Las Cruces & the Tularosa Basin, New Mexico

"Historic Butterfield Stage stop turned legendary New Mexican restaurant."

La Posta de Mesilla in the Old Mesilla plaza has been feeding travelers since the Butterfield Overland Mail route stopped here in the 1850s. Billy the Kid was held prisoner in this building. The menu is classic New Mexican — chile rellenos, enchiladas, and the red and green chile question that defines New Mexico ("Christmas" means both).

"The Hatch Valley is where New Mexico green chile comes from. No approximations."

Hatch, New Mexico (45 minutes north) is the green chile capital of the world — the Hatch Valley grows the most famous chile pepper in American cooking. During harvest season (August-September), the roadside stands roasting fresh chile are one of the essential New Mexico sensory experiences.

"Las Cruces' most beloved local Mexican restaurant."

Andele is the Las Cruces institution for everyday Mexican and New Mexican food — menudo on weekends, breakfast burritos with Hatch green chile, and the unpretentious atmosphere that defines the Mesilla Valley food culture.

"The largest gypsum dune field in the world. Otherworldly."

White Sands National Park is 20 minutes from the WSMR main gate — 275 square miles of pure white gypsum sand dunes in the Tularosa Basin. The dunes are the largest gypsum dunefield in the world, formed by dissolved gypsum carried by water from the surrounding mountains. Hiking, sledding on rented plastic discs, and sunrise/sunset are all extraordinary.

"Where the first nuclear device was detonated. July 16, 1945."

Trinity Site within WSMR is where the world's first nuclear device (code name "The Gadget") was detonated at 5:29am on July 16, 1945. A small obelisk marks the exact location. The site is open to the public only twice per year (first Saturday in April and October). Still slightly radioactive.

"Dramatic granite spires above Las Cruces. Some of the best Chihuahuan Desert hiking."

The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument surrounds Las Cruces with 500,000 acres of protected Chihuahuan Desert terrain — the dramatic granite needles of the Organ Mountains, petroglyphs, cave systems, and desert wildlife. The Dripping Springs Trail and Organ Mountains trails are the primary hiking access.

"The university brings cultural events, lectures, and sports to Las Cruces."

NMSU's 25,000-student campus brings arts programming, athletic events, and cultural life to Las Cruces that would otherwise be absent in a city of this size. The NMSU Art Museum and the University's agricultural heritage (it's an agricultural and mechanical university) are both worth exploring.

"Las Cruces makes the world's largest enchilada every October."

The Whole Enchilada Festival in Las Cruces (late September/early October) features the ceremonial preparation of the world's largest flat enchilada — 10 feet in diameter, 75 pounds of masa, and 7,000 guests. It's the kind of regional celebration that makes small American cities interesting.