Top 11 things to do and attractions in Deming

This is one great museum and has a little bit of everything. Absolutely spotless and it's laid out wonderful. So many history items to look at, you can easily spend a couple hours here. A must see in Deming New Mexico.

The Deming Luna Mimbres Museum is a true treasure for anyone who appreciates the history and culture of the American Southwest 🏜️. Located in the heart of Deming, this museum offers a deep dive into the region’s past — from the ancient cultures of Native peoples, including the Mimbres, to life on the frontier during colonial times and up through the 1970s 🏛️. A special highlight is the exhibit dedicated to Fort Cody — a key stronghold and protection for settlers during the harsh times of taming these lands ⚔️. Inside, you’ll find unique artifacts ranging from tools and clothing to photographs that tell stories of everyday life from those years 📸. Each exhibit seems to come alive, sharing tales of the resilience and endurance of the people who built their lives on the frontier, overcoming hardships and creating a lasting legacy 🛖. The collection covers a wide array of topics: archaeology, ethnography, early settlement history, and daily life, making the museum a truly vibrant and educational place for anyone wanting to grasp the spirit and character of this corner of America 🇺🇸. The attention to detail in preserving and presenting history is impressive, allowing visitors to literally touch the past ✨. For history lovers wanting to feel the atmosphere of the true Old West, this museum is a real gem 🌵. I highly recommend it to anyone interested not only in major historical events but also in the everyday lives of those who left their mark on this land 🕰️.

A ol timing museum with much to see! As an old armory, it has so much space for all kinds of exhibits! Even a second floor. It's a really great wall though not only Deming's history but American history. I only wish there was more info boards on the history of the Mimbres and their pottery. As a Pueblo Native, I was enjoying seeing these types of exhibits. There's a gift shop and other historical places to see nearby. This is definitely a must stop visit if you're in Deming!

I preface this with my wife is Indigenous. After going through the entire exhibit of the "founders" of the city we came to a room and my wife said, "Ah, look at that. Entire museum dedicated to the rich white people and only a small room dedicated to the original settlers. It was a nice museum. But I agreed with my wife.

This is a big history museum in a small town with a history richer than many large cities. The exhibits are stunningly detailed in their attention to small things. Almost as if presented as a counterpoint to the little things, there are large full-sized vehicles in two or three areas that give us a sense of having been transported back into time. As a history lover, I was blown away. If museums reflect the community where they are based, Deming must be one amazing place.

A two floor collection of first citizens life in New Mexico. Free entrance.

I’ve enjoying seeing a lot of history 👍

Quiet place to read.. huge variety of genres! Clean and organized.

This library used to be really good I'm not sure if management changed or what but it's not ever clean anymore I found more than one cockroach in the kids toys bin once, the books aren't put back where they belong, when you look it up in the library catalog it says the book is there but it's not where it belongs and you'll find the missing books in random places. There is also always one or two crazy people shouting or running around the library which is a big safety issue. There is never any new books or movies. The hours are bad too. I understand that sometimes money is an issue but it doesn't cost to clean a little and put the books where they belong Something has to change.

Got in and out quickly with what I needed. Got some good books, too.

I absolutely love front desk staff. I forget their names which is awful of me bc they are always helpful and friendly. The last that works in computer room, I forgot her name as well but I must have caught her on a bad day bc she hasn't been friendly toward me at all. However, I won't give up just yet I think I may have interrupted her or something. Thank you all for your service to community.

Very nice library. The computers were down but I used my own. No printer service.

Nice library but closes 65 minutes for lunch? Why not have the employess have a half hour lunch and stagger it? I've never heard of a library closing for lunch...

Always friendly staff and great library. Lots of books to choose from and the computers are running good for our area. One of my favorite places to visit in Deming.

We had so much fun at City of Rocks. My kids loved climbing on and exploring in the rocks. It is a natural playground and maze all in one. We could have spent all day just exploring in the rocks but we also enjoyed the hieroglyph scavenger hunt and visiting the visitor center where the staff were very friendly. One of the most unique places we have ever camped.

