El Paso Known as Paso del Norte to the early Spanish explorers, El Paso served as the gateway to what wold later become the United States. Today, this bustling city enjoys such attractions as a zoo, a minor league baseball team, and professional hockey and soccer teams. El Paso is about 45 miles southeast of Las Cruces on Interstate 10 east. Cuidad Juarez, Mexico Juarez is only 50 miles south of Las Cruces and adjoins El Paso. This expansive border city offers travelers an opportunity to experience the Mexican way of life.
Visitors can shop for clothing, jewelry and furniture as well as sample traditional Mexican cuisine.
Take the charming El Paso-Juarez Border Jumper Trolley for a safe, carefree jaunt over the border. The Border Jumper is located at the El Paso Civic Center in Downtown El Paso. The Gila National Forest is home to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, the former home of the Mogollon Indian tribe. This amazing ancient city is set about 150 miles northwest of Las Cruces and can be found by taking Interstate 10 west to NM 180 north toward Silver City. There's also a more scenic less direct, route.