Suggestions for a Long Weekend in Las Cruces, NM with Toddlers

Las Cruces, New Mexico! Originally, this was just a stop for us on our way to Port Aransas, Texas, but wow, did we underestimate it! We spent two days (three nights) here and loved it so much that we are already planning a return trip. From markets and festivals to White Sands National Park, Spaceport and prehistoric sites, this town and its charming neighbor, Mesilla, have a ton to offer. Here are a few highlights, though there’s so much we didn’t get to experience in our weekend. 🙈

Be sure to check out our map with additional ideas we wish we’d had time for! We also want to give a shoutout to the Las Cruces KOA campground - it was excellent! The views were stunning, the sites were spacious, the pool and playground were super well-kept, and the registration office was beautiful. We highly recommend staying here!

Las Cruces Farmer’s Market

This was an incredible farmers market in downtown Las Cruces! Spanning 7 blocks, it’s full of local vendors, a lively mariachi band, and amazing views of the surrounding mountains. Our favorite finds were Sonny’s Sourdough & Enchanted Land Honey. Our kids loved the Vamos Ninos play area - a converted fifth wheel with tons of play options for the little ones at no extra cost! This market is open year round on Saturdays from 830am-1pm and Wednesdays at the Plaza de Las Cruces from 830am-1pm. Definitely check this our for your weekend trip!

Dia de los Muertos Festival

We happened to be in town for the Dia de los Muertos festival in Mesilla the first weekend of November - what a perfect time to visit! The weather was cool and the town’s rich history and culture were vibrant and alive. We love this tradition of celebrating our ancestors with bright colors, flowers, photos, music and dancing. Held in Mesilla Plaza, the festival felt like stepping into Mexico - it’s both beautiful and historic! Our toddlers enjoyed the traditional dancers, decorating sugar skulls and exploring the family memorials. There’s a also a parade, which we didn’t stay for since it started a bit late for our toddlers, but from what we experienced, I’m sure it was amazing.

PRO TIP! If you are looking to get your face painted, arrive early to snag an appointment - they do sell out!

Andele Restaurant

Andele is a fantastic New Mexican mexican restaurant right by Mesilla Plaza and the Dia de los Muertos festival. We were surprised to find how much spicier the food was compared to Arizona’s Mexican dishes! My husband, who grew up in Arizona, loves spicy food, but even he found the red enchilada sauce and salsa bar options on the hot side. For me, the beef tacos were perfect! And a heads-up: Andele only offers wine-based margarita’s since they don’t have a liquor license, but we still enjoyed the experience - it’s a true local gem.

White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is absolutely jaw-dropping! The visitors center, a historic building, is filled with fascinating information about the area, including fossilized human footprints dating back over 20,000 years! We got our Passport Books stamped, and our four-year-old had a blast with the Junior Ranger program. We also borrowed a couple of sleds (don’t forget wax!) from our campground and enjoyed sliding down the dunes. White Sands offers a sunset stroll beginning at 4pm, the Interdune Boardwalk (closed during our visit), and the 1 mile Dune Life Nature Trail. If you are passing through with a camper, there’s plenty of parking spaces (especially in early November).

PRO TIP! Avoid hiking shoes unless you’re okay with them being sandy forever! 😉

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library

While our little on napped, I took our older child to the local library. Although it didn’t have as many toys as our toddler expected, it offered a peaceful environment with coloring and a huge selection of books we could enjoy together.

That wraps up our Las Cruces experience! Plan on staying more than three nights to explore more of what this area has to offer - and don’t forget to check out the spots on our map that we missed. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!