Venturing by car beyond Las Cruses (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: school, best, park)

[jammy03]

Hello Friends,

My son goes to grad. school in Las Cruses, so I would like to plan a week of venturing beyond Las Cruses. What direction would be the best to travel in order to explore & see great sights?

[TigerLily24]

A nice approximately 60 minute drive northeast on U.S. 70 will take you to White Sands national park and then on to Alamogordo. From there you can continue up to Cloudcroft or drive through scenic Tularosa and on to Ruidoso. Even if you don't gamble, the Inn of the Mountain Gods is worth a stop for the gorgeous views from the panoramic window.

Stop at Eagle Ranch just outside Alamogordo for pistachios, wine and ice cream.

A nice southeasterly drive down Highway 28 will take you through Old Mesilla - you'll want to stop here - and then through acres of pecan trees. Stop at Stahmann's for great nuts and chocolate.

East on I-10 takes you to El Paso, west to Deming, Silver City...

North on I-25 takes you to Truth or Consequences and Elephant Butte...
If you are feeling really ambitious, a three hour drive will get you to Albuquerque - lots to see and do there.

A few ideas here:

Scenic Drives near Las Cruces, New Mexico

[bqtchef]

My first stop would be Carlsbad Caverns it's approx 200 miles but worth every minute of the drive.
My next stop would be the loop to Silver City,and if you start early enough head to the Gila Cliff dwellings.
If you are looking for a short trip head to the city of the rocks State park. It's only about 45 minute drive.

[TKO]

Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge is FULL of birds right now. Tens of thousands of snow geese, thousands of sandhill cranes, tens of thousands of ducks, eagles, hawks and all sorts of mammals. I went about a month ago and it was spectacular. Here's a pic and it's just an inkling. About 2 hours north of I-25. Plus you can get a green chile cheeseburger at the Owl Bar (Oppenheimer's old hangout).

[TKO]

I meant two hours north of Las Cruces ON I-25.

[bqtchef]

Such a great topic (venturing by car behond Las Cruces)





‪Prehistoric Trackways National Monument‬‏ - YouTube

Prehistoric Trackways National Monument