Las Cruces is a city located in the south-central part of the state of New Mexico. It is the county seat of Doña Ana County, with a population of over 100,000 people. It is also the home of New Mexico State University. The city is known as the “City of Enchantment” because of its beautiful scenery and unique culture.
The first people who settled in Las Cruces were the Spanish. The name Las Cruces means “the crossroads” in Spanish. It was named for the many crossroads in the area.
There are a number of things to do in Las Cruces. You can visit the Doña Ana County Museum. The museum features exhibits that illustrate the history of the region. You can also visit the El Paso County Historical Museum. The museum has an extensive collection of photographs and artifacts that tell the story of the region from the early settlers to modern day. There is also the New Mexico History Museum, which features exhibits on New Mexico’s history.
There are also a number of events that take place in Las Cruces. For example, the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra holds concerts in the city every year. The city also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year. One of these is the Fiesta de Las Cruces. It is held each year in September and celebrates the Hispanic heritage of the city. There are also a number of other festivals in the city.
Let’s see the places –
1. Organs Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
The monument is a protected area of about 500,000 acres. The place is famous as a hiking area in the Organs Mountains surrounding the city of .
Whichever trail you choose, all of them offer spectacular views over the Chihuahua Desert Mountains as well as the Organ Mountains.
Visitors can also glimpse the local flora and fauna that survive in this arid environment, and you can easily reach this monument from .
Address: , NM 88011,
Phone: +1 575-525-4300
2. Branigan Cultural Center
You can visit the Branigan Cultural Center to learn more about the area, primarily its art and culture.
As part of the Branigan Cultural Center, you will have the opportunity to visit the Museum of Fine Art and Cucumber as well as the Historical Museum. The centre also has a collection of local artefacts such as sculptures, photographs, textiles of the area, and historical monuments.
Tours & Things to do hand-picked by our insiders
If you are in this area, you must visit this wonderful collection.
Address: 501 N Main St, , NM 88001,
Phone: +1 575-541-2154
3. Visit Fountain Theater This Weekend
The Fountain Theater is known as the oldest movie theatre in . The theatre is an excellent example of Period Architecture, built-in 1905 in the signature Adobe style.
The theatre is not only a traditional monument in the region; it also regularly shows films that film lovers will love. You can visit this fantastic place with your family.
Address: 2469 Calle De Guadalupe, Mesilla, NM 88046,
Phone: +1 575-524-8287
4. Messila Valley Basque State Park
Just outside of , you will find this fantastic place. The spectacular Messila Valley Basque State Park is dedicated to preserving the forest in the Rio Grande line.
Fantastic This park is spread over 305 acres. The park is ideal for those who enjoy hiking or mountain biking. Moreover, you can fish here if you want because there is a lake.
Due to the park’s wetlands, the area is full of birds and various animals. So those who love to see birds can come here with family.
Address: 5000 Calle Del Norte, , NM 88005,
Phone: +1 575-523-4398
5. Museum of nature and science
The Museum of Nature and Science is one of the largest museums in the area. It still displays various exhibitions to tourists that tell stories of local plants and animals.
There is a small zoo with about 40 examples of wildlife in the area, particularly on desert animals. And if you are interested in the arid landscapes around Las Cruz, this may be the place for you.
Located in: City Park
Address: 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80205,
Phone: +1 303-370-6000
6. Picacho Avenue Antique Mall
If you like antiques and want to spend the day exploring the hidden gems, be sure to visit Picasso Avenue in the downtown area of Las Cruz.
This area of is full of antique shops that feature period items from this region and are famous to people for their high quality and reasonable price, so if you want an authentic souvenir from your time here, this is the best place to explore.
Address: 1260 W Picacho Ave, , NM 88005,
Phone: +1 575-526-0006
7. Green Chile Trail
If you like to eat peppers, why not go on a Walk of Flame trip? All the pepper-related dishes are served in the food restaurants and bars here.
Green Pepper is the pride of and a research centre dedicated to studying these small green capsicums at the local university. So it is only natural that guests should try some chilli-based foods for themselves.
On the Green Chili Trail, you can visit local restaurants where you can try traditional Mexican dishes made using green peppers or eat dishes made primarily in the area as part of the trip.
These include some weird foods like green chilli vodka and green chilli martinis; you will find beer made with green chili.
The Walk of Flame will give you an idea of the history of pepper production in and the strategies for growing and picking visitors.
