5 days in Southwest New Mexico Itinerary

Las Cruces, also known as "The City of the Crosses", is the seat of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. Start off your visit on the 12th (Thu): learn more about the world around you at New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, then see the interesting displays at The Zuhl Museum, then walk around Dripping Springs Natural Area, and finally make a trip to Plaza de Las Cruces. On your second day here, get a new perspective on nature at Museum of Nature & Science, then pause for some serene contemplation at Basilica San Albino Catholic Church, then contemplate the long history of Old Mesilla Village, and finally pause for some photo ops at Recycled Roadrunner Sculpture.

To see other places to visit, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Las Cruces road trip planner.

Phoenix to Las Cruces is an approximately 4.5-hour combination of flight and car. You can also take a bus; or drive. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Phoenix in January; daily highs in Las Cruces reach 55°F and lows reach 29°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Deming.

Deming is a city in Luna County, New Mexico, United States, located 60 miles (97 km) west of Las Cruces and thirty-three miles north of the Mexican border. Kick off your visit on the 14th (Sat): get engrossed in the history at Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, do a tasting at D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room, and then take in the dramatic natural features at City of Rocks State Park.

To see maps, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Deming trip planner.

Getting from Las Cruces to Deming by car takes about 1.5 hours. In January, daytime highs in Deming are 56°F, while nighttime lows are 27°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Sat) so you can drive to Truth or Consequences.

Truth or Consequences is a spa city and the county seat of Sierra County, New Mexico, United States. Start off your visit on the 15th (Sun): contemplate the waterfront views at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, walk around Carole Wheeler Dog Park, then get engrossed in the history at Geronimo Springs Museum, and finally witness a stunning natural landmark at Riverbend Hot Springs.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Truth or Consequences trip tool.

You can drive from Deming to Truth or Consequences in 1.5 hours. In January, plan for daily highs up to 54°F, and evening lows to 29°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) so you can go by car to Socorro.

Socorro is a city in Socorro County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Start off your visit on the 16th (Mon): look for all kinds of wild species at Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, see the interesting displays at Mineralogical Museum, and then look and learn at National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

For photos, traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, read our Socorro itinerary planner.

You can drive from Truth or Consequences to Socorro in 1.5 hours. In January in Socorro, expect temperatures between 51°F during the day and 26°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 16th (Mon) early enough to go by car back home.