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SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO

POST-TOUR ONLY

Available Space | 20
Post Tour | 3 nights, depart El Paso Oct. 24, return to EL Paso to fly home Oct. 27
Hotel |  MCM Elegante Ruidiso, Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces
Highlights | Fort Stanton State Monument, Hubbard Museum, Spencer Theatre, Inn of Mountain Gods, NM Museum of Space History, White Sands National Monument, NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, Historic Plaza, La Posta Restaurant, Double Eagle Restaurant and so much more!
Physical Ability | Some areas may be Level 2 Moderate but in most cases Level 1 Easy

 

Cost:

-Active $450

-Associate $525

-Emeritus $550

-Spouse $550

 

Disclaimer: Tour is subject to change based on number of participants. Organizer reserves the right to cancel the tour or change the tour itinerary if necessary. Deadline for cancellation to be determined with guidance by SATW.

 

There will be no refunds for the pre- and post-tours as those funds go to the entities providing the trips.

Description

The Southern New Mexico experience invites to explore and discover the diverse history and rich culture of the Land of Enchantment. It is truly where the old west meets the new frontier. Known for legends like Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett, past and future space travel and excellent cuisine, you will find during the tour there is plenty to write about. Start with the mountains in Ruidoso, NM, just a short drive from El Paso, you feel like you are in another world. Visit Fort Stanton State Monument, the historic home of Kit Carson, Black Jack Pershing and the Buffalo Soldiers. Explore the Hubbard Museum of the American West, featuring over 10,000 equine artifacts and a sculpture of art engineered to balance 8 bronze hours on one hoof. Be dazzled by the Spencer Theater, a $22-million structure with outstanding acoustics, standout architecture and a presence that is both intimidating and elegant. Get your game on with a visit to the Inn of Mountain Gods and Casino. Not only can you try your luck at black jack, you can enjoy the breathtaking views and Native American art displayed throughout the venue. Next stop on your adventure of New Mexico, will be the high desert town of Alamogordo. It is home to the New Mexico Museum of Space History, which includes Robert Goddards’ early rocket experiments, an IMAX theater, a Planetarium and a mock-up of the International Space Station. You will feel like you are in outer space when you climb the dunes of White Sands National Monument, one of the world’s most renowned monuments made up of 275 square miles of surreal white gypsum dunes. No visit to New Mexico would be complete without a day or two in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a southern gem that invites visitors to discover its impressive historical sites, rich culture and world-class Mexican food. A tour of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum tells the story of the 3,000-year history of agriculture in our state, including live demonstrations. Walk the plaza of historic Mesilla, where Billy the Kid was held behind bars but is now full of restaurants and shops.

Itinerary

DAY 1 – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24                                                                                                      

 

 

DAY 2 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25                                                                                                             

 

 

DAY 3 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26                                                                                                      

  • Morning: You will be transported from Hotel Encanto to the Farmers and Craft Market, ranked one of the best in the country, where you will eat breakfast at local food trucks on site and shop the market (8:30am – 10:00 am).
  • Midday: For lunch the group will head to Sparky’s, famous for their green chile cheeseburger. Afterwards, we’ll head to historic Mesilla, for a walking tour and visit historian Paul Taylor who celebrates his 99th birthday in August, with time to shop the plaza in Mesilla. Then will head over to Double Eagle for appetizer’s/drink samples and ghost story. (5:00pm-6:00pm).
  • Evening: Dinner at iconic, colorful La Posta (6:30pm – 8:00pm). Return to hotel.

 

 

DAY 4 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27                                                                                                           

  • Morning: Check out of the Hotel Encanto, and off to the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, on outstanding indoor/outdoor glimpse at farming and ranching life, complete with livestock and more, for breakfast and a tour.
  • 1 p.m. Box lunches will be provided at the Farm and Ranch Museum, and the group will head back to El Paso for departures. Participants will arrive back at the El Paso airport no later than 3 p.m. on Oct. 27 but probably a bit earlier. Hotel rooms will be provided for those who need one.