28+ Best & Fun Things To Do In Las Cruces, NM | 2024
Las Cruces
Are you planning a trip to La Cruces, New Mexico, and want to spend your time doing fun things? Don’t look any further! This is the right place for you because we’re going to talk about the 28+ best and most fun things to do in La Cruces, NM.
La Cruces is a lovely city in the middle of New Mexico’s beautiful desert, surrounded by the majestic Organ Mountains. It is often called “The City of the Crosses.” The city is a great place to visit because it has both beautiful nature and a lot of history and culture.
There are lots of fun things to do and see at this family-friendly spot, so make the most of your trip. You can see the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, the Museum of Nature and Science, the Railroad Museum, and other interesting places. The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum is very engaging.
28+ Fun and Awesome Things To Do In La Cruces, New Mexico (2024)
1. Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is one of the best places to visit in La Cruces, New Mexico. It shows how beautiful the Southwest’s deserts can be.
This national monument was made in 2014 to protect important prehistoric, historic, geologic, and biological materials for science. It covers more than 496,000 acres of land.
The Organ Mountains, Desert Peaks, Sierra de las Uvas, Potrillo Mountains, and Doña Ana Mountains are the five places that make up the monument.
One of the interesting things to do in La Cruces is to visit the canyons, hills covered in pine trees, and volcanic landscapes. Use the La Cueva rock cave, which was once a home for native people.
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011, USA
2. Old Mesilla Village And Plaza
Today, one of the coolest things to do in La Cruces, New Mexico is to visit the historic Old Messila Village and Plaza and step back in time. Mesilla was founded in 1848 and was very important in trade and politics in the area.
One of the most popular places to visit in southern New Mexico is the ancient village. Mesilla’s San Albino Basilica is in the town. It is one of the oldest missions in the Mesilla Valley and has been a place of spiritual guidance since the 1850s.
The historic town has beautiful old buildings that you can look at as you walk on the same paths that Billy the Kid and Geronimo, the leader of the Apache people, walked. You can eat at La Posta de Mesilla, a historic diner serving real New Mexican food, and shop at different shops.
Calle Principal, Las Cruces, NM 88005, United States
3. Dripping Springs Natural Area
For wildlife lovers, the Dripping Springs Natural Area is one of the best places to go in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Ten miles east of Las Cruces, on the west side of the Organ Mountains, is an area with four miles of hiking trails. The Dripping Springs trail is one of them, and it leads through desert scrub and low-elevation pinon-juniper and oak forests.
The area also has a lot of different plants and animals that are great for watching wildlife. During your stay, you can go hiking, have a picnic, and watch wildlife.
15000 Dripping Springs Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
4. New Mexico Farm And Ranch Heritage Museum
The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum is one of the best things to do in Las Cruces. It tells you about the area’s farming history.
This 47-acre museum tells the story of farming and cattle in the state over the last 4,000 years. There are six galleries and hallways in the museum. These hold both fixed and changing exhibits, such as historical tools and implements and replicas of buildings like mercantile and pithouses.
During your visit, you can see a cow being milked, walk along corrals full of animals, enjoy the grounds, or see hands-on displays like quilting, blacksmithing, water dowsing, and more.
4100 Dripping Springs Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
5. White Sands National Park
The White Sands National Park is one of the most interesting things to do in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with your loved ones.
This park has 145,762 acres and is the world’s biggest gypsum dune field. The dunes can be up to 60 feet high and are about 30 feet deep. The park has many things to do, such as dune sledding, guided moonlight walks, photography classes, Lake Lucero Tours, Mothapalooza, and many community events.
One of the best things to do at White Sand National Park is to hike the dunes at night when the moon is full. It’s beautiful to see how the shadows, light, and pure white sands work together.
New Mexico, United States
6. Las Cruces Museum Of Art
The Las Cruces Museum of Art is a free thing to do in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Las Cruces Museum System includes this museum, which is a friendly place for people to learn more about the town.
The museum has traveled, juried, and other types of shows with art by well-known artists from around the world. It also has events for people of all ages and changes its contemporary art shows all the time.
The museum also has a large art workshop class program where kids and adults can learn how to draw, paint, make pottery, and use other art mediums from professional artists.
491 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
7. La Llorona Park
Are you looking for fun things to do outside with your family and friends in La Cruces? Go to Park La Llorona. This peaceful park along the Rio Grande River is about 20 to 30 acres and is a great place to relax and have a picnic.
This park has walking paths, playgrounds for kids, and places for families to have picnics. It was named after a famous Hispanic legend. The park also has places to watch birds and informational signs about the scary tale of La Llorona. Visit this lovely park with your family and enjoy all the things it has to offer.
