Why Go to Carlsbad?

Every tourist destination has its attractions. However, because every tourist is different, these attractions have greater or lesser value. In this series Gary gives his reasons for traveling to a particular place. Hopefully some of his thoughts will entice you to consider adding this particular location to your itinerary. The entire series is being categorized under the heading, “Spotlights.” However, you may find more about these locations in the archives of this website, under headings such as, “Great Places,” “Things to Do in,” “Best of,” “Top 10” and “Places of a Lifetime.” In addition, “Walking Tours” of many of these destinations may be available for purchase on the website for the low price of $1.49 each.

The premier cave system in the world, at least as far as I am concerned, can be found at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico. Descending from the natural entrance, visitors traverse a switchback path which leads over seven (7) stories below the surface. The cave’s “Big Room” is a huge, cavernous opening which houses a cafeteria, a gift shop, and a post office. The park is also famous for the nightly foraging-flight of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats during summer evenings. The bats roost within the cave during the day and feed nocturnally. Special reasons for visiting Carlsbad include the following:

1. An amphitheater has been built at the cave entrance and nightly Ranger talks explain the phenomena involving the bats and their evening migrations. The talk ends as the bats leave the cave in huge numbers.

Bat Cave at Carlsbad

Bat Cave at Carlsbad

2. Beautiful stalagmites and stalactites can be seen throughout an underground walk through the cave.

A Collecton of Stalagmites

A Collecton of Stalagmites

3. A fairyland of delicate crystals and other cave structures can be found here as well.

Delicate Cave Features

Delicate Cave Features

 

 

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