Choose Ruidoso, NM, for Your Post-Quarantine Getaway

By Oscar Davis

Right now, nearly everyone in the world is thinking about where they want to go when the pandemic is over and we can again freely travel. Here’s a suggestion: Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Ruidoso is a great travel destination for nature-lovers. However, it’s not just a great outdoor escape. It’s also filled with cultural and historic sites, great food and art spread across the entire downtown area.

We talked with Kerry Gladden, the Public information officer, who said that about 9,000 people live in Ruidoso but that up to 30,000 come visit during the summer months, many have vacation homes here. The town is located about two hours from El Paso and two hours east of Albuquerque.

Most Resilient Nature Destination

As a top travel destination for just about anyone, it’s no surprise that Ruidoso has maintained its popularity among the top nature travel destinations even in the midst of the pandemic.

In fact, according to a study conducted by RENTCafé, Ruidoso is among the top 10 most resilient nature travel destinations during the lockdown.

So, whether you’re looking for apartments for rent to move there, or just a weekend getaway, here’s what to expect in terms of popular attractions in this unique gem in New Mexico.

Embracing Nature

Ruidoso delivers when it comes to great scenery, outdoor activities, and the perfect weather for all seasons.

There’s a lot to do for fans of the outdoors. Biking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and fishing – just to name a few – you can do it all in Ruidoso.

During the winter, make sure to check out the ski slopes. You can also go zip lining in both the summer and the winter on the Apache Eagle Zip Rider at Inn of the Mountain Gods and Wind Rider Zip Tour at Ski Apache. There are also off-road adventure trails for the adrenaline junkies who want to fully embrace nature in its purest, rawest form.

Alto and Grindstone Lakes

The scenery surrounding the Alto and Grindstone lakes is famous for being as incredible in the summer as it is in the winter. You can go paddling, fishing, or simply enjoy a picnic or a walk along the banks of the lakes while making sure to keep an eye out for wildlife.

There are also mountain bike, horse, and hiking trails that offer the opportunity to embrace the lake from every angle. Plus, there are no fees for entering the areas, either, so there’s nothing stopping you from taking in all that these lakes have to offer.

Bring the Kids Along

While some of the outdoor activities may be too extreme for the little ones, there are plenty of fun things to do for the entire family.

For instance, you could take your kids on various bike trails through forests, go on a hike by the lake or even drive through the mountains to get a glimpse of wildlife.

There’s also the Adventure Mountain Family Fun Center, Pillow’s Funtrackers and the Ruidoso Winter Park, which all allow you and your kids to embrace adventure in various activities, such as go-karts, glow-in-the-dark mini golf and a ropes course, among many others.

While you’re there, take advantage of the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium and The Flying J Ranch Chuckwagon Supper and Western Show for some unique experiences that will surely leave you with the best memories.

Historical and Cultural Attractions

Ruidoso is also known for its historical sites, including Native American culture and cowboy folklore. From museums to historic sites, to horseback trails in Fort Stanton and the Mescalero Apache reservation, you can see it all.

Fort Stanton was built during the earliest settlement of Ruidoso, from 1855 til 1896, fighting against the Apaches who claimed this land as their own.

To learn more, visit NMHistoricSites.org or FortStanton.org

More so, midtown Ruidoso is filled with restaurants, bars and shops, all of which can be seen and experienced as you stroll the streets through the heart of the village.

And, don’t forget to stop and admire the colorful public art murals seen throughout the city.

So, whether you love nature or are simply looking for a unique place to go to for a weekend getaway after the lockdown, make sure to keep Ruidoso on your list!

You can find a whole lot of additional information on the Discover Ruidoso website, so get ready to break out of quarantine in this exciting city.

Oscar Davis is a freelance writer from Leeds, England, and a regular contributor to GoNOMAD.