Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
315
the tacos, served soft or crisp. Finish your meal with the Kahlúa sombrero cake, made
with liqueur and topped with toffee whipped cream. Kids have plenty of menu options,
as well as crayons to draw with, and adults can enjoy a full bar.
3601 N. Main St.
&
575/627-6113.
http://tiajuanas.net. Main courses $6-$20. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-
Thurs 11am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm.
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CARLSBAD & ENVIRONS
65 miles S of Roswell; 98 miles SE of Alamogordo; 139 miles E of Las Cruces
Carlsbad, named for a spa in Bohemia, offers almost 3 miles of beaches and paths along
the tree-shaded Pecos River. Founded in the late 1800s, its back streets have many elegant
homes, and its town square encircles a Pueblo-style courthouse designed by New Mexico
architect John Gaw Meem. Besides getting a good tourist business from Carlsbad Cav-
erns, the town thrives on farming, with irrigated crops of cotton, hay, and pecans.
The caverns (see “Carlsbad Caverns National Park,” later in this chapter) are the big
attraction, having drawn more than 33 million visitors since opening in 1923. A satellite
community, White's City (www.whitescity.com), was created 20 miles south of Carlsbad
at the park entrance junction. The family of Jack White, Jr., owns all its motels, restau-
rants, gift shops, and other attractions.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
From Albuquerque, take 1-40 east 59 miles to Clines Corners; turn
south on US 285, and travel 216 miles to Carlsbad via Roswell (6 hr.). From El Paso,
take US 62/180 east (3 hr.).
New Mexico Airlines
(
&
888/564-6119;
www.pacificwings.com/nma) provides
commercial service, with daily flights between Albuquerque and
Cavern City Air Termi-
nal
(
&
575/887-3060
), 4 miles south of the city via National Parks Highway (US
62/180). You can rent a car from
Enterprise,
609 N. Canal St. (
&
575/887-3039
); with
an advance reservation they will pick you up at the airport.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
and the
Carlsbad
Convention and Visitors Bureau,
both at 302 S. Canal St. (US 285), P.O. Box 910,
Carlsbad, NM 88220 (
&
800/221-1224
or 575/887-6516; www.carlsbadchamber.com),
are open Monday from 9am to 5pm and Tuesday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
EXPLORING CARLSBAD
Carlsbad's pride and joy is the broad Pecos River, with a 3
1
/
2
-mile
riverwalk
along the
tree-shaded banks, beginning near the north end of Riverside Drive. This is a lovely place
for a picnic, and if you'd like to cool off, a municipal beach at the north end has chang-
ing rooms and showers. Annual
Christmas on the Pecos
pontoon boat rides take
place each evening from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve (except Christmas Eve), past a
fascinating display of Christmas lights on riverside homes and businesses. Advance reser-
vations, available from the chamber of commerce, are required.
The
Carlsbad Museum and Art Center,
418 W. Fox St., 1 block west of Canal Street
(
&
575/887-0276
), contains Apache relics, pioneer artifacts, and an impressive art col-
lection. The museum's store has a small but fine selection of jewelry and books at reason-
able prices. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm;
admission is free, although donations are welcome. If you're looking to shop, check out
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