3440 W Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88007, USA
8. Plaza De Las Cruces
The Plaza De Las Cruces is one of the most famous places to visit in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is in the downtown area of the city. The square is where most of the events and activities in the area happen.
There are lots of things to do here, like try local foods, see a live show, look through a bookstore, buy some treats, or visit a museum. Another thing you can do is see a show by the Las Cruces Symphony, which often plays at the park.
There is also a one-of-a-kind event called “Chalk the Block” in the square where artists paint on the sidewalk. During the winter holidays, sing Christmas carols with other people in your neighborhood and watch the tree get lit.
100 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
9. Las Cruces Museum Of Nature & Science
One of the most interesting things to do in Las Cruces is to check out the Museum of Nature and Science. The museum wants to get people interested in science, help them keep learning, and encourage them to take care of the natural surroundings in the Chihuahuan Desert and southern New Mexico.
The museum has hands-on science and natural history displays for kids as well as live animals and plants from the Chihuahuan Desert.
The museum has skeletons of dinosaurs, reptiles, snakes, and many kinds of frogs, all of which are common in thrillers.
411 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
10. Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center
The Regional Aquatic Center is a public swimming pool and leisure area in Las Cruces that offers classes and programs for people of all ages. It’s a fun place to go with kids today to get away from the summer heat.
This brand-new aquatic center has a healing pool, a leisure pool for swimming lessons, a “lazy” river for play and aquacise, a three-lane pool for lap swimming, a water slide, a zero-entry pool with water play equipment, a gym, and a place for the community to get together.
You can go to this swimming pool with your family and do exercise swims, family swims, open swims, and many other things.
1401 E Hadley Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
11. Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market
The Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market is right in the middle of downtown Las Cruces, New Mexico. It’s one of the best things to do on the weekends there.
This farmers and crafts market is open every Wednesday and Saturday morning. It has hand-made goods made in the area, seasonal fruit, food trucks serving a variety of foods, and live entertainment that moves around.
This market has more than 100 vendors and is great for families. It also lets tourists learn about the people and culture of the Mesilla Valley.
Two21 North Main Street, Suite E, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
12. Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture
The Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture is one of the most interesting things to see in Las Cruces. It is made from old shoes, cell phones, bike parts, and other things that have been used before.
Olin Calk, an artist, built the huge recycled roadrunner in 1993. It is 20 feet tall and 40 feet long. This strange structure is now a fun place to take pictures and a good reminder of how important it is to recycle.
The Roadrunner earned a lot of new fans because it could be seen for miles. Get close to the Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture and enjoy the skill that went into making it.
32 AL-106, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005, USA
13. Fountain Theater
You can watch your favorite movie at the famous Fountain Theater this evening in Las Cruces, NM. It is New Mexico’s oldest movie theater.
The theater was built in 1905 and is now home to the Mesilla Valley Film Society. They show the best foreign, independent, documentary, and other types of art films. This theater has an adobe entrance and an old-fashioned look. It shows a wide range of movies, making for an exciting evening.
The theater has been fixed up several times, but the original tin ceiling still stands, giving it a unique sound.
2469 Calle De Guadalupe, Mesilla, NM 88046, USA
14. Leasburg Dam State Park
One interesting thing to do with your family near Las Cruces, New Mexico is to visit the Leasburg Dam State Park, which is only a 25-minute drive away.
Enjoy both fun and rest at this oasis, which has a lovely cactus garden, many hiking trails, and chances to fish, canoe, kayak, and watch birds. The Rio Grande flows through it and is a center for water sports.
The park also has an observatory that is open once a month for special events and a very famous night sky program.
Radium Springs, New Mexico 88054, USA; 12712 State Park Rd.
15. Fort Seldon State Monument
One of the best places to visit near Las Cruces, New Mexico, is the Fort Seldon State Monument. The United States Army built Fort Seldon in 1865 to protect people moving west from Native American raids. However, it became badly damaged after the American Civil War.
The damage was done by rain, snow, and wind to the ruins of Fort Selden over time. After being on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970, the fort was made a New Mexico State Monument in 1974.
An interpretive trail leads to the historic spot, where people can look around. You can also see displays about frontier and military life at the tourist center.
Radium Springs, New Mexico 88054, USA, 1280 Fort Selden Rd.
16. New Mexico Museum Of Space History
The New Mexico Museum of Space History is an interesting place to visit near Las Cruces. This museum in Alamogordo wants to teach people about history, science, and space technology.
The museum has displays and items that are all about space travel and the Space Age. It also had the International Space Hall of Fame and talked about New Mexico’s part in the U.S. space program.
