Guide Book
Dining
Listed are our favorites, including those in Capitan. There are many options in Ruidoso, we list those with which we are familiar but there are many more to try
Wonderful Italian food, a local fine dining favorite. Ruidoso.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Michael J's Italian-American Restaurant
601 Mechem DrWonderful Italian food, a local fine dining favorite. Ruidoso.
Great breakfast! And as long as you are there before 6pm on Sunday or 8pm you can always find something to eat there. A local dining favorite in Capitan.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Smokey Bear Museum
102 Smokey Bear BlvdGreat breakfast! And as long as you are there before 6pm on Sunday or 8pm you can always find something to eat there. A local dining favorite in Capitan.
Some of the best pizza you will find anywhere, right in Capitan.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chepalle
435 Smokey Bear BlvdSome of the best pizza you will find anywhere, right in Capitan.
Excellent food and the only place where you can get an adult beverage in Capitan.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
oso grill
100 Lincoln AveExcellent food and the only place where you can get an adult beverage in Capitan.
Fine dining, reservations recommended. Ruidoso.
61 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Grill Caliente
2800 Sudderth DrFine dining, reservations recommended. Ruidoso.
Wonderful food overlooking the lake, a great casino and a zip line that is a bit more tame than the one at Ski Apache. Check for tickets to one of the many concerts there. Ruidoso.
178 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino
287 Carrizo Canyon RdWonderful food overlooking the lake, a great casino and a zip line that is a bit more tame than the one at Ski Apache. Check for tickets to one of the many concerts there. Ruidoso.
Excellent food, casual dining, normally you don't need a reservation. Ruidoso.
Donnie's Pit Stop Grill
Excellent food, casual dining, normally you don't need a reservation. Ruidoso.
Sometimes it's hard to get a last minute reservation in Ruidoso. Try the Texas Club, you can usually get something to eat later than most places in town.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Texas Club
212 Metz DrSometimes it's hard to get a last minute reservation in Ruidoso. Try the Texas Club, you can usually get something to eat later than most places in town.
Day trips
This is a little further, White Oaks is a former mining town, now mostly a ghost town. They normally have live music at the saloon. Just don't go during Bike Week unless you actually have a bike and go early. Fair warning, they get mobbed.
No Scum Allowed Saloon
This is a little further, White Oaks is a former mining town, now mostly a ghost town. They normally have live music at the saloon. Just don't go during Bike Week unless you actually have a bike and go early. Fair warning, they get mobbed.
Everyone raves about this place; it is on the way to Roswell.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hondo Iris Farm & Gallery
284 U.S. 70Everyone raves about this place; it is on the way to Roswell.
White sands is a full day trip, about 90 minutes from Ruidoso or Capitan.
86 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
White Sands
White sands is a full day trip, about 90 minutes from Ruidoso or Capitan.
This is a "don't miss". Nothing short of spectacular, families often opt to stop there on their way to us, otherwise it is a 3+ hour drive. But worth it! If you are short on time, you can take the elevator.
121 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
This is a "don't miss". Nothing short of spectacular, families often opt to stop there on their way to us, otherwise it is a 3+ hour drive. But worth it! If you are short on time, you can take the elevator.
Nearby City/town information
When you first arrive in Carrizozo you may wonder why you came. It appears to be a dusty little town in the middle of nowhere. But if you wander around a little bit, you will discover a funky underground art scene. It is also on the way to White Oaks and the No Scum Allowed Saloon.
Carrizozo
When you first arrive in Carrizozo you may wonder why you came. It appears to be a dusty little town in the middle of nowhere. But if you wander around a little bit, you will discover a funky underground art scene. It is also on the way to White Oaks and the No Scum Allowed Saloon.
Ruidoso has so much to offer. In midtown, park behind Four Seasons Mall and walk to shops, galleries and wineries. For the music scene, just walk down the same street at night! There are several casinos, seven golf courses, Grindstone Lake, hiking, skiing, and just about every outdoor activity you can think of. All in the cool pines of New Mexico!
89 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ruidoso
Ruidoso has so much to offer. In midtown, park behind Four Seasons Mall and walk to shops, galleries and wineries. For the music scene, just walk down the same street at night! There are several casinos, seven golf courses, Grindstone Lake, hiking, skiing, and just about every outdoor activity you can think of. All in the cool pines of New Mexico!
Lincoln is a small but historically significant town, you will likely drive through there on your way to the house. Stroll down the main street and visit shops, museums and the courthouse where Billy the Kid made his last escape. Don't miss a coffee at Annie's Sure Shot, across from the courthouse, it will be the most unique coffee shop you have ever experienced! https://annieslittlesureshot.com/
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lincoln
Lincoln is a small but historically significant town, you will likely drive through there on your way to the house. Stroll down the main street and visit shops, museums and the courthouse where Billy the Kid made his last escape. Don't miss a coffee at Annie's Sure Shot, across from the courthouse, it will be the most unique coffee shop you have ever experienced! https://annieslittlesureshot.com/
Roswell has grown over the years to a city with plenty of restaurants and things to do. Of course there is the Alien Museum. I always recommend that if someone considers this to be a bit hokey, spend 30 minutes in there. It is extremely interesting.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Roswell
Roswell has grown over the years to a city with plenty of restaurants and things to do. Of course there is the Alien Museum. I always recommend that if someone considers this to be a bit hokey, spend 30 minutes in there. It is extremely interesting.
