Location: Carlsbad
Top Things to do in Carlsbad
- 1. Carlsbad Museum and Art Center
- 2. Sitting Bull Falls
- 3. Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour
- 4. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
- 5. Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area
- 6. Bat Flight Program in Carlsbad Cavern National Park
- 7. Brantley Lake State Park
- 8. Pecos River Flume
- 9. Pecos River Antique Mall
- 10. Carlsbad Water Park
The 10 Best Things to Do in Carlsbad, United States
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. Carlsbad Museum and Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By AdventurousRetirees - Lone Tree, Colorado
Over the years we have been to caverns the world over, this ranks in the very top. Our recommendation is you walk down into the caverns; don't cheat yourself by taking the elevator to the cavern and missing the awe as you walk in. The walk is easy, no stairs going down, just a windy and well paved path leading down. Stop often to look up and down to see how deep you are getting! The Big Room is just that - it is BIG! Great way to spend a couple of hours. There are very clean bathrooms and refreshments available down at the bottom as well. Take the elevator back up, it is easy and convenient.
2. Sitting Bull Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By Nikki W - Victoria, Texas
If you have the patience to venture past the desert terrain and explore the rode less traveled, then you may find this to be as amazing as we did!
Words and reviews cannot portray the spiritual connection felt in this paradise. We went late in the day and after the folks with kids and the other tourist departed, we were able to fully enjoy the space.
A gorgeous oasis!
3. Carlsbad Caverns Natural Entrance Tour
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By revrick33 - SC
The park is just too beautiful to put into words. The drive through the park was breathtaking. Deseert mountains and ravines. You could just imagine Indians riding the mountain sides. Truly an awesome drive. The caverns are beyond imagination. BUT BE AWARE THE ELEVATOR IS NOT WORKING. You walk down into caverns about 1.5 miles. Then you must walk back out. That trip is no joke. Coming out was really tough on a lot of people. Be aware of this. The cavern was truly amazing too. HUGE place and so cool, quiet and beautiful. Well worth the reputation it has as a national park.
4. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 445 reviews
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 Sewbusy65 - Carlsbad New Mexico
A super FUN afternoon at our local state park. Kuddos to the MANY volunteers who helped make it a success! Face paint. Couple of Art projects CAKE and of course many of us re visit the exhibits. The highlight of course was watching Maggie enjoy her special birthday gifts
This is a wonderful State Park for locals as well as tourists
5. Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By M J - Austin, Texas
My husband and I went to the Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area in downtown Carlsbad mid-day on a Friday. The 125 acre park is absolutely beautiful and water was very blue. The lake was formed by putting a dam on the Pecos River. People were enjoying all kinds of water sports like swimming, boating, fishing, paddle boats, pontoon sightseeing boat. See their website for rental days & times. The park was not crowded and had lots of benches, picnic tables and grill. There was a foot-bridge that crossed the lake at the far south side. It was fun to watch water flowing over the dam as well. We had lunch near the main swimming area and walked around for another hour. We could have easily spent a half day there but we had other plans.
6. Bat Flight Program in Carlsbad Cavern National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 478 reviews
Reviewed By Robert T - Boise, Idaho
It seemed like the bats would never stop coming out of the caverns in huge numbers. It took at least an hour and a quarter for an estimated 500,000 bats to leave the natural entrance. It was interesting to hear the beating of their wings when it was quiet enough later in the exodus. The bats all headed in basically one direction, so there was a steady stream out to one area. Quite exciting for some.
7. Brantley Lake State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Janet A - Lee, NH
The campgrounds, with full amenities, have wonderful views of the lake and dam. We were on the front edge and although it was winter, we appreciated the shaded picnic tables. Were visited by rabbits and imagine the views in warmer seasons would be amazing.
8. Pecos River Flume
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 41 reviews
Once featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not" as the river that crosses itself, this artificial channel brings Pecos River water from Lake Avalon to dry areas as part of the Carlsbad Irrigation System. Orginally made of wood, the Flume was destroyed by a flood in 1902 and then remade out of concrete.
Reviewed By Gabe10101 - Lexington, Kentucky
We read about the Pecos River Flume on TripAdvisor, so we decided to check it out when passing through Carlsbad. The flume itself is interesting, but insignificant by today's standards. The surrounding park is not worth visiting, but the city appears to be improving it in mid-2017. We scurried to the top of the flume along a steep dirt path.
Check it out only if you are passing nearby.
9. Pecos River Antique Mall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Old address.107 S. canyon Street Carlsbad, NM 88220
Reviewed By Robin C - Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States
They have a great selection and price ranges for all budgets. They have about 20 vendors which is large for Carlsbad. Located in the heart of downtown. You will find other great shops in downtown too. The Antique Mall has a good selection of furniture as well as jewelry and all items in between.
10. Carlsbad Water Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By grouchywif - Dallas, Texas
This is a decent little water park. Not much seating available, so bring your own chair or a towel to sit on during peak times. I'm staying with our stuff while DH minds DD, so I have a lot of time to watch the lifeguards. Their shift change protocol is abysmal, which makes me doubt their training over all. They also help manage innertubes while on duty, which is very bad. They should never take their eyes off their section. I'm looking right now at one who spent nearly a full minute watching a big family come in the entrance from his lifeguard chair instead of watching the kids in front of him. So watch your kids here!
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