On our recent explore of Southern New Mexico, we took the gang 6 y.o No.1, 5 y.o. No. 2, and 2 y.o. No. 3 here. The park is exactly what it's title infers, a variety of missiles situated in a park like setting. The climate in New Mexico is rather dry most of the year, so the landscaping around the missiles consists of crushed rock rather than grass. Winding sidewalks connect all the different missile exhibits.
If you're not familiar with White Sands Missile Range, it's where much of America's rocket development took place in the years following World War II. Wernher von Braun worked at this site as well as the Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama. The plane that carried him between the two sites is on display in the park.
The missile range where the park is situated is fenced off, and can only be entered by approaching a guard station situated about 5 miles down NM-213 off of US 70 just east of Las Cruces, NM. We new the park was there since we used to live in Las Cruces, and so drove out to the guard station. Once there, we were asked for our IDs and told to park in the nearby offsite parking lot while a background check was performed. The guard instructed us to get out of the car, and walk back towards the entrance for a briefing.
Having watched Teen Titans, and other superhero cartoons, the gang was super-excited about being 'briefed'. The briefing from the very friendly guard just informed us of how to walk to the park from the gate, and which direction we could take photographs in, (away from the missile range, and towards the Organ Mountains). As an extra bonus, a black Suburban drove by right after our briefing :)
The exhibits might be jarring depending on your point of view. For example, one of the smaller, cuter missiles, was actually intended to carry a nuclear weapon into a fleet of enemy bomber planes. However, if you just enjoy seeing rockets, a self-guided walk around the park might be just the thing.
If you're not familiar with White Sands Missile Range, it's where much of America's rocket development took place in the years following World War II. Wernher von Braun worked at this site as well as the Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama. The plane that carried him between the two sites is on display in the park.
The missile range where the park is situated is fenced off, and can only be entered by approaching a guard station situated about 5 miles down NM-213 off of US 70 just east of Las Cruces, NM. We new the park was there since we used to live in Las Cruces, and so drove out to the guard station. Once there, we were asked for our IDs and told to park in the nearby offsite parking lot while a background check was performed. The guard instructed us to get out of the car, and walk back towards the entrance for a briefing.
Having watched Teen Titans, and other superhero cartoons, the gang was super-excited about being 'briefed'. The briefing from the very friendly guard just informed us of how to walk to the park from the gate, and which direction we could take photographs in, (away from the missile range, and towards the Organ Mountains). As an extra bonus, a black Suburban drove by right after our briefing :)
The exhibits might be jarring depending on your point of view. For example, one of the smaller, cuter missiles, was actually intended to carry a nuclear weapon into a fleet of enemy bomber planes. However, if you just enjoy seeing rockets, a self-guided walk around the park might be just the thing.
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