Las Cruces is located at the extreme south of the southern state of New Mexico. It is far south from the state capital Santa Fe, and the largest city Albuquerque and just 46 miles (74 km) from touching the Mexico border. Most people might consider Las Cruces a barren-arid land; which is incorrect. In fact, it’s the second-largest city of the state, has a rich history, and also boasts a flagship university. It has a river, mountain, and desert and it even gets a snowy winter. Due to such features, people from other parts of this country commonly move here. If you too are planning such, or are just coming for a holiday, our list can guide you. Down this paragraph, we’ve indexed the best things to do in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Read on to know all about it.
1. Embrace science at the Museum of Nature & Science
Learn more about the constellations, fossils, and the diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert at this downtown museum. The exhibit is open for all age groups and the admission is free. Not just for the kids, the museum would provide valuable knowledge to older groups, too. Several programs are run by this museum on subjects like the galaxy, animal encounter, fossils, etc. In fact, the Dimetrodon skeleton you’re seeing above was also discovered in the Chihuahuan Desert–maybe you could also learn about discovering fossils here.
Museum of Nature & Science
Address: 411 N Downtown Mall, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: Museum of Nature & Science
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 4:30pm; Sat: 9am - 4:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free
2. Go on a hike at Dripping Springs Natural Area
This nature reserve is positioned at 16 kilometers (10 miles) eastward of the city, and westward of the Organ Mountains. Dripping Springs Natural Area takes its name due to the weeping granite walls. It’s a wonderful hike, which is rated between easy to moderate on the difficulty scale. Throughout this 3-mile (5 kilometers) trek, you would also receive excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. Some easier finds should be: black-throated sparrow, desert cottontail rabbit, and collared lizard, and if you get lucky, you could spot a mountain lion, too.
Dripping Springs Natural Area
Address: 15000 Dripping Springs Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
Website: Dripping Springs Natural Area
Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)
Price: 5 USD per vehicle
3. Attend an event at Black Box Theater
Check the local talents at the Black Box Theater, a leading performing art stage of this city. The venue is also the home of a very capable group ‘No String Theater Company’, a huge team of drama artists. They have been performing plays since the year 2000, and you can actually check the complete synopsis of every show from all of the past seasons on their website. About 10 to 12 events should happen here every year, one running a full month. This means that you probably have an opportunity to attend a show when you’re in Las Cruces.
Black Box Theater
Address: 430 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: Black Box Theater
Opening hours: Varies
Price: Starts from 10 USD
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4. Witness a spectacular sunset from Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
This state park is located about 7 miles (11 kilometers) west from the city, and is considered the best birding location in the vicinity. The better time to visit Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park should be any day, when the river bed and the supporting creeks have some water. That’s the season when people can spot over 175 bird species in this park and also some predatory mammals at moments. Additionally, the sunsets at this park are also picturesque, and if you’re concerned about the closing timings, remember that you can always relish this scene outside of the park gate, too.
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
Address: 5000 Calle Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA
Website: Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
Opening hours: 7:30am - 4:30pm (daily)
Price: 5 USD
5. Swing by to pay your respects at Veterans Memorial Park
If you’re a national of this country, we believe it’s your moral obligation to be visiting this park and pay homage to the military veterans. This park is landscaped in the honor of the local ex-servicemen of this city. Several heroes from Las Cruces have served during the revolutionary war in Vietnam and some are still serving in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. Because people shouldn’t forget the sacrifices of those soldiers, they have engraved the names of the veterans on the tribute wall.
Veterans Memorial Park
Address: 1251 N Roadrunner Pkwy, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
Website: Veterans Memorial Park
Opening hours: 5am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
6. Explore New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
This should be a nice activity if you don’t have knowledge about farm life. This heritage museum teaches about the chronicles of the thousands-year history of the ranching and farming of this state. It’s a 47-acre (190,000 sq m) farmland, featuring a half-acre (0.2 hectare) of exhibit space. Take a tour and know about the livestock, gardening, windmill, and antique farm equipment. They also run programs and workshops–take a look if you’re keen to learn.
