El Paso
is about 45 miles away via I-10, and Juarez, Mexico slightly beyond.White Sands National Monument
is less than an hour's drive from Las Cruces.Ski Apache
is about 90 miles away. Decent skiing just past the town of Ruidoso.White Sands Missile Range
(http://www.wsmr.army.mil) is a short detour on the way to White Sands National Monument and has a missile museum.Cloudcroft
is about 85 miles away with breathtaking views and mountains.If you're in the vicinity in the latter part of August, consider driving 60 miles west on I-10 to the Great American Duck Race (http://www.demingduckrace.com/) -- seriously -- in the small town of Deming.
Truth or Consequences
about 70 miles north of Las Cruces and commonly called "T or C," has traveler-friendly hot springs. The new Spaceport America (http://www.spaceportameri...) -- again, seriously! -- will be constructed about 30 miles southeast of T or C, and should be easily accessible from Las Cruces.