10 Things to do in Carlsbad That You Shouldn't Miss

January 4, 2022 Alice Mieles

The internationally known Carlsbad Caverns are the biggest tourist draw in this city on the Pecos River. But before or after you've experienced the magnificent caves, you can round out your weekend with some wonderful above-ground sights and activities. If the thought of caves conjures up visions of narrow spaces and dark, cold clamminess, the comfortable year-round 56-degree climate, wide-open spaces and magical underworld of naturally created sculptures will amaze and enthrall you. In the summer, you get to see another natural wonder - some one million bats taking to the skies from the cave entrance every evening at sundown. Hardier cave explorers can take a side trip to the wilder Slaughter Cave for a down and dirty ranger-led tour. Come out from under to the zoo at Living Desert State Park for a glimpse of Chihuahuan Desert wildlife - everything from mountain lions, buffalo, bears and coyotes to reptiles, prairie dogs and roadrunners. Head over to the Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area for river swimming and waterskiing or to Guadalupe Mountains National Park for hiking trails with diverse terrain and incredible views.
Restaurants in Carlsbad

1. ATC Shooting Sports LLC

1530 Morris Rd., Carlsbad, NM 88220 +1 575-885-0504 [email protected] http://www.atcshootingsports.com
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

3 Skeet fields, 1x 5 Stand. $25 per hundred targets. Shooting clay targets with a shotgun. Shotgun rental available $8 per gun. Shooting vests. Shotgun shells availble if requested. Training extra. Normal operation is Saturdays 8-12 Time change Tuesday, Thursday 5-dusk.

2. Carlsbad Museum and Art Center

418 W Fox St, Carlsbad, NM 88220-5743 +1 575-887-0276 http://www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com/departments/carlsbad-museum-and-art-center/
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 252 reviews

Carlsbad Museum and Art Center

Reviewed By UmaL_12 - San Francisco, United States

Has a good collection of old pottery , and history of the finding of the Carlsbad caves . The musuem shop has great unique products from local artisans.

3. Sitting Bull Falls

Eddy County Rd 409 Lincoln National Forest, Carlsbad, NM +1 575-885-4181 http://carlsbadnewmexico.com/place/sitting-bull-falls/
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 299 reviews

Sitting Bull Falls

Reviewed By 556terrilld - Yuma, United States

The falls area was beautiful and the staff very helpful in planning out our day of hiking the area. Definitely give this place a visit, you'll be very pleased!

120 S Canyon St, Carlsbad, NM 88220-5733 +1 575-887-1210
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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4.5 based on 16 reviews

The Artist Gallery

5. Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area

Park Drive, Carlsbad, NM http://www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com/ParksRecreation.cfm
Excellent
52%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 67 reviews

Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area

Reviewed By moosgang2 - Rockport, United States

If you are in need of some walking time, this is a wonderful place to walk. Well kept sidewalks line both sides of the Pecos River with places to park and play throughout. My favorite hour walk was to park by the blue floating walk-bridge and make a 3 mile loop from there down (south) round the furthermost point and up the other side. You can watch families swimming and fishing, watch the 100s of ducks and enjoy the dry heat and water views as you walk.

6. Pecos River Antique Mall

110 S Canyon St, Carlsbad, NM 88220-5733 +1 575-234-9977 http://www.pecosriverantiquemall.com/
Excellent
75%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
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4.5 based on 8 reviews

Pecos River Antique Mall

Old address.107 S. canyon Street Carlsbad, NM 88220

7. Frankie's Irish Tours

Excellent
67%
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4.5 based on 3 reviews

Frankie's Irish Tours

Here at Frankie’s Irish Tours we are a small family run business. We specialize in running small group tours to Ireland and experiencing life in Ireland as a local with a local as your guide. We bring our guests to the locals where they are, whether it be at their houses, at their local pubs or at their place of work. Anybody can get on a big bus tour or plan a trip themselves to see the famous scenes of Ireland, but what we pride ourselves in is giving people the real Irish experience, which is embedded in their people. I have worked and lived all over the country in my 50 years there I am delighted to be able to offer people an insider’s view of Ireland and the Irish way of life. I am fortunate enough to have connections all over the country and that my friends and family are willing to open up their homes and lives to the guests that travel with me to allow them to get the true and authentic Irish experience.

8. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park

1504 Miehls Dr, Carlsbad, NM 88220-3057 +1 575-887-5516 [email protected] http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/livingdesertstatepark.html
Excellent
43%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 524 reviews

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park

Overlooking the Pecos River Valley, this fascinating park exhibits the varied plant and animal life of the arid Chihuahuan Desert region. Visitors can observe caged animals like snakes, lizards and birds of prey, plus larger animals such as bison and antelope, which are held in pens. Or walk along a nature trail past cacti, agaves, yuccas and other native plant life.

Reviewed By TrailBlazer312848

This is a one of a kind place for all ages. Beautiful plant life of the region and many species of animal life found in this area. The paths walk you through a part of the Chihuahuan Desert with ease on a paved trail outside. Wonderful afternoon for families with kids of school age and above. Inside they have many displays of the local area giving everyone a view of natural beauty found right in own back yard. It is a short drive , five minutes or so from the bottom of the hill in Carlsbad to where is located overlooking the city. Grat time for all!

9. Fiesta Drive-In Theatre

401 W Fiesta Drive, Carlsbad, NM +1 575-885-4126 http://www.facebook.com/fiestadrivein
Excellent
56%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
22%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 9 reviews

Fiesta Drive-In Theatre

10. Carlsbad Cruises Day Tours

Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
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Terrible
12%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 17 reviews

Carlsbad Cruises Day Tours

Carlsbad Cruises is located in Carlsbad, New Mexico along the beautiful Pecos River. Just a few miles down the road from the world famous Carlsbad Caverns, you can enjoy an oasis surrounded by tree shaded parks. Climb aboard one of Carlsbad Cruises boats and enjoy a relaxing hour long guided ride down the Pecos River, or bask in the sunshine and swim at our free beach area. We rent paddle boats, kayaks and more including a full service concession stand with the best snow cones in the southwest. We have everything you need to make the most of a day at New Mexico's secret beach!

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