Location: Las Cruces
Top Things to do in Las Cruces
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Las Cruces That You Shouldn't Miss
With the majestic Organ Mountains to the east and the mighty Rio Grande to the west, Las Cruces stands as an oasis at the junction of the I-10 and I-25. New Mexico State University makes its home here, among fine art galleries, informative museums, a lively theater scene and high desert terrain. The sun almost always seems to be shining in Las Cruces, which enjoys on average 350 days of clear blue skies per year, making it the perfect base to explore the breathtaking surrounding area.
Restaurants in Las Cruces
1. The Zuhl Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
The Zuhl Museum: Where Rocks Come Alive! Part art gallery, part natural history museum, the Zuhl collection at New Mexico State University showcases thousands of beautiful specimens of petrified wood, fossils and minerals. The Zuhl Collection contains petrified wood, fossils, rocks and minerals. The Zuhl Museum is easily accessible to local citizens, school groups and visitors to the university and southern New Mexico. New hours: Tuesday-Friday 12-4pm and Every Second Saturday of each month 12-4pm.
Reviewed By toad94 - Lakewood, United States
Our son loves rocks and says he wants to be a geologist when he grows up, so this museum was a given for our family. But even our daughter who is less interested in geology was still impressed by the magnitude of these slabs. They are huge. The kids liked learning about how the petrified wood was formed. It doesn't take long to go through the rooms but we're definitely glad we visited this place.
2. COAS Books
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Coas Books is New Mexico’s largest independent bookstore with more than 500,000 books in stock! We have an incredible selection of new and used books — including regional and out-of-print books —, CDs, DVDs, Vinyl, VHS, audio books, and games. Coas Books is family owned and operated, with two stores located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We receive hundreds of books every day, so our inventory is constantly changing and full of hidden gems! Come by our store on Main Street — or our branch on Solano — and we’ll be happy to help you find what you’re looking for! We also offer trade credit to help you save more on your purchases, so feel free to bring in the books, music, and DVDs you no longer want or need.
Reviewed By TerzahH - Houston, United States
We were very impressed when we arrived at the store. There is a collection of antique books, a maproom, CDs, DVDs, and a great selection in many areas. We have seen it rivaled only the Peachtree bookstore in Atlanta, which carries similar items. My husband and I spent a couple of hours poking around and buying a bunch of books. Will definitely return!
3. Veterans Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By TimDore - Marana, United States
I visited 30 Veteran’s Memorials in California, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona as part of a motorcycle ride called the Tour of Honor. Of all the Memorials I visited the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Las Cruces has the most Memorials honoring Veterans of various eras. There is a Huey from Vietnam, a WWII Bataan Death March memorial, a Korean memorial and a memorial honoring Women Veterans. I will be back in Las Cruces next March and will visit again and I recommend you do too!
4. Museum of Nature & Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Locally-funded museum with a focus on science and natural history.
Reviewed By JackieR3672 - Brandon, United States
This museum is very well designed! The staff is friendly and all of the interactive exhibits were in working order. This is a perfect museum for grandparents to take their grandchildren for a fun afternoon where both can learn and play together. Our 6 and 7 year old grandsons thoroughly enjoyed playing and learning together and we enjoyed answering their questions and learning along with them. The museum is larger than one would think from looking outside and it offers a range of nature and science exhibits relevant to all ages.
5. Old Mesilla Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 986 reviews
Reviewed By Waterlaw - Jerusalem, Israel
This is a wonderful "village" to view and walk around in. Old village that as it was over a hundred years ago. You'll see beautiful adobe buildings, art galleries, great bars and a lovely museum.
6. Fountain Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
The Fountain Theatre presents independent, foreign and documentary films in a 100-seat historic theatre in Mesilla, New Mexico. A new feature starts each Friday; there are screening nightly with matinees on weekends. For showtimes and ticket information, visit mesillavalleyfilm.org
Reviewed By jennifer772
I saw the Van Gogh and Japan film - so beautiful. I think films change weekly. Senior price was about $7. Could have gotten popcorn right inside the theatre. Worth supporting local treasures like this theatre. I would have never know to seek out this film, but was delighted to learn the history and enjoy the visually appealing scenes. Made for a great afternoon. Plus you’re supporting the locals.
7. New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 382 reviews
For at least 4,000 years, people have been growing food in this region and the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum tells this incredible story through interactive exhibits, demonstrations, oral histories, objects, and educational programs. In 2017-18, the Museum is celebrating 20 years of sharing this remarkable story of survival, ingenuity, and hope. It connects generations and weaves together people from various cultures that are uniquely New Mexico. Visitors from around the world have enjoyed the Museum, one of the region’s top attractions. The 47-acre campus in Las Cruces features several barns, animals, a greenhouse, play areas for children, an amphitheater, the Heritage Garden and much more. Permanent and changing exhibits, as well as a theater, library, gift shop, snack bar, and meeting rooms are located in the 100,000-square-feet, ranch-style main building, named after Bruce King, New Mexico’s only three-term governor and rancher.
Reviewed By katyrwalls - Middleburg, United States
This museum tells the history of agriculture in New Mexico from earliest times to present. One of the most interesting things is the oral histories. These early ranchers and farmers come to life in the retelling of their personal struggles. The outdoor exhibits are actual livestock that were, and are presently, raised in New Mexico. My docent, Liz, was very knowledgeable and explained about cross breeding cattle to improve meat grades. She showed me cattle from the early Spanish breeds to the crosses between Angus and a Brahman that produce Brangus, a hardy and popular breed of beef cattle more resistant to heat. The animal's there range from goats to horses and tiny calves to huge bulls you would not want to antagonize.
8. New Mexico State University
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By Waterlaw - Jerusalem, Israel
This is a wonderful university in a small town of about 100,000 people. Great, caring and hard working teachers, and a lovely campus.
9. Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 323 reviews
We are a world-class Market in the heart of Main Street Downtown Las Cruces. We have over 300 members who are skilled artisans, farmers, bakers, food trucks and talented local musicians. All of the goods are handmade, and grown right here in New Mexico.
Reviewed By Juanito_Hayburg - El Paso, United States
I’ve attended this fine market before, only disagreeing with the allowance of non-service dogs into it. Other than that, this is an excellent worthwhile Saturday morning event, and I was very pleased to attend. Me, and a lot of others, including two Barcelonian women enjoyed walking around, looking, learning, maybe buying items or food. At one stand, I acknowledged the great value of their task: registering voters. We all concurred that voting is only possible if the voter is registered, which has to be done at least 30 days prior to the official ballot-casting date. I missed it before somehow, but definitely not this time: posing with my eBikeKit-assisted CruzBike beside a vibrant Las Cruces mural. In fact, there was a bit if a line as most everybody wanted this free “postcard perfect” image to post, proof of being in this fantastic city! I’m looking forward to returning; it certainly gets my “Wheel of Approval!”
10. Dripping Springs Natural Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 508 reviews
Reviewed By E9545SGlindal - Dallas, United States
We hiked with our two dogs for a little over two miles. Beautiful views and a very nice hike..... very rocky though so West proper boots !
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