I took my family up to the United World College for a chess tournament. We stayed at the Star Hill Inn the night after the tournament ended. It was about 20 minutes from Las Vegas, NM.

It's a nice place. We rented a 2-bedroom cabin. A bit dated, but very clean, and fully equipped kitchen to cook. It is in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos, nestled among Ponderosa Pines. There were turkeys, deer, and other small game we saw while we were there.

That night, we did the one hour star tour with Phillip, the owner. He had a Meade telescope (I believe 14" diameter) and saw Saturn, Mars, open and globular clusters, whirlpool galaxies, double stars. It was alot of fun. My boys (9 and 11), wife, and I all really enjoyed it.

There's normally a two night minimum stay, and he has been there for 20 years. He is looking to eventually move on. If you enjoy astronomy at all, and are going to be in the neighborhood, I recommend it. more