unique 47 star US flag, everyday use articles of the Mescalero Apache women and photographs of the old city. The admission is free and it is open throughout the week.

3. Take a ride in the Toy Train: The Toy Train Depot Inc is a museum featuring America’s Park Ride Train and scale models of train locomotives, passengers and freight cars. There is a working 16” gauge track rail line that you can ride; the fee is nominal.

4. Visit the historical Oliver Lee Memorial State Park: Named after Oliver Milton Lee, this park exhibit a fully restored 19th century ranch house and has a varied plants and animals from desert plants to plants and animals associated with flowing water.

5. Visit Alamogordo Zoo: The oldest zoo in the south west, it features exotic and southwestern animals.