I am thinking about visiting Las Cruces NM for a few weeks in Feb. 05 to get away from the cold midwest.

It looks like an interesting area, average temp 61 degrees in Feb. and not as far from my kids in Dallas as AZ.

Is it worth a visit? Anyone have info?

Thanks.

Las Cruces is a university town that is in the middle of an agricultural area, and it is growing rapidly. I've mostly only driven through but I've stopped a couple of times in Mesilla, their old town. From what I've read, it has become more popular since I was there. When I went, it had some cute funky little shops and restaurants, lots of older stucco buildings. I think there are more stores now. Nearby is Riudoso, which has been popularized by Texans looking for a ski resort (there are no mountains in TX except for Big Bend in the southwest). Also nearby, Lincoln and Cloudcroft are quaint picturesque mountain towns. White Sands is nearby. Carlsbad Caverns is also a couple of hours away.

I guess it's all relative but 61 degrees is not really warm. But it is sunny out there.

After re-reading my post, I think I give the impression that this area is not particularly developed. Quite the contrary. I recall my aunt, who was living there awhile, telling me about some developments that were selling lots at $125,000. I believe these were golfing communities.

Many thanks TG. I guess I am looking for recommendations on places to stay. The Holiday Inn looks nice.

It's so hard to guess what the city is like looking at the Visitor's Bureau page. They make it look like heaven on earth.

Anyone stayed in Las Cruces?

My parents are retired and now live in Las Cruces (at one of the golf communities cited by another poster). We have visited there several times. The Holiday Inn is nice, but I would recommend the TownePlace Suites by Marriott. You would have a small kitchen since it is residential in design plus it's minutes from Old Mesilla which has several nice restaurants and offers a lot of charm.

The TownePlace looks very nice on the web site, tho no pix of the rooms. It also allows my dog, who is allowing me to take him there. I will contact them.

I've been through Lincoln country on way from Sedona to Dallas. Very beautiful ranchland and spare mountains looking like the end of the world.

I know 61 degrees isn't the Bahamas, but it is better than 10 below here.

Thanks all.