About Las Cruces
Nestled in the fertile Mesilla Valley between the majestic Organ Mountains and the meandering Rio Grande, Las Cruces, New Mexico is quickly becoming a popular southwestern destination
Our ideal location at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and 25 brings visitors into contact with 72 holes of spectacular year-round golf, unique special events, historic attractions such as Old Mesilla - not to mention world-class Mexican food! Las Cruces also blends a unique variety of attractions, culture, historical sites and superb year-round weather with 350 days of sunshine per year!!
In addition, Las Cruces, has received several awards including rankings from Money magazine as one of the “best college towns to retire” and from AARP as one of their “dream towns” to retire. Las Cruces has also been ranked by Forbes as one of the best small metro areas for business and careers.
- Established
- 1849
- Population
- Las Cruces: 82,000
- Doña Ana County: 189,000
- Elevation
- 3,896 feet
- Geographical Location
- Las Cruces is located in southern New Mexico. We are on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, at the foot of the Organ Mountains and along the banks of the Rio Grande. Las Cruces is 225 miles south of Albuquerque, NM, 275 miles east of Tucson, AZ and 42 miles west of El Paso, TX.
- Weather
- Las Cruces enjoys 350 days of sunshine a year. During the winter, when northern states are digging themselves out from under the snow, Las Cruces basks in daytime temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to lower 60s. Las Cruces receives an average of 8.5 inches of rain per year and no more than two inches of snow in the winter.
- Getting to Las Cruces
- Most air travel is through the El Paso International Airport, located less than one hour south of Las Cruces in El Paso, TX. The airport accommodates most major commercial airlines and has direct shuttle services from the airport to several points in Las Cruces. The Las Cruces International Airport is equipped to service private and charter aircraft.
If you are traveling to Las Cruces by car, we are located at the intersection of interstates 10 (east-west) and 25 (north-south) in southern New Mexico.
Occasionally, Highway 70 heading east out of Las Cruces is temporarily closed for a short period of time due to testing at White Sands Missile Range. Call in advance if you are planning to head that direction.
- Awards and Recognition
- One of Inc. Magazine’s top 20 “Boomtowns” - 2007
- One of AARP’s 2006 “Dream Towns” to retire - 2006
- One of the Best College Towns to Retire - Money November 2005
- Top 50 Motorcoach Destinations in the United States - National Bus Association, 2004 & 2005
- Top 10 Cities for Hispanics to Live - Hispanic Magazine, 2002 & 2003
- Best Small Metro Area for Business and Careers - Forbes/Milken Institute, 2002, 2003 & 2004
- Best Place to Live - Family Digest, Fall 2002
- One of the Best Places to Retire - Money Magazine, June 2002
- Top Destination - Facilities & Destinations Magazine, 2001, 2002, 2004 & 2006
- One of America’s Top 100 Retirement Towns - Where to Retire Magazine, Fall 2001
All text is copyright the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau