Title: Things to Do in Carlsbad in 2026 | Expedia.com [Carlsbad Travel Guide](https://expedia.com/Carlsbad.dx6054977)[Hotels in Carlsbad](https://expedia.com/Carlsbad-Hotels.d6054977.Travel-Guide-Hotels)[Flights to Carlsbad](https://expedia.com/Cheap-Flights-To-Carlsbad.d6054977.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Car Rentals in Carlsbad](https://expedia.com/Car-Rentals-In-Carlsbad.d6054977.Car-Rental-Guide)[Carlsbad Vacation Packages](https://expedia.com/Carlsbad.d6054977.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Things to do in Carlsbad ## Find and book activities, attractions and tours ## Visit Carlsbad Types of activities [Carlsbad Travel Guide](https://expedia.com/Carlsbad.dx6054977) ![Carlsbad Caverns National Park which includes caves](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6025866/b59fd7f5-ab85-4901-8359-6f1423741fe6.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Carlsbad Caverns National Park which includes caves](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6025866/b59fd7f5-ab85-4901-8359-6f1423741fe6.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Carlsbad Cavern National Park, New Mexico, USA](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6054977/4a7d546a-0fb6-4546-b7fa-2a90d70b818e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Carlsbad Caverns is an historic US national park. We went on a tour of the King's Room. Be sure to get your tours done early so you can really explore all the cavern entrances open to the public. During certain times of the year, you can watch thousands of bats climbing out of the narrow cave entrances (although not in early April when we were there). #caverns #geology #nationalpark #rocks #cave #bats ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6025866/14774960-18b3-448e-ac6d-3baef3ed0e4e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![My Bucket list is to explore all 59 national parks in the US. So far, we've gotten to visit over 30. Here's one of them. This is Carlsbad Caverns, one of the oldest cave systems in the world showcasing fossils from dinosaurs to jaguars to ocean life dating back to when New Mexico looked more like the Florida keys than it does now. This is one of my favorite caves to go into because you aren't required to tag along with a guide. ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6025866/4da238b9-6289-4d81-8a9b-e976fa4f3e1d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) --- --- ## Recommended things to do in Carlsbad | Number of things to do | 7 | | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Cheapest thing to do on Expedia | [Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Guadalupe Mountains National Park](/things-to-do/self-guided-driving-audio-tour-guadalupe-mountains-national-park.a51518256.activity-details): $15 | | Top 5 things to do | [Carlsbad Caverns App-Based Walking Audio Tour (Not a ticket)](/things-to-do/carlsbad-caverns-app-based-walking-audio-tour-not-a-ticket.a46361755.activity-details)[Guadalupe Mountains Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour](/things-to-do/guadalupe-mountains-self-guided-audio-driving-tour.a50734488.activity-details)[Guadalupe Mountains National Park Scenic Drive: Self-Guided Audio Tour](/things-to-do/guadalupe-mountains-national-park-scenic-drive-self-guided-audio-tour.a50495902.activity-details)[New Mexico Audio Tours Bundle: Self-Guided Drive and Walk](/things-to-do/new-mexico-audio-tours-bundle-self-guided-drive-and-walk.a48437270.activity-details)[Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Guadalupe Mountains National Park](/things-to-do/self-guided-driving-audio-tour-guadalupe-mountains-national-park.a51518256.activity-details) | | Under $25 | [Carlsbad Caverns App-Based Walking Audio Tour (Not a ticket)](/things-to-do/carlsbad-caverns-app-based-walking-audio-tour-not-a-ticket.a46361755.activity-details)[Guadalupe Mountains Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour](/things-to-do/guadalupe-mountains-self-guided-audio-driving-tour.a50734488.activity-details)[Guadalupe Mountains National Park Scenic Drive: Self-Guided Audio Tour](/things-to-do/guadalupe-mountains-national-park-scenic-drive-self-guided-audio-tour.a50495902.activity-details)[Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Guadalupe Mountains National Park](/things-to-do/self-guided-driving-audio-tour-guadalupe-mountains-national-park.a51518256.activity-details)[Guadalupe Mountains National Park Self Guided Audio Tour](/things-to-do/guadalupe-mountains-national-park-self-guided-audio-tour.a50314205.activity-details) | | With kids | | ## What to do in Carlsbad --- Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Carlsbad? [Search event tickets](https://www.expedia.com/event-tickets/) to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend! --- --- ### Discover the most popular places to visit in Carlsbad ![Carlsbad Caverns National Park featuring caves as well as an individual male](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6025866/3eebb3b8-d326-4216-9068-db88ce42208f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Carlsbad Caverns National Park See the wondrous geologic formations in a vast underground cavern system. Cave facilities offer easy walks or adventurous climbs and crawls. [](https://expedia.com/Carlsbad-Caverns-National-Park-Carlsbad.d6025866.Vacation-Attraction) ![Living Desert Zoo and Gardens](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532643161/109662d3-36ba-4da7-9386-17e6687c2e11.