I am at a complete block for where to spend New Year's eve. We will be leaving Study Butte on the morning of the 31st and would like to stay with the saguaros outside of Tuscon on the night of the 1st.

Should we stay in El Paso or a smaller town? Mexico is not an option but any other ideas would be appreciated.

Isolated is fine as is a city bar atmosphere -- I just want to avoid a run-down motel on the outskirts of any town ...

I don't know where Study Butte is, but I would not stay in El Paso. IMHO El Paso just doesn't do it for me.

I would suggest staying in NM instead.

Ruidoso is a bit out of the way, but would be a nice place to stay the night. http://www.romanticruidoso.com/

http://www.ruidoso.com/

OR perhaps in Deming NM whic is on the way to Tucson:http://www.cityofdeming.org/

Here is a nice B &B:
http://www.bearmountainlodge.com/rooms.cfm

Hope this helps...
Debi

Debi, it looks like the OP will be coming from Big Bend NP in Texas.

Moxie - It's about a 6-7 hour drive from Study Butte to El Paso. El Paso to Tucson is another 5 hours. If you'd like to get a little closer to Tucson on the 31st, Las Cruces is just up the road a bit from El Paso. In either case, you'll have a reasonably short drive the next day, and will see plenty of saguaros.

I hope you're driving FM170 along the Rio Grande on the way from Study Butte to El Paso. It's not the quickest way to get there, but it will be considerably more scenic.

Thank you for the suggestions Debit; the places you linked look great but they are too far north for this trip.

Weasel, we are taking 170 to Presidio but then going through Marfa to the big road -- is this a mistake? Thanks again for your invaluable help with this trip!

I would take 67 N from Presidio and continue on 17 to Ft Davis and Balmorhea - both are interesting areas and both have decent State Park "hotels" - esp that in Ft. Davis.
Agree that Las Cruces is way better than El Paso for an overnight.
M

Hi

We recently stayed at the Hampton Inn in Las Cruces. I was favorably impressed with the accomodations - good value for the money. It also has the advantage of being close to old town Mesilla - a great place to eat or browse in the shops.

We ate Mexican food at La Posta and Andele's, both very good Andele's is spicier and more basic, La Posta more upscale but by no means fancy. We also ate at Lorenzo's in Mesilla (good Italian)and at Peppers, which is part of the Double Eagle. The Double Eagle is known for good steaks; Peppers is more of a cafe type restaurant.

Have a great trip.

If you want to keep your drive direct, Deming would still work as it is on the way to Tucson.

Las Cruces is certainly a good option too. There are the typical chain motels, but if you want a B & B that might make NYE a bit more special, here are a few:
http://www.alodgeonthedesert.com

http://www.innofthearts.com/

http://htrails.com/index.html

Hope this helps...
Debi