Area Attractions

Art Community - With over 40 galleries and over 200 artists, the Mesilla Valley is the perfect place for art lovers seeking high quality productions at a reasonable prices.

Bataan Death March Memorial - Heroes of Bataan. The only federally funded memorial dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Bataan Death March during WWII. Located in Veterans Park.

Fort Selden State Monument - Located 15 miles north of Las Cruces on either Interstate 25 (exit 19) or Highway 185. Fort hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. six days a week, May 1- September 1, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., closed Tuesdays. (575) 526-8911.

Ghost Towns - There are several historic towns within an hour or so drive of Las Cruces.

Historic Old Mesilla - One of the most popular trade centers between the mid-west and the west coast 150 years ago, Mesilla is now a quaint town centered around a plaza filled with shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Located south of Las Cruces on Avenida de Mesilla, and only minutes from anywhere in Las Cruces.

Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market - Locally grown produce, hand-crafted arts and crafts, jewelry, and much more. Every Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. - noon on the Downtown Mall.

Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
The State Park is New Mexico's 34th state park and encompasses 300 acres of bosque (riverside forest) along the Rio Grande and 600 acres of adjacent Chihuahuan Desert. The park is a refuge for wildlife and a haven for people seeking the quiet enjoyment of nature. 

Museums - Check out any of Las Cruces' several museums dedicated to preserving the history of the Mesilla Valley, surrounding areas, and the state. Collections range from ancient historical artifacts to generations-old family heirlooms.

New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum - A tour of the 3,000 year-old agricultural history of New Mexico with hands-on displays and live demonstrations. Located 1.5 miles east of Telshor on University Avenue. Museum hours: Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays noon - 5 p.m. (575) 522-4100.

Organ Mountains - Overlooking Las Cruces to the east, the Organ's provide excellent hiking, mountain biking, and camping opportunities.

Stahmann Farms - One of the world's largest producers of pecans offers tours of their candy and pecan processing plants May through August. The farm is located seven miles south of Las Cruces on Highway 28. (575) 526-8974.

Veteran's Park - is home to the newly erected Dona Ana County Veteran's Wall and the Bataan Death March Monument.

White Sands National Monument - Over 275 square-miles of naturally produced gypsum, creating one of the most unique sites in the world. Located 45 miles east of Las Cruces on Highway 70. (575) 479-6124.

Wineries - New Mexico began producing wines in 1629, making the state's wine industry the oldest in the country. Today, several New Mexico wineries produce a wide variety of fine wines, and each year Las Cruces hosts the Southern New Mexico Wine Festival, La Vina Jazz and Blues Thing, and the New Mexico Wine Harvest.

Courtesy of Las Cruces Convention & Vistitors Bureau