This weekend will mark a mass exodus of Lobos and local football fans to Las Cruces as UNM seeks its fifth straight win over New Mexico State on the gridiron.
For those who have little experience with southern New Mexico, the Daily Lobo has provided a guide of places to go, sights to see and unique things to experience before cheering on Lobo football at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
For the hungry
Las Cruces is an oasis of unique locations for those with an appetite.
If you’re looking for a restaurant with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, La Posta de Mesilla is the place to go. It is an establishment with historical value, as La Posta used to function as an important stop on a stagecoach route in the Civil War era, and later as a hotel.
Apart from the building’s history, La Posta is authentic in its décor, complete with live parrots and piranhas that can be viewed as you wait to be seated. La Posta is located at 2410 Calle De San Albino.
If your preference is to send your taste buds on an adventure, ¡Ándele! Restaurante, located in the same area as La Posta, Mesilla, provides another culinary option.
Famous locally for its salsa bar, ¡Ándele! also provides an extensive variety of choices on its menu, from posole and tortas to delicious combination plates and authentic tacos. If your stomach yearns for something specific, you’re sure to find it here. ¡Ándele! Restaurante is located at 1950 Calle del Norte.
Once you have your fill at either one of these restaurants, remember to head over to one of the locally-renowned Caliche’s Frozen Custard stands, where you can get a traditional root beer float or, if you’re feeling adventurous, their unique and memorable Green Chile Sundae.
For the ones with some free time
Heading down to Las Cruces a day or two early and looking for something to do? Just 40 minutes away from Las Cruces, on the road to Alamogordo, is White Sands National Monuments, which just might be the most enchanting locale in the state.
Boasting pristine, bone-colored sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, White Sands is the perfect getaway in southern New Mexico. The entrance fee is only $5, and the park allows you to bring food and drinks, and also has grills available. Don’t forget to also bring a plastic sled so you can ride down the dunes.
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At the very least, White Sands makes for some fantastic photo opportunities, particularly in the evenings.
If you’re looking for some entertainment in town and are on a tight budget, the Allen Theaters Video 4 multiplex offers not-so-recent releases on the cheap.
This weekend the theater will be showing Ice Age: Collision Course, Ghostbusters, The BFG, Tarzan and Central Intelligence – all summer releases. Tickets cost $3.50 for all ages at all showtimes, with a $2.00 surcharge for 3-D films. The theater is located at 1005 El Paseo Rd.
For the outdoorsy individual, September’s cooler temperatures make for the perfect time to hike Dripping Springs Natural Area, which provides great views of the surrounding land. Or you can take a hike up “A” mountain, overlooking the city.
Further, Las Cruces has a diverse Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning. With a wide variety of local vendors showcasing authentic homemade arts and crafts, metalworks and jewelry, it’s easy to find something that catches your eye. Local food trucks and musicians are also on hand to help create a lively, truly authentic atmosphere.
Oh, and for you Pokémon Go trainers? As much as it may be deemed enemy territory, New Mexico State campus is the best place to level up and find that elusive Pokémon. Go ahead and stake your claim for dominance at on-campus gyms as well.
