Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
324
Casa Blanca
The ideal situation in this part of the world is to be just a few minutes
away from the Bosque del Apache. That way, you only have to get out of bed a half-hour
or so before sunup in order to get to the wildlife refuge and see the morning flight (see
“Oasis in the Desert: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge,” below). Casa Blanca
is the place to stay for this reason. It's a cozy Victorian farmhouse and home to proprietor
Phoebe Wood, a former schoolteacher. The place has a genuine homelike quality—
comfortable and well maintained. The best room is the Heron, with a queen-size bed and
private bathroom with a whirlpool tub. A morning snack and coffee are offered for those
leaving early to the Bosque, and later, upon your return a full breakfast is available. Fruit,
cereals, eggs and home-baked muffins are served in a homey kitchen. Smoking is not
permitted.
13 Montoya St. (P.O. Box 31), San Antonio, NM 87832.
&
575/835-3027.
www.casablancabedandbreakfast.
com. 3 units. $80-$100 double. Rates include generous breakfast. MC, V. Closed June-Sept. Pets welcome.
Holiday Inn Express
Kids
Opened in 2007, this new hotel right within town,
with good access to I-25, offers the region's best lodgings. Rooms come in kings, two
queens, and suites. All are medium size, with lounge chairs and/or desks and/or two
chairs and tables. The rooms, decorated in earth tones, have comfortable beds and nice
linens. The suites have sofa beds, a good option for those traveling with children. Bath-
rooms are medium size, with granite countertops. Service here is courteous and efficient.
A hot breakfast is served in the sunny breakfast room or on the patio.
1040 California St. NE, Socorro, NM 87801.
&
800/HOLIDAY
[465-4329] or 575/838-4600. Fax 575/838-
4700. www.hiexpress.com/socorronm. 77 units. $105 double; $135 suite. Rates include breakfast. AE, DISC,
MC, V.
Amenities:
Health club; Jacuzzi; indoor pool.
In room:
A/C, TV, fridge, hair dryer, microwave, Wi-Fi.
11
Camping
Casey's Socorro RV Park
(
&
800/674-2234
or 575/835-2234) offers mountain and
valley views and plenty of shade, as well as 100 sites and 30 full hookups. Tenting is
available, as are picnic tables, grills, and ice. A playground and swimming pool are open
year-round. To reach Casey's, take I-25 to exit 147, go 1 block west on Business I-25 and
then 1 block south on West Frontage Road.
WHERE TO DINE IN THE SOCORRO AREA
Manny's Buckhorn Tavern
AMERICAN For years, the cafe across the street
from this place in San Antonio (10 miles south of town), the Owl Bar, held the state's
title for the best green-chile cheeseburger. More recently, this spry contender has come
to dominate the ring. With the title has come a slew of press, including
GQ
magazine
naming its burgers on their national top-20 burger list.
Travel + Leisure
and the
New York
Times
have also written about this charming place that's full of local color. It has hard-
wood floors, beer neons, and memorabilia on the walls—a Christ crucifix, antelope
antlers—set above cozy booths. Order their specialty, a Buckhorn Burger, made with
hand-patted 80% lean beef topped with green chile and cheese. On the side, choose fries
or onion rings, both good and crispy. If you're not a burger fan, try the tacos or tamales.
Wash your meal down with a beer or margarita from the full bar.
Building 68, NM 380, San Antonio (10 miles south of Socorro).
&
575/835-4423.
All menu items under
$8. MC, V. Mon-Sat 11am-8pm.
Stage Door Grill
STEAKS/SEAFOOD/CAJUN Set in the historic 1850 Elf-
ego Baca building, with adobe walls, a viga ceiling, and bright paintings, this new restau-
rant serves tasty steaks, seafood, burgers, pasta, and Cajun dishes. A little dark inside, the
