Are you looking for fun things to do in Ruidoso, New Mexico? Then I have got you covered!
Browsing through the internet, you’ll get a lot of things to do around Ruidoso. Some of them 3 hours of driving time away. Obviously, you’ll want to plan your trip to Ruidoso with activities that are actually in town.
Luckily for you, my husband and I have just been to Ruidoso on a trip and we loved it! We found lots of great things to do in town, and also close by.
To help you with the planning of your trip to Ruidoso, I have created this helpful guide!
Let’s get to it!
1. Discover Midtown Ruidoso
Midtown Ruidoso is a fun and scenic place, and this is definitely where you should start your adventure. Most of my favorite things to do in Ruidoso start here in Midtown.
The main street is beautiful, the houses and shops are sweetly decorated and you’ll have an amazing view of the Sierra Blanca in the background.
Walk around the center of town and take in the nice architecture and the scenic views.
2. Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino
Ruidoso Downs is a cool place in New Mexico. It’s famous for its horse racing, especially the All-American Futurity, which is a big deal in the world of quarter horse racing.
The racing season starts at the end of May and ends at the beginning of September. Even when there are no races, you can go by for the casino or the restaurant.
This is one of the coolest activities in Ruidoso – and as a horse fan, I love it!
3. Buy Authentic Ceramics at White Mountain Pottery
This store is a must-visit when going to Ruidoso. White Mountain Pottery is one of the best stores when looking for all things authentic arts and crafts.
They sell the most beautiful ceramics from famous pottery artists all over New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona.
We brought home a beautiful vase for a great price. The owners were super friendly, and we recommend this store 100 %. Buying pottery is one of the best things to do in Ruidoso for adults.
4. Swim or Hike Around Grindstone Lake
Grindstone Lake is one of the must-visit places near Ruidoso. The stunning mountain lake is nothing short of amazing.
You can check out the hiking trails that will lead you through the forest around the lake. Or, on warmer days you can jump into the crystal-clear blue water of the lake.
Grindstone Lake is only a 5-minute drive from Midtown Ruidoso, making it an awesome place to visit.
5. Wine Tasting at Noisy Water Winery
Noisy Water Winery is one of the most iconic spots in Ruidoso and definitely worth visiting. They offer tours and tastings – which I totally recommend.
They also have a nice outdoor terrace where you can sip some of their wines and try delicious local snacks. The Noisy Water Winery is iconic in New Mexico, so it needs to be on your Ruidoso Bucket List.
My tip: try some authentic Chile wine – it is so special!
6. Shop Beautiful Clothes at J.Roberts
J.Roberts is a great boutique in Ruidoso – and you need to check it out. They have unique woman’s wear and jewellery – at fantastic prices.
If you are looking for something trendy – yet different wear from the typical chain brands, this is the place to go. I bought an amazing jumpsuit and the cutest earrings. And the shopgirl was super nice!
This is also a great place if you are looking for a gift for a special someone!
7. Book an Axe-Throwing Session at WIN Place Country Bar
You heard right – you can book an axe-throwing session in Ruidoso. This is a great, unique thing to do in Ruidoso that will delight young and old.
During the day, the bar is open to the entire family, but in the evening it is only open to adults.
My tip: book a tasting with the only certified bourbon steward in New Mexico!
8. Get Sporty at Ski Apache
Ski Apache is one of the best ski resorts in New Mexico, and it is one of the coolest activities in Ruidoso.
The ski resort is open every year in winter for skiing and snowboarding. But Ski Apache is also great fun in summer.
They have a zipline, mountain bike tracks, and much more to offer. It is definitely a great place you should check out if you have the time.
9. Eat Delicious Pizza at Cafe Rio
Cafe Rio is a cute Pizza place in midtown Ruidoso. We stopped there for lunch, and the pizza was insane!
The restaurant is pretty small, with only roughly 15 tables. Make sure to snatch up a spot around lunchtime, because this is definitely the place to be.
The decoration is quirky and the staff super friendly, so I can recommend this wholeheartedly.
10. Lodge at the Inn of the Mountain Gods
The Inn of the Mountain Gods is the most famous hotel in the area of Ruidoso. It is located next to a super scenic lake and it is totally luxe.
You can have spa treatments, choose from a couple of different restaurants, and enjoy the scenic area. But that is not all. The Inn of the Mountain Gods has a Casino, you can go hunting and hiking in the Lincoln National Forest.
Of course, they also have a golf course ready for their guests. We thought the lake and the area were beautiful, so we are definitely gonna go back!
11. Try Tasty Taffy At Purple Mountain Taffy & Co.
If you have a sweet tooth like me, you need to hop by Purple Mountain Taffy in Ruidoso. The cute little shop sells caramels, sweets, and of course taffy.
They make their candy the old-fashioned way, and you can even see them make it in the store. I thought these machines were super fascinating, I never knew about that process.
This is an amazing spot to buy a gift from your trip to Ruidoso.
12. Book a Ride at Grindstone Stables
If you are not so much into hiking but still want to explore the Grindstone Lake area and the forest, you can book a ride at Grindstone Stables.
They offer beginner-friendly rides for young and old. The rides take about an hour. If you are not happy to jump into the saddle, they also offer sleigh and carriage rides.
What a fun activity in Ruidoso.
Other Things To Do in Ruidoso
These were my personal favorite things to do in Ruidoso. They are all tried, tested, and recommended by me and my husband.
But of course, there are a lot more attractions in Ruidoso that can be worth your time. Here are a couple of suggestions for Ruidoso things to do:
- Hubbard Museum of the American West
- Take a Scenic Drive on the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway
- Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts
- Attend the Ruidoso Art Festival
- Hike to Monjeau Lookout
- Explore the Smokey Bear Historical Park
- Visit the Fort Stanton Historic Site
- Visit the Flying J Ranch
- Explore the Mescalero Apache Reservation
- Visit the Ruidoso River Museum
Conclusion: Things To Do in Ruidoso
To sum it up, there are a lot of awesome activities for young and old in Ruidoso. The cute mountain village is nicely located next to a ski resort, scenic lakes, and the Lincoln National Forest – so there are many outdoorsy things to do in Ruidoso.
If you love horses, check out Ruidoso Downs for their famous races, or hop in the saddle yourself at Grindstone Stables.
For a cozy afternoon, check out midtown Ruidoso for some shopping of local arts and crafts and delicious pizza.
Ruidoso is an awesome place, and I totally recommend going!
About The Author
Sabrina is a 30 year old Air Force Wife and passionate travel blogger, currently based in New Mexico. She loves exploring the Southwest USA with her drone.
Sabrina’s mission is help travellers have an authentic, relaxed and instagrammable trip through the American Southwest.
