Best Things to Do in Ruidoso

Ruidoso is one of New Mexico’s most popular mountain towns and a great places to escape the desert heat.

Surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest, the town combines pine forests, mountain lakes, skiing, hiking, horse racing, casinos, cabins, and a small but lively downtown. It feels completely different from places like Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or Las Cruces, and is especially popular during summer and winter.

Don’t Miss

Midtown Ruidoso

The walkable downtown area of Ruidoso is called Midtown and it’s the best place to start exploring. Most of the shops, restaurants, galleries, tasting rooms, and small businesses are concentrated along Sudderth Drive, making it one of the easiest parts of town to explore on foot. It is a tad touristy, but that’s not a bad thing. Spend an hour or two walking the main strip, grabbing food, and browsing the local shops before heading into the mountains.

Grindstone Lake

Just a few minutes from Midtown, Grindstone Lake is an excellent recreation area near Ruidoso. You can fish, kayak, paddleboard, hike, mountain bike, or simply walk along the water. The surrounding trail system extends for miles through the hills around the lake, so this is an easy place to get out into the forest without driving far from town.

Ski Apache

Located high in the Sacramento Mountains above Ruidoso, Ski Apache is southern New Mexico’s largest ski area and one of the town’s biggest attractions during the winter. In warmer months, activities can include scenic gondola rides, hiking, mountain biking, and ziplining. Even if you aren’t skiing, the drive into the mountains and views from the upper elevations make it worth visiting.

Inn of the Mountain Gods

b-A few miles south of town on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, Inn of the Mountain Gods sits beside Lake Mescalero beneath the Sierra Blanca mountain. The resort has a casino, golf course, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor activities, but it’s worth seeing even if you’re not staying. The lake and mountain setting alone make it one of the most scenic stops around Ruidoso.

Museums & Culture

Ruidoso itself is more of a mountain resort town than a historic destination. There are some interesting museums and cultural attractions in the area, but most visitors come for the outdoors.

• Wingfield Heritage House Museum – A small local museum covering the history and development of Ruidoso.
• Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts – A striking performing arts venue north of town with concerts, theater, and other live performances.
• Lincoln Historic Site – One of New Mexico’s best-preserved historic towns and the center of the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid story.
• Fort Stanton – A historic military post north of Ruidoso with buildings dating back to the 1800s.

If you have an extra day, the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway through Lincoln and Fort Stanton is highly recommended.

Food & Drink

Ruidoso has a surprisingly good restaurant scene for a town its size. Some popular places to try include:

• Hall of Flame Burgers – Longtime Midtown burger joint and one of the most popular restaurants in town.
• Cornerstone Bakery & Cafe – Great breakfast and bakery option with large portions.
• Noisy Water Winery – New Mexico wine and cheese with a tasting room in Midtown.

Ruidoso gets extremely busy on summer weekends and holidays, so expect to wait at the most popular restaurants during peak season.

Events

Ruidoso’s event calendar changes throughout the year, with summer and fall being especially busy.

Horse racing has traditionally been one of the area’s biggest summer attractions at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track, including the famous All American Futurity. However, racing schedules have been disrupted by recent flooding, so check the current schedule before planning a trip around the races.

Other major annual events include:

• Ruidoso Art & Wine Festival – A large summer art show featuring artists, wine, food, and live entertainment.
• AspenFest – Ruidoso’s fall celebration with a parade, food, music, and events around Midtown.
• Festival of Lights Parade – A holiday parade through Midtown held during the Christmas season.

Outdoors

The outdoors are the main reason to visit Ruidoso.

The town is surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest, and there are lakes, hiking trails, mountain bike routes, scenic drives, and wildlife within minutes of Midtown.

Popular outdoor activities include:

• Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and paddling at Grindstone Lake
• Visiting Alto Lake
• Hiking in Lincoln National Forest
• Skiing and snowboarding at Ski Apache
• Driving into the Sacramento Mountains

Deer are extremely common around town, and elk, wild horses, black bears, and other wildlife can also be found throughout the surrounding mountains.

Where to Stay

Ruidoso is a popular tourist destination, and there are a variety of interesting options in and around town.

• Inn of the Mountain Gods (book mon-thur for affordable rates)
• Hotel Ruidoso
• Upper Canyon Inn & Cabins

If you’re visiting during summer, Christmas, spring break, or a major event weekend, book early. Ruidoso is one of New Mexico’s most popular weekend destinations and lodging can fill quickly.

How Long Should You Stay?

You can use Ruidoso as a base for 2–3 days to explore the surrounding area.

Spend one day exploring Midtown, Grindstone Lake, and the immediate Ruidoso area. Use a second day for Ski Apache, hiking, or other outdoor activities. If you have a third day, drive through Lincoln and Fort Stanton. The combination of mountain scenery, Old West history, and small towns makes it one of the best day trips in southern New Mexico.