Summer Trip Ideas
We’ve compiled our summer vacation ideas—all our top attractions, best food, cultural happenings, most memorable activities – and popular summer events are worth traveling for. Meet the locals, find the best deals from our partners, and learn how to get here, get around, and find accommodations.
IRONMAN Comes to Ruidoso! Experience the thrill as IRONMAN 70.3 debuts in New Mexico with a festival weekend of triathlon racing in Ruidoso, July 11–12, 2026. Swim, bike, and run through stunning mountain landscapes—or come cheer on the athletes and enjoy the excitement! Registration opens April 23. 2026.
HEAD’S UP, SUMMER VISITORS! 2025 Wibit Water Park Opening Delayed Due to Low Water Levels: The Ruidoso Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake will not open as planned due to low water levels. Conditions will be re-evaluated mid-June to determine if the park can be set up later this summer. We appreciate your patience and will share updates as soon as they become available.
Planning your Memorial Day weekend in Ruidoso, NM? From live music and great food to exhilarating horse racing and rich historical sites, there’s something for everyone. Explore our top four picks to celebrate Memorial Day in style!
Discover the Heart of Ruidoso at Midtown Market. Shop local every Saturday, June through October, from 9 am to 1 pm at Country Club Park in Midtown Ruidoso. Enjoy fresh New Mexico produce, artisan foods, handmade crafts, and regional wines in a lively, community-driven atmosphere. With special events all season, it’s a favorite stop for both locals and visitors.
Experience the thrill of the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster and Tubing in Ruidoso! Ride New Mexico’s only Mountain Coaster with 5100 feet of waves, dips, and a 360-degree helix. Enjoy high-speed fun with state-of-the-art safety features. For winter excitement, try the tubing hill with magic carpet lifts and thrilling downhill rides. Perfect for family fun and adventure seekers of all ages!
Experience the thrill of axe throwing at Win Place & Show in Ruidoso! Challenge your friends, test your aim, and enjoy drinks from the bar on the lively WPS patio. Let expert guides show you the ropes and make it an unforgettable outing. Book your lane for some competitive fun by calling (575) 257-9982 or reserving online. Don’t miss this exciting addition to Ruidoso Midtown!
Transform your remote work in 2025 with Ruidoso’s scenic beauty. Set against the stunning mountains, your workspace becomes a blend of productivity and tranquility. Enjoy fresh air, creative energy, and diverse accommodations, making Ruidoso the ideal spot for remote workers seeking a balance of professional focus and natural inspiration.
Ski Apache is known for its beautiful warm weather skiing and snowboarding as the nation’s southern-most continually operating resort, but there is plenty of summer excitement too. Here is what travelers can look forward to this summer.
Play pickleball in Ruidoso, NM—an easy-to-learn sport for all ages and skill levels. The Ruidoso Pickleball Club hosts regular games at the White Mountain Sports Complex, with indoor play available at the Horton Complex Gymnasium during bad weather. A great way to stay active and meet others in the community!
Looking for the best breakfast in Ruidoso? Whether you crave a hearty mountain-style meal, a cozy café with a fireplace, or a sunlit patio to enjoy your coffee, Ruidoso has plenty of charming spots to start your day. From classic diners to hidden gems serving homemade pastries, here’s your guide to the top breakfast restaurants in Ruidoso.
Escape to the mountains of Ruidoso for fresh air, star-filled skies, stunning views, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. This scenic alpine village offers the perfect year-round getaway for slow travel, relaxation, and outdoor adventure. Discover five powerful reasons to make Ruidoso your next soul-soothing vacation destination.
DON'T MISS THESE POPULAR SUMMER EVENTS
Explore the creativity of emerging artists at the ENMU Student Art Show from May 2- 9, 2025, at 709 Mechem Dr, Ruidoso. Opening night is Friday, May 2, from 4:00–7:00 PM, featuring a variety of student artwork in diverse styles and mediums. Meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments. Free admission. Discover fresh talent and artistic inspiration in the heart of Ruidoso!
