A cool mountain oasis in New Mexico’s southern mountains, Ruidoso checks all the boxes for a fresh-air vacation in 2023 with outdoor adventures, indie shops, tasty eateries, craft wine and beer, and a live music culture that stands out from the crowd. It’s possible to spend every vacation in Ruidoso and discover something new each time.
Travel Is Back, and So Are Summer Events
Summer 2023 offers even more reasons to visit with an exciting summer entertainment lineup. Two events to look out for are:
- Party in the Pines at Wingfield Park over Father’s Day weekend in June. This event offers music, food, and fun at Wingfield Park as part of the annual Brewdoso Beer and Wine Festival.
- The Ruidoso Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, and Kid’s Run in July, with scenic routes for all abilities over multiple distances, is another not to be missed summer event.
Do Less—Experience More
Slow travel in Ruidoso is not just a 2023 theme, it’s a nostalgic tribute to the generations who traveled to Ruidoso to kick back in the cool pines and savor a laid-back mountain lifestyle. More than just slowing down—it’s a mindset. It’s about taking the time to linger over a meal, bird-watch, enjoy a bottle of wine, hike forests, wade the river, and connect with nature. An approach that embraces meaningful experiences and community connections that run deeper with each return. Explore Ruidoso at your own pace and on your own terms with these ideas for a slower and more meaningful relationship with Ruidoso.
Outdoor Experiences for Everyone
There’s plenty of outdoor adventure in Ruidoso. Hit the lakes for a paddle or for fishing. Hang a hammock. Go biking, hiking, zip-lining, and horseback riding. Drop in for live horse racing at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, home of the All American Futurity, the world’s richest quarter horse race. Stroll the charming Midtown district with its cafes, boutiques, and art galleries.
Ruidoso Is Top for Wildlife Spotting
Opportunities for spotting wildlife are among the top reasons to visit, with the chance for a responsible wildlife encounter with deer, elk, free-roaming horses, and more. When you follow safe wildlife-watching practices, you protect the health of the wildlife—and yourself.
Experiences for Young Ones—and the Young-At-Heart
Find family-friendly fun in Ruidoso at the Wibit Water Park, a floating, inflatable platform at Grindstone Lake (summer only), and Ruidoso Parks. At Pillow’s Funtrackers, a family-favorite Ruidoso amusement park, there are three go-kart tracks, 18-hole mini-golf, bumper boats, a maze, and arcade games. Adventure Mountain Family Fun Center offers batting cages, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, bazooka ball, a ropes course, climbing wall, arcade games, laser maze, and kids rides.
Delve Into Ruidoso’s Creative Scene
Ruidoso is a melting pot for creative talent, where artists, performers, and musicians gather for a buzzing indie art movement. If you’re looking for a place to access live music venues, unique art galleries, and festivals, visit Ruidoso. Check out these venues, explore the DiscoverRuidoso.com Events Calendar, and never miss out.
Go Solo
Don’t have a travel partner? No problem. Ruidoso is an ideal destination for travelers to explore alone. Ski and snowboard in the winter. Enjoy solitary hiking, mountain biking, or paddling in the summer. Ruidoso is a laid-back village with a friendly mountain town vibe, making it easy to socialize and find your way around. Visitors will find plenty of year-round solitary activities.
Make Your Work Schedule Work for You in 2023
A Ruidoso cabin, vacation home, RV park, or campground is perfect for a family or remote worker to experience a remote work escape. Spend your day animal watching and nights viewing the stars. Ruidoso’s high-altitude location makes it a dazzling night sky destination. How cool would it be to say, “that’s not a Zoom background; that’s my work-from-anywhere mountain view?”
