Are you planning a vacation to the bustling city of Ruidoso, New Mexico? You’re in for a treat! This destination truly has a little something for everyone, from shopping and dining to outdoor activities, gambling, art galleries, and more. If you’re visiting in the summer, you’ll be able to take advantage of the best weather Ruidoso experiences throughout the year! So, you know you’ll be able to get outside and enjoy all the best attractions that this city has to offer.

Here are a few of our favorite summer activities in Ruidoso, NM, for you and your family to enjoy! 

Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino

If you’re feeling lucky while you’re in town, be sure to head down to the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino, home to the World’s Richest Quarter Horse Race! Families around the area come here year after year to pass on the fun traditions, and now you can be part of the action, too! Watching some live racing and betting on your favorite horse is an exciting way to spend the evening, and you get to enjoy the fantastic weather while you’re at it. 

Feel like coming inside? Visit the casino! The Billy, the Kid Casino, is open daily and is full of low stakes and high-limit slots, perfect for everyone from the casual gambler to the seasoned pro. You can come in to play your lucky game or discover a new favorite! Regardless of your choice, it’s sure to be a fun (and hopefully lucrative!) evening.

Pillow’s Funtrackers

Are you looking for a place where you can bring the entire family? Pillow’s Funtrackers is the place to be! This destination is New Mexico’s premier family fun center, bringing thrills to families from across the Southwest for more than 25 years. When the weather’s nice, you can come out to experience the Fun track and Turtle Track for go-kart lovers of all ages, as well as competitive games like mini-golf and bumper cars. 

If you visit during the summer, you’ll also get to experience some of the best seasonal attractions at Pillows! Bumper boats and the Panning for Gemstones attractions are popular with adults and kids alike, guaranteeing a fun time for everyone involved. Each attraction is individually priced, so you only have to pay for the attractions you want to experience. If you’re going to come back for multiple days, consider their Discount Ticket Package! 

Adventure Mountain

Can’t get enough of the action of one family fun center? Head over to Adventure Mountain for even more entertainment! You can play both indoors and outdoors for tons of fun no matter the weather! Inside, you can try your hand at Bazooka Ball, the Lazer Maze, Galactic Golf (mini-golf that glows in the dark!), bumper cars, a mirror maze, and a photo booth. Then, head outside to enjoy the batting cages, rock wall, ropes course, and soon, ax throwing!

On top of all those fun games, Adventure Mountain also has a huge arcade full of all kinds of games, inviting you to try your luck at winning the big prize. Since everything is priced individually, everyone in your group can choose to do only what they want to do without wasting any money. (P.S. Don’t miss the Hawaiian shaved ice, which is a specialty only served in the summer!)

Apache Wind Rider Zip Tour at Ski Apache

Finally, if you want to get a bird’s eye view of Ruidoso and the surrounding areas, you’ll want to head to Ski Apache and experience the Apache Wind Rider Zip Tour! You’ll get to go more than 11,000 feet up in the air as you sail through the zip lines and see the most incredible views of your surroundings. You’ll even reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, perfect for any thrill seeker!

All in all, you’ll cover nearly 9,000 feet of zip lines throughout your tour, which is one of the longest zip lines on the planet! Your tour will take about 1.5 hours and is perfect for all guests ages ten and up. Just make sure you wear closed-toe shoes with laces since these are required to participate in the tour. Once you get there, your guide will show you the ropes (literally), and you’ll be a zip-lining pro in no time!

So, is summer in Ruidoso calling your name yet? Then it’s time to call Mountain Air Cabins! We offer a wide range of 1 bedroom rental cabins in Ruidoso, NM, that are sure to meet the needs of any group, whether you’re traveling solo, with your partner, or with the entire extended family.