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Savors & Sunsets: Southern New Mexico Travel GuideSouthern New Mexico delivers a remarkable mix of history, natural wonders, and wide-open landscapes. From the adobe streets of Old Mesilla and the white dunes of the Tularosa Basin to the depths of Carlsbad Caverns and the forested peaks of the Sacramento Mountains, this corner of the state is full of surprises at every turn.AuthorsJSorsby
DestinationsLas CrucesItinerary

Day 1: Mesilla, Las Cruces & White Sands

Mesilla Plaza
The heart of Mesilla's historic district, lined with adobe buildings, shops, galleries, and restaurants. This plaza played an important role in the Old West and is where Billy the Kid was sentenced to death in 1881.
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Double Eagle Restaurant
A historic hacienda-turned-restaurant known for its elegant dining rooms and the famous Imperial Bar, one of the most photographed interiors in southern New Mexico.
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Basilica of San Albino
Initially established at Mesilla Plaza in 1851, the current structure was built in 1908, making it one of the oldest churches in the region. Step inside and the peaceful, reverent atmosphere hits you immediately.
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Thunderbird De La Mesilla
The oldest documented brick building in New Mexico built in 1863. It now sells authentic Native American jewelry, Southwestern gifts, rugs & folk art.
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Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
This nearly 500,000 acre protected area just outside of Las Cruces, NM includes the Organ Mountain Range with peaks reaching nearly 9,000 feet tall.
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White Sands Visitor Center
Home to the world's largest gypsum dune field, covering approximately 275 square miles. Visitors can hike, sled, and photograph the brilliant white dunes that shift with the wind.
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Interdune Boardwalk
The Interdune Boardwalk offers stunning views, but arrive early for cooler temps. Bring water, wear sunscreen, and enjoy the unique desert flora along the trail.
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Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
Contains more than 21,000 petroglyphs, making it one of the largest concentrations of rock art in the American Southwest.
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Inn of the Mountain Gods
A resort owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, situated beside a mountain lake and surrounded by forested peaks. The property claims to house the largest collection of Apache art in the world, with original works throughout that tell the story of the Mescalero people.
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Wendell's Steak & Seafood
The resort's signature restaurant, known for steaks, seafood, and mountain views. It sits on the fourth floor with sweeping views of Sierra Blanca, the Sacramento Mountains, and Lake Mescalero, and is named for Wendell Chino, the tribal chairman who first brought the resort to life in the 1970s.
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Day 2: Ruidoso, Capitan & Roswell

Ski Apache
Sierra Blanca delivers stunning views of the Tularosa Basin without the gondola ride. The road up is dramatic, with turnouts offering sweeping sightlines across the basin below.
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The Cornerstone Bakery & Cafe
Try the green chile muffins — a local favorite! Cornerstone has been a Ruidoso staple since 1999 and the loyal following says it all. Parking can fill up quickly, so arrive early.
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Grindstone Lake
A scenic mountain lake offering fishing, paddling, walking trails, and forest views. The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and sits at the heart of an 18-mile trail system open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
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Ruidoso Convention Center
An event venue located in the resort town of Ruidoso, nestled in the Sacramento Mountains and known for galleries, boutiques, mountain scenery, and outdoor recreation.
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Tina's Cafe
A longtime local favorite known for comfort food and Southwestern breakfast and lunch dishes.
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Enchanted Vine by Noisy Water Winery
Noisy Water Winery produces over 60 different wines. The Enchanted Vine is home to their production facility available for tours as well as a large event barn, a tasting room, tables & fire pits, and a number of different animals.
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Fort Stanton Cemetery
The historic Fort Stanton Merchant Marine Military Cemetery was established in 1899 and then the modern State Veterans Cemetery was added in 2007.
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International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop
A museum dedicated to documenting the Roswell incident and broader UFO history and culture.
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McDonald's
This McDonald’s in Roswell, NM is just down the street from the International UFO Museum. The restaurant is in the shape of a flying saucer and there are a number of alien statues greeting you outside.
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Day 3: Carlsbad and the Caverns

Lincoln National Forest
Experience a stunning drive through cliffs and canyons as you travel from Carlsbad, NM through the Lincoln National Forest to Sitting Bull Falls.
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Sitting Bull Falls
A rare desert waterfall that drops approximately 150 feet into a canyon oasis surrounded by limestone cliffs and cottonwood trees.
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Cactus Cafe
Located just outside the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the Cactus Cafe serves breakfast and lunch out of an adobe building with southwestern art and decor throughout.
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Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance
The iconic route descending into the cavern through a massive cave entrance, providing dramatic views of the underground landscape.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
One of the world's most significant cave systems, containing more than 100 limestone caves formed over millions of years.
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White's City Gift Shop
Located just outside Carlsbad Caverns National Park, this is the largest Carlsbad Caverns gift shop. It also offers snacks, handmade decor and features the historic bucket that dropped the first tourists down into Carlsbad Caverns.
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