Amazing place to visit. There are non-electric campsites among the rocks or electric campsites in a row outside of the rocks. The electric sites are typical campground with not much space between. The non-electric are spread out and most are quite private. This is is a hide and go seek paradise. Its fun exploring all the formations, nooks and crannies. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We stayed one night but could have easily stayed two. Check in at 4pm with checkout at 2pm gives plenty of time to explore the rocks. There is a separate set of rocks up on a lookout hill that you can hike to or drive to. There is a picnic table at the top with a parking lot. There are also several trails in the area for those staying longer than overnight. Sunset was amazing. Those camped along the Westside got an amazing view. We camped in site six which was interior to some rocks. A small trailer will fit but take care in backing in. Note that the bathrooms are not close to most sites. The visitors center has showers which were extremely busy in the morning even though the night we stayed there were not that many campers. Probably about 1/4 full on non-electric sites. The electric sites were completely full. Apparently they like the public bathroom better than their own.

This was our first experience camping at City of Rocks. We had sites 20-25. 21-24 are rather close to each other. 20 is elevated and fairly separated from the other sites, but you have to hike a good 500 feet in from the parking spot. The rocks and bouldering are the main draw here, as well as the dark skies for stargazing. Other than the wind, November is a great time to visit. Be aware that the gate is locked at 9 PM each night. Drinking water was available during our visit, and the visitor's center has ice, and many other items you may have forgotten. Deming and Silver City are the closest towns nearby, about 30 minutes away for each.

The photos posted can’t express the “Ahhh experience” to this natural wonder. It is worth stopping off the beaten path and exploring. The RV and campsites were nice, offering electric and non electric sites. If you are not a fan of camping or are just traveling through it’s worth the hour or two stop and enjoying this natural beauty. The park also has a site rental for educational activities such as star gazing and other outdoor events. This information can all be found online or at the guest center/gift shop.

Enjoyed a cool, rainy day at City of Rocks. Visitor center staff is friendly. clean restrooms and a shower available, plenty of covered shelters with picnic tables. My group rented the big pavilion to hold an SCA event. Kids enjoyed climbing the huge rocks. Be careful with wildlife. A tarantula walked across our camp minding his business.

Very cool. Huge boulders in the middle of the desert. The visitor's center has a map of where petroglyphs are. There are a lot of wonderful campsites amongst the rocks.

Beautiful stay, 3 perfect nights. Weather was perfect, attractions close by. One of our favorite Autumn spots.

Luna Rossa vineyard was our Harvest Host for the night. We enjoyed their 2 sweet girls who poured us 5 free wine tastings. They have an extensive menu of full range of local wine selections and a few beer options. RV overnight parking was on a level, gravel lot with a 180⁰ view of nicely tended grape vines. Their pizza offerings are limited to specific days, one of which did not included the day we stayed. And, the sunrise! Great little refreshing, friendly stop!

For my tastes, the wine here was clean and clear. There was good flavor and great service. Tastings are free in hopes of bottle or glass purchase. No pressure sales. Open inside and out with shaded patio. The grapevines surround the building, which are neat to see

Beautiful 40 acre winery. Staff Cynthia was great and laid-back. Had a great time with the locals. Wines are great tasting.

Our first time going to pizza night. It was really good. The Sangria is tasty too. We will go to pizza night again.

this place is always so tasty. normally I have left overs but not this time. the brick oven pizza always bakes the quattro stragioni to perfection. delicious. the wait staff is always so friendly and kind!

Had an awesome time! Pizza was delicious! They were packed for the first pizza night this year but service was good and food served fresh and hot

Fun place to visit and some VERY drinkable wines. Opened a 2016 Montepulciano to pair with a smoked beef and sausage stew. Delicious!

