Ruidoso Retirement Travel Ideas
You’re retired! Now that you have the time and flexibility to travel, you can spend as much or as little time as you want in Ruidoso, a year-round mountain destination perfect for long-term stays or an outdoor getaway.
Delight in the extraordinary views or hike a few of the 400-plus multi-use trails. From campgrounds to cabins and vacation homes, plenty of lodging is available, and you can enjoy wildlife viewing, outdoor adventure, culture, history, nature, and golf while you’re here. There’s no reason to leave your furry friends behind. RUIDOSO LOVES PETS!
Here are some ideas for retirement travel in Ruidoso to help get you started.
Billy the Kid Scenic Byway
Billy the Kid blazed a trail of mischief and mayhem through America’s Southwest like a horseback-riding, six-shooter-wielding Tasmanian devil. So much so that the state named a scenic byway after him. Follow this scenic byway through the rugged beauty of the million-acre Lincoln National Forest. From grassy plains to dense pine forests, the region is known for its stunning views and cool mountain climate. Visit historic Lincoln, once home to outlaw Billy the Kid and lawman Pat Garrett. From the heights of 12,000’ Sierra Blanca to the rolling pastures of Fort Stanton and the streams of the quiet valleys, this area has something to offer everyone.
Lincoln National Forest
Did you know that Lincoln National Forest covers a vast 1.1 million acres and two wilderness areas with year-round outdoor recreation centered in Ruidoso? Lovers of wildlife can see deer, elk, and wild horses in their natural habitats. And after a day of hiking, biking, horseback riding, disc golf, or exploring nature, you can look forward to relaxing on the deck of a forested cabin or vacation rental.
On a Ruidoso road trip, you can easily access national forestlands by car, with nearly endless opportunities to fish, horseback ride, hike, mountain bike, and view wildlife.
Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Do you want to put a little money down on your entertainment? At Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino you can experience the thrill of the world's fastest quarter horses racing every weekend during the summer. If you are visiting during the off-season, The Billy the Kid Casino and Billy's Sports Bar and Grill, offer a comfortable and FUN atmosphere where you can enjoy great food, great drinks, and the best in horse racing from all over the United States. Summer live horse racing Memorial Day to Labor Day. Simulcast racing year-round.
Ruidoso Downs Racetrack is a place where generations of families have come to spend summers in the cool pines. It is a place where many who roamed the grandstands as kids now bring their children and grandchildren back to visit.
Midtown Ruidoso
The heart of town is Midtown, Ruidoso’s main street and village hub for dining, arts, and shopping. Stroll through Midtown and enjoy a great selection of restaurants, boutiques, wineries, brewpubs, and cafes. Shop, stop to watch local musicians perform, and enjoy a day of gallery hopping with this recommended art itinerary.
Midtown is a uniquely Ruidoso experience filled with shopping and entertainment.