Explore Las Cruces

The WERC Environmental Design Contest invites you to explore our Southwest heritage.
For reference, the contest is held at:
NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Rd., Las Cruces, NM
This is on the far SE side of Las Cruces

Printable Guide (pdf)

 

LOCAL SIGHTS & LANDMARKS:

White Sands National Park: You don't want to miss the world's largest gypsum dune field. Bring your own water. $25 entrance fee per vehicle. Bring your own sleds (thin waxed MDF works great!) or purchase them onsite or just jump down the dunes. Shade structures, primitive bathrooms (no running water) and BBQ grills onsite. About a 45-minute drive from Las Cruces. Travelers will pass through border patrol on the way. Bring green card, if needed. Website: White Sands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Old Mesilla Village: Mesilla (“Little Tableland”) is the best-known and most visited historical community in Southern New Mexico. Since its beginning, around 1848, Mesilla has had a major influence on the economic, cultural, historical, and political life of the Mesilla Valley.
Location: 2385 Calle de Guadalupe, Las Cruces, NM 88046

Hot Springs in Truth or Consequences, NM: For centuries, people have visited these hot springs for their healing properties, “taking the waters” at the many bath houses in town. About 1 hour from Las Cruces. Website: Truth or Consequences - New Mexico Tourism

San Albino Church: The Basilica of San Albino, is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces and is located in Mesilla, New Mexico. It has the distinction of having originally been established in Mexico, but it is now located in the United States as a result of a transfer of territory in the Gadsden Purchase.
Location: 2280 Calle de Principal, Old Mesilla Village

Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture: The giant recycled roadrunner — 20 feet tall and 40 feet long — has been an icon of Las Cruces ever since artist Olin Calk built it in 1993.
Location: I-10, Las Cruces, NM

 

MUSEUMS:

Museum of Nature & Science: This museum is about looking and understanding—looking up to the stars, looking out to the desert, and looking down to see ancient fossils.
Location: 411 North Main Street
Days: Tuesday – Saturday (Sunday and Monday – Closed).
Time: Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.

The Zuhl Museum: Part art gallery, part natural history museum, the Zuhl Museum at NMSU is the home of the Zuhl Collection containing over 1,800 beautiful specimens of petrified wood, fossils and minerals.
Location: 775 College Dr. (Behind the Windmills).
Days and Time: Tuesday – Friday 12-4PM (Saturday, Sunday & Monday – Closed).

Las Cruces Railroad Museum: Located in an historic Santa Fe Railroad depot, the Las Cruces Railroad Museum interprets the railroad history of Las Cruces and the impact of the railroad on Southern New Mexico.
Location: 351 N. Mesilla Street
Days: Tuesday – Saturday
Time: Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Las Cruces Museum of Fine Arts and Culture: The Las Cruces Museum of Art hosts changing contemporary art exhibits, including national, international, juried, traveling, and invitational exhibits. The Museum runs an extensive art studio class program for all ages.
Location: 491 North Main Street
Days: Tuesday – Saturday (Sunday and Monday – Closed)
Time: Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm.

 

HIKING AND CAMPING

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument: Our nation’s newest protected area features recreational opportunities like strolling through desert nature trails and the chance to encounter petroglyph and archeological sites. Intrepid travelers traveled in caravan 22 miles of the Butterfield Stage Trail; outlaw Billy the Kid and warrior Geronimo took refuge among these hills; World War II pilots and Apollo Astronauts made history on this land.

Aguirre Springs
Location & Information: The Aguirre Spring Campground is located on the northeast side of Organ Mountains in Dona Ana County, 21 miles east of Las Cruces city center.

Dripping Springs
Location & Information: The Dripping Springs Natural Area is located 10 miles east of Las Cruces, on the southwest side of the Organ Mountains. The Dripping Springs Natural Area has over four miles of easy hiking trails, including the Dripping Springs Trail, which shows off desert scrub and low elevation pinon-juniper and oak woodlands. The area also boasts excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Sierra Vista Trail
Location & Information: Extensive trail that runs right along the edge of the Organ Mountains and consequently, has beautiful views of the mountains and Rio Grande Valley and eventually connects with the Franklin Mountain State Park. Skill Level: Experienced – Advanced – Has loose sand in some spots.

Bar Canyon/Soledad Canyon
Location & Information: 10 miles east of Las Cruces, there are several trails for mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian use, with beautiful views of the Organ Mountains and Southern Mesilla Valley.

