Family Outing in Las Cruces
City of Las Cruces Museums
Downtown Las Cruces
Official Site
Spend the day downtown visiting an abundance of family-friendly museums. The Las Cruces Railroad Museum hosts year-round kid activities, including the Dino Train that allows young ones to be a conductor of its interactive model train. In the heart of downtown, you can awe at desert-dwelling creatures in the Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science, or gaze at curated exhibits at the Las Cruces Museum of Art.
COAS Bookstore
317 N. Main St.
Official site
If books are your thing, COAS Books is a must-see! Located in the heart of downtown, it is New Mexico's largest new and used bookstore with over 500,000 books in stock.
Mew + Company
300 N. Main St., Unit 2
Official site
The boutique shop offers kids crafts as well as unique gifts. Hands-on activities for all ages.
Rad Retrocade
201 N. Main St.
Official site
A fun venue with pop culture references, munchies and sweet treats, and an abundance of iconic arcade games. Family-friendly until 7pm, with later evenings for 21+ only. Features 10 pinball machines and over 50 arcade games from 70's era to today.
Zia Comics and Games
125 N. Main St.
Official site
Self-proclaimed "Nerds Headquarter", Zia Comics and Games features a huge selection of comic books, collectibles, games, and even an ice cream parlor and arcade.
Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market
Downtown Las Cruces
Official site
Occurring every Saturday, this year-round event is nationally recognized as one of the best of its kind, spanning seven city blocks full of local art, wares, produce, and bake goods and food trucks offering diverse cuisine. A smaller market is also open on Wednesday on the downtown plaza.
White Sands National Park
Highway U.S. 70 between Las Cruces and Alamogordo
Official site
A family trip to Las Cruces wouldn't be complete without a visit to White Sands National Park. Less than an hour's drive, White Sands encompasses over 275 sq. mi. of sparkling gypsum sand dunes, with nearly 230 sq. mi. set aside as a national park for recreating purposes. When you arrive, make sure to stop by the visitors center so the kids can become a "Junior Dune Ragers", enjoy a scavenger hunt and other fun activities. Afterwards, enjoy the exhilarating experience of sledding down the white dunes! Make sure to stay hydrated and wear lots of sunblock, even in the winter.
New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum
4100 Dripping Springs Road
Official site
Voted one of the top attractions in Las Cruces, the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum was made for family adventure. The museum shares the 4,000-year-old history of farming in the region through interactive and inspiring exhibits and demonstrations. The 47-acre campus is home to live farm animal exhibits, indoor and outdoor play areas, a dairy barn exhibit and educational programs. Throughout the year, the museum hosts numerous events including Cowboy days and the HomeGrown Market, exclusively featuring New Mexico products.
Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks National Monument
Throughout Dona Ana County
Official site
Family outdoor adventure can be found throughout the city and the nearby areas. Dripping Springs Recreation Area, Soledad Canyon Trail, Aguirre Springs, Baylor Canyon, the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument, and the Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park are only a few of the options for rugged recreation.
Sparky's Burgers & BBQ
115 Franklin St. in Hatch, NM
Official site
For a fun-filled dining experience, drive the family to Sparky's Burgers & BBQ in nearby Hatch, New Mexico. Located in the chile capital of the world, the eatery is famous for its award winning green chile cheeseburger. No worries if you think it might be too spicy for the kids. You can get their famous burger without chile, and while you are at it, enjoy a milkshake or Italian soda. Make sure to take a family photo amongst the iconic figures including Ronald McDonald, KFC Colonel Sanders, aliens, dinosaurs and more than can be mentioned.
There's so much more to do in Las Cruces, check it out! Things To Do