The road to the ruins is immediately after the cattle guard with the "Ft. Cummings" arrow signage pointing left (south-west), follow the barbed fence and then follow the only tracks westward afterwards. Following Google maps will route you to the Hyatt family's driveway instead of the ruins since the ruins themselves are (from the gps' view) "right there", when in fact they are a whole hillside behind their private property (you obviously cannot access it from there). You will need a high clearance vehicle with thick tires since other vehicles and the elements have eroded away the single lane dirt road there. I would not recommend bringing too large of a vehicle or a trailer/camper here. 4x4 is a must in wet conditions. The ruins themselves have been fenced with a narrow entry way, or otherwise inaccessible, so the pictures posted by others here might be better than actually visiting the site itself.

If you enjoy reading about the Indian Wars a visit to Fort Cummings is worth the trip, if just to better understand the terrain challenges faced by the 9th Cavalry during the Vicotorio War. I was able to get to the site in a Ford Escape rental car and if you are comfortable on dirt roads and take your time most vehicles should not have an issue. There are a few spots where the road is rutted or rocky but careful driving will get you through. As others have pointed out follow the signs and not your GPS. Almost exactly 1 mile after turning off State Route 26 onto County Road A019 you will pass through a cattle guard (32.428614, -107.587472), turn left and follow the trail due west along the fence line. It is about 4 miles to the Cemetery and 4.5 miles to the ruins of the Fort. According to GAIA GPS you are on either BLM or State Trust land except for the Butterfield Stage area that is on Flying U Ranch Land.

Ambush of the Freeman Thomas Mail Party, July 1861 Of all the battles in Cooke’s Canyon, there is none more famous than the Apache ambush of conductor Freeman Thomas’ westbound San Antonio & San Diego Mail Line coach in July of 1861, about two years before the Army established Fort Cummings. Although many details of the battle have been lost to history, Mangas and Cochise, the Apache leaders that protected their homelands &Thomas, watchful for travelers through the canyon. had equipped his coach with a good supply of arms, probably including the highly effective breech-loading Sharps rifles, and ammunition. His party comprised an experienced and diverse group of men of the western frontier. Thomas himself, a 29-year-old native of Ohio, had seen the results of Apache fury first hand, on the trail. His driver, Joseph Roescher, a 26-year-old from Germany, left little clue to his past, but he apparently had worked on the stage line for some period. Thomas’ passengers – including 19-year-old Emmett Mills, Robert S. Avaline, Matthew Champion, John Wilson, and John Portell – came to the frontier from various locations to the east. They had worked as stagecoach hands, miners, ranchers and gamblers. Some had been involved in shootouts. Some had seen the aftermath of Apache attacks. They all knew the risk they faced, and they brought their own side arms and rifles. Leaving from Mesilla, Thomas took his coach northward along the west side of the Rio Grande along the Mesilla Valley to the Picacho station, where he turned westward, past Picacho Peak, then across some 50 miles of desert to Cooke’s Spring and the eastern entrance to the canyon. There, at the spring, the party apparently rested through the night, letting the draft animals recuperate from the long and arduous haul across the desert. Come early morning, Thomas and his party renewed their journey, now beginning the passage through Cooke’s Canyon, the Journey of Death. “The stage was set,” said Kühn, “for one of the most desperate fights ever recorded in the annals of frontier warfare.” Probably, just as the coach entered the eastern end of the gorge, the Apaches opened fire, pouring a hailstorm of musket balls and arrows down onto the coach and the travelers, wounding one. Thomas swiftly put his coach in flight, westward, over the trail, with the Apaches in pursuit. Apparently fearing that more Apaches lay in wait ahead, ready to cut off any hope of escape, Thomas decided to turn off the trail, heading southward toward higher ground to take up a defensive position. Under heavy fire from the Apaches, Thomas and his men, now desperate, unhitched the draft animals and drove them down the hill, hoping that the Apaches might abandon the fight and pursue the team, according to Sweeney. That clearly failed. Swiftly, Thomas and his men stripped the coach, taking the Sharps rifles, ammunition, water and provisions. They threw up stone barricades, preparing for a siege. Seven men, one wounded, against many dozens. The Apaches continued their withering attack, but at a price. By one account, said Sweeney, they lost 25 warriors and suffered many wounded—an example of the effectiveness of the Sharps rifle in the hands of brave and experienced frontiersmen. Cochise himself and his eldest son Taza may have been among the injured. Even with their overwhelming numerical advantage, the Apaches – themselves daring fighters by any measure – evidently could not finish off Thomas and his men until sometime the following day, July 22, or maybe even July 23. In revenge for their losses, the Apaches stripped and mutilated the bodies, which were not found until two freighters passed the site several days after the fight. The ferocity of the battle, the freighters said, could be measured by the numerous shell casings littering the ground and the bullet marks covering rocks and trees around the stone barricades. According to Kühn, Cochise –who knew something about courage in battle – said that if he had 25 fighters like Thomas and his men, he would “undertake to whip the whole United States.”

