the animals constantly walking around, it's like nowhere else I've ever experienced.
When most people think of New Mexico, the vision of desolate desert and no cell service usually comes to mind (queue the Breaking Bad opening theme), but it's easy to forget that the Rockies come further South than Colorado.
If you're looking for a unique place to spend Christmas or the winter holidays, Ruidoso is something truly special.
What's Ahead:
- A pet-friendly Airbnb Recommendation with a hot tub and a mountain view
- Wintery Mountain Activities
- Ruidoso Restaurant Recommendations
- Stay tuned for my sample Ruidoso Travel Itinerary at the end!
Accommodations:
We stayed in a mountain-side cabin called Vista Celestial. In Spanish, this means "heavenly view," which is the only way you can describe this place. Not only is the view heavenly, but so is the kitchen! The cabin also has two gas fireplaces (controlled by the switches on the wall), a huge shower, and even a gas grill. It has two pull-out couches, which are great for the kiddos, and an incredible master suite with two sets of French doors that lead out to the huge wrap-around deck. It has all the comforts of home, but you're completely surrounded by the beauty of nature! The only thing I have to advise on this place is the driveway. It is extremely STEEP! If it ices or snows, I wouldn't use it all. The other is the trash situation. There are community trash containers in Ruidoso, and they are up the road aways, so be prepared to drive with it in the back of the truck, on the hood, or while holding it out the window.
There are many other amazing places to stay in Ruidoso as well.
Ruidoso Tip #1 - I recommend bringing a 4x4-equipped vehicle (or a front-wheel-drive one at the very least). It has the potential to snow in Ruidoso any time, so make sure to plan ahead by checking the weather, so you can come prepared with snow tires or chains, and most cabin hosts provide you with a snow shovel, so just make sure to keep that handy.
Activities:
#2: Ruidoso Winter Park - What's better than snow tubing? This activity has to be a core memory-making experience for adventurous kiddos. Try to go early though because as the snow ices over, the staff will not allow you to ride the double tubes or the faster tubes for fear of you running off the course. Also, you will have to have a waiver completed before they let you into the park, so feel free to complete that online ahead of time and print it out to bring with you. Remember to bring water because that sun shines brightly off that white snow! Snowman making and snowball fights are not explicitly frowned upon in the area between the slopes, so we definitely took advantage of that while we were there. But if you want a little more formal ski resort experience, you can check out Ski Apache for all your skiing and snowboarding pleasures.
#3: Riding in a Two-Horse Open Sleigh - We went to Ruidoso during Christmas Time, and jingling your bells through this adorable village is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays! The big ol' draft horses take you right through the heart of all the little shops, and you're surrounded by Christmas lights. It's like being in a Christmas movie! And don't worry if there isn't any snow when you go because the sleighs have hidden wheels that help the horses along if it isn't necessarily a winter wonderland. This is the only place I've ever seen to have sleigh rides, so it's quite the experience. However, if sleigh rides aren't you're thing, the same company has horseback riding over at Grindstone Lake all year long.
Ruidoso Tip #2 - Whatever activity you choose while you're in Ruidoso, try to book in advance. It's a small village that Texans love to vacation in, so things book up fast!
#4: Mountain Biking - Since the cabin is right outside the Lincoln National Forest, there are mountain biking trails right down the road. There are also multiple trails at Grindstone Lake. Luckily, there are two adult mountain bikes and helmets provided with the cabin, so if you're adventurous, you can bring the kids' bikes with you and hit the trails. The bikes are stored in the bottom floor closet, and the code to the door is in the cabin's guest book.
Ruidoso Tip #3 - There are animals everywhere in Ruidoso! While driving around the community, you'll likely see deer walking down the road and elk resting in neighbor's yards. The community is so accepting of the wildlife that they roam free wherever they choose. There is even a wild horse herd in town! As soon as I heard of them, I just had to find them! We searched at different points throughout two days to no avail, but on the way to dinner one night, we spotted them grazing in a field behind a neighborhood. I got out to snap a photo, but I made it known to the kids that we needed to keep our distance because they're wild animals. However, the horses had other plans. Two of them galloped right up to us. And when I say I cried... as a girl who grew up with Spirit as one of my favorite movies, this experience was literally a dream come true!
P.S.A. - Be very careful around wild animals at any point, and heed this warning even more if you're not accustomed to being around horses. My kiddos and I have been around them our whole lives, and we still almost ran the other way when these two walked up to us.
For more Ruidoso activities, the horse racetrack, the casino, and the incredible Spencer theater are nearby. In addition, there is zip-lining, golf courses, disc golf, guided hunting, and shopping just minutes away.
Restaurants:
Breakfast/Brunch: I love a good diner! In Ruidoso, this is the Lincoln County Grill. They serve up the greasy, delicious hometown diner food, and they serve breakfast all day long.
Dinner: Rio Grande Grill and Tap Room is the perfect introduction to New Mexico, as well as its delicious cuisine. Nothing beats that authentic Pueblo-style fireplace when you walk through the front door. They have an elk burger, their salmon Caesar salad is amazing, and they have the best queso I've had in the Southwest so far.
Drinks: Downshift Brewing Company (Hidden Tap) is one of the most fun spots in the village. If you're walking downtime and see the "Bigfoot Reporting Station" sign, all you have to do is walk down the stairs. They have good brews, good bar food, and they even have board games and an arcade for the kiddos!
Bonus: It may not be local cuisine, but I couldn't leave out this adorable little Italian restaurant. Michael J's Italian-American Restaurant has authentic Italian food and is very welcoming and family-friendly. Minestrone is also the perfect cold-weather meal!
No matter what you eat in Ruidoso, you can't go wrong! There are many Mexican restaurants to choose from, and so many quirky and cute little restaurants to make you feel right at home.
SAMPLE ITINERARY:
Friday -
- Begin the trek to Ruidoso
- Once settled, pick up some healthy breakfast and lunch fixings from Albertson's (everything is extremely close in Ruidoso, so it's easy to get back and forth from the cabin)
- Eat dinner at the Rio Grande Grill and Tap Room
- Get in some hub-tubbing!
Saturday -
- Eat breakfast at the Airbnb
- Hike and/or fish at Grindstone Lake
- Window shop through the village and eat dinner downtown or at Michael J's
- Go for your sleigh ride
- Don't forget the hot tub!
Sunday -
- Eat breakfast at the Airbnb
- Head to the Winter Park for the day
- Warm your bones at Downshift Brewing Company (Hidden Tap) with dinner and a brew while the kids play games
- Don't forget the hot tub!
Sunday -
- Eat breakfast at the Airbnb
- Check out of the Airbnb
- Begin the trek back home
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Thanks for reading Blue Sky Days! XOXO, Kyrstie.