its trestles and bridges remain. In
the winter, with Mother Nature’s
cooperation, Cloudcroft is a magnet
for skiers, snowboarders and tubers.
or hi tory ff th a ram nto
Mountains Historical Museum &
Pioneer Village helps bring the past
alive by providing a view of what
life was like in this region a hundred
years ago. Kids will particularly
n oy
in th anti
r tr
caboose, blacksmith shop, one-room
school, barbershop and an outhouse
built for two. Shoppers will enjoy
trian ri n y rro tr t
Cloudcroft’s main drag, with its
tor an a ri
off rin
ti
fare. Many talented artists and
craftspeople reside in the area, and
you’ll be surprised by the range and
a ity o oo
rom n
ry
and aromatherapy products to local
art, pottery and unique clothing. For
literary-inclined folks, Imaginary
oo i a m t n i
in an
cheese is your thing, make sure to
visit Noisy Water. The store features
some great made-in-New Mexico
wines and cheeses, along with a
selection of exquisitely-nuanced
balsamic vinegars and olive oils.
And yes, you can sample and taste
to your heart’s content.
in itself. For dessert, there’s an
array of delectable house-baked
t a on
ith
ra am
on o tion i
anana o t r an
Cherries Jubilee. Have your afterdinner libation in the adjoining
lounge, with its bar that was once
owned by Al Capone – I kid you not.
You’ll never lack for activity at The
o
m niti in
a tn
room, swimming pool, full-service
spa, sauna and hot tub, onsite hiking
trails and a variety of lawn games
for some old-fashioned fun. There’s
also the resort’s popular golf course,
a premier attraction of the
o th
t
i t in
th o r
was designed with Scottish roots
in mind. It’s governed by the
Scottish tradition of playing
iff r nt t
an
arat a
on each hole. When played twice,
it becomes a challenging 18-hole
round. And at 9,000 feet above sea
level it’s one of the highest courses
in North American.
The Lodge enjoys a heavy repeat
business, with couples and families
who continue to make this
southeastern New Mexico oasis their
annual vacation destination. They
return year after year because they
a r iat th
r ona i
r i
on i t n y o taff an
arm
hospitality. A stay at the hotel takes
88
them back in time, but without
a ri in mo rn om ort
Conference-goers also give the
place high marks, as they have plenty
of room to spread out within the
property’s 11,000 square feet of
meeting space. And it’s also a mecca
for weddings, with its indooroutdoor ceremony and reception
a a i iti
harmin a
o t
th ta
or a m mora
affair
or a summer concert.
n an aro n
o
ro t yo
n
numerous recreation options, from
hin an hi in to am in an
horseback riding, as the town is
surrounded by over 200,000 acres
of the Lincoln National Forest. Take
yo r i o o n o trai
om
that lead to picture-pretty streams
an
at r a an oth r that off r
views of the old wooden trestles
that once took trains to the timber
forests and later carried tourists up
the mountain to the new hamlet of
Cloudcroft. Though the railroad line
was abandoned in 1948, vestiges of
When you’ve shopped till you drop
and need some sustenance, know
that you won’t have to go far for
a oo m a Th
t rn a
a
100-year-old Cloudcroft institution
with plenty of character, is known
for its Mexican food, as well as its
burgers, not to mention ample
portions. This historical
establishment is on New Mexico’s
famed Green Chile Cheeseburger
Trail, a designation that comes with
plenty of bragging rights. And it’s
also a popular watering hole in town,
off rin i m i an an in on
the weekends. When you walk in,
th r t thin yo
noti i th
ni
or tho an o o ar
i that ha
n affi
to th
building’s walls and ceilings.
Customers “donate” a bill, by signing
it with their names in permanent
marker, and then stapling it to a
spot of their choice. It’s just one
of the many traditions at the
Western Cafe.
ar
i a o i in o
ro t
an i
a y i th
a to ho
down on all your favorite cowboy
r
a
a
ia i
in
burgers and sandwiches; for killer
homemade pies, head over to the
ront or h i tro
Attractions nearby that deserve
mention include Sunspot, one of the