Overview
Deming is a small town in the southwestern region of New Mexico, USA. It has attained a quirky sort of fame as the site of the Great American Duck Race, one of those little bits of Americana sometimes encountered in very small towns. Interesting country is nearby for the geologist and hiker.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Deming
Deming Luna Mimbres Museum
Open M-Sa 9AM-4PM; closed major holidays. Native American artifacts and items of local color.
Great American Duck Race
In late August, this amazingly quirky event defies description; the photo of the "2006 Duck Queen" on the website (above) is worth a thousand words (even if most of them are "quack") and nearly as many laughs.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 97°F; winter lows dip to about 34°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby El Paso)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SVC Grant County Airport, Silver City — 34 mi away. Directions
- LRU Las Cruces International Airport, Las Cruces — 49 mi away. Directions
- ELP El Paso International Airport, El Paso — 87 mi away (major hub). Directions
Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about 60 mi west of Las Cruces and about 80 mi east of the Arizona state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in El Paso, Texas, 109 mi east of Deming.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Deming Luna Mimbres Museum
- Lunch El Mirador
- Afternoon Great American Duck Race
- Dinner Marie's Italian Grill
- Evening Luna Rossa Winery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
Deming is on Interstate highway 10, about 60 mi west of Las Cruces and about 80 mi east of the Arizona state line. There is no commercial air service nearby; the closest significant airport is in El Paso, Texas, 109 mi east of Deming.
By car
Interstate 10 (I-10) passes through Deming in an east/west direction. Deming is accessed from Exits 81 to 85 with Exit 82 specifically into town as Gold Ave.
to Pine St goes east-west as a local street (Old US 80) from Exit 81 of I-10, through downtown Deming and back to I-10 at Exit 85. The road itself continues another 17 mi east to Arroyo Speedway at Exit 102 as NM-547 (Old US Hwy 80).
, & Gold Ave goes north of town where it splits. Going west US 180 goes 53 mi northwesterly to Silver City while NM 26 goes 48 mi northeasterly to I-25 in Hatch. Going east US 180 follows I-10 concurrently to El Paso. Going towards the south of town Gold Ave becomes Cody Rd which becomes Columbus Rd. It goes another 32 mi south to Columbus near the Mexican border.
By bus
Go Greyhound
As this is just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Greyhound travels on I-10 between El Paso, Lordsburg, Tucson and Phoenix. Some variations of the I-10 route may make extra stops in Las Cruces, Deming, Wilcox, Benson, Casa Grande/Eloy and/or Mesa. Check schedules.
By train
Go Amtrak
Served by two routes: the Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. As this is an unmanned platform with a shelter, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone to be presented to the conductor at boarding.
See
See Deming Luna Mimbres Museum
Open M-Sa 9AM-4PM; closed major holidays. Native American artifacts and items of local color.
Do
Buy
There's only basic shopping, but souvenirs of the Great American Duck Race are every bit as whimsical as the race itself.
Eat
Eat El Mirador
Tolerable Mexican, nothing special but quite edible.
Eat Marie's Italian Grill
Basic Italian-American.
Eat The Adobe Deli
Not the easiest place to find but you'll be glad when you found it. One of the best steaks for miles. The atmosphere is well worth the trip. They even have a place for you to tie up your horse.
Drink
Two wineries, yes, two wineries are present in this desert landscape. Neither one charges for tasting and both charge reasonable prices for their wine.
Drink Luna Rossa Winery
Is visible from the highway on the frontage road going into town on I-10 eastbound.
Drink D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room
Is a larger operation than Luna Rossa. There are signs in town directing you to the vineyard. Warning: their website blasts annoying music.
Sleep
Go next
- Rockhound State Park is about 5 miles south of town, and is notable as one of the few state or national parks where visitors are encouraged to remove natural features -- specifically the unusual minerals found in abundance there that make it a rockhound's playground. (There's a "bag limit;" check the web site for details.) Day use $5/vehicle; there are a number of campsites (extra fee).
- City of Rocks State Park is about 30 miles north via US 180, with weird rock formations reminiscent of the better-known Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona. Unlike at Rockhound, you can't take the rocks home with you, but they're accessible to the hiker. Day hikes, camping, stargazing; fee.
Nearby
My experience
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