Best Things to Do in Las Cruces

Las Cruces is southern New Mexico’s largest city and a great base for exploring the region.

It does not have the tourism reputation of Santa Fe or Taos, but its a fantastic place with historic neighborhoods, great food, and easy access to the Organ Mountains. Between the many museums, downtown, and surrounding desert, there is enough in Las Cruces to easily fill a weekend.

Don’t Miss

Downtown Las Cruces

Downtown Las Cruces features shops, restaurants, breweries, public art, and frequent community events, making it the best place to experience the city’s atmosphere. It’s especially nice during the Saturday Farmers & Crafts Market where stands selling local produce and goods line several blocks of Main Street. There are also three small, free museums downtown: the Branigan Cultural Center, the Las Cruces Museum of Art, and the Museum of Nature & Science.

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University is the state’s land-grant university and a major presence in southern New Mexico. The campus features Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and several cultural attractions. The Zuhl Museum, which houses an incredible collection of fossils and petrified wood, is a highlight. You can also learn about chile at the chile pepper institute on campus.

Old Mesilla

Mesilla, while technically a separate town, is part of the Las Cruces metropolitan area and is a must-see for visitors. Its historic city center plays the role of Las Cruces’ Old Town, with a central plaza and surrounding streets lined with shops, restaurants, galleries, and the Basilica of San Albino. The history of the town is fascinating, with connections to the Gadsden Purchase, the Civil War, and Billy the Kid.

Organ Mountains

The Organ Mountains rise above the city and provide excellent hiking and scenery. The most accessible area is Dripping Springs Natural Area on the west side of the mountains, where trails wind through the desert foothills to the ruins of an old mountain resort and sanatorium. On the east side, Aguirre Spring campground is a great starting point for hikes into the higher elevations of the Organ Mountains like the very popular Pine Tree Loop Trail.

Museums & Culture

Las Cruces has several amazing museums, many of which are free.

Top picks include:

• New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum – Explores thousands of years of agriculture, ranching, and rural life in New Mexico.
• Zuhl Museum – Features a world-class collection of fossils, petrified wood, and prehistoric specimens.
• Museum of Nature & Science – Showcases regional wildlife, natural history, and some elusive prehistoric tracks.
• Branigan Cultural Center – Highlights the history and cultures of Las Cruces and southern New Mexico through rotating exhibits.
• Las Cruces Museum of Art – Presents rotating exhibitions with an emphasis on regional and contemporary artists.
• Las Cruces Railroad Museum – Preserves the history of railroads and their impact on southern New Mexico.

The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum is the largest and most distinctive, with indoor exhibits, livestock, historic equipment, and displays covering thousands of years of agriculture in New Mexico.

Food & Drink

Las Cruces is one of New Mexico’s best food cities, with great Mexican and New Mexican food.

Good places to start include:

• Si Senor Restaurant – A favorite for New Mexican cuisine.
• Wavez Food Hawaiian-Cajun – Interesting fusion of Hawaiian and Cajun food.
• Caliche’s Frozen Custard – Famous for its creamy frozen custard and classic diner feel.

Las Cruces is very much an agricultural city at heart. Lots of pecans, pistachios, onions, and chile are grown locally, so be sure to try some of the local produce and chile when you visit.

Events

• Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market – Held every Saturday morning along Downtown Main Street, featuring local produce, handmade crafts, food vendors, and live music. There is also a smaller market on Wednesday in the plaza.
• Southern New Mexico State Fair – Held in fall and features livestock shows, rodeos, carnival rides, concerts, and other live entertainment.
• Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally – An annual January event with colorful hot air balloons, balloon glows, and mass ascensions over the Mesilla Valley.

Outdoors

The Organ Mountains are a big attraction, but there are several other places to explore:

• Hike at Dripping Springs or Soledad Canyon
• Walk along the Rio Grande and visit the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
• Explore the volcanic landscape west of the city
• Visit the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument
• Drive to Aguirre Spring on the eastern side of the Organ Mountains

Summer afternoons can be extremely hot, so hiking is best during the morning or in the cooler months.

Where to Stay

Stay near Old Mesilla, downtown, or the university area. Old Mesilla has the most historic atmosphere, while the university and Interstate 25 corridors offer convenient access to restaurants, hotels, and the Organ Mountains. If you like quirky, the Lundeen Inn of the Arts is a boutique hotel in a historic building in downtown Las Cruces.

How Long Should You Stay?

Two days is enough to see the main attractions.

Spend one day exploring Old Mesilla, downtown, and the museums, then use the second day for hiking in the Organ Mountains. You can also stay longer if you plan to use Las Cruces as a base for White Sands or other destinations across southern New Mexico!