Location: Ruidoso
Top Things to do in Ruidoso
Countries
8 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Ruidoso That You Shouldn't Miss
Situated ideally at the center between the Lincoln National Forest to the south and the northeast and the Valley of Fires State Park to the northwest, Ruidoso is a still-sleepy mountain town despite its recent growth and popularity with tourists. The majestic Sierra Blanca towers over the city, tempting snow bunnies to the slopes of nearby Ski Apache. The race track at Ruidoso Downs and the casino at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort promise chance and adventure of a different sort.
Restaurants in Ruidoso
1. Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 131 reviews
A 514-seat landmark performing arts center near Ruidoso, NM, designed by Antoine Predock featuring a major touring Broadway, dance or musical performance, on the average, every 11 days year round. Four major glass installations by Dale Chihuly. Tours Tue & Thu at 10 a.m.
2. Grindstone Stables
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 183 reviews
One hour guided horseback rides for the whole family! Please call for prices and reservations.
Reviewed By charlottemF7264WW
Our family of five visited Grindstone Stables and had a great time. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. They pair you with the perfect horse for your riding experience which was ideal for my grandchildren. The route up the mountain was so scenic and beautiful. The tour guides were funny, knowledgeable, and made this an amazing experience. I will definitely be coming back here next time I’m in NM.
3. Backcountry Attitudes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Backcountry Attitudes is an outdoor adventure company that provides OHV tours. Whether you choose one of their amazing guides to show you around or want to take a rig out all on your own, they have it all. Check out their retail shop that features archery lanes, Backcountry apparel, Toadfish, Goodr sunglasses and much more. Certified dealers for Mathews Bows, Pelican Coolers, Tactacam Sporting Cameras and Innova Disc Golf. We also sell Kombucha by the glass or in 32 oz. squealers."
4. Lincoln National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 339 reviews
This vast 1.1 million-acre forest region is comprised of separate recreational sections including Ruidoso Valley, Cloudcroft and Carlsbad, which are all located throughout the southern Rocky Mountains of New Mexico.
Reviewed By 269marykayg - Bastrop, United States
Lincoln National Forest has it all...camp sites, great trails, wonderful views. This is a great place to enjoy Nature in a pristine environment.
5. Pillow's Funtrackers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By darbjustic - Albuquerque, United States
We bumped into this place on accident while visiting Ruidoso for Fall Break. A few hints and tips: Watch the opening days. Check the schedule online before going as it isn't open during the weekdays during parts of the year. Don't let the lines intimidate you. When we showed up we thought it was going to take forever to get onto the go-carts. Each ride is 5 minutes. If the line looks long, you may need to wait one (or two) times and you're on. Also, know the ride heights. There were plenty of surprised and frustrated families in line when they learned that kids until a certain height must be accompanied by an adult. We did the family go-carts and the Mountain Maze. Both were very fun. It's about $6 per activity--whatever you choose to do. The Mountain Maze took 25 minutes. They give you a card to time stamp in and out and the goal is to fine the punch cards for M A Z E throughout the maze. The Z was really hard to find! We absolutely would go again.
6. Win, Place & Show
7. Ski Apache
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 870 reviews
Ski Apache opened under the name "Sierra Blanca Ski Resort" during Christmas of 1961. Amazingly, twenty-six hundred people an hour were fast carried up the ski run crest via three T-bar lifts. In 1962, the very first mono-cable four-passenger gondola in North America was built to accommodate a greater number of skiers. And it seems just in time as twenty-five thousand skiers showed up for the second season. Since 1963, the resort has been owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Only two years after its official opening in 1961, Robert O. Anderson, the wealthy oil man who built and opened the slopes, sold the resort to the able hands of the Mescalero Apaches. It wasn't until the 1984-85 season that the slopes were appropriately named "Ski Apache". The wood-spired Main Lodge was designed by Victor Lundy ... Proclaimed as America's Outstanding Architect in 1958. Since the opening season of 1961, this lodge has stood statuesque, an unfailing sentry below the crest. With wood spires reflective of the surrounding pines, the Lodge mirrors the natural beauty of the Sacramento Mountains. Lundy succeeded in introducing Modernism architecture with a practical eye towards the skiers needs. Ski Apache offers world class skiing, snowboarding, sightseeing, mountain biking, and the longest zip line in the lower 48 states.
8. Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 251 reviews
Race track that is the home to the world's richest quarter horse race - the All American Futurity. Racing runs most Fridays through Sundays from mid-May through Labor Day.
Reviewed By Golfdude65 - San Diego, United States
This weekend the horse racing scene came to life ,however the “Track” was opened without spectators on a trial basis . For years Ruidoso Downs has been the mainstay of recreation for tourists the country over. It offers quality race horse racing with inexpensive food and drink and you can enter free if you wish. Parking is also free and plentiful on most days and the atmosphere is friendly and warm. All this free stuff does not mean you can’t go in style if you should choose. One of the best things is all the options available. The racing season brings the Beautiful Village of Ruidoso to life with every type of artisan shop imaginable to allow for a well rounded weekend in the mountains for all the family. I definitely recommend Ruidoso Downs Track located near the Village of Ruidoso. C Man
