ROAD TRIP: Albuquerque to Ruidoso
One of the best day trips out of Albuquerque takes you to Ruidoso, a perfect weekend escape or New Mexico staycation. Here’s how to get here and some ideas of what to see and do along the way.
HOW TO GET HERE
WHAT TO SEE ALONG THE WAY
Shady and inviting and one block off the main drag, this pretty little plaza is worth a stop. Galleries, stores, food trucks and cafés, and the foundation of Socorro's history. Cool and shady in summer with a little park and gazebo.
Very Large Array (National Radio Astronomy Observatory)
Located 50 miles west of Socorro on Highway 60 is a mass of huge radio dishes—27 of them, to be exact—spread out along connecting railroad tracks to a span of 26 miles across the Plains of San Agustin. The NRAO Visitor Center features an award-winning documentary narrated by Jodie Foster, plus exhibits describing radio astronomy and the VLA telescope. A self-guided walking tour features large, informative signs and takes you to the base of one of the giant dish antennas. A gift shop offers VLA souvenirs and educational materials.
The Buckhorn Tavern, San Antonio New Mexico
Hungry? Be sure to stop at the Buckhorn Tavern in tiny San Antonio for a fantastic green chile cheeseburger and home cut fries served in this favorite roadhouse with outdoor patio. Call ahead for takeaway (the menu is online) and enjoy a picnic at the nearby Bosque.
Info: 68 U.S. Highway 380, San Antonio; [575] 835-4423, buckhornburgers.com. Open 11 AM - 8 PM.Closed Sundays.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Just south of Socorro, the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see birds and animals year-round. But in the winter it becomes something spectacular. Tens of thousands of migratory birds spend the cold weather months here, including huge flocks of Lesser Sandhill Cranes and even larger flocks of Snow Geese. Even if you are not a birdwatcher seeing, and hearing, this annual gathering will move you.
Valley of Fires
Valley of Fires Recreation Area is located immediately adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick, and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States. From a distance, Valley of Fires appears as barren rock but when you walk through the nature trail there are many varieties of flowers, cactus, trees, and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. Animals include bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barberry sheep, and lizards. It's also a virtual birdwatcher's paradise with great horned owls, burrowing owls, turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows, and golden eagles.
Carrizozo, New Mexico
A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true, Carrizozo is at a crossroads both literally and developmentally. The small New Mexico town has long served as a hub for travelers heading to places like White Sands, Lincoln, Ruidoso and Roswell. In recent years this relatively quiet rural community has also started making some noise in the art world.
Welcome to Ruidoso!
There’s something for everyone here. Use our Ruidoso Travel Guide to find things to do, events, experiences, places to stay, restaurants, trip ideas, and outdoor activities.
“Ruidoso is only about 3.5 hours away from Albuquerque, making it the perfect little mountain town to explore for a few days. We went up on a Friday afternoon and returned home on Sunday afternoon. Even though the turnaround was quick, we were able to fit in a ton of activities (and food!).” - Lindsay, MiddleofSomewhere.com