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.
A Ruidoso vacation cabin can be a fairy-tale escape — a place to curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace or conquer the nearby ski hills. Ready to cozy up to your own slice of cabin bliss? Here are a few visitor favorites to help get you started.
What's the weather in Ruidoso? Check out the official Village of Ruidoso Tourism Webcam from its strategic point overlooking Midtown in the heart of Ruidoso’s shopping and restaurant district with Sierra Blanca towering in the distance.
Ruidoso's live music scene is hotter than ever with venues from free street music in Midtown to annual festivals and year-round entertainment featuring everything from country singers to big-band crooners and edgy newcomers, so be sure to check our event calendar.
A paddle sport for all ages and skill levels. Easy to learn. Gentler than tennis. Play Pickleball, a recreational craze that borrows from tennis, ping pong and badminton.
Inspired by the heritage of the Mescalero tribe, the new The Spa at the Inn offers a wide array of signature facials, relaxing body treatments, manicures and pedicures, waxing treatments and high-end salon services.
Camping is not only an awesome vacation for those who love the outdoors, but it's also a great way to keep a Ruidoso vacation affordable. Learn everything you need to know to plan your Ruidoso camping trip now!
Discover the best of Ruidoso with YOLO TX travel TV host Aerin Carreno as she shares her Ruidoso adventures in Season 2 opener.
From dazzling night skies to snow-capped peaks and evergreen forests, here are five reasons to make a Ruidoso mountain vacation your next adventure.
Join us on Saturdays in Midtown for MUSIC IN THE STREETS, a FREE community program featuring live performances by Ruidoso musicians. Saturdays 2 PM thru October 27, 2018.
Quench your thirst for New Mexico craft beers and wines at these local hangouts
To get a quick taste of the diverse landscapes that surround our mountain oasis, start with these day trips from Ruidoso.
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.
This adrenaline-pumping, three-span zip tour begins above 11,000 feet with parallel cables so riders can ride side-by-side. It also spans over 8,900 feet in length, making it one of the longest in the world while offering a thrilling and unforgettable experience.
While much of the country is sweltering in summer heat, Ruidosoans are chilling out in the tall pines. No matter what a vacation means to you, a summer holiday is pretty cool in Ruidoso.
Break out the tents, hiking boots, and fishing rods because Mescalero Parks and Recreation has officially opened up Silver Lake, Eagle Creek and the Mescalero cabins for summertime fun.
Discover some of Ruidoso's best patio bars, alfresco terraces and outdoor restaurants to make the most of your Ruidoso vacation.
The Fort Stanton State Historic Site is a must-see historic attraction when visiting Lincoln County. Few sites in the nation encompass the breadth of history seen at the Fort.
Take in the breathtaking views of Inn of the Mountain Gods as you glide over the crystal waters of Lake Mescalero. Offering parallel cables so riders can enjoy the view side-by-side.
Enjoy a day of gallery hopping in Ruidoso's Midtown shopping district with this recommended art itinerary.
From pristine high-mountain lakes and streams to sparkling reservoirs and meandering rivers, discover the best places to cast a line in Ruidoso.
From street to trail, if you love to pedal, Ruidoso has you covered. With new trail development and a vast network of empty rural roads and awesome mountain trails, cycling in Ruidoso has never been better. Discover the best places to get your bike on in Ruidoso.
From patios to fireplaces and cozy corners to curl up and chat, here are six delicious spots for the most important meal of the day.
Ruidoso is a place where locals love to sit back and let the opinions fly. A place where hipsters, old hippies, ski bums, and local eccentrics mingle with tourists to sip strong coffee and solve the world's problems.
95% of wildfires are caused by people. Do your part to keep Ruidoso safe by keeping these tips in mind before you leave home as well as on the trail to make for an enjoyable outdoor experience in Ruidoso.
Kids of all ages will have plenty of family fun in Ruidoso. Many area attractions, such as hiking, fishing, and skiing, are perfect for the entire family. Plan the perfect family vacation with these fun kid-friendly trip ideas.
They say the best things in life are free. Save money on your next trip by taking advantage of these 5 free things to do in Ruidoso.
Cool temperatures. Unbelievable scenery. This is the Ruidoso golf experience. With four spectacular Ruidoso area golf courses, each course is situated against breathtaking backdrops with its own personality and landscape. Discover which one is best for you.
Do you want to put a little money down on your entertainment? At Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Billy The Kid Casino you can experience the thrill of the world's fastest quarter horses racing every weekend during the summer and Simulcast racing year-round.
Beginning on the first of May and every day for the entire month, over 400 varieties of prize-winning iris bloom at the Hondo Iris Farm. Visitors are welcome, free admission.
Enjoy a day of live folk music, New Mexico craft beer and wine tastings, regional food vendors, a children’s activity area and much more at FortStanton.org.
Watch Live Racing! It's opening weekend for a summer filled with quarter horse and thoroughbred racing. Our spectacular summer races take place every weekend with a 1:00 pm post time. Admission is free and children are always welcome.
Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater— ”Memory.” Winner of 7 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn.
Beat the heat and find yourself riding the shaded pines of the Sacramento mountains for 4 days of riding, food and music. Expect the 2019 AspenCash Rally to be better than ever! Learn more at MotorcycleRally.com
Don’t miss the Preakness Stakes Simulcast at Ruidoso Downs Race Track full of excitement for all ages.
Memorial Day weekend at Ruidoso Downs Race Track features the top two-and-three-year-old quarter horses in the world competing in the Ruidoso Futurity/Derby Trials and $100k Maiden Stakes Final, an ATV Giveaway and the Yarbrough Band.
