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Recreation & Culture
Whether it’s a day for solitude or the company of others, there is no shortage of choices in the southwest corner of New Mexico. See the collection of links below for culture and recreation opportunities.
Stay home and take advantage of the hunting or wildlife viewing opportunities outside your backdoor: look for mule deer, antelope, ibex, quail. Further afield, one to three hours away, is boating, fishing, hiking, both water and snow skiing, and petroglyphs.
In town, Deming offers art galleries and antique stores and the Deming Arts Council features changing monthly shows with local and visiting talent. Play a round at the municipal 18-hole golf course; pedal the bike-friendly town; or use the full-service fitness center. The used bookstore beckons or hang out with the locals at one of our coffee shops.
Las Cruces, the second largest city in New Mexico, is a 45-minute drive to the west, Silver City is 45 minutes north from Deming, while Mexico and the town of Palomas is 30 minutes south where eye, dental, and pharmaceutical services, and arts and other goods are available at great prices.
Deming Culture and Nightlife
On an ongoing basis the following Deming organizations frequently offer special events. Check with them individually or keep an eye on our local paper, the Deming Headlight.
The Starmax Entertainment Complex, 333 n. Country Club Rd, Deming, NM 88030, tel. (575) 546-7469, offers six, first-run movie screens, 16 lanes for bowling, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf, a video arcade, and a bar with snacks and alcoholic refreshment.
Deming Center for the Arts, Corner of 100 South Gold and Pine, Deming, NM 88031, tel. (575) 546-3663, monthly offers changing exhibits of local and regional art.
Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, 301 South Silver, Deming, NM 88030, tel (575) 546-2382. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1:30 pm. to 4 p.m. (closed on Sundays in the summer) Call for special events. Offers more than 25,000 square feet of artifacts from the archeological to local town history. Located in a 1914 armory, which was converted in WW II to a USO facility. Be sure to dedicate at least a full afternoon to roaming the many rooms and exhibits.
Deming Performing Arts Theater (DPAT), may have venue changes so keep an eye on notices in the local paper or their website so as not to miss one of their musical events. Also, be on the lookout for Theater for Today productions, which has no website, but information can be had by calling Jack, (575) 544-4195.
The fledgling Performing Arts Foundation of Luna County is engaged in raising funds to build a full time theater production group with it's own building. In the meantime, see their website for up to the minute information on productions in a variety of venues.
Marshall Memorial Library 110 S. Diamond St., Deming, NM 88030, tel. (575) 546-9202. Check the Pine Street marquee of this 60,000-volume county library for events or the online calendar.
The Deming Luna County Senior Citzen Center, 800 South Granite Street, Deming NM 88030, tel (575) 546-8823, offers classes, daily low-cost lunches, and health screenings. See the website or call them for up to date listings or a tour of the facility.
Friends of Rockhound State Park sponsors events at the park, everything from an Easter egg roll to native plant sales. Check their website for scheduled events like the bluegrass festival in summer. Don’t miss their excellent online slide show with ibex and some great views from the surrounding peaks of the Florida Mountains.
St Clair Vineyard in Deming, frequently has outdoor events on the lawn under their tent. Check their calendar for dates and times at their Deming, Las Cruces, and Albuquerque venues.
El Paso Culture & Nightlife
Chazimal National Memorial offers a visitors center and art galleries along with a 500-seat indoor theater and a spacious outdoor grass amphitheater. See their online event calendar, list of indoor activities, and cultural events or telephone (915) 532-7273. Free events are listed under the entry, Plan Your Visit. Anything is possible at this location from filmmaker Ken Burns premiering his latest project to the local tap dance troupe showing what they can do. “Dedicated to fostering national friendship, understanding and trust, Chamizal National Memorial's programs and urban landscape provided opportunities for people of Mexico and the United States to better understand and appreciate each other's diverse cultures and the many aspects of life that transcend nationality.”
El Paso Museum of Art sponsors lectures, film series, and other events beyond their permanent collection and roster of changing exhibits.
El Paso Jazz, check the online calendar of this organization for events near and far.
El Paso Museum of Archeology
El Paso Museum of History
Las Cruces Nightlife & Culture
New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces features a changing array of events and exhibits from hands-on milking demonstrations to contemporary artwork.
New Mexico State University Special Events in Las Cruces seasonally offers sporting events, music recitals, plays, and other performances for both adults and children.
No Strings Performing Arts Company is a Las Cruces group that regularly puts on plays at the Black Box Theater. Musical presentations are also offered.
