Location: Alto
Top Things to do in Alto
Top 10 Things to do in Alto, United States
Alto is an unincorporated area of Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States. It is located at an elevation of 7,300 feet (2,200 m) in the Lincoln National Forest, five miles (8.0 km) north of the village of Ruidoso. Alto received its name from the Spanish word "high" because of its elevation.
Restaurants in Alto
1. Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
5 based on 121 reviews
A 514-seat landmark performing arts center near Ruidoso, NM, designed by Antoine Predock featuring a major touring Broadway, dance or musical performance, on the average, every 11 days year round. Four major glass installations by Dale Chihuly. Tours Tue & Thu at 10 a.m.
Reviewed By SAElle - San Antonio, TX
The Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts stands majestically with its white limestone walls, amidst the junipers, just outside of Ruidoso, NM. It attracts top quality performers and was state-of-the-art when constructed twenty years ago, with special attention to the acoustics. It seats just over 500 people and has the ambience of intimacy for the plays, concerts, dance features, and other performing artists it hosts year-round. My husband and I have been many times and have enjoyed all the shows.
2. Hubbard Museum of the American West
Overall Ratings
4 based on 87 reviews
Museum containing collections of Anne C. Stradling and the Museum of the Horse, which was originally located in Patagonia, Arizona. The Museum is open year round, from 9:00am until 5:00pm every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Annual Fundraiser in July.
Reviewed By Thomas T - Bernalillo, New Mexico
The Hubbard Museum lets you know up front that it is all about horses in the Southwest. A parade of nine larger-than-life horse statues, seemingly in full motion, flows across the front entrance, making a majestic introduction to an eclectic collection of Western memorabilia. The collections are the legacy of two wealthy collecting families, organized as well as possible to display their taste and wealth. The museum's main floor is mostly taken up with horse-drawn carriages of many types, ranging from trail chuck wagons to formal town vehicles. A small but well-curated exhibit of firearms shows the advancement of handgun and rifle technology from the 1830s to the end of the 19th century. We arrived a couple days too early for a new exhibit in the museum's art wing - a show of paintings by the Hurd-Wyeth couple who left New England