26 Best Things To Do in Las Cruces, New Mexico
Last updated October 11, 2025
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Las Cruces is a great place to immerse yourself in the charm of New Mexico, discover history, and enjoy flavorful cuisine.
If you seek a southwestern place that is flourishing and rich in culture and art, don't hesitate to visit Las Cruces.
Also, there are multiple museums to explore here and events that will help you engage in amazing natural places.
It’s really a fascinating location, offering numerous activities both in town and in the nearby regions.
Discover the 26 best things to explore in Las Cruces!
1. Zuhl Museum
Zuhl Museum serves as both a Natural History and art museum.
Its collection contains incredible artifacts from this area, including petrified wood and fossils.
There are also many stunning art pieces from the area here.
The museum and collection are managed and owned by New Mexico's State University.
You're even free to discover more items in the museum's collection right at the lovely Zuhl Library situated close to the exhibit hall.
2. DH Lescombes Winery & Bistro
Enjoying delicious New Mexico cuisine is a lovely activity to share with kids in the city of Las Cruces.
In addition to fantastic spicy Mexican cuisine, Las Cruces offers the DH Lescombes tasting room and café for you to savor.
This stands as the spot to visit if you wish to try regional wines.
DH Lescombes Winery showcases some of the top wines in New Mexico.
Explore their vineyard, select your preferred choice during a fun wine tasting tour, and savor some musical performances on Saturday and Friday.
The winery is a fantastic spot to find some Las Cruces local souvenirs for your relatives and companions back home.
Their shop also offers regional craft beers and gourmet foods.
3. Basilica San Albino
This stands as a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Mesilla, New Mexico.
This first church in this region was constructed in 1852 while this land was actually a portion of Mexico.
Mesilla town was established in 1850 after the Guadalupe-Hidalgo treaty (that transferred Mexican territory to the USA) and this town was indeed established on the boundary's Mexican side.
The existing church, however, originates from the 1900s. It is likewise among the most historic and oldest places of worship in this state.
It is a vibrant place with frequent masses and events, and among Las Cruces's most remarkable and attractive structures.
Situated at La Mesilla Plaza's northern edge, it is also among the town’s most photographed spots.
4. Corralitos Ranch
Horse riding remains among Las Cruces's top activities that align with the local culture.
Thus, New Mexico, especially Las Cruces, is the perfect location for a horseback ride.
Explore the vast Corralitos ranch before embarking on a horseback riding adventure across the vast desert.
The sights are spectacular and horse-riding here is very enjoyable.
Pick a day ride or experience the golden hour. This is when the nighttime light starts to descend.
It’s an exceptionally stunning moment for both riding and photography.
5. La Posta
Constructed inside La Posta stands a remarkable restaurant and destination located inside La Mesilla, housed in a historic building.
This restaurant is awesome not only for its delicious food but also for its lovely atmosphere
La Posta functioned as the hotel of Corn Exchange during the Wild West's peak in the region.
La Mesilla was among the biggest towns in this region during the early 1800s. It was also a well-known stop for various travelers and stagecoaches passing through the southwest.
You will adore the hotel’s decorations and meals.
It's important to mention that it's a well-liked location, therefore it can become quite busy during peak times.
It's also spacious and they offer ample seating, therefore you should not have to delay too long.
6. Organ Mountains
A top Las Cruces activity is to take pictures of the fascinating Organ Mountains.
The monument is 500000 acres (202000 ha) of safeguarded terrain that is rough and completely astonishing.
You can engage with the outdoors here, capture some photos of the remarkable mountains, and go for a hike.
There are also many trails, ranging from the simple to the better sophisticated.
Also featuring mountain vistas across the picturesque Organ Mountains and Chihuahua Desert, you are indeed blessed with many options here.
7. White Sands MissileRange Museum
This museum has played a significant role in the development of rockets, space exploration, and the missile technology record of America.
A significant portion of the period originated from the laboratories and testing grounds in this region of the nation.
The museum chronicles this development and history, addressing both previous and ongoing studies in these fields.
You will see the details regarding the historic missiles, history, gear, and additional items here.
There is also an area you can explore to view a good number of exhibits.
These screens are accessible even when the White Sands Museum is not open.
Be aware that the exhibits and museum are situated on White Sands' Missile RangeBase, which necessitates entry into the military installation.
Achieving this is always a challenging task, often necessitating US citizenship or sponsorship.
8. Fountain Theater
This unique Fountain Theater remains New Mexico's oldest cinema and it was constructed in the classic adobe style.
The 1905 monument isn't merely a symbolic structure in Las Cruces, but it's likewise a fully operational cinema.
