I Asked Our AI-Travel Planner For a Weekend Adventure in Las Cruces – Here’s What It Created

I love technology. While it's an ever-changing part of our lives, I pride myself on embracing the good it can do. With the advent of the Only In Your State AI-Travel Planner, I was excited to try it and took it on a test drive to see what it would come up with for a weekend getaway in Las Cruces. I was pleasantly surprised at the results! Let's take a look at the search criteria I used and what this tool suggested:

The Search Criteria

I chose Las Cruces for a weekend getaway because I have family there and hope to visit them sometime this year. Using the AI-Travel Planner tool, I chose the city, the trip's timeframe (options are a day, a weekend, a week, or a month), the month I plan on visiting (I chose August), and who I am traveling with (I chose family). As for interests, I clicked nature, national and state parks, museums, food, restaurants, vacation rentals, hotels and resorts, family-friendly spots, and swimming spots. Here are the results:

What To Do

The AI tool had some interesting options I would like to check out when visiting Las Cruces. Among the suggestions are the Shelter Caves Trail in the Pena Blanca Wilderness Study Area for a moderate hike through a vast desert landscape.

The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum was another fascinating suggestion, and one I probably wouldn't have made if I were planning this trip on my own. With tours and interactive museum exhibits, this museum seems to be an enjoyable place for families.

The Travel Planner also suggested two remarkable state parks outside city limits: Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park in nearby Mesilla and Leasburg Dam State Park in Radium Springs. Each park is located on the Rio Grande and has hiking, camping, birdwatching, and picnicking options.

Where To Eat

For dining options, the Travel Planner offered three options: Burger Nook and Pastaggio’s Italian Restaurant in Las Cruces and Pepper Pot Restaurant in nearby Hatch, NM. Burger Nook, a fast-casual local joint with menu offerings ranging from burgers and hot dogs to tacos and burritos, is a great suggestion for kids.

Pastaggio’s Italian Restaurant, a fun eatery with build-your-own pizzas and pasta dishes, will be great for a family night out. A 40-minute drive would take us to Hatch, where the Pepper Pot Restaurant and its menu of Mexican and American dishes are. We would also try this restaurant depending on our final schedule and if we have enough time.

Where To Stay

When adding interests to the planner, kid-friendly accommodations were important to me, and what it suggested was interesting. One was the Big Chile Inn & Suites, home to the largest chile pepper in the state and a fun roadside attraction. With clean and comfortable rooms, plus a koi pond and a pool, it's ideal for families.

The other option I was given was the Aguirre Spring Campground, with 55 campsites and amenities like pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. With mountain views, this campground seems like a peaceful spot. So, what would I choose? While both options are great for kids, I'd probably go with the Big Chile Inn for its convenience and comfort.

My Thoughts

Overall, I think the AI Travel Planner did great with its suggestions for a family-friendly weekend getaway to Las Cruces, NM. There was a great mix of activities between a museum and nature adventures, and the food and accommodation options were also family-friendly. Would I use this tool again? Absolutely! It can really take the stress out of planning a trip, especially when there are so many other things to worry about when traveling.

This article was made using our award-winning dashboard planner. Feel free to check it out at Only In Your State.