Weekend itinerary

Sierra Blanca Mornings, Easy Ruidoso Evenings

Give Ski Apache the cold, bright morning, come down for a green-chile dinner in Midtown, and let the pines along the Rio Ruidoso have whatever daylight is left.

By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary

Friday in Midtown, a winter mountain or summer lake Saturday, and Cornerstone plus Wingfield Park on Sunday.

Best length

2 nights

Arrive Friday for Midtown, reserve Saturday for one major outdoor outing, and leave after breakfast and Wingfield Park Sunday.

Stay

Hotel Ruidoso

Midtown hotel near Sudderth Drive with an indoor pool, breakfast, and a location suited to walking or short drives for meals and shops.

Main activity

Ski Apache in winter; Grindstone Lake in summer

Winter uses open Ski Apache ski terrain. Summer uses Grindstone Lake or Ski Apache's posted gondola and mountain activities.

Saturday

One major outdoor outing

Ski Apache in winter and Grindstone Lake in summer each deserve the main daylight block; Midtown handles Friday evening and Sunday morning.

Contextual Ruidoso-area town and ponderosa landscape — Friday stays in Midtown for Sudderth Drive, dinner, and lodging before the longer Saturday outing.

Contextual mountain-lake recreation scene in the Ruidoso area — Summer Saturday belongs at Grindstone Lake or Ski Apache's posted gondola and mountain activities; winter Saturday belongs on open ski terrain.

Contextual high-country road approaching the Ruidoso area — Sunday combines Cornerstone breakfast, a Wingfield Park walk, and the road home.

Friday

Check in, walk Sudderth Drive, and eat in town.

Stay in Midtown for the shortest walk to shops and restaurants, or return to an Upper Canyon cabin after dinner.

4:00 PM

Check in

Stay at Hotel Ruidoso.

Midtown hotel near Sudderth Drive with an indoor pool, breakfast, and a location suited to walking or short drives for meals and shops.

Recommended stay

Hotel Ruidoso

Midtown hotel near Sudderth Drive with an indoor pool, breakfast, and a location suited to walking or short drives for meals and shops.

Check availability

Upgrade

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino

Mescalero destination resort south of Ruidoso with lake, golf, casino, dining, and on-site recreation in a setting separate from Midtown.

Compare the upgrade

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6:30 PM

First dinner

Start with Downshift Brewing Company.

Ruidoso brewery and taproom pairing locally brewed beer with burgers, pizza, and other casual food.

Casual meal

Downshift Brewing Company

Ruidoso brewery and taproom pairing locally brewed beer with burgers, pizza, and other casual food.

Open restaurant

Ruidoso guide

Compare Ruidoso restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

Saturday

Winter: Ski Apache. Summer: Grindstone Lake.

Winter skiing starts only with open lifts and terrain. Summer puts boating, fishing, disc golf, and the 18-mile Grindstone trail system in the main block.

8:30 AM

Breakfast

Breakfast at Cornerstone before the outdoor day.

Sit-down bakery and cafe serving breakfast and lunch, including baked goods, egg dishes, sandwiches, and coffee.

Breakfast / coffee

Cornerstone Bakery Cafe

Sit-down bakery and cafe serving breakfast and lunch, including baked goods, egg dishes, sandwiches, and coffee.

Open restaurant

Ruidoso guide

Compare Ruidoso restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

10:00 AM

Main activity

Ski Apache in winter; Grindstone Lake in summer.

Use open Ski Apache lifts and terrain for a winter ski day. In summer, spend the main block at Grindstone Lake or use Ski Apache's posted weekend program.

Ruidoso guide

Read the Ski Apache guide

See current operations, terrain, tickets, lessons, summer activities, and Ski Run Road.

Ruidoso guide

See the full Ruidoso activity guide

Compare Midtown, Wingfield Park, Ruidoso Downs, Mescalero, and current forest access.

4:30 PM

Afternoon

Return to town for the evening.

Allow for the Ski Run Road descent or the short drive from Grindstone Lake before dinner in Midtown or at the lodging property.

7:00 PM

Dinner

Dinner at Rio Grande Grill on an open night.

Rio Grande Grill serves New Mexican-influenced dishes, steaks, burgers, and Sierra Blanca beer; it is currently closed Sunday and Monday.

Special dinner

Rio Grande Grill & Tap Room

New Mexican-influenced food, steaks, burgers, and local beer; currently closed Sunday and Monday.

Open restaurant

Ruidoso guide

Compare Ruidoso restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

Sunday

Cornerstone breakfast and Wingfield Park.

Eat at Cornerstone Bakery Cafe, walk nearby Wingfield Park, and begin the drive without adding another mountain or lake outing.

9:00 AM

Sunday morning

Start Sunday with Cornerstone Bakery Cafe.

Cornerstone Bakery Cafe serves breakfast before a short Wingfield Park walk or the drive home.

Breakfast / coffee

Cornerstone Bakery Cafe

Sit-down bakery and cafe serving breakfast and lunch, including baked goods, egg dishes, sandwiches, and coffee.

Open restaurant

Ruidoso guide

Compare Ruidoso restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

11:00 AM

One last stop

Walk Wingfield Park before departure.

Wingfield Park sits near Midtown and adds a brief green-space stop without beginning a second outdoor day.

Ruidoso guide

See more Ruidoso choices

Use the activity guide for Grindstone Lake, Ruidoso Downs, Mescalero, and current forest access.

More Ruidoso guides

Ski Apache Guide

See Ski Apache terrain, summer operations, tickets, lessons, and Ski Run Road.

Open Ski Apache Guide →

Things To Do

Compare Grindstone Lake, Midtown, Wingfield Park, Ruidoso Downs, Mescalero, and current forest access.

Open Things To Do →

Where To Stay

Compare Midtown, Upper Canyon, the golf corridor, US 70, Ruidoso Downs, and Mescalero.

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Restaurants

Find bakery breakfast, Midtown burgers, pizza, New Mexican food, local beer, steak, and seafood.

Open Restaurants →

Getting Here

Compare Roswell, El Paso, and Albuquerque approaches and current New Mexico roads.

Open Getting Here →

Meals for the trip

Downshift Brewing Company

Ruidoso brewery and taproom pairing locally brewed beer with burgers, pizza, and other casual food.

Menu / info →

Rio Grande Grill & Tap Room

Full-service grill and tap room serving New Mexican-influenced dishes, steaks, burgers, and Sierra Blanca beer; it is currently…

Menu / info →

Cornerstone Bakery Cafe

Sit-down bakery and cafe serving breakfast and lunch, including baked goods, egg dishes, sandwiches, and coffee.

Menu / info →

Cafe Rio Pizza

Casual lunch-and-dinner pizza restaurant with table service and posted summer hours beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Menu / info →

Sacred Grounds Coffee & Tea House

Ruidoso coffeehouse and cafe serving coffee, tea, breakfast, baked goods, and light meals.

Menu / info →

Hall of Flame Burgers

Midtown burger counter near Sudderth Drive serving burgers and fries for lunch or a casual dinner.

Menu / info →

Ranchers Steak & Seafood

Long-running full-service dining room focused on steaks and seafood for a traditional dinner.

Menu / info →

Casa Blanca Restaurant & Cantina

New Mexican restaurant and cantina for enchiladas, chile-forward plates, margaritas, and a lively sit-down dinner.

Menu / info →

Zocca Coffee & Tea

Independent coffee and tea stop near central Ruidoso for espresso drinks, pastries, and a quick morning visit.

Menu / info →