Nightlife
This is a good place to begin a memorable pub crawl. Park behind the Four Seasons Mall, and you can walk to Win Place Show, they have live music every night. Quarters is across the street as well as the Noisy Water Winery tasting room.
39 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Win Place & Show
2516 Sudderth DrThis is a good place to begin a memorable pub crawl. Park behind the Four Seasons Mall, and you can walk to Win Place Show, they have live music every night. Quarters is across the street as well as the Noisy Water Winery tasting room.
Wine tasting in this new facility recently opened, by our local vineyard. Right in Midtown.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Noisy Water Winery
2331 Sudderth DrWine tasting in this new facility recently opened, by our local vineyard. Right in Midtown.
Quarters
2535 Sudderth DrLive music in Midtown.
This country club is open to the public. If the pub crawl does not appeal to you, you may find this lovely venue for live music and dancing to be a bit more civilized.
Cree Meadows
This country club is open to the public. If the pub crawl does not appeal to you, you may find this lovely venue for live music and dancing to be a bit more civilized.
Things to do
One of the worlds best zip lines in the summer, skiing in the winter. It's also just a lovely drive up there to see the views.
162 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ski Apache
1286 Ski Run RoadOne of the worlds best zip lines in the summer, skiing in the winter. It's also just a lovely drive up there to see the views.
This is an easy place to take kids sledding, it is at the start of Ski Run Road.
65 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ruidoso Winter Park
121 Ski Run RdThis is an easy place to take kids sledding, it is at the start of Ski Run Road.
Horseback riding around the lovely Grindstone lake.
140 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Grindstone Lake
501 Resort DrHorseback riding around the lovely Grindstone lake.
Check their calendar for live performances year round.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts
108 Spencer RdCheck their calendar for live performances year round.
Fort Stanton Trail
Fort Stanton TrailThe Fort Stanton trail head is a good place for easy hiking.
Pillow's Funtrackers
101 Carrizo Canyon RdFun for the whole family!
One of Ruidoso's biggest draws in the summer (besides our weather) and they have a casino as well.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ruidoso Downs Race Track
26225 US-70One of Ruidoso's biggest draws in the summer (besides our weather) and they have a casino as well.
For first time visitors, particularly families with children, this is a wonderful, reasonably priced dinner and a show. Arrive early for pony rides, music on the lawn, and a "gunfight" in the street that will have everyone laughing.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Flying J Ranch
1028 NM-48For first time visitors, particularly families with children, this is a wonderful, reasonably priced dinner and a show. Arrive early for pony rides, music on the lawn, and a "gunfight" in the street that will have everyone laughing.
Screaming Eagle Enterprises
121 Ski Run RoadNewly opened, summer fun near Ruidoso Winter Park.
Magic wands, tiny houses, and whimsical fairies add fun for the young at village park Walking along the Two Rivers Park trail, a slight breeze blowing across the Rio Ruidoso, visitors may be startled to see a trout jump out of the water and riding on his back, the smallest of folk fairies.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Two Rivers Ruidoso River Park
100 Robin RdMagic wands, tiny houses, and whimsical fairies add fun for the young at village park Walking along the Two Rivers Park trail, a slight breeze blowing across the Rio Ruidoso, visitors may be startled to see a trout jump out of the water and riding on his back, the smallest of folk fairies.
Adventure Mountain
1056 Mechem DrFun for kids.
We find this to be the best coffee shop in Lincoln County. It is certainly the most unique! Located in Lincoln, directly across from the courthouse where Billy the Kid made his last escape.
Annie's little sure shot
505 Calle la PlacitaWe find this to be the best coffee shop in Lincoln County. It is certainly the most unique! Located in Lincoln, directly across from the courthouse where Billy the Kid made his last escape.
Sightseeing
The old Fort was built in the 1850s and has been many things over the years. Drive through and then decide if you want to get out and explore the buildings and the museum.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fort Stanton
The old Fort was built in the 1850s and has been many things over the years. Drive through and then decide if you want to get out and explore the buildings and the museum.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
A car is recommended
Almost everything you will want to do is within 30 minutes drive or less.
No te pierdas
There is something for everyone here. It's a long list!
If you are coming from Texas, many guests will plan a stop at Carlsbad Caverns or the Roswell Alien museum on the drive in or on the way home.
In Lincoln County, the choices of what to do here are endless. In winter we have Ski Apache for winter sports, and we often have mild temperatures during the day that will allow plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking or exploring the lovely and entertaining Midtown Ruidoso with shops, a winery, live music and restaurants. We also have several casinos.
In summer, horse racing starts and Ruidoso is a great place to cool off!