Local Recreation
City of Rocks State Park is the first New Mexico state park to receive an observatory. Call John Gilkison at tel. (575) 527-8386 or City of Rocks State Park at tel. (575) 536-2800 or check out the website for notice of star gazing parties or choose Event Calendar on the sidebar of the state park web page and sort by month and City of Rocks events. The park is a 20-minute drive from town on US -180 to NM-61.
Rockhound State Park, only 5 miles from the Ranch offers hiking trails, geode collecting possibilities, and a visitor center complete with native plant demonstration garden.
Spring Canyon State Park is the sister unit to nearby Rockhound, offering picnic facilities and hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities in the Florida Mountains. Continue east on Hwy 141, past the entrance to Rockhound State Park, and follow the signs to the park entrance.
Gyms
- Gabe's Fitness 1400 S. Ruby St, Deming, NM 88030, tel. (575) 546-2724
- Ultimate Fitness, 722 W. Florida, Deming, NM 88030, tel. (575) 546-4300
Golf Course (Public)
- Rio Mimbres Country Club & Golf 2500 East Pine Street, (575) 546-3023; considered semi-private, the city sponsors a portion of this golf course assuring access to walk-in visitors.
Swimming
- Sam Baca Aquatic Center is a public facility, 815 W Buckeye St, Deming, NM 88030, tel. (575) 546-7958; Use the water slide, lap swim, or take advantage of the heated therapy pool.
- Rio Mimbres Country Club, 2500 East Pine Street, (575) 546-3023, besides golf, offers access to a pool.
Wine Tasting
St Clair Vineyard, 1325 De Baca Road, Deming New Mexico 88030, tel. (877) 366-4637. Tasting room hours Monday- Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tours available by appointment.
Luna Rossa Winery, 3710 West Pine Street, southwest frontage road, Deming NM 88030, tel. (575) 544-1160. Tasting room hours Monday- Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m, Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Further Afield
More outdoor recreation opportunities abound in the southern part of the state at the following parks and recreation areas. One to three hours away, is biking, boating, fishing, hiking, both water and snow skiing, and petroglyphs. Or check out the New Mexico State Parks interactive map for more adventures.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park, a 40-mile long lake off of I-25, offers water recreation, camping, and hiking; it’s not even an hour from Deming.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a peek into the homes and lives of the Mogollon people who lived in this area over 700 years ago. Allow two hours to reach this destination, as the road is narrow and curvy.
Gila National Forest is about two hours north-west of Deming, providing recreational choices of every flavor, including hiking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, and bicycling to name a few.
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park: Looking for a little to water to stroll by? Checkout New Mexico's 34th state park. It is on the Rio Grande near Las Cruces.
“Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park is New Mexico’s newest State Park. Opened in 2008, the park is located along the western bank of the Rio Grande southwest of the town of Mesilla. The heart of the park is 52 acres of Rio Grande floodplain known as the ”Old Refuge;” the total park acreage is about 945 acres of both wetlands and Chihuahuan Desert. The park will present many opportunities to enjoy and learn about wildlife. The goals of the park are conservation, education, and restoration: protection of natural and cultural resources; education of the public about the resources; and restoration of the original environment. 5000 Calle del Norte, Mesilla, New Mexico. (575) 523-4398”
White Sands National Monument, close to 300 miles of gypsum sand dunes, this park is about two hours from Deming on Hwy. 70.
Caballo Lake State Park is just south of Elephant Butte Lake State Park on I-25. Boating, windsurfing, fishing, and camping are possible.
Carlsbad Caverns National Monument is famous for access to limestone caves and the exit at dusk of Mexican free-tail bats from the main cavern. Allow about four and half hours travel time.
Chiricahua National Monument: Although it is in Arizona, this park is only a two-hour drive from Deming. Famous for the hiking trails in the craggy peaks and a diverse variety of birds attracted by the unique ecosystem. Camp in the park near the creek or stay just outside the park boundaries in a cabin.
Cycling
Consult the following resources for road and trail rides in the Silver City, Grant County area.
- Gila Hike & Bike 103 College St, Silver City, NM 88061. E-mail: brennan5231@comcast.net or jhemp_00@yahoo.com. 575-388-3222.
- Twin Sisters Cycling & Fitness 303 N Bullard, Silver City, NM 88061, 575-538-3388.
- Gila National Forest Supervisors Office, 3005 E Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 88061, tel. (575)388-8201. Their website has detailed information on mountain bike trails including mileages and times.
Return to About Deming, NM.
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