For a true "western" experience join the Flying J Wranglers, complete with gunfights, pony rides, stage show, gold panning, gift shops and a chuckwagon style BBQ dinner. The Flying J Ranch is Monday through Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and on Saturdays September through mid-October.
Country Music fans mark your calendars! We are proud to host the 2nd Annual All American Country Music Festival at Wingfield Park in Ruidoso. We guarantee it will bigger and better than the first (which ROCKED!). Backdropped by Sierra Blanca peak and surrounded by pine trees, cool breezes and clear blue skies the music, food, and drinks take a front seat over Memorial Day weekend in Ruidoso.
High stakes racing continues at Ruidoso Downs Race Track during this exciting tournament weekend with the $25k Dash for Speed Stakes, the $25k John Deer Juvenile, and $30k First Lady Handicap. Plus, a slot machine and golf tournament to round out the excitement.
Catch the Parade through Midtown beginning at 9:00 am Saturday morning. Then watch as the teams race their beds back to Zipline Park for a Chile Cookoff. Following the race there will be activities at the park! All proceeds benefit the High Mountain Youth Project.
Linda Davis, a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, 3x Grammy winner and a bona fide Nashville favorite, shares her exceptional talents in a two-part concert program at Spencer Theater.
Which two-year-old becomes an overnight sensation by winning the first leg of quarter horse racing’s triple crown? We will all find out together by watching the finals of the $1-million (est.) Ruidoso Futurity. The simulcast of thoroughbred racing’s Belmont Stakes will also be featured on Saturday with a $500 handicapping contest, plus the $100k Mr. Jess Perry and $100k Ruidoso Juvenile races.
The Bellamy Brothers bring to the Spencer Theater stage their latest compilation that celebrates their 40 year career.
It's Father's Day Weekend and Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino is celebrating with "Family Day" on Sunday. $1 hot dogs, $1 popcorn, $1 sodas and $1 ice cream. There will be stick horse racing for the kids on the race track.
Break out the small rods and reels for young anglers to tests their skills. Grindstone Lake in Ruidoso will be teeming with activity the morning of June 15, 2019, as children line the shore to try out their casting arms.
The “Taste of the Spencer” is the toast of the town as patrons, friends and supporters from near and far indulge their senses, Spencer style. The night’s program includes gourmet food tastings prepared by the Spencer Theater culinary staff, generous pours of wine, and the silent and live auction of fine items from throughout the country. $70
Motorcycle enthusiasts won’t want to miss this event featuring top tattoo artists, Harley Davidson stunt riders, and Motocross show.
Come support local New Mexico beer, wine, food, and fun at Wingfield Park! Sponsored by Ruidoso Midtown Association. Tickets at Eventbrite.
Mark your calendars for June 22 and 23, 2019 as we get set to hit the roads of Ruidoso New Mexico! And as an added bonus, Ruidoso will be having its Annual Brewdoso after the races!
Country music fans won’t want to miss this award-winning duo perform live at Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort Casino.
The 1st Armored Division Band, under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Moore, presents an evening of military march favorites and patriotic concert music. The band’s historically rich, musically adept ensemble of 30+ soldier musicians & vocalists perform in honor of and dedicated to our nation’s military members serving throughout the world. Free to the public - Limit 4 Tickets
What’s in a name? For the guys in the hit 70s disco-rock group Pablo Cruise it’s a philosophical mind-set and attitude: “Pablo” represents a down-to-earth individual and “Cruise” stands for a fun-loving, easy-going style.
Visitors will be offered a rare opportunity to witness the coming of age ceremony of Mescalero Apache maidens during this annual event. Ceremonial dances, rodeo, arts and crafts, and ceremonial parade are all part of the annual Mescalero Ceremonial and Rodeo held at the Mescalero Apache reservation over the July 4th holiday.
Come out and enjoy ALL the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort Casino has to offer as we celebrate Independence Day! The Star Spangled Celebration is FREE and begins at 3 p.m. with concessions, jumping balloons, live music, and the LARGEST fireworks show in New Mexico. Cost: Free.
Art Loop began as a creative venture amongst artists 24 years ago and continues to be one of the most successful studio tours in New Mexico. Throughout Lincoln County artists will open their studios, demonstrate their craft and discuss their creative process creating much more than simply a vibrant art market
Come out to hear the Country Superstar sing her acclaimed hits during this intimate, all-acoustic night at the Spencer Theater with two accompanying musicians on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and keyboards.
The All-American Boys Chorus is America’s quintessential professional boys chorus, a California-based company of 100+ comprehensively trained vocalists that has delighted audiences worldwide for over 40 years. A select choir of 39 boys, ages 8-14, come to the Spencer, singing a concert designed as a patriotic salute to America’s men and women of the armed forces.
Rumours recreates the chart-topping 70s & 80s rock music of Fleetwood Mac, best known for lead vocalist Stevie Nicks' distinctive voice, mystical stage persona, and poetic, symbolic lyrics in signature harmonies like “Landslide,” “Dreams,” “Hold Me,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Rhianna,” “Think About Me” and “Tusk.”
THE ULTIMATE ELO EXPERIENCE shares The Electric Light Orchestra’s ambitious and irresistible fusion of pop, melodic rock, classical arrangements, and futuristic iconography of the 1970s in ELO classics like “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Xanadu,” “Shine A Little Love,” “Evil Woman,” “Telephone Line,” “Strange Magic” and more.
Head to the water for a day of fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and more at Grindstone Lake with Backcountry Attitudes.