Things to see while in Las Cruces

• New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. [8] 4100 Dripping Springs Road, +1 575 522-4100. East of NMSU on the way out into the countryside. This is a fairly substantial site based on a working cattle ranch, with demonstrations. You can spend half a day here; there are picnic tables as well as food available for purchase. Open M-Sa 9-5, Su 12-5; $3 (student and senior discounts).
• Branigan Cultural Center. [9] 500 N. Water St., +1 575 541-2155. A small museum dealing with local history. Open M-F 10-4:30, Saturday 9-1; free.
• Las Cruces Museum of Fine Art and Culture. [10] 490 N. Water St. (next to the Branigan), +1 575 541-2137. Predominantly contemporary art with a regional emphasis. Tu-Fri 10-2, Sa 9-1; free.
• Las Cruces Museum of Natural History. [11] 700 S. Telshor (in Mesilla Valley Mall), +1 575 522-3120. Includes a small collection of live animals. 7 days, with evening hours on Friday; free, but donations requested.
• Las Cruces Railroad Museum. [12] 351 Mesilla St. (in the historic Santa Fe Depot), +1 575 647-4480. The museum interprets the impact of the railroad on the Mesilla Valley and Las Cruces. Open Th-Sa 10-4; free.
• Mesilla [13] is a separate town just to the west of Las Cruces which is an older settlement than Las Cruces and contains a historic district with numerous adobe buildings surrounding a plaza and the adjoining church. A visitors center is located at 2231 Avenida de Mesilla, in the Mesilla town hall.