48 Hours in Ruidoso: How to explore Ruidoso in 2 days, including the best places to play, stay, eat and drink.
Planning a short break in Ruidoso?
Between year-round outdoor adventures, shopping, plus food and drink 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. If you only have a couple of days, however, you can still drive away with a well-rounded Ruidoso experience.
Discover the best of Ruidoso in 2 days.
DAY 1
MORNING
Grab coffee with almond milk or a turmeric-coconut chai tea latte at one of Ruidoso’s local coffee houses, and then enjoy breakfast at one of these cozy places for breakfast.
Now that you’re fueled up, it’s time to get outdoors. There’s plenty of adventure in the Ruidoso outdoors. Go biking, hiking, zip lining, or horseback riding, or relax with fishing, golfing, paddling, and more.
AFTERNOON
You’ll be hungry after adventuring and you’ll have your pick of Ruidoso restaurants with choices as varied as your cravings. Whether you're hungry for a green chile cheeseburger, a burrito smothered in house-made chile sauce, or a piece of buttermilk pie, there's a tasty lunch spot for you. Check out the Ruidoso Savor and Sip Tour on our Discover Ruidoso Travel App!
After lunch, head to the Billy the Kid Interpretive Center, to help prepare for a trip along the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway. In summer, drop in for live horse racing at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track, home of the All American Futurity, the world’s richest quarter horse race, and year-round simulcast racing.
Next, it’s time for shopping. Downtown Ruidoso is compact and easily walkable. From mountain outfitters and adventure clothing stores to unique boutiques and art galleries, it’s all available. Head first to Midtown, Ruidoso’s Main Street, lined with boutiques, bars, and art galleries. Here, in the center of the village, locals and visitors stroll the sidewalks, linger on public benches and restaurant patios, shop their favorite stores, and stop to watch local musicians perform. Grab a selfie in front of Ruidoso’s Instagrammable public murals brought to you by local artists and the Ruidoso Midtown Association.
EVENING
Lincoln County is ranch country, and Ruidoso is a hotspot of steakhouses. Longtime visitors swear by the consistently tasty cuts of steak often paired with an extensive wine list and fresh seafood.
After dinner, it’s time for live music at one of Ruidoso’s entertainment venues. Downshift Brewing Company, Win Place and Show, The Quarters, Tall Pines Beer and Wine Garden, and Billy’s Cantina at Ruidoso Downs Race Track Casino host live music most weekends, as does the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort located nearby on the Mescalero Apache homeland.
Just up the road in Alto, you'll find the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts. As Ruidoso's largest performance venue, the Spencer Theater offers great live music and performances.
OVERNIGHT
Bunk down for the night in one of Ruidoso’s unique lodgings. Whether you dream of a cozy cabin in the cool pines, a riverside suite, a comfortable hotel or full-service resort, a luxury vacation rental, or a serene campsite under the stars, Ruidoso offers accommodations to fit every budget and style. Check out our Ruidoso Lodging Directory Accompanied by your four-legged friend? Not to worry. Ruidoso loves pets. Be sure to ask about pet policies when making your reservation.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ruidoso Is One Of The “Coolest Towns In America.”
Day 2
Whether you opt to sleep late or are up early to enjoy the sunrise on the deck with a steaming cuppa, today you head off for a scenic drive 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. Get a glimpse of history by following the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway, which brings to life the region’s Wild West lore of gunfights, horses, outlaws, Buffalo Soldiers and Smokey Bear.
Native Americans, the U.S. Cavalry, miners, cowboys, trappers, hunters, ranchers, outlaws and pioneers have all left their mark. 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. Get driving directions here.
Pack a picnic or grab a bite along the way at one of these five Lincoln County eateries worth the drive. We’ve even rounded up a road trip playlist of some of our favorite tunes to keep you singing and shouting along the way.
DID YOU KNOW?
Billy The Kid Scenic Byway Is Named As One of 5 Roads in America That Define Adventure
Billy the Kid Scenic Byway – New Mexico. 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. — CarRentals.com
If you still have time, continue on out to White Oaks, a ghost town just north of Carrizozo that became a boomtown in 1879 following the discovery of gold and coal in the nearby Jicarilla Mountains. Today, there's a small historic museum, the legendary No Scum Allowed Saloon, and the White Oaks Pottery art studio.
Ready to relax? Not a problem. Ruidoso has you covered with plenty of ways to unwind and send you home rested and rejuvenated.
For more ideas, check out our seasonal trip guides.
White Oaks is a Lincoln County ghost town just north of Carrizozo that became a boomtown in 1879 following the discovery of gold and coal in the nearby Jicarilla Mountains. Today, there's a small historic museum, a legendary saloon, and the White Oaks Pottery art studio.