8. and
The and are perfect for guests who want to learn more about the region’s rich agricultural history, dating back 3,000 years.
The museum provides an excellent learning environment for both young and old guests and includes examples and explanations of dairy farming in the area and local farming and cooking techniques, such as hand-feeding cows.
You can even find everything from museums in the area, including various cows used in agriculture, and visit animals in their corals.
Address: 4100 Dripping Springs Rd, , NM 88011,
Phone: +1 575-522-4100
9. White Sand National Monument
Forty-five miles east of , visitors will see the largest gypsum mound in the world.
Travellers to the area describe the monument as a scene from another world, and the hills provide a beautiful insight into the local flora and fauna that somehow thrive in these arid and harsh conditions.
The white dunes here are primitive and intact, and there are beautiful places to picnic. There are also opportunities to surf or toboggan under the hills.
The monument stretches for 275 square miles and has guided walks like the Sunset Stroll Nature Walk guided by local guides who will fill in all the local points of interest to visitors.
Address: ,
Phone: +1 575-479-6124
10. La Vina Winery
Many visitors to do not realize that the climate here makes it a perfect place to make wine because the dry heat helps the grapes grow and ripen.
As a result, many more wineries are available throughout , including La Vina wineries, famous for hosting an annual wine festival in October every year.
Not only does La Vina Winery host the festival, but if you visit at any other time of the year, you can visit the facilities and testing rooms and see the latest mix of grapes for that particular vintage.
Address: 4201 NM-28, Anthony, NM 88021,
Phone: +1 575-882-7632
11. Railway Museum
Visit the Depot, a historically significant part of , and here you will find the Railroad Museum, which is the perfect place for those who like to travel by train.
This excellent railroad museum has a range of permanent exhibits that tell visitors the story of the evolution of railroads in and around , and you will find relics of the exhibition period here.
You will also find model railways on the show, including model tracks and maps of railway lines.
The crowning glory of the site is an actual campus that sadly no longer operates but still gives this place a great taste of train travel in .
Address: 351 N Mesilla St #2567, , NM 88005,
Phone: +1 575-528-3444
12. and Crafts Market
If you visit on Wednesdays or Saturdays, be sure to visit local farmers and craft markets from sunrise to afternoon.
If you want to pick up souvenirs from your area, this market is one of the best places to find them. Here you can buy all kinds of lovely handmade jewellery, leather goods, and items like local ceramic and pottery pieces.
In addition to the souvenirs, you can expect lots of delicious food here, all of which are collected fresh from the farm.
Address: 221 N Main St Studio E, , NM 88001,
Phone: +1 575-201-3853
13. of Art
The of Art is a beautiful place for those who love painting. A great mission statement here promotes art in the and New Mexico regions.
The museum houses permanent and temporary exhibitions relating to the area and around the year.
The exhibition covers various art mediums like sculpture, photography, and painting.
Fantastic demonstrations and art classes are also held at the museum, focusing on contemporary art and supporting up-and-coming local artists from the region.
Address: 491 N Main St, , NM 88001,
Phone: +1 575-541-2137
14. Fort Seldon State Monument
Since 1865, Fort Seldon has been built by the U.S. military as a fortress to protect the indigenous people who have settled in the Messila Valley area.
Much of the castle is gone nowadays, but the Adobe-style brick castle still exists for visitors to explore, and there is also an exciting and insightful visitor centre where there is a permanent exhibition that explains everything about border life.
If you attend here on weekends, you will often see live demonstrations that make you feel back in those old days.
Address: 1280 Fort Selden Rd, Radium Springs, NM 88054,
Phone: +1 575-526-8911
15. Old Messila
If you travel south of , you’ll come to the village of Messila, historically significant for being where the infamous Billy the Kid was kept for trial.
Nowadays, Old Messila has delightful shops that sell handicrafts from the region, and if you want to eat some authentic Mexican food, you have come to the right place.
The place is haunted by miners and historical figures who lived and died in the old days. So if you feel brave, you can join a walking tour in the downtown Plaza area that people believe is full of ghosts.
Address-Town of Mesilla, P.O. Box 10 Mesilla, NM 88046
Phone: (575) 524-3262
Web site: https://www.mesillanm.gov
Wow. Las Cruces is a beautiful town. I would love to go there someday.
I drove through here once and only got to see a little bit of the area. Beautiful! Would love to go back and check these out!