Socorro Commumity

Points of Interest

Hammel Brewery produced Illinois Beer until shut down during prohibition. It continued to operate as an ice house and soft drink bottling plant until the 1950's. It is currently being restored as a museum. Tours can be arranged through the Historical Society by contacting the Socorro Chamber of Commerce. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places is still standing on its original site.

The Socorro Historical Society has many sites listed in a directory that includes our downtown plaza, Spanish Mission, Garcia Opera House, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Depot and many more buildings and houses. The Socorro Historical Society celebrates Oktoberfest every October at the Hammel Museum.

Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, one of our nation's most spectacular and significant wildlife ranges, is the winter home of up to 60,000 snow geese and 17,000 sandhill cranes. The desert oasis provides habitat for more than 325 species of birds, over 50 species of mammals and greater than 60 species of reptiles and amphibians. The refuge's 12 mile self-guided Auto Tour Loop is open from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset daily. The Visitor Center is open 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday and 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Parks and Recreation

The City of Socorro Parks and Recreation Department provides leisure activities for the entire family. Activities range from outdoor nature and athletics to special designed pro yarns for children, teens, adults, and senior adults. The Sedillo Park offers an inviting, tree covered setting for picnics, relaxation and family fun, Athletic fields, tennis courts, horse shoe pits, playgrounds and an Olympic size pool are available for recreational pleasure. Our community also boasts a championship level, 18 hole golf course that will challenge the avid golfer but also be fun for the beginner.

Annual Events

New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series Civil War Reenactment, Usually third weekend in February. Call 505-835-2530
Science Olympiad, Feb. 22, 2003
Socorro Mother's Day Powwow, May 10, 2003
Trinity Site Tour, usually first Saturday in April and October. Trinity Site is the site of the first atomic bomb explosion. For information on the tour, please call White Sands Missile Range at 505-678-1134.
Hilton Open Golf Tournament, early June 2003. See the New Mexico Tech Golf Course
Magdalena Old Timers' Reunion, mid-July 2003, 505-854-2139
Socorro County Fair & Rodeo, Labor Day Weekend. 505-835-1256
Sevilleta and La Joya Refuges Open House, October 2003. Tours of Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and special events. 505-835-0424
Fat Tire Fiesta, mountain-biking event, Sept. 20 - 21, 2003
Fiestas de San Miguel, late Sept. 2003. 505-835-2891
Enchanted Skies Star Party, Sept. 25 - 28, 2003. A sky-observing event for amateur astronomers
Trinity Site Tour, Usually on the first Saturday in October. For information, please call White Sands Missile Range at 505-678-1134.
OctoberFest, Hammel Museum, early Oct. 2003. 505-835-3440
Alamo Indian Days, Oct. 2003. Wanda Apachito, 505-854-2686 Hamfest, October. See Socorro Amateur Radio Association.
Mineral Symposium, Nov. 8 and 9, 2003. Virgil Lueth, 5005-835-5140
Festival of the Cranes, Nov. 18 - 23, 2003
Magdalena Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival, Nov. 22, 2003
Socorro Balloon Rally, mid-December 2003. Chamber of Commerce, 505-835-0424
Candy Cane Electric Light Parade, mid-December 2003

Accommodations

Days Inn, (505) 835-0230
Economy Inn, (505) 835-4666
Holiday Inn Express, (505) 838-0556, 888-526-4567; fax 505-838-0598
Motel 6, (505) 835-4300, 800-4 Motel 6
Payless Inn, 505-835-0276
Rio Grande Motel, (505) 835-0276
Sands Motel, (505) 835-1130
San Miguel Motel, (505) 835-0211, 800-548-7938
Super 8, (505) 835-4626, 800-800-8000

Restaurants

Martha's Black Dog Coffeehouse
Socorro Springs Brewery, A yuppie-style pizza-brewpub
Valverde Steak House
La Pasadita (Mexican)
Hong Kong
Owl Bar and Grill, San Antonio (burgers)
El Sombrero (Mexican)
Coyote Moon (Mexican)

Communities and Related Links

Socorro County Chamber of Commerce