Prehistoric Trackways National Monument
Location: Coming from the South (Las Cruces): Travel on Picacho Ave./Hwy. 70. Go north on Shalem Colony Trail for approximately 5.5 miles. Prior to reaching the Rio Grande, you will reach a county road, Rocky Acres Trail. Turn West on Rocky Acres Trail and drive approximately 1/4 mile. Turn left onto the only dirt road road (Permian Track Road) leading to the west. Cross over a cattleguard and continue west. After about one mile, the road is for high-clearance, 4wd vehicles only. You may walk on foot past this point.

Prehistoric Trackways Website

 

DINING NEAR THE CONTEST:
Restaurants in Mesilla are a 15-minute drive from the Farm & Ranch Museum. 

Mexican
Cha-Chi's: Traditional Mexican cuisine, burgers. Their fajitas are fabulous!
2460 S Locust St A, Las Cruces, Close to Farm & Ranch.
(575) 522-1537
Cha-Chi's Facebook Page
La Posta de Mesilla: Traditional Mexican cuisine. A tourist hot spot. Parrots and fish in the lobby.
Address: 2410 Calle de San Albino, Mesilla. (far West Las Cruces)
(575) 524-3524
La Posta Menu
Delicias Café: Delicious traditional Mexican food. Caldo de Res with most meals! 
Address: 1413 E. Amador Ave., Mid-town Las Cruces
(575) 541-0902
Delicias Facebook Page

Pizza

Dion’s: Pizza, Salads and Subs. Watch pizzas being made through the observation window. Serving lunch and dinner.
3950 E. Lohman Ave., East Las Cruces (575) 521-3434
1060 El Paseo Rd., Central Las Cruces (575) 623-2321
Dion's Menu
NYP Slice House Pizza: Calzones, pizza, salads. 
3330 Rinconada Blvd, NE Las Cruces
(575) 571-4699
NYP Slice House Menu

Global Flavors

Santorini: Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Serving lunch and dinner. Vegetarian & Vegan options. Although not a formal restaurant, tank tops are not allowed. 
Address: 1001 E. University Ave., Close to Farm & Ranch.
(575) 521-9270
Santorini Restaurant Menu
Thai Delight: Thai food. 
2184 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla NM  (far West Las Cruces)
(575) 525-1900
Thai Delight Facebook

Local Breweries
There are several local breweries around town. Try out Little Toad Creek and Ice Box Breweries in our beautiful downtown area. Both offer indoor and outdoor seating. 

Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery: Salads, Pizza, Handhelds, Adult Beverages. Live music occasionally.
119 N Main St, Downtown Las Cruces
(575) 556-9934
Little Toad Website

Ice Box Downtown Boneyard Cantina: Open Wed - Sun. Nachos, tacos, burger, quesadilla, calabacitas.
139 N Main St, Downtown Las Cruces
(575) 800-5967
Ice Box Website
Ice Box has two additional locations. Each serve different foods:
Picacho Brewery & Taproom: North Main Tap Room: Fabulous burgers! Salads, sandwiches, hot dogs, sharables. 2825 West Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces (far West Las Cruces) (575) 556-9517
North Main Tap Room: Pizza, wings. 3231 North Main Street, Las Cruces (NE Las Cruces) (575) 526-7129 
                                                                                            

 

ACCOMMODATE LARGER GROUPS (30+)

The Game I : Burgers, Vegetarian, Vegan Handhelds, nachos, loaded fries, wraps.
2605 S Espina St., Off University, Close to Farm & Ranch. Can easily accommodate 40-50. Call to make arrangements.

(575) 524-4263
The Game Menu

El Bosque Brewery. Call for reservations. Indoor, outdoor, or hybrid seating. Tacos, Salads, Green chile poutine, tacos, handhelds, brats. Can serve parties of 30-50. Reserve online.
2102 Telshor Ct, East Las Cruces.
Reservations: Select Telshor or Las Cruces Public House 
Telshor Public House: (575) 556-9128
Las Cruces Public House: 575.888.4110
El Bosque Menu

D.H. Lescombes Winery and Bistro. In Mesilla. Burgers, salads, lasagna, famous for their meatloaf. Regular menu starts at $14.00 for a burger. They can arrange a special menu of 3-4 items of your choice; plated or buffet style.
Send reservation information to lcevents@lescombeswinery.com
1720 Avenida De Mesilla, Mesilla NM
575-524-2408
Lescombes Menu

Andele's. Sister restaurants across the street from each other in Mesilla. Both serve Mexican food, steak, burgers, & tortas. 
Andele's Restaurant. 

1950 Calle del Norte, Mesilla NM
575-526-9631

Andele's Dog House: Also serves a few varieties of hot dogs.
Less likely to accommodate large groups, but has nice indoor/outdoor seating.
1983 Calle del Norte, Mesilla NM

575-526-1271
Andele's Website

 

 

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