Why Travelers Are Falling for This Small Historic Town in New Mexico

If you want to visit a small historic town in New Mexico that offers a perfect blend of art, culture, and local heritage, check out Mesilla. This charming destination just west of Las Cruces has quite a colorful past, as it was an important stop along the Butterfield Stagecoach Route and El Camino Real. Today, Mesilla’s rich history lives on in the form of preserved adobe buildings and year-round events. Come explore the plaza, try local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the culture as you escape the big city and step back into an era that shaped the Land of Enchantment and had ripple effects on the rest of the country.

The History Behind This Small Historic Town in New Mexico

It’s hard to believe Mesilla, with its population of less than 2,000, was once the largest town between San Diego and San Antonio, but it’s true. (It had roughly the same number of residents at its peak in the 1860s, but that was significant at the time!). 

In the early to mid 1800s, the area that is now Mesilla was a key stop on both the Camino Real Trail, which linked Chihuahua and Santa Fe, and the Butterfield Stagecoach Route from San Diego to San Antonio. The region quickly grew into a thriving commerce and transportation center, and the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo further cemented its status. This treaty prompted a boundary dispute between the U.S. and Mexico, which was resolved in the Gadsden Purchase in present-day Mesilla. The town became the capital of the Confederate Territory of Arizona in 1861, when Texas troops captured nearby Fort Filmore.

Where to Eat, Stay, and Explore in Mesilla

After the Civil War ended, Mesilla experienced its heyday, with businesses popping up all over downtown to serve the needs of the growing community. Today, the Mesilla Plaza features many of these original adobe buildings, now housing locally-owned shops and restaurants. La Posta is the most popular restaurant in town, serving authentic Mexican dishes in a former stagecoach stop.

The Basilica of San Albino is a must-visit landmark. Constructed in 1906 on the foundation of the original building, which Mexico established in 1851, this beautiful Catholic church is the centerpiece of the town. All are welcome to experience its majesty. Visitors can also see the historic courthouse where Billy the Kid was famously tried and sentenced in 1881. While the adobe building no longer handles the county's judicial affairs (it's now a gift shop), it stands as a reminder of perhaps the most infamous event ever to occur in Mesilla.

Mesilla is one of the best day trips in New Mexico, especially if you're coming from Las Cruces. However, if you want to spend the night, Hacienda de Mesilla is a boutique hotel with traditional architecture and on-site dining.

Have you ever visited this small historic town in New Mexico? What other historic towns in New Mexico are worth the trip? Let us know by filling out this nomination form. And if you're feeling inspired to design your own getaway, try using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.