Summer Trip Ideas
We’ve compiled our summer vacation ideas—all our top attractions, best food, cultural happenings, most memorable activities – and popular summer events are worth traveling for. Meet the locals, find the best deals from our partners, and learn how to get here, get around, and find accommodations.
HEAD’S UP, SUMMER VISITORS! 2025 Wibit Water Park Opening Delayed Due to Low Water Levels: The Ruidoso Wibit Water Park at Grindstone Lake will not open as planned due to low water levels. Conditions will be re-evaluated mid-June to determine if the park can be set up later this summer. We appreciate your patience and will share updates as soon as they become available.
Planning your Memorial Day weekend in Ruidoso, NM? From live music and great food to exhilarating horse racing and rich historical sites, there’s something for everyone. Explore our top four picks to celebrate Memorial Day in style!
Discover fresh, local foods and handmade crafts at the Midtown Market, where artists, bakers, wineries, and more converge on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm to provide locally made products at Country Club Park (100 Country Club Drive) in Midtown Ruidoso.
Experience the thrill of the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster and Tubing in Ruidoso! Ride New Mexico’s only Mountain Coaster with 5100 feet of waves, dips, and a 360-degree helix. Enjoy high-speed fun with state-of-the-art safety features. For winter excitement, try the tubing hill with magic carpet lifts and thrilling downhill rides. Perfect for family fun and adventure seekers of all ages!
Experience the thrill of axe throwing at Win Place & Show in Ruidoso! Challenge your friends, test your aim, and enjoy drinks from the bar on the lively WPS patio. Let expert guides show you the ropes and make it an unforgettable outing. Book your lane for some competitive fun by calling (575) 257-9982 or reserving online. Don’t miss this exciting addition to Ruidoso Midtown!
Transform your remote work in 2025 with Ruidoso’s scenic beauty. Set against the stunning mountains, your workspace becomes a blend of productivity and tranquility. Enjoy fresh air, creative energy, and diverse accommodations, making Ruidoso the ideal spot for remote workers seeking a balance of professional focus and natural inspiration.
Ski Apache is known for its beautiful warm weather skiing and snowboarding as the nation’s southern-most continually operating resort, but there is plenty of summer excitement too. Here is what travelers can look forward to this summer.
Play pickleball in Ruidoso, NM—an easy-to-learn sport for all ages and skill levels. The Ruidoso Pickleball Club hosts regular games at the White Mountain Sports Complex, with indoor play available at the Horton Complex Gymnasium during bad weather. A great way to stay active and meet others in the community!
Looking for the best breakfast in Ruidoso? Whether you crave a hearty mountain-style meal, a cozy café with a fireplace, or a sunlit patio to enjoy your coffee, Ruidoso has plenty of charming spots to start your day. From classic diners to hidden gems serving homemade pastries, here’s your guide to the top breakfast restaurants in Ruidoso.
Escape to the mountains of Ruidoso for fresh air, star-filled skies, stunning views, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. This scenic alpine village offers the perfect year-round getaway for slow travel, relaxation, and outdoor adventure. Discover five powerful reasons to make Ruidoso your next soul-soothing vacation destination.
Camping with kids in Ruidoso can create lifelong memories without the stress. Start small by choosing a nearby campsite and keeping meals simple. Bring comfort items from home to make the tent cozy, and let kids take on small tasks to build excitement. Embrace flexibility, keep it fun, and focus on making memories rather than perfection for a rewarding family adventure.
DON'T MISS THESE POPULAR SUMMER EVENTS
Experience history in action at Fort Stanton! Enjoy a 10 a.m. flag-raising, 11 a.m. internment camp tour, and a 1 p.m. chapel talk by ranger Christopher Ardent on Celestial Navigation and the Age of Discovery. Learn how early explorers charted the seas with live demos. Admission: $7 adults; free for kids and eligible groups. Buy Tickets >>
Ruidoso hosts New Mexico’s first-ever Pro Disc Golf Association Major Championship! The Tim Selinske US Masters, presented by Innova, runs May 8-11, 2025, featuring top professional and amateur players nationwide. Spectators can enjoy live tournament action at Grindstone Park, Moon Mountain, Oso Canyon, and Alto Lake. Don’t miss this historic event!
Don't miss this chance to witness the ethereal beauty of White Sands National Park under the captivating glow of the moon during your Ruidoso vacation! Secure your tickets early and be part of an unforgettable nocturnal adventure.
