Courtesy Las Cruces CVBLas Cruces, New Mexico
It’s not technically downtown — or even technically part of the same city — but Old Mesilla is the heart of a visitor experience in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
In the early 1800s, Mesilla was the larger municipality in southern New Mexico, and Las Cruces was a smaller community. Railroad development caused Las Cruces to grow, essentially encompassing Mesilla, which has been preserved much the same as it was in the 19th century.
“Mesilla basically stayed the same size until today,” said Chris Faivre, director of marketing and communication at the Las Cruces Convention and Visitors Bureau. “What you see there today is basically the same as it was 150 years ago.”
The town square at Old Mesilla is a peaceful, pedestrian-friendly spot for groups to spend an afternoon at leisure. There are numerous art galleries, gift shops, clothing boutiques and other retail outlets around the square, as well as a number of signature restaurants. La Posta is a large Mexican restaurant with a number of rooms decorated in imaginative Mexican themes. The Double Eagle is a historic-home-turned-restaurant that features a variety of fine steaks and haunted tales.
In addition to individual time, groups can take a tour of the area with a local costumed guide.
“There’s a woman named Prisciliana who does walking tours of the plaza,” Faivre said. “She talks about the area’s history, but she also mixes in some of the local legend and ghost stories, so you get a historic perspective as well as the local lore.”
www.staysunny.org
Henderson, Nevada
Just southeast of Las Vegas, the Water Street District of Henderson, Nevada, offers a visitor experience that is a world away from the Sin City strip.
“We have a true downtown character,” said Michelle Romero, manager of redevelopment for the city of Henderson. “This is the oldest part of the city, and we still have a lot of that old-town character. We have mostly mom-and-pop businesses that are unique to the area.”
Many of the shops in the area specialize in personalization and hands-on service, like the local jeweler who makes customized accessories for visitors. Others help to contribute to the area’s artistic appeal by displaying large, colorful murals on the sides of their buildings.
Groups can visit any time of year for a historic walking tour and a leisurely day of shopping and dining. There’s more excitement several times a year when special events bring added attention to the Water Street District.
“We have the Super Run Car Show in September that attracts over 125,000 people for the weekend,” Romero said. “We have about 1,000 cars at that. There’s a barbecue cook-off in October and WinterFest in December. In April, we have our Heritage Parade and Festival, a carnival that celebrates the history of Henderson.”
Oklahoma City
A few decades back, tour groups would never have thought of visiting the Bricktown zone of Oklahoma City. But after a major revitalization effort, the district has become one of the hottest areas in town.
“Bricktown is a tremendous downtown entertainment option for our visitors,” said Michael Carrier, president of the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau. “In the 1980s, it was full of dilapidated warehouses and busted-up streets. Some local businessmen saw the opportunity to rehab the buildings. A lot of entrepreneurs came forward when they saw the success, and it’s all grown organically.”
One of the chief drivers of the district is Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, home to the city’s minor league baseball team, the RedHawks. After the stadium opened, a flood of restaurants, shops and entertainment businesses came to Bricktown. Today, the area has more than 80 restaurants, clubs and retail establishments, as well as movie theaters and a bowling alley.
One of the best features of Bricktown is the man-made canal that runs through the district.
“The canal has pontoon boats that you can take for tours,” Carrier said. “The guides give some history about Bricktown, and you get to see a lot of the different businesses along the canal.”
The tour also showcases the Land Run area of the canal, where 25 larger-than-life bronze statues depict scenes from the opening of the West. Upon completion, the display will have 40 statues.
www.visitokc.com
