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Suggested Day Trips
DAY 1 - LAS CRUCES
Las Cruces, with its wide variety of restaurants and accommodations, has an extensive system of galleries and museums. The New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum traces farming and ranching history and features interactive exhibits, live animals, and a dairy barn. There are a number of local celebrations and fiestas as well as performing arts groups and New Mexico State University.
DAY 2 - MESILLA AND THE OŅATE TRAIL
The historic town of Mesilla offers unique shops, restaurants, and historic buildings that surround this picturesque village's charming plaza where the Gadsden Purchase was signed in 1854. Follow the trail of Don Juan de Oņate's expedition, which later became El Camino Real (The Royal Road), the primary highway connecting Mexico City and Santa Fe. A short journey south takes you through small villages, fertile farmlands, immense pecan groves, and a winery.
DAY 3 - EL PASO AND JUAREZ
A forty-five minute drive south along Interstate 10 and you will find yourself in this city of over 650,000 that is separated from its sister city Cuidad Juarez by the Rio Grande River. Museums, galleries, and historic sites abound along with amusement parks, casinos, racetracks, a zoo, minor league baseball and soccer. A short hop across the international boundary provides a unique shopping experience and an historic look at another country and culture. For more information on traveling to Mexico, go to
www.visitelpaso.com
DAY 4 - EAST OF THE ORGAN MOUNTAINS
Traveling east across our beautifully distinctive mountains takes you to the Tularosa basin and beyond. You can hike at Aguirre Springs or see the missile park at White Sands Missile Range. Less than an hour's drive is one of the world's most amazing natural wonders, the gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument. Alamogordo, at the base of the Sacramento Mountains, is home to the New Mexico Museum of Space History and IMAX Theater. As you travel up the mountainside you might choose to visit Cloudcroft or Ruidoso. Seasonal camping and picnicking, skiing and winter activities, unique shopping, casinos, and a racetrack offer plenty of diversion.
DAY 5 - LAKES, HOT SPRINGS, AND GHOST TOWNS
Traveling north along I-25, about 60 miles brings you to Caballo Lake and Percha Dam State Parks. Another 15 minutes and you will discover New Mexico's largest lake, Elephant Butte. This area is the premier location in the state for water sports & fishing. The town of Truth or Consequences, formerly Hot Springs, features a number of hot mineral baths. Slightly to the north and west of Caballo are several "ghost" towns that used to thrive during Sierra County's silver boom of the late 1800's. Hillsboro, Kingston, Winston, & Chloride are among the historic points of interest.
DAY 6 - THE CITY OF ROCKS, SILVER CITY, AND THE GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS
Heading west along I-10 for 50 miles to Deming then turn northwest for 20 miles to Hwy 61 and you can visit the oldest "city" in New Mexico. The natural rock formation known as the City of Rocks has been a stop off point for ancient Indian travelers as well as Spanish explorers. The next stop is Silver City, established after silver was discovered in 1870. It has Victorian charm and a wealth of artists and galleries. On your way to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, where a since-vanished Native American culture lived over 700 years ago you might opt to visit another old mining town, Pinos Altos ("tall pines"). Eat at the historic Buckhorn Bar or take in a melodrama at the Opera House. Lake Roberts, a high mountain lake & recreation area is nearby.
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