Visit historic Mesilla
Located 3 miles southwest of Las Cruces, the well-maintained and restored historic town of Mesilla was a Mexican border town until 1854. Legend has it that the notorious Billy the Kid was jailed by Sheriff Pat Garrett and tried for murder here in 1881. Mesilla Plaza, located in the center of town, is a state monument and listed on the National Register as a historical landmark. Adobe buildings holding shops and restaurants line the streets along with the region’s oldest operating movie house, the oldest brick building in New Mexico (the Thunderbird de la Mesilla), and the historical 1885 adobe Basilica of San Albino church.
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| Basilica of San Albino church in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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| Thunderbird de la Mesilla in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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| Billy the Kid Gift Shop in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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| Pistachios wine shop in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
2355 Calle De Guadalupe, on the plaza, (575) 523-6700. Located within a National Registered Historical Building constructed in the late 1840’s, the Double Eagle offers a series of richly decorated dining rooms decorated in vintage Victorian style. It claims to be the most haunted restaurant in New Mexico and has appeared on TV’s “Ghost Adventures.” A confirmed claim to fame is the chandelier seen in “The Godfather,” which hangs in the entry. Indeed, more ornate chandeliers hang throughout. The restaurant is known for great steaks, and is the only restaurant in New Mexico that ages its steaks in house. The old-time bar dispenses Green Chile Vodka, a Green Chile Bloody Mary and Martini, and a Border Berries Margarita--all of which go well with the very popular Green Chile Wontons appetizer.
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"The Godfather" chandelier in entry to Double Eagle Restaurant
in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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| bar at Double Eagle Restaurant in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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drinks await at the bar in Double Eagle Restaurant
in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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dining room seen through oval window in Double Eagle Restaurant
in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
Featuring a more casual and colorful tropical atmosphere,
Peppers operates in the central courtyard known as the Billy the Kid Indoor Patio that features giant ferns and plants and is known for its Mexican dishes.
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Peppers dining room in Double Eagle Restaurant
in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
2410 Calle de San Albino, (575) 524-3524. Originally constructed in the 1840s, this building is now a compound with a sprawling restaurants and several shops. The menu offers traditional Mexican cuisine and an assortment of unusual margaritas--including the Chile Rita and the Mesilla Valley Jalapeno Margarita. Clint Eastwood ordered up the combo plate when he was in the area filming “The Mule.” I particularly enjoyed the spicy blackberry-habanero margarita. I took a photo of the grey parrot in a huge cage in the center area, where other birds and also sharks and piranhas are housed on display. I later learned the bird’s name and called it out to “Sugar” as I was leaving. She looked startled and then did a little dance for me.
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| entrance to La Posta de Mesilla in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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The Virgin of Guadalupe tile word inside La Posta de Mesilla
in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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server with spicy blackberry-habanero margaritas in La Posta de Mesilla
in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
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Sugar the gray parrot in La Posta de Mesilla
in Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Mexico |
More things to do in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
.JPG "sculpture in Taos, New Mexico")
.JPG "a lonely road on the vast Acoma Indian Reservation in Acoma, New Mexico")
