Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
With gas topping out at $2 a gallon across the country it’s understandable why many might not beplanning a major cross country road trip this summer.
It might just be the summer of day-trips. And if you live in eastern New Mexico, you have plenty of options.
Muleshoe
A 30-minute drive east on U.S. 84 across the Texas border will lead you to Muleshoe. In the restored Santa Fe Depot, folks can find the Muleshoe Heritage Center. In the center is the world is largest muleshoe. The monster is 22 feet high and 17 feet wide.
Information: Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce at (806) 272-4248.
Tucumcari
If you head the opposite direction and drive until you hit the neon lights, you will be in the town famous for Route 66 in Tucumcari.
The city has more than a once-popular roadway though. A pretty impressive dinosaur museum awaits visitors there.
The Mesalands Dinosaur Museum, 222 E Laughlin Ave., has on display the world’s largest collection of bronze skeletons, fossils and replicas of prehistoric creatures.
The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday.
Information: 461-3466.
Lubbock
A little bit of everything in night life, theater and sports in can be found in Lubbock
Museums, however, might just be what the city can brag about most. Their variety is first class.
The Science Spectrum Museum, 2579 S. Loop 289, boasts more than 250 interactive exhibits, a dome screen theater, animals, science demonstrations, traveling exhibits, and a living science exhibit, "The Brazos River Journey.
Adult tickets are $6.50 and children get in for $4.50.
Go to http://www.sciencespectrum.com or call (806) 745-6299.
A different kind of museum can be found at the Lubbock Arts Center, 511 Avenue K. The center provides a central home for a variety of arts in the South Plains region. Visitors will find visual, performing, cultural and literary work at the center.
Information: (806) 762-8606.
At another Lubbock museum, visitors will be treated to the legendary sounds of the cityís most famous son, Buddy Holly.
The Buddy Holly Museum, 1801 Ave. G., has exhibitions and programs that provide all sorts of neat things-to-know about Holly and other famous West Texas musicians.
Information: (806) 767-2686.
Looking for something to do with the kids? Head to Joyland Amusement Park, 4th Street and Interstate 27, in the popular Mackenzie Park recreation area.
Joyland has more than 30 rides and attractions, including water and roller coasters. A weekend pass runs $13.50 and a weekday pass costs $10.
Information: (806) 763-2719.
Amarillo
Kids will have a ball in Amarillo, Texas. Adults will probably enjoy it too.
A minor league baseball team is in the city ó the Amarillo Dillas. The stadium is located at 3101 Hobbs Road, No. 208.
Box seats are $8, club level seats $7 and general admission $5.
Information: (806) 342-3455 or go to http://www.dillas.com
While in Amarillo, check out the Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Dr., a huge park with hands-on exhibits that explore every imaginable area of the Earth.
Adult admission is $5.50 and children get in for $4.50. Call (806) 355-9547 or go to http://www.dhdc.org for more information.
If you’re in the mood for learning, head northeast of Amarillo to Fritch, Texas, to visit the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, where Native Americans made tools and weapons 12,000 years ago.
Information: (806) 857-3151.
Post, Texas
Sure it may be tough to find on the map, but the small town in west Texas offers quite the cultural lineup.
The theater, 226 East Main St., will host “The Harley Show” July 9-18 and 23-24. An evening of one-act plays will be held July 30-31 and Aug. 6-9 and 13-14.
If live music is more your thing, Post has you covered there as well.
Every Saturday night from 5-10 at the Trailblazer’s Building, 10th Street and North Avenue I, through July 3 and on Saturdays from Aug. 7-Sept. 4, a Caprock Music Party will be held in Post.
Admission is free.
Call (806) 495-4148 for information on the concerts.
For information on events in Post go to http://www.posttexas.com.
Canyon, Texas
Palo Duro Canyon, 11450 Park Road 5, will once again be the host of outdoor performances of “Texas Legacies” this summer.
The show will run through Aug. 21.
On Sundays through Aug. 22, excluding July 4, “Heavenly Country” will be shown at the theatre. The show is a light-hearted story of a New York arts
critic who after an unexpected demise ends up in country music.
Tickets: (877) 588-3927.
Roswell
What would a summer be without a trip to alien nation?
The International UFO Museum and Research Center, 114 N. Main St., offers visitors a glimpse into the Roswell Incident.
The museum offers written, audio and visual formats about the 1947 Roswell Incident.
It is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
Information: 625-9495.
