A Ruidoso Family Vacation: 4-Day Summer Itinerary

Get ready for a fantastic family vacation filled with scenic views, thrilling outdoor activities, and mountain town adventures. We've crafted this long weekend itinerary to maximize your family memories.

 

Day 1: Arrival and Local Exploration

Morning:

Arrive in Ruidoso, check in at your chosen accommodation, and freshen up.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at one of these cozy Ruidoso breakfast spots.

Afternoon:

Head to Ruidoso’s favorite lakes. Bring a picnic, cast for fish, paddle a boat, cycle, horseback ride, or explore on foot via multi-use trails at Grindstone Lake and Alto Lake recreation areas, two cool, clear alpine reservoirs in Ruidoso that will keep you coming back.

Or, for the excitement of thundering hooves, gather your clan, place your bets, and enjoy an action-packed adventure at Ruidoso Downs Race Track – a family tradition for generations.

Evening:

Watch for wildlife. If you're hoping to see wildlife, Ruidoso has it in spades, with the chance to see deer, elk, bears, free-roaming horses, and more. Evening is a time when they’re often active. So, be alert when you're out exploring – or on your deck – and keep your camera ready. 

Ruidoso offers perfect weather for al fresco dining. Enjoy a first-class meal or a casual burger and beer at these Ruidoso restaurants with year-round outdoor dining and drinking.

If you’re craving steak, the winner of the Best Steak Award in Best of Ruidoso 2023 is the Texas Club, the perfect stop for an amazing steak after an exciting day in Ruidoso.

 

Day 2: Outdoor Adventures

Morning:

Start the day with a delicious breakfast at one of these Best of Ruidoso People's Choice Awards restaurants.

Adrenaline junkies will want to experience the thrill of the new Screaming Eagle Roller Coaster, New Mexico’s only Mountain Coaster boasting 5100 feet of waves, dips, and a 360-degree helix. Drivers control the speed of their cart with max speeds of 25mph, plus Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster boasts a state-of-the-art collision avoidance system to ensure each rider can enjoy their ride safely.

Ruidoso also offers plenty of no-cost activities. Grab a selfie in front of Ruidoso's Instagrammable public murals. Bring the kids to the park. Discover the Ruidoso Public Library. Take a walk in the forest. 

Afternoon:

For lunch, check out one of these 10 Go-To Spots Burger Spots. Green-chile or old-school, craft or classic, you can never go wrong with a burger. 

Or, head for Two Rivers Park along the gently-flowing Rio Ruidoso where you can have a peaceful family picnic amid the tall pine trees and fresh mountain air.

Evening

Explore Ruidoso's Live Music Scene. Ruidoso's live music scene is hotter than ever with venues featuring everything from country singers to big-band crooners and edgy newcomers. 

Get your game on at the Ruidoso Bowling Center. With 10 bowling lanes, 4 pool tables, dartboards, arcade games, a restaurant, and a lounge for parties and events, the Ruidoso Bowling Center is a fun, year-round, family-friendly entertainment destination where everybody gets to play.

 

Day 3: Cultural and Family Fun

Morning:

Have breakfast, then set off on Billy The Kid National Scenic Byway and visit historic Lincoln, once home to outlaw Billy the Kid and lawman Pat Garrett, and Smokey Bear Historical Park on this scenic drive through the rugged beauty of the million-acre Lincoln National Forest.

Afternoon:

Take the kids to Pillow's Funtrackers, a family entertainment center with go-karts, mini-golf, bumper boats, and arcade games, perfect for a fun-filled afternoon. Or, check out Adventure Mountain offering batting cages, glow-in-the-dar mini golf, bazooka ball, a ropes course, a climbing wall, arcade games, laser maze, and kid’s rides. 

Explore Midtown Ruidoso, the village hub for dining, arts, and shopping. What's a Ruidoso vacation without ice cream and sweets? Satisfy your cravings at these Midtown candy shops for some delicious treats.

If you’re feeling adventurous, don’t miss Axe Throwing at the Win Place & Show patio for the latest fun in Midtown. It’s guided and family-friendly. 

Evening:

Relax at the accommodation or enjoy music, fun, and laughter at the Flying J Ranch with a high-energy Western Stage Show and authentic chuckwagon supper (Seasonal). 

If seeing stars, constellations, and the Milky Way in the sky is your idea of a perfect vacation, then head outside to take in the breathtaking grandeur of the Ruidoso nightscape. To make your stay more memorable, we have put together a list of our top recommended meteor shower dates for 2023.

 

Day 4: Departure

Morning:

Start your day with a final breakfast in Ruidoso. Have you dined at Tina’s Cafe yet? Don’t leave town without a visit. Tina’s was voted Best Breakfast Spot in our 2023 Best of Ruidoso awards for good reason.

If you have time, give Disc Golf a go. With courses at Grindstone Lake, Moon Mountain, Wingfield Park, and Ski Apache, it’s easy to add disc golf to your list of fun things to do in Ruidoso. 

Afternoon:

Check out from your accommodation and bid farewell to Ruidoso.

Consider horseback riding at nearby stables if you're interested in one last outdoor adventure.

 

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Family experiences, Summer, Things to do in RuidosoEditorsfamily travel, family fun