The Unique City In New Mexico That Is So Much More Than Your Average College Town
By Melissa Mahoney|Published February 20, 2024
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
With views in every direction, a population of around 113,000, and a lower-than-average cost of living, Las Cruces, New Mexico is an attractive place to live and go to school. Home to New Mexico State University, the population certainly increases when school is in session. While considered a “college town,” Las Cruces is a unique city in New Mexico that certainly offers much more than its university.
Located in the Mesilla Valley at the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert and by the Organ Mountains, Las Cruces is a small city surrounded by diverse landscapes and beauty. It also happens to be a peaceful place to live.
Not only are there views in nearly every direction, but life in Las Cruces gives residents easy access to endless outdoor recreation. Feel like hiking? Head to the Organ Mountains and discover a network of trails, including the Dripping Springs Trail that leads to a waterfall.
You can also venture off to the edge of the city to the quaint town of Mesilla and discover the historic Mesilla Plaza. Surrounding the plaza, you'll find a number of historic buildings along with shops, restaurants, and the Basilica of San Albino.
A popular place to spend time in the city is at the Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces. It seems as though the entire city and surrounding towns show up on Wednesdays and Saturdays when this market is open!
Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces, 221 N Main St Studio E, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA
This market has been around since 1971 and remains a popular place for the community to gather and shop for fresh local produce as well as jewelry, art, crafts, and other handmade goods.
While there are plenty of places to visit and explore in Las Cruces and surrounding areas, there's no denying that New Mexico State University is at the heart of it all. NMSU is a Carnegie Highest Research Activity Institution known for its graduate programs in astrophysics, astronomy, engineering, business, and education.
New Mexico State University, 1780 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
Have you ever been to an NMSU sports game? While football is among its most popular sports, the school also has soccer, baseball, and basketball teams among others.
What's your favorite NMSU athletics team? Do you attend any of the school's sporting games during the year? Show your team sport with gear from the Wear Your Roots Collegiate Collection!
Did you attend school in Las Cruces? What do you think of this unique city in New Mexico? Let us know in the comments!
If you attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces or you’re a fan of the school’s sports teams, show off your pride with apparel from Wear Your Roots!
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