A few wall ruins and a marker are all that remain. Militarily, not the best location. Mountains on 3 sides, easy for Native Americans to watch all the activities at the Fort.

What an amazing and historic place! I just wish that a) there was more information posted about it and b) that the government hadnt decided in its infinite wisdom to let this structure go to ruin.

Was a great site, car was too low to drive so I hiked it. Was about 10 miles round trip.

Most interesting once you find it! Do not follow google maps,it will take you to the ranch but not the fort. There is a hand pained arrow. Follow that left road. Do not try to go there unless you have a high clearance vehicle. The road is not maintained and is rutted and lots of larger rocks. Some good signage but not a lot of remains. The cemetery is almost non existent. The Springhouse is intact. The road is so rugged that you need to plan on taking lunch as the drive in and out will take some time. We did enjoy reliving the history and the beautiful area.

We met a very friendly older gentleman here who lives and works at this shop. He will happily share his stores with you if you are willing to lend an ear. The much prettier and much rarer Thunder eggs and Geodes are found inside the shop polished and ready for your shopping pleasure. The exterior holds the many different types of rough cut and uncut Geodes/thundereggs you can pick from at $4 a pound (current price, not sure if it changes at all). This very knowledgeable gentleman shared that he and his friend collected all of these themselves from the surrounding areas and long since closed Mines themselves over the years. He share with us how they did it and the odds of finding something "good" in what they brought back. He even explained how the different colors occur and what chemicals cause them. Super friendly and definitely worth a visit. He had accidently stayed open a little later than his posted times when we visited so we were able to come in, so stop by even if it's close to closing time and you might just luck out! Bring cash or check as he does not take credit card. Wonderful little small town rock shop with lots to discover!

I loved this little place. A disabled veteran, rock hounder owns this place. Wonderful collection of geodes, thunder eggs (which I’d never heard of), and lots of other rocks. Reasonably priced considering what and where they’re from. Stop by and visit this little rock house gem

Really cool stop on the way to Rockhound state park. Museum/shop/house featuring some extremely cool thundereggs/geodes most of which are for sale. Christopher, the owner is very kind and knows a ton about the geology of the area, and has some great stories to share from rockhounding. Would recommend planning some time to chat with him and learn about the history, and also bring cash or a check (no cards) to purchase a nice thunderegg.

This place is a go to for rockhounds of all interest levels. The older gentleman is a gem himself. He knows so much about geology. And rough rock prices are very fair, if not cheap. Go there. It’s a trip.

What a delightful Little Rock shop owned and run by Christopher- the retired rockhound and Vietnam vet. Not only is he a wealth of information about rocks and gems- but if you have time to sit and listen he’ll delight you with stories of his adventures traveling the world. The gems outside are reasonably priced for any rockhound we who comes up empty handed trying to find their own geodes in rockhound state park. The gems inside are absolutely gorgeous.

Cash only. Great specimens from near rockhound state park and many more local mines. $65 to $250 will get you some good pieces that you won’t regret. Say hello to his sweet cat Iggy.

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Calming place.. There is a lot of construction. No restrooms. Potta-pottys are available, but they were not maintained and pretty disgusting. Not a lot of shade, but great walking trail. Children's playground is enormous, plus it has a canopy over the playground. Lots of ducks and other birds! They should have feeders to buy bird food. Coin feeders.

