This Quaint Small Town In New Mexico Is A Gorgeous Mountain Getaway & It's Full Of Outdoor Fun

You’ll find year-round entertainment here.

Texas Editor Fernanda Leon hiking in Ruidoso, NM. Right: A couple kayaking in Ruidoso, NM.

Texas Editor Fernanda Leon hiking in Ruidoso, NM. Right: A couple kayaking in Ruidoso, NM.

Desk Editor, Texas

If you’re looking to escape from the city and enjoy a nice weekend getaway surrounded by gorgeous mountains, New Mexico is the best option to enjoy either an outdoorsy adventure or a relaxing time…or both.

Located a couple of hours away from El Paso, TX, Ruidoso, NM, is a small town with stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, where you can find all the activities you don’t usually get to experience in the big cities.

During the summertime, kayaking, fishing, and swimming make up for the perfect outdoor plan, while the Ski Apache installations wait for adventurous travelers during the colder days.

If you want to have it all in one place, the Inn of the Mountain Gods resort is one of the most popular options among visitors, as this lodging facility has seven different restaurant areas, a golf course, a fishing lake, horseback riding activities, a spa, and of course, its famous casino.

Ruidoso also has many cabins you can rent for the perfect trip with lots of friends, with your family, or with your sweetheart. There’s something for everyone.

The quaint midtown is filled with many boutiques, galleries, and restaurants that will make you feel like you’re in a magical, almost old European town.

Here you will mostly find local eateries, as U.S. fast-food chains are scarce in Ruidoso. Shopping is also a local experience with little stories offering anything from custom jewelry to clothes and candles.

Looking for a little night out time? This New Mexican spot has breweries, wineries, and even sports bars with live music that will get you dancing and singing all night long.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Texas Editor

    Fernanda Leon (she/her) was the Texas Editor at Narcity Media. She was born in El Paso and speaks English and Spanish fluently. With a BA in Multimedia Journalism from The University of Texas at El Paso, Fernanda has more than 8 years of experience in the news industry where she has worked for companies like MVS Radio and NBCUniversal. She was nominated for an EMMY Award and has interviewed important personalities in the entertainment and news industry. You can find her at coffee shops, traveling, or having brunch when she's not working.

A burst of snow will bring up to 20 cm to Ontario this week before the cold snap ends

Temperatures will warm up but still be cold enough for "lingering" snow.

Costco is hiring for jobs that pay $20 to $25 an hour and some don't require any experience

Positions are available at a new unique warehouse that's opening in Canada soon.

6 cheap and safe Caribbean destinations to visit in 2026 if you're skipping Cuba

Turquoise waters, white sands, and no travel warnings. 😌🏝️

CSIS is hiring for these jobs and you can get paid up to $120,000 a year to be nosy

You'll help investigate threats to national security. 🔍

Lotto 6/49 winners split a $5M jackpot with another ticket and didn't believe it was real

They checked the ticket online and at a store to make sure they really won the jackpot. 💸

U of T is the only Canadian school in the top 10 of this new best universities ranking

It beat every Canadian university in all of these subject areas! 📚

Canada's 'most romantic town' is near Toronto and it's filled with European charm

It's the perfect place to visit with your favourite person.