If you appreciate great Western or classic films, you definitely ought to visit here.
9. Shed Restaurant
In case you’re searching for a fantastic place for brunch or breakfast, you should certainly give Shed Restaurant a shot.
It is among my top Las Cruces restaurants with excellent standard choices of breakfast wraps, eggs, and additional nice items.
Note that the Shed Restaurant is open only in the morning, so plan to visit early. It also becomes quite crowded.
Fortunately, it can be quite calm during the weekdays. The restaurant is absolutely worth a visit and a snack.
10. Branigan Center
If you wish to learn more about Las Cruces, check out this center.
The Couture and Museum Fine Art along with the Historical Las Cruces museums are located in this cultural center and offer numerous attractions and activities.
Within the cultural center, there are also several sculptures, historical artifacts, pictures, regional fabrics, and heritage artifacts.
There’s a complete assortment of activities and sights to experience at the lovely Branigan Center, so go ahead and pay a visit.
11. Museum of Science & Nature
Situated next to the Art Museum, this science museum boasts stunning displays that address the regional plant and animal life in the vicinity.
The museum explores the life inside the desert region, which truly aids in examining some flora and fauna that you might encounter in the region, especially those that could be hard to see (or you wish to steer clear of) in the vicinity.
A favorite exhibit of mine here is Permian Trackways.
It addresses the fossil tracks that were discovered in the region at the nearby National Monument.
As you probably can't view them in that location (many are housed in museums), here is an excellent method to encounter them.
Note that entry to the museum remains free.
12. Green Chili Trail
Are you the type of person who needs to add chili to everything? Are you a fan of spice?
Then you need to embark on a fun Green Chili excursion. Las Cruces takes pride in its green chilies.
The nearby university features a designated research center focused on these hot green peppers.
There are also nice eateries where you can stop by and sample the best spicy meals.
Las Cruces remains also famous for its amazing chili zesty drinks you might not have sampled before, such as green chili vodka and jalapeño martini.
'Walk of Flame' tour is an excellent chili tour, featuring a guide who will accompany you through the historical journey of Las Cruces chilli production.
13. Witch Grave
It appears that no one truly knows to whom this grave belongs.
The sizable block with one cross does seem somewhat incongruous in the region, lacking any other nearby structures.
There are also many legends surrounding it and some refer to it as a witch.
We attempted to gather additional details about the grave but just got background information, and various people, including the regional tourism board, considered it undiscovered.
It’s certainly intriguing, and if it’s something you find engaging, it’s quite easy to explore inside La Mesilla.
14. Fort Seldon Monument
Visiting this place is another exciting Las Cruces activity that history enthusiasts would love.
The structure was erected by the US Army in 1865 for defense purposes for the individuals residing in Mesilla Valley.
Currently, even though the majority of the forts have fallen apart from a distance, you'll still observe the fort walls that used to be capable of safeguarding neighborhoods.
So, go ahead and stroll through the fort, explore the monument, and visit their visitor center which features a permanent exhibit that outlines the fort's past and highlights the individuals associated with this fortification.
15. New Mexico's Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
The museum of 47 acres chronicles more than 4000 years of agricultural and ranching history in the region, and I find it quite intriguing.
The museum outlines this farm and ranch history and its practices.
The creativity, equipment, and methods of the communities cultivating in certain regions that are both fertile and challenging in their climates.
The museum also discusses a range of local topics, including the effects of ranching together with the historic missile range, the wild west's elements in the region, and other additional information.
16. Picacho Avenue AntiqueMall
Exploring the town is among the best Las Cruces activities to enjoy.
If you are interested in doing some antiquing while you are in town, visit the Antique Mall on Picacho Avenue in the downtown area to pass time while looking for hidden treasures.
The whole of Picacho Avenue stays lined with various antique stores and you can jump from store to store, exploring knick-knacks and valuables.
Las Cruces' vintage stores are recognized for possessing remarkable discoveries at reasonable costs.
17. White Sands Park
Safeguarding the vast expanse of silica white sand, this national park ranks among the most notable and intriguing locations to explore near Las Cruces.
I really adore national parks. White Sands remains among the most fascinating and least frequented ones.
It's a compact park and many of the attractions here can be explored in one day or a portion of the day.
Activities in the park include hiking, observing wildlife, sand sledding, wilderness camping, and also the chance for stargazing.
This park is approximately 1 hour away from Las Cruces, therefore owning a car is necessary for exploration.
It is absolutely worth the trip as Las Cruces serves as a really great base for exploring the park.
18. Mesilla Valley BosqueState Park
Exploring desert vegetation is among Las Cruces' top activities to enjoy.