Now called "Trees Lake", it's has a large lake area and is stocked for fishing. 2 river areas, 1 with some nice waterfalls. It also has a large, all-inclusive playground. There was another pond added recently and in the hot months becomes the inflatable water park.

great stop along our route. lots of ducks that followed us everywhere (probably use to getting food from people). because of the ducks, we had to keep the dogs (bird dogs) close. 😂 this was a good sized lake to walk around. a few people fishing and others walking but not at all crowded.

stopped here a couple of times to take a break & fix a meal. peaceful, few others here but never crowded. a bit of a walk to the porta can down the hill, though.

Beautiful place with 2 small floating islands, ducks, a crane... Beautiful walk

We were traveling from Houston to Phoenix and stopped in Deming for the night. This park was walking distance from our hotel. It’s an oasis in the desert, quite cool when we were there. Nice to see people fishing and enjoying the outdoors. If I lived here then I’d be at this park every day.

There weren’t a lot of areas for our dog to walk on except for the hot pavement. There’s a grassy area in the middle, by a gazebo, but it’s very small. There seemed to be a lot construction happening so we’ll keep this pinned until our return trip. We’re excited to see what new developments are being made.

I've been going here for years. Great place to hang out and relax. Lots of room for dogs and it's also in a great location.

This little park is usually clean, well kept, and one of our favorites for family gatherings

Disappointing, lots of paper and plastic trash in the patchy grass. Some good equipment in the playground, but cigarette butts and bottle caps in the sand make me think kids shouldn't be there.

Everything was in good shape. The sand around the play equipment is in need of cleaning/ screening. It's got a lot of debris in it.

Nice playground, big trees, and beautiful lawn. Great place to stop on a road trip to let the kids break loose.

Fun to take the kids. There is a playground and large area for soccer, football league, frisbee, flying kites etc

Because it has a gallon of water the Mexican is luzing weight on nickco street it no no to have no wesper did dug bind the water down

Very impressed by how well put together this place is. My daughter was visiting with her kids from Dallas, where you can find the big children's museums. Her 3-year-old and 1-year-old had more fun here since it was not crowded. Place is very clean and well kept.

I attended play Sharity for my first time after seeing many awesome photos and posts from them and friends and family! It was an awesome and fun time here! Great for everyone of all ages! The cost is low only kids pay and it’s free for Luna county children or $4 per child outside of the county 😊

Great, safe place for the kiddos... lots of little imaginations are exercised here.

Absolutely sensational setup. A wide variety of activities for kids to both play and be creative, from a Lego station and art center to an indoor play gym and imagination stations (grocery store, ice cream shop, space station and theater). It is clean with a friendly staff and ample parking around the building. Several picnic tables on property. This is a marvelous stop for little ones to break up the monotony of a long road trip.

Great little place! My son had a blast. If you're not from Deming it costs $4 per person to get in.

So today my son and I decided to go to Play Sharity because we heard it was open again and we had not been there in a while, so we were super excited because when it first opened it was amazing. We would go whenever we had a chance, but unfortunately this time was just so very disappointing. They had a new area that my son had never played in and he was excited to try it out but he came right out because he said it smelled horrible in there and I was like really, so I went it in and my god did it smell. Next he wanted to write on the wall where you use the brush and water but unfortunately no water in the cups. I would be the first to say maybe all the woks there were busy doing other task but no, they were all at the front desk gossiping and you may say how do you know they were gossiping, well lets just say they do not have inside voices and I honestly got a little angry to see one of the Co-Runs of Play Sharity ( Monica) there engaging with them in the gossip. And people say, how sad Deming can't have anything nice because of the citizens of Deming but they forget to include the people who help run these places. So safe to say we will no longer be going there anymore

The amount of activities, interactive exhibits, free play areas and toy lending library all continue to expand. Despite how many times we go my kids love going and are only willing to leave with the promise of being back soon. All the spaces encourage imagination and problem solving skills but is masked in fun for both the kids and adults. The facility is always clean and constantly adding facilities and exhibits. Not to mention all they have to offer is free to Luna county residents and a few dollars for those not local.