SOUTHEAST REGION
DiscoverRuidoso.com; @VisitRuidoso; @DiscoverRuidoso
Ruidoso offers a compelling blend of practical infrastructure and distinctive mountain-town character.
Ruidoso Convention Center provides robust meeting capabilities, while the village’s natural beauty, walkable shopping and nightlife district, and broad range of lodging options create an inviting environment, according to the Ruidoso Tourism/Village of Ruidoso.
Ruidoso Convention Center offers 24,282 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. Its largest space, at approximately 14,994 square feet, accommodates up to 2,000 guests in theater or standing configurations. The convention center also includes 15 meeting rooms ranging from 638 square feet to 2,500 square feet.
Ruidoso’s lodging scene offers more than 4,000 rooms to appeal to a wide range of group sizes and budgets. The 118-room MCM Eleganté Lodge & Suites Ruidoso, adjacent to the Ruidoso Convention Center, provides convenient, full-service accommodations for conference attendees. It includes an indoor pool, fitness facilities, and meeting spaces suitable for hospitality gatherings, board meetings, or small breakout events. The nearby Inn of the Mountain Gods on the Mescalero Apache Reservation has 12,473 square feet of meeting space to accommodate up to 150 guests. The rooms are flexible and can be adapted for small or large gatherings.
Unique venues for small gatherings include the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts and Wingfield House Heritage Museum.
The walkable Midtown Ruidoso District along Sudderth Drive features boutiques, galleries, tasting rooms, wineries, craft beer spots, and casual nightlife. “It’s ideal for offsite gatherings and informal delegate meetups,” according to Ruidoso Tourism.
Restaurants and breweries provide everything from casual tavern-style meals to New Mexican cuisine to elevated dining experiences. The Inn of the Mountain Gods, along with other nearby casinos and resorts, offers options for groups seeking an upscale evening.
Ruidoso’s natural surroundings make it perfect for teambuilding and outdoor excursions at such attractions as Grindstone Lake, Alto Lake, and Lincoln National Forest.
Ski Apache offers skiing and winter sports; in warmer months, the gondola provides expansive mountain views, while the Screaming Eagle Mountain Coaster offers
fun and adventure with twists and turns.
Ruidoso is also home to a vibrant creative community, with galleries, studios, and
maker-driven boutiques throughout the Midtown District. A highlight is the spectacular Dale Chihuly blown-glass installation at Spencer Theater.