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park Why not meet the animals who call Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park home during your travels in Carlsbad? Discover the area's desert landscape and mountain views. [](https://expedia.com/Living-Desert-Zoo-Gardens-State-Park-Carlsbad.d553248621532643161.Vacation-Attraction) ![Peaceful Riverwalk Footpath with tall leafless trees and resting birds along Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area in Eddy County, New Mexico, USA, winter southwestern nature landscape](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532643171/bf3b808a-0186-4685-923d-1e442946b715.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area Explore the great outdoors at Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area, a lovely green space in Carlsbad. Discover the desert landscape and mountain views in this walkable area. [](https://expedia.com/Lake-Carlsbad-Recreation-Area-Carlsbad.d553248621532643171.Vacation-Attraction) ![Aerial view of sitting bull falls waterfall surrounded by breathtaking rock formations and lush greenery, Carlsbad, United States.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621532643108/4d7b5c14-9870-4716-bd8a-1c73b70c8d20.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Sitting Bull Falls Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Sitting Bull Falls during your travels in Carlsbad. Amble around the area's parks, or seek out its hiking trails. [](https://expedia.com/Sitting-Bull-Falls-Carlsbad.d553248621532643108.Vacation-Attraction) #### Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center Explore the great outdoors at Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitor Center, a lovely green space in Carlsbad. Discover the area's desert landscape and seek out the hiking trails. [](https://expedia.com/Carlsbad-Caverns-National-Park-Visitor-Center-Carlsbad.d553248635998123469.Vacation-Attraction) #### Riverwalk Recreation Center Riverwalk Recreation Center is just one of the places to see in Carlsbad, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the desert landscape and mountain views in this walkable area. [](https://expedia.com/Riverwalk-Recreation-Center-Carlsbad.d6218007.Vacation-Attraction) #### Carlsbad Medical Center Though Carlsbad Medical Center might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Carlsbad while you are here. [](https://expedia.com/Carlsbad-Medical-Center-Carlsbad.d624555098365964288.Vacation-Attraction) #### Lake Carlsbad Golf Course Enjoy a round of golf in Carlsbad at Lake Carlsbad Golf Course. Discover the desert landscape and mountain views in this walkable area. [](https://expedia.com/Lake-Carlsbad-Golf-Course-Carlsbad.d553248621532643173.Vacation-Attraction) #### Bat Flight Amphitheater You can make plans for a show at Bat Flight Amphitheater during your stay in Carlsbad. Discover the desert landscape and mountain views in this walkable area. [](https://expedia.com/Bat-Flight-Program-Im-Carlsbad-Cavern-National-Park-Carlsbad.d553248621532643165.Vacation-Attraction) --- Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check [things to do near me](https://www.expedia.com/things-to-do-near-me) to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be. --- ## Popular day trips from Carlsbad ![ City entrance sign with large turquoise colored letters and large Zia sign](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/1491/8afab769-5aa8-402f-81e3-6f40aa9635b3.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Hobbs ![USA, New Mexico, Eddy County, Carlsbad Caverns National Park. A view of the calcite cave formations of columns, stalactities, and stalagmites underground below the Guadelupe Mountains.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6175/9227a2ae-6031-4563-8d05-c66c8be08eff.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Artesia ![White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, USA](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/174427/1dff350f-fea2-4e7c-bd79-e40f90032bb3.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Whites City ![Salt Flat which includes mountains](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6195014/221fba4c-21cd-471a-8ccc-a90e93756064.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Salt Flat ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Carlsbad worth visiting? ### How do I spend a day in Carlsbad? ### What is the top tourist attraction in Carlsbad? ### Is three days enough to stay in Carlsbad? ### Is Carlsbad a walkable city? ### What are some activities to do in Carlsbad with kids? ### What to do in Carlsbad for adults? ### Are there free things to do in Carlsbad?