The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
Address: 4100 Dripping Springs Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
Website: The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: 5 USD
7. Browse through the artifacts of Zuhl Museum
Zuhl Museum is said to be a place where the rocks come alive, and when you’d visit this place, you will see that it’s completely true. This is partially a museum of natural history, and an art gallery to the other half. Discussing just the science, you will find near about 2,000 antique specimens and artifacts here. A majority of which are tree fossils, mineral fossils, and also fossils of the extinct marine arthropods like the Trilobites. This should be a great visit for archaeology enthusiasts.
Zuhl Museum
Address: 775 College Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Website: Zuhl Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 12pm - 4pm (closed from Sat - Mon)
8. Discover interesting railway facts at Las Cruces Railroad Museum
This museum is built on the old train depot property that was originally built in the year 1910. This place features railway artifacts from the bygone era like the handcars, tickets vending machine as well as the tickets, vintage railway lamps, photographs, etc. And more interestingly, they have a separate hall consisting of the miniature train models running through their perspective cities. The kids will surely love this visit and should get educated about railway history. Overall, it’s a must-visit if you love trains.
Las Cruces Railroad Museum
Address: 2567, 351 N Mesilla St, Las Cruces, NM 88005, United States
Website: Las Cruces Railroad Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 4:30pm; Sat: 9am - 4:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free
9. Explore Old Mesilla Village
Mesilla is a connected village of Las Cruces, and lies only 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the town center. But it wasn’t always a little place–as a matter of fact, Mesilla was the largest community in the region until the year 1881. The town only began to decline when its leaders turned down the track requests from the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railways, which Las Cruces accepted. Since then, Mesilla is living with just its prosperous historic flavor. This historic village has so much to tell from the wild west stories to the Mexican-American war. Explore the town to know more.
10. Play a round of golf at Red Hawk Golf Club
The greens are fine here, the sessions are affordable, and this club has a dining house as well. Come at this driving range and play a game with your buddies or make instant connections with the fellow players at the range. This 18-hole golf course is located about 14 kilometers (9 miles) off the city, near the Organ Mountains. Even if you’re not a golfer already, we suggest you try Red Hawk Golf Club. The play lessons are available at an hourly rate, equipment are accessible on rental, and the session charge includes the cart fee.
Red Hawk Golf Club
Address: 7502 Red Hawk Golf Road, Las Cruces, NM 88012, USA
Website: Red Hawk Golf Club
Opening hours: 6:30am - 8pm (daily)
Price: 22 - 60 USD
11. Venture into Rio Grande Vineyard & Winery
This beautiful estate is situated 12 kilometers (8 miles) south of the city, and it’s a popular wedding destination of Las Cruces. However, you can still visit this place for other reasons by filling a reservation through their website. This is an extensive estate that mostly grows European variety of grapes, pecan nuts, and honey. But above all, they have a microbrewery that brews different types of red, white, and specialty wines. You can buy the bottles or try the flavors for a little amount when you visit Rio Grande Vineyard & Winery.
Rio Grande Vineyard & Winery
Address: 5321 NM-28, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA
Website: Rio Grande Vineyard & Winery
Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 12pm - 5:30pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
Price: By appointments
12. Immerse in culture at Branigan Cultural Center
This is a museum downtown which is also listed on the National and State Registries of Historic Buildings. The mission is to spark curiosity in people through exhibitions so they could come up with fresh perspectives. Basically, this place is a cultural museum that shows the contrast of past societies with the present. Special events, educational programs, and exhibits are ever-changing here, which are always listed on the website. Visit this interesting venue; the admission is free.
Branigan Cultural Center
Address: 501 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: Branigan Cultural Center
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 4:30pm; Sat: 9am - 4:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Free
13. Reignite your love for art at Art Obscura
Art Obscura is a blend of multiple art forms; it’s a one-stop solution for catching musical performances, seeing artworks and antiques, and buying collectibles like handmade jewelry. Being located in downtown Las Cruces, it’s always easy to access for everyone. A look around this exhibition is free, and money will be required only when you wish to purchase some artwork from the store. Check their website if you’re planning to get there; it will also guide you about current and future events.
