Top 5 Reasons to Visit Clovis, New Mexico

There are no crowds like in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The population of Clovis, Portales, and its surrounding areas is roughly 45-50 thousand. The community is mainly comprised of farmers. Large farms and ranches surround the cities and the upright lifestyle of these citizens dominates the culture.

There are rodeos and quilting classes. Festivals have names like ENMU Peanut Valley Festival, Melrose Old Timers Day, High Plains Prairie Chicken Festival, New Mexico Agriculture Trade Expo, and Heritage Days Celebration.When you visit museums or go downtown to Main Street, there are no lines to wait in. Quality restaurants like Dakota's Steakhouse or Cattle Baron don't require reservations. And the folks will welcome you with sincerity.

Area museums are plentiful and filled with history. On the ENMU campus in Portales there are museums that showcase historical items from the early settlement of the plains. Old medical implements, different types of barbed wire (over 200 in one case), and photos of early pioneers are just some of the items on display. There is the Blackwater Draw Museum and Archaeological Site. The Clovis Point is the earliest point type in the hemisphere. You can even tour the dig site where these prehistoric bones are being unearthed.

Of course the legend of Billy The Kid is one of the greatest tales to come from these plains. His grave site is viewable in Fort Sumner and there are several museums there as well. Looking out over the plains and seeing the Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains chug across can bring you instantly back in time. The Clovis Depot Model Train Museum is another great place for enthusiasts to visit.

American music history has a resting place here as well. Norman Petty Studios is available for tours by appointment, and in early September there is a week long celebration with music played all over the city. Legends like Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and Roy Orbison, along with country greats like Waylon Jennings and Leeann Rimes came here to record some of the most famous music ever.

Current music stars that call Clovis home are Johnny Mulhair, the engineer at the boards when Rimes recorded her famous hit "Blue" at Norman Petty Studios, and Sansietch who performs live and whose Blues Farm Records label resides nearby.Don't forget to visit the old theaters on Main Street. Many shows still take place at the Lyceum Theatre, and every Saturday the wonderfully renovated State Theatre has live music for dancing and enjoyment.

Clovis also supports a small Zoo, the Hillcrest Zoo, as well as many beautiful parks for campers, fishers and picnickers. The Zoo has a good variety of animals including snakes, peacocks, monkeys and bears. Oasis State Park has Catfish fishing in the summer and the lake is stocked with Trout during the winter. Few parks are as sprawling and beautiful as Ned Houk Park just north of the city.

Picnic beneath the shady trees and watch the buffalo graze, or pull out your fishing pole and try your hand in the small stocked lakes. Other lakes in the area include Sumner Lake State Park as well as two larger lakes north of the area, Ute Lake, and Conchas Lake State Park.

Close by are wildlife areas for natural viewing, including the Grulla National Wildlife Refuge in Muleshoe, Texas, and Tucumcari Lake and Wildlife Area. Bird watchers will especially appreciate the variety of ducks and geese, eagles and hawks, doves, quail and pheasants. A short drive out of town through farm country may yield both antelope and black tail deer.

Finally, there are the many parades and celebrations throughout the year. In the spring and summer months there are Cinco De Mayo events, Pioneer Days with rodeos, pageants, and cook-offs, 4^th of July celebrations and county fairs in both Clovis and Portales. Late September brings the Clovis Main Street Annual Wine and Cheese Gala along with many festivals.

Around this time of year the chilies are harvested and many local places will roast large bags for you. The smell and taste will bring you back every year. A Christmas Light Parade takes place in both Clovis and Portales as well.So don't hesitate to follow the 60/84 into town anytime of year. There are always things going on, and attractions that are found nowhere else in America. A directory of online listings to help is below.

www.billythekidmuseumfortsumner.com

www.clovisnm.webs.com

www.clovisdepot.com

www.emnrd.state.nm.us/nmparks

www.fws.gove/southwest/refuges/newmex/grulla.html

www.protalesnm.org

www.superoldies.com/pettystudios/pettytour.html

www.cityofclovis.org

www.clovisciviccenter.com

www.bluesfarm.webs.com

www.johnnymulhair.com

www.clovisdowntown.org

www.enmu.edu

www.sansietch.webs.com