Was there for Balloon Fest a few years ago. So my time was limited.
Carlsbad Caverns is not close at all. Probably a 3-4 hour drive, its closer to El Paso.
Santa Fe is close by and is a great place! North about an hour or less drive.
El Pinto restaurant in Alb:
Home
Owl Cafe | The Owl is original green chili cheese burger. Their original location in San Antonio NM is next to the Trinity Nuke test sight and Openheimer and others would stop in for burgers.
Roswell is on the way to Carlsbad!!
http://www.roswellufomuseum.com/