Ride into Ruidoso on May 15 for an unforgettable motorcycle experience. Enjoy cool mountain air, scenic byways, and winding roads that draw riders from across the country. Connect with fellow enthusiasts, explore local shops and restaurants, and discover why the AspenCash rally is a top destination for two-wheel adventures in the Southwest.
Immerse yourself in the magic of the medieval era right in the heart of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Featuring talented jesters, minstrels, and troubadours, a bustling marketplace with medieval wares, delicious Renaissance fare, and enchanting children's activities. Encounter mystical characters, fortune tellers, and more surprises throughout the weekend. Don your finest medieval attire and join event host Oso Productions for a day of history, fantasy, and fun at the Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire. Tickets are available online or at the gate with special discounts for children and seniors.
Southern California’s renegade folk metal pirates, The Dread Crew of Oddwood, bring their Heavy Mahogany to Jacks Backstage on May 16, 2025, 8-10 pm. Known for their explosive energy and acoustic twist on heavy metal, they deliver tales of sieges, debauchery, and pirate misadventures. With four albums and viral videos like “Sulfur,” this high-energy performance is not to be missed! Grab your tickets now!
Experience the thrill of live horse racing at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, home to the World’s Richest Quarter Horse Race, the All-American Futurity. Ruidoso Downs Race Track opens its summer meet on Memorial Day Weekend. Learn more at RaceRuidoso.com
Kick off the 2025 racing season at Ruidoso Downs with the Ruidoso QH Futurity Trials! This opening-day event features two-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 350 yards for a $10,000 purse. As the first race of a 46-day season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy thrilling Friday-Sunday races, plus special Memorial Day and Labor Day events. Don’t miss world-class Quarter Horse action!
Gary Allan brings a distinctly southern soul to his country hits. Since his 1996 debut, the songwriter has charted hit after hit in his multi-platinum career and reached listeners across the globe. Now, he’s bringing your favorite songs like “Her Man,” “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain),” “Nothing On but the Radio” and “Right Where I Need to Be” to the stage at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Better get your tickets!
Join Tif & Mollie for a genre-bending night of live music at Downshift Brewing Company - Riverside on May 24, 2025, from 6-9 PM. This dynamic duo blends looping, cello, and multi-instrumental grooves, delivering original songs and fresh takes on select covers. With their high-energy performance and engaging storytelling, they’ll have you dancing all night. Free admission, all ages welcome!
Ruidoso's hometown favorite band, Doso Dirtbag's high-energy show comprises a killer mix of mountain country/punk/blues and Irish music. Don’t miss this May 24, 2025, performance at Downshift Brewing Company’s Hidden Tap.
Experience Everclear like never before at Jacks Backstage! Secure your Meet & Greet Package on 2/13 for VIP early entry, premium seating, an exclusive pre-show acoustic set, autographs, a tour shirt, and more. This unforgettable night includes a personal photo with the band and priority access to Everclear merch. Don’t miss out—tickets are limited!
Catch the Ruidoso QH Derby Trials on Sunday, May 25, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! This thrilling race features three-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 400 yards for a $10,000 purse. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday races, plus special events on Memorial Day and Labor Day. Experience world-class Quarter Horse racing at its finest!
Celebrate Memorial Day at Ruidoso Downs Race Track with the John Andreini Memorial Stakes QH on Monday, May 26! This prestigious race features three-year-old and up Quarter Horses sprinting 350 yards for a $45,000 purse. Part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday races and special holiday events. Experience elite Quarter Horse racing at its finest!
Catch the Mountain Top NMB QH Futurity Trials on Friday, May 30, at Ruidoso Downs Race Track! This thrilling event showcases two-year-old Quarter Horses sprinting 350 yards for a $10,000 purse. As part of the 46-day racing season (May 23–Sept 1), enjoy Friday-Sunday races and special holiday events. Experience top-tier Quarter Horse racing at one of the Southwest’s premier tracks!
Catch Slim Bawb & The Fabulous Stumpgrinders live at Downshift Brewing Company – Riverside in Ruidoso, NM, on May 30, 2025, from 6–9 PM. Known for their high-energy “swamp” music, this Texas-based trio blends banjo, accordion, blues, and Southern soul into a one-of-a-kind sound perfect for a lively mountain evening.
Experience the thrill of Quarter Horse racing at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, home of the All American Futurity, the richest race in Quarter Horse history. Enjoy live racing every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day or visit The Racebook for year-round simulcast betting, great food, and drinks. Plan your visit now at RaceRuidoso.com!