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.