El Paso
International Airport to Ruidosos
Directions and Things to Do & See
Driving Directions from El Paso
International Airport to Hawthorn Suites, Ruidoso NM
Exit Airport to
US 180 West approximately 2 miles. Merge onto I 10 West ½ mile to
Exit 22B US 54/Patriots Freeway to Alamogordo. Merge onto US 54
North. Travel 89 miles through Alamogordo to Tularosa. Merge right
to US 70 East. Travel 30 miles to NM 48/Sudderth Drive. Travel 3.5
miles through Mid-town Ruidoso. Take sharp right onto Mechem (still
NM 48). Travel 2.2 miles to Sierra Blanca Drive (Just before U.S.
Post Office) Turn right. The Ruidoso Convention Center is at the
bottom of the hill. Total miles - 144. Driving time approximately 2
½ hours.
White Sands National Monument
Just before
getting to Alamogordo, exit to 70 West toward Las Cruces. The White
Sands National Monument Visitors Center (575-479-6124) is 15 miles.
From the Visitors Center take Dunes Drive, which goes 8 miles into
the heart of the dunes. There are four marked walking trails
including the wheel chair accessible Interdune Boardwalk which
allows you to explore the dunes on foot. There are
picnic areas
and restrooms in the park, however drinking water is only available
at the Visitors Center.
The 4000 square
mile White Sands Missile Range that was used to test rockets
captured from the German armed forces in World War II surrounds the
park. It is still used as a testing site today.
Alamogordo
You can take
the bypass around Alamogordo or go through the town, which has many
fast food restaurants. Try the Compass Rose Pub with its wonderful
sandwiches and stews and Compass Rose micro-brewed beers.
Take in the
Space Hall of Fame Museum and IMAX Dome Theater (575-437-2840) open
9AM to 5PM daily. There are over 20,000 square feet of exhibits
including the original lunar rover training vehicle. From US 70/54,
which is White Sands Blvd., turn right onto Indian Wells. Follow to
Scenic Drive, turn left and then right onto 2001. To get back to US
70/54, return down the hill. Take right on Scenic Drive and follow
to US 70/54, then right and continue through Tularosa to Ruidoso.
Stop at the Eagle Ranch Pistachio Farm for a tour and be sure to try
the white chocolate pistachio ice cream.
Cloudcroft,
NM
An optional
drive to Ruidoso is through Cloudcroft, NM. From US 70/54 take a
right on Highway 82 for a 20 minute beautiful drive up to 9,000 feet
to Cloudcroft, NM. Two interesting places for lunch include the
Western Bar & Café (575-682-2445) for truly great hamburgers. Take
left 1 block to Burro Street. For a more gourmet luncheon, visit
Rebecca’s (575-682-2566) at the historic Lodge at Cloudcroft.
National Solar Observatory – Sunspot
Also while in
the Cloudcroft area, visit the National Solar Observatory, Sunspot,
NM. The Visitors Center is open from 10AM to 6PM during the Summer
and 10AM to 4PM on weekends in the Winter. From Highway 82, turn
right onto NM 130 1.3 miles. Then turn right onto NM 6563. 17.5
miles.
Whether you travel via Tularosa or
through Cloudcroft, enjoy your drive to Ruidoso and take advantage
of the many things to see and do along the way.
We look forward to welcoming you to
the Ruidoso Convention Center