Art Obscura
Address: 3206 Harrelson St, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA
Website: Art Obscura
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 10am - 7pm; Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed from Mon - Wed)
Price: Free
14. Explore the beautiful campus of New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University is one of the most prestigious and oldest educational institutions of the state of New Mexico. Founded with a college in 1888, it received university status in the year 1960 when too many programs and institutions were brought in here. Today, this campus has nearly the same expansion as a small town, the area is 900 acres (360 ha) to be exact. Together with the institutional buildings, the campus holds several museums, galleries, sports arenas, and many more features. They even have a police department for the campus.
New Mexico State University
Address: 1780 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Website: New Mexico State University
15. Hike through the scenic Soledad Canyon Day Use Area
Only 14 miles (22 kilometers) off the city of Las Cruces, Soledad Canyon Day Use Area is an easy-difficulty hiking trail. If you’re a beginner hiker, you will like this location. This scenic location is a junction between the Bar and Soledad Canyon, and if you pick the correct route, the trail should end in less than 4 miles (6.4 km). There will be a waterfall at the end which is going to be your resting spot. Plenty of mule deer are spotted in this region; bring you camera if you’re into wildlife photography.
Soledad Canyon Day Use Area
Address: 13300 Soledad Canyon Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
Website: Soledad Canyon Day Use Area
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free
16. Unwind at La Llorona Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
This is a beautiful oasis near the city developed on the banks of Rio Grande. Have fun swimming in its shallow waters, ride a canoe, or go fishing. And if you’re here in the summer when the river bed is dry, build sandcastles or just pick up the shells. A specified area is also designed for the toddlers, and there’s a cycle track, too, that circles the full park. Basically, it’s a family-friendly space where you can spend a lazy day. Try visiting this park if you have no plans for the day.
La Llorona Park
Address: 3440 W Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88007, USA
Website: La Llorona Park
Opening hours: 5am - 11pm (daily)
Price: Free
17. Enjoy authentic Mexican food at La Nueva Casita Café
If you like Mexican cuisine, you will love this restaurant from Las Cruces. La Nueva Casita Café in Mesquite neighborhood is one of the oldest restaurants at the historic part of this city. This place has genuine décor as well as the real taste. They do not serve Americanized versionn of Mexican flavors so it’s going to be a treat if you haven’t tried the actual Mexican food. Just keep in mind that they do not serve dinner so be there before evening.
La Nueva Casita Café
Address: 195 N Mesquite St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: La Nueva Casita Café
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 8am - 8:30pm; Fri: 7am - 8:30pm; Sat: 8am - 8:30pm; Sun - Mon: 8am - 3pm
18. Have a good time at Lava Rock Lounge
This location may not suit everyone but you would enjoy it if you happen to be a smoker. Lava Rock Lounge is basically a hookah bar with a smoker souvenir gift shop. This place features equipment like bongs, pipes, bubblers, shisha, etc, and also accessories such as cool cigarette lighters. For people who are not into smoking due to tobacco hazards, they can try nicotine-free flavors at the lounge. This place is really inexpensive, and they’re open till late.
Lava Rock Lounge
Address: 111 S Solano Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
Website: Lava Rock Lounge
Opening hours: 9am - 12pm (daily)
19. Step back in time at the Mesquite Street Historic District
Most sides of Las Cruses are modern but then you will also see a downtown location that still carries the appearance of an old Mexican village. This is Mesquite, the historic town of this city. There is no faux décor here–the adobes and every structure of the bygone era are actually real. You may have visited other historic districts but very few places would be as authentically antique as Mesquite. Visit this street and take a look at the life of the early 20th century.
Experience Las Cruces
Las Cruces has something for everyone. Locations like Organ Mountain, Soledad Canyon, Mesilla Valley State Park, and Las Cruces Reservoir are near the city–this blend of desert, creek, mountain, and canyon in such small vicinity brings a great possibility for nature photography. You can also visit a variety of museums, parks, and New Mexico State University to experience the city’s culture and art. Then, have the best wine and Mexican food once you’re done with all the sightseeing.
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