Fort Stanton Historic Site hosts Park Day on May 3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., inviting volunteers to help clean and maintain trails across this historic site. In celebration of its 170th anniversary, the event honors Fort Stanton’s multifaceted past as a military post, hospital, and WWII internment center. Volunteers should bring water and wear sun-safe clothing and sturdy shoes. Learn More »
Celebrate 3 de Mayo at The Patina Lounge with DJ CORI spinning the best Cumbia and Norteño hits all night long! Enjoy classic jams, fresh tracks, nonstop dancing, drink specials, great food, and unbeatable fiesta vibes. Bring your crew and boots—let’s party! Get tickets »
Ruidoso hosts New Mexico’s first-ever Pro Disc Golf Association Major Championship! The Tim Selinske US Masters, presented by Innova, runs May 8-11, 2025, featuring top professional and amateur players nationwide. Spectators can enjoy live tournament action at Grindstone Park, Moon Mountain, Oso Canyon, and Alto Lake. Don’t miss this historic event!
Join Ugly Prom at Enchanted Vine by Noisy Water Winery in Alto, NM! For $5, dance the night away in your most gloriously awful prom attire. Prizes, music, and laughs await—may the worst outfit win! Saturday night fun you’ll never want to frame. Get tickets now at noisywaterwinery.com.
Don't miss this chance to witness the ethereal beauty of White Sands National Park under the captivating glow of the moon during your Ruidoso vacation! Secure your tickets early and be part of an unforgettable nocturnal adventure.
Don't miss Jennings and Keller in our Summer Music Series. Experience an evening of soulful melodies that blend modern flair with classic vibes. This family-friendly concert is free. Bring your chairs and a picnic to enjoy a musical sunset. No tickets are required.Location: Stage behind the Ruidoso Library
Ride into Ruidoso on May 15 for an unforgettable motorcycle experience. Enjoy cool mountain air, scenic byways, and winding roads that draw riders from across the country. Connect with fellow enthusiasts, explore local shops and restaurants, and discover why the AspenCash rally is a top destination for two-wheel adventures in the Southwest.
Immerse yourself in the magic of the medieval era right in the heart of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Featuring talented jesters, minstrels, and troubadours, a bustling marketplace with medieval wares, delicious Renaissance fare, and enchanting children's activities. Encounter mystical characters, fortune tellers, and more surprises throughout the weekend. Don your finest medieval attire and join event host Oso Productions for a day of history, fantasy, and fun at the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire. Tickets are available online or at the gate with special discounts for children and seniors.
Keep the revelry alive after Day One of the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire! Join The Dread Crew of Oddwood for a night of live music, fierce beards, and rum-soaked fun at Jacks Backstage on Friday, May 16. Costumes encouraged, inhibitions discouraged—party like it’s 1399! Tickets and info: https://holdmyticket.com/event/444576
Experience the thrill of live horse racing at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, home to the World’s Richest Quarter Horse Race, the All-American Futurity. Ruidoso Downs Race Track opens its summer meet on Memorial Day Weekend. Learn more at RaceRuidoso.com
Kick off the 2025 racing season at Ruidoso Downs with the Ruidoso QH Futurity Trials! This opening-day event features two-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 350 yards for a $10,000 purse. As the first race of a 46-day season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy thrilling Friday-Sunday races, plus special Memorial Day and Labor Day events. Don’t miss world-class Quarter Horse action!
Gary Allan brings a distinctly southern soul to his country hits. Since his 1996 debut, the songwriter has charted hit after hit in his multi-platinum career and reached listeners across the globe. Now, he’s bringing your favorite songs like “Her Man,” “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain),” “Nothing On but the Radio” and “Right Where I Need to Be” to the stage at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Better get your tickets!
Join Tif & Mollie for a genre-bending night of live music at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside on May 24, 2025, from 6-9 PM. This dynamic duo blends looping, cello, and multi-instrumental grooves, delivering original songs and fresh takes on select covers. With their high-energy performance and engaging storytelling, they’ll have you dancing all night. Free admission, all ages welcome!
Ruidoso's hometown favorite band, Doso Dirtbag's high-energy show comprises a killer mix of mountain country/punk/blues and Irish music. Don’t miss this May 24, 2025, performance at Downshift Brewing Company’s Hidden Tap.
Experience Everclear like never before at Jacks Backstage! Secure your Meet & Greet Package on 2/13 for VIP early entry, premium seating, an exclusive pre-show acoustic set, autographs, a tour shirt, and more. This unforgettable night includes a personal photo with the band and priority access to Everclear merch. Don’t miss out—tickets are limited!
Experience the thrill of Quarter Horse racing at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, home of the All American Futurity, the richest race in Quarter Horse history. Enjoy live racing every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day or visit The Racebook for year-round simulcast betting, great food, and drinks. Plan your visit now at RaceRuidoso.com!