The 305-acre Mesilla Valley state park remains a well-liked spot to chill and unwind, and a favorite for locals.
It is dedicated to the safeguarding and preservation of Rio Grande's wooded areas.
If you like mountain biking or hiking, you'll adore this state park, therefore grab a fun picnic and go out together with friends on a guide-led excursion.
It is an amazing park to experience the lovely views and fresh air.
Since the park features a vast wetland region, bird enthusiasts will also have a great time during their visit while they seek out various species.
19. Farmers and Crafts Market
Las Cruces' Farmers and Crafts Market remains a cornerstone of Las Cruces downtown for more than 50 years.
Numerous vendors occupy multiple downtown blocks in the town offering local goods, fresh produce, ready-made meals, and additional items.
The market takes place exclusively on Saturdays and Wednesdays, so you have to attend on any of these days.
On Saturday, the market even grows to cover 7 Main Street's city blocks.
Purchasing local pottery stands as one of Las Cruces activities to enjoy during your visit to the markets.
20. Roadrunner Statue
Roadrunner Statue is a brief stop while you journey into Las Cruces, and it is a remarkable statue to behold.
The statue, made from recycled materials, towers at an impressive 6 m (20-foot) height.
This sculpture of a bird is crafted from recycled materials and refuse.
Try to examine carefully and you’ll discover worn-out shoes, cell phones, and bicycle components here.
It was previously located at Las Cruces's Foothills Landfill. It also served as a striking illustration of the brutal truths of overindulgence and the importance of recycling.
It has been moved to Las Cruces west along I-10, therefore halt and observe this big, repurposed statue while also taking in wide Las Cruces views.
21. Las Cruces Art Museum
This museum aims to showcase local artworks from Las Cruces alongside the remarkable artists from the Southwest and New Mexico.
The artworks showcase numerous talented local artists.
Although you might be unfamiliar with many of the artists, it is important to discover this lovely little museum in the city center.
A fantastic aspect is that it's situated adjacent to the Science & Nature Museum, allowing you to visit both locations conveniently.
The museum doesn’t charge an entrance fee, making it an ideal spot for a brief two-hour visit when you're around the area.
22. Dripping Springs
The Dripping Spring Natural Area is a section of the expansive Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks NationalMonument and a favored destination for day hiking activities.
The region features multiple hiking paths within the space, including some with truly interesting sights to explore.
The most favored path here is the driping springs trail, a 3-mile round-trip trail that leads you across the arid terrain.
There’s a lot to observe on this trail, including various wildlife (birds, snakes, spiders) along with some historical locations too.
Make sure to also set aside time to visit the springs and the mountain lodge (resort structures) and the wellness center as well.
Note that accessing these places necessitates a receipt and a fee. There is also an available visitor center that can offer useful information.
23. Downtown Las Cruces
The downtown of Las Cruces has plenty to offer including excellent dining establishments, green spaces, reading shops, and other additional options.
You will truly enjoy exploring here.
Among my favorites is Grounded, a plant-based coffee shop situated in the downtown area.
24. La Mesilla
There is a lot to explore in La Mesilla and it is among my favorite spots in Las Cruces.
It possesses a certain charm of the old world.
This square is beautiful and there are various sellers and activities taking place here.
Additionally, there are numerous fantastic eateries and stores in the vicinity too. I suggest having lunch or dinner in this area of the city.
At times, La Mesilla may seem exceptionally silent, however, it becomes lively during tourist seasons and in the evenings.
The shops possess a variety of interesting keepsakes, ranging from artwork to local novelties.
25. Railroad Museum
Situated in the historical Santa Fe Rail road Depot, this Railroad Museum follows the fascinating train history in the city of Las Cruces together with the surrounding area.
Las Cruces Railroad notably influenced New Mexico South in particular.
If you journey around southern New Mexico, you have the opportunity to explore several fascinating towns and locations that developed around this railroad inside the vicinity.
The Railroad Museum showcases stunning miniatures of railroads from the Southern United States and New Mexico.
It also explores the historical background and cultural richness of the region.
26. Prehistoric Trackway National Monument
This monument was named after the ancient footprints which were discovered in this region.
Numerous prints were found and several have been placed in museums regionally and across the nation.
This National Monument also features several off-road auto routes and hiking paths to discover.
It is a great spot to experience some truly amazing nature and distance yourself from the crowds.
However, discovering real trails in this park is quite challenging.
There are a few, though they are unlabeled, and there are no instructions on the way to access them.
The majority of this park is exclusively for all-terrain driving and hiking.
You can access many of the trail heads even using a sedan, but to reach deeper inside the park, you will require a good 4×4 vehicle having high clearance.
