If you're coming from the east, you're almost halfway across the state when you enter NM between El Paso and Las Cruces. There are interesting things to see and do - and great food - in the Las Cruces area: La Mesilla, White Sands National Monument just about an hour away, some good hikes in the Organ Mountains (on both sides of the pass) about 20 minutes away, etc. Chope's Bar & Grill in La Mesa (just south of Las Cruces) is an awesome place to have some home-style Mexican food.
As mentioned, you have to get off the interstate to see places like Carlsbad Caverns, the mountains around Cloudcroft or Ruidoso to the east, or the Gila Wilderness to the west-northwest (including Silver City and other places). The same is true if you're traveling the northern route across the state on I-40; you have to get off the interstate to see Santa Fe, Taos, Angel Fire, the Carson National Forest, and all those great places. We've found that, no matter where we are in the nation, the interstate system does not pass through the most scenic or interesting parts of any state. You have to get off on the secondary roads to really see the sights.
Of course, as a Las Cruces native, I'm going to tell you that the best Mexican food on earth is found in this part of the Rio Grande valley. The "dives" are usually the best places to eat (if you hear mostly Spanish spoken when you walk in, you know you're in the right place!).
Rob
U.S. Army retired
2020 Solitude 310GK-R
MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows
(Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
2012 F350 CC DRW Lariat 6.7
Full-time since 8/2015
