Things To Do in Ruidoso

Fishing (stocked trout), kayaking, and paddleboarding at the reservoir minutes from the cabin, plus an 18-mile multi-use trail system and a 27-hole disc golf course. A parking permit is required through Labor Day.

Southern New Mexico's premier ski resort with 55 trails and 750 acres of terrain, owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. The season runs November through March, but locals will tell you the reliable snow arrives in January and February. Plan a Thanksgiving ski trip with a backup in mind.

Guided horseback trail rides through the forest above Grindstone Lake, plus carriage rides through Midtown and sleigh rides in winter ($30 adults, $15 kids). Call ahead for trail ride times.

Thousands of acres of trails, camping, and wilderness. South Fork and Lookout Mountain trailheads are minutes away. Check our conditions page before you go, since post-fire flood risk closes some areas in monsoon season.

An easy, family-friendly creekside trail through mixed conifer forest. The Forest Service closes the Cedar Creek trail system through monsoon season (roughly June into fall) for post-fire flood safety, so confirm it is open before you drive out.

Over 21,000 ancient petroglyphs along an easy trail. One of the largest petroglyph sites in the Southwest. $7 per vehicle. The visitor center is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Casa Blanca (green chile everything), Cafe Rio (pizza and calzones), Hall of Flame (burgers), and Cornerstone Bakery for breakfast, all within walking distance of each other.

Local craft brewery with a Midtown taproom on Sudderth Drive, open daily. Trivia on Thursday nights, rotating food trucks, kid and dog friendly.

Two taprooms in Midtown: the Hidden Tap on Sudderth, and Riverside on the Rio Ruidoso, which also does craft coffee and breakfast on decks over the river. Hosts songwriter nights and the town's Oktoberfest.

Local winery with tastings ($10-15) and a cozy tasting room in Midtown. Great for couples or a relaxed afternoon.

Mescalero-owned resort with casino, golf course, lakeside dining, and Sierra Blanca views. Books national touring acts through the year. Worth a visit even for non-gamblers.

In Capitan, next to the Smokey Bear park. Locals will argue this is the best green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico, and they will not back down. Worth pairing with the Smokey Bear museum on the same trip.

440 Smokehouse BBQ, Toss'd Pizza, and Flash Jack's burgers and shakes at 1056 Mechem Drive. Indoor seating, arcade games, and a fire pit for s'mores.

The walkable heart of Ruidoso along Sudderth Drive. Shops, galleries, restaurants, and live music. The Midtown Market runs Saturday mornings at Country Club Park, June through early October.

Hand-crafted spirits with a tasting room at 2501 Sudderth Dr. Unique gifts and locally made spirits in Midtown.

A restored 1920s home on Sudderth Drive exploring Lincoln County history and the growth of Ruidoso, with rotating exhibits. Free admission.

World-class performances in an intimate, architecturally stunning venue in Alto. Around 30 shows a year across concerts, dance, and theater. Check their schedule before your dates.

The entire town of Lincoln is a living museum. Walk where Billy the Kid escaped from the courthouse. $7 for adults, free for kids 16 and under. Open Thursday through Monday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Screaming Eagle mountain coaster is the only one in New Mexico: 5,100 feet of dips and a 360-degree helix at up to 25 mph, from $25. Also year-round tubing on magic carpet lifts and a family zipline. Adventure package covers all three for $50.

Go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, and an arcade at 101 Carrizo Canyon Rd. Budget about $40-60 per family. Hours shrink to weekends outside peak summer, so check before you drive over.

English-style afternoon tea on a lavender farm in the Hondo Valley. Three-tier service with paired teas in an outdoor pavilion over the lavender fields. Reservations required.

The birthplace of Smokey Bear in Capitan. Museum, gardens, and Smokey's grave. $2 adults, $1 for kids 7-12, free under 7. Open daily. Hosts Smokey Bear Days in May.

Community park hosting events year-round: WagFest (May), Brewdoso beer festival (June), Aspenfest (October), the ice rink (winter), and summer concerts.

Waterslide, public swim, and pool party rentals at 515 Sudderth Dr. $5 per person. Open Memorial Day weekend through early August only.