The museum’s outdoor display has the Big Joe II rocket, which is the biggest rocket ever launched from New Mexico, and a big Sonic Wind I rocket sled that Stapp rode. Plus, the Astronaut Memorial Garden, the Planetarium, the Clyde W. Tombaugh IMAX Theater, and the Hubbard Space Science Research Building are all there.
The address is 3198 State Rte 2001, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA.
17. Rio Grande Winery
The Rio Grande Winery is a must-see for anyone visiting Las Cruces who wants to try desert wine. This winery is in the famous Mesilla Valley and is a great place to visit if you want to get a real feel for New Mexico.
The winery has a huge selection of high-quality wines that were all made by hand. The mood in their tasting room is calm and friendly, and the view of the Organ Mountains is beautiful.
Rio Grande Winery has more than just great wine and beautiful views. It can also be used for special parties.
5321 NM-28, Las Cruces, NM 88005, United States
18. U-Pick Mesilla Valley Apple Orchard
If you have kids, going to the U-Pick Mesilla Valley Apple Orchard in Las Cruces, NM is a fun thing to do. This family-owned farm has over 400 apple trees spread out over 6 acres. People can come to pick their apples.
Depending on the time of year, you can walk through rows of apple trees and pick apples of all kinds, from the tart Red Delicious and Jonathan to the sweet Fuji and Golden Delicious. You can also get fresh cider and apple pies made from scratch at the farm.
The farm also has an Apple Festival every year with games and hayrides that are all about apples. You can go during the event that happens every year.
2330 Shalem Colony Trail, Las Cruces, NM 88007, USA
19. Soledad Canyon Day Use Area
The beautiful Organ Mountains are on the west side of the Soledad Canyon Day Use Area, which is split between two valleys called Soledad Canyon and Bar Canyon.
The Bar Canyon Trail is a three-mile trail in the area that makes for an easy and beautiful hike close to Las Cruces. Views of the central Organ Mountains and the southern Mesilla Valley can be seen from the Bar Canyon Trail.
Visit the Soledad Canyon Day Use Area in Las Cruces for some unique outdoor activities. You can hike, have lunch, take pictures, climb ropes, and watch wildlife.
13300 Soledad Canyon Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
20. Mesilla Valley Maze
Going to the Mesilla Valley Maze with your family this weekend is a fun thing to do in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This family-owned giant corn maze has been around since 1999 and has lots of fun things for the whole family.
The Mesilla Valley Maze is 30 acres big and is open every weekend from September to October. The main draw is the 5-acre Giant Corn Maze, which has winding paths and fun things to do. There is also a Pumpkin Patch where you can pick a pumpkin right off the vine.
Aside from those, there are two escape rooms, flower fields, five giant slides, ring games, whisper tubes, tiny pedal carts, Papa’s Playground, the Mystic Walk, and a lot of musical entertainment.
3855 W Picacho Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88007, USA
21. Sonoma Ranch Golf Course
The Sonoma Ranch Golf Course opened in 2000 and has 18 holes. It is a championship course and is conveniently situated in Las Cruces, New Mexico, at the base of the Organ Mountains.
This golf course is famous for its rolling greens and many bunkers. It was designed by architect Cal Olson. Golfers can enjoy their sport at this beautiful club, which is surrounded by cactus and brush-covered desert.
The golf club also has well-kept fairways and greens, difficult games, and a peaceful atmosphere. Whether you’re an experienced golfer or a beginner, you might want to take a lesson with one of their professional golfers to get tips and help.
1274 Golf Club Rd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
22. Monuments To Main Street Festival
Going to the Monuments to Main Street Festival in Las Cruces is a fun thing to do. The festival lasts for a whole month, mostly in September.
In this event, the history, culture, nature, film, and food of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County are all celebrated. People who live in southern New Mexico enjoy the best of the area during the event.
A full moon hike through history at White Sands National Park, guided tours of Fort Selden, fine art shows, birding in Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, hands-on cooking lessons while camping and yoga in La Cueva Amphitheater are all part of the festival.
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88011, USA
23. Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park, which is on the Rio Grande, is one of the best places in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to have fun outside.
Overlooking 305 acres and rising 3,900 feet, the state park provides many chances to see wildlife in its natural setting while walking along one of the self-guided nature walks.
The park has river woodlands and restored marshes that migratory birds often use. It is a popular place to walk, ride a bike, and watch birds.
5000 Calle Del Norte, Las Cruces, NM 88005, USA
24. Lake Valley Historic Townsite
Going to the Lake Valley Ghost Town is a unique thing to do in Las Cruces. When silver was found in 1878, Lake Valley was born. It quickly grew into a bustling town of 4,000 people who came to mine.
In 1893, a terrible silver panic ruined the town. In 1895, a fire destroyed Main Street. 1994, the last people who lived there permanently left, leaving behind a real ghost town.
People can walk around Lake Valley and see what’s left of the town, such as the cemetery, a chapel built in 1920, a few old houses, and the old schoolhouse built in 1904.
Hillsboro, New Mexico 88042, USA
25. Branigan Cultural Center
The Branigan Cultural Center is free to visit in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It is housed in a historic Pueblo Revival-style building from 1935.
The cultural center shows off Las Cruces’ rich cultural history and has changing exhibits that cover everything from local problems to modern ones. Besides art shows and workshops, the center also holds lectures and cultural events.
This house was once the library for the city. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
501 N Main St, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
26. Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Going to Sky Zone, a fun center in Las Cruces, is a great thing to do with your family. There are lots of fun things for people of all ages to do at this family site.
It has a slam dunk zone, rock climbing wall, X-beam, drop zone, parkour blox, freestyle jump, dodgeball, and other programs like parent’s night out, home school P.E., sensory-friendly program, and little jumper time.
The park has lots of fun things to do, and Sky Zone is also a great place for birthday parties, family get-togethers, team parties, and other events.
The address is 805 S Solano Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA.
27. White Sands Missile Range Museum
The White Sands Missile Range Museum has been around since 1994 and keeps Army and New Mexico history alive.
The museum gathers, preserves, interprets, and shows the story of the Army in New Mexico and its part in running the Missile Range. There are many interesting things on display at the museum, such as the Frontier Army in New Mexico, Early Ranching in the Tularosa Basin, the V-2 Rocket, NASA, and the Bataan Death March.
At the Visitor’s Center or Las Cruces Gate, visitors must show a legal form of identification and pass an NCIC-III background check.
White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002, United States
28. New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University is one of the most prestigious schools in the state, and you should not miss it on your trip to Las Cruces.
In addition to being a school, the university has some of the most beautiful buildings in the world and a lively, young vibe. The Zuhl Museum, the NMSU Art Museum, the Klipsch Museum, the Arthropod Museum, the NMSU Library Archives and Special Collections, the Chile Pepper Institute, and the NMSU golf course are all interesting places to visit.
Visit the university grounds, take a stroll, and look at the buildings. You can also watch a game at Aggie Memorial Stadium, which is home to the New Mexico State Aggies of Conference USA.
1780 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
29. Mesilla Valley Mall
At Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces, NM, shopping is a lovely thing for two people to do. This 600,000-square-foot regional shopping mall has been open since 1981 and is run by Namdar Realty Group.
The Mesilla Valley Mall is the biggest shopping center in southern New Mexico. It has more than 90 shops and restaurants, such as Barnes & Noble Bookstore, JC Penney, Sears, and Dillard’s.
Along with buying and eating, couples and families can also watch movies at the Cineport 10 theater, which is part of the mall complex.
700 S Telshor Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
30. Lost Cruces Escape Room
Want to do something fun with your family and friends today in Las Cruces? Then, go to Lost Cruces Escape Room for an adventure that will pull you in and keep you guessing.
The Lost Cruces Escape Room opened in 2017 and has puzzles that are immersive, fun, and difficult. The puzzles are meant to help people work together.
Because there are four rooms, each with a different theme, it’s a great experience. You can try the Heist, the Manhattan Mission, Ariana’s Wedding, and Lass Cruces, among other escape rooms.
755 S Telshor Blvd STE G4, Las Cruces, NM 88011, USA
31. Picacho Peak Recreation Area
For people who like being outside, hiking in the Picacho Peak Recreation Area is a fun thing to do in Las Cruces. The Picacho Peak is a beautiful sight on the skyline around Las Cruces. It is 4959 feet high.
This area, which is dominated by its namesake peak, has both fun things to do and beautiful natural scenery. There are many tracks there for hikers of all skill levels. From the top, you can see the Mesilla Valley and the Rio Grande in all their glory. People also like to go there to watch birds.
Legends in the area say that the peak was once used by Apache groups as a lookout to watch for enemies coming.
Unnamed Road, Las Cruces, NM 88007, USA
Get ready for your trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico.
In the American Southwest’s huge deserts, Las Cruces, New Mexico, is more than just a place to stop. The city is full of stories that are just ready to be found, lived, and loved.
The city looks beautiful as the sun goes down behind the rough Organ Mountains, giving it a golden hue. This land of differences and traditions makes you feel very connected to it. Las Cruces is a great place to go for a weekend trip or a longer trip to explore. You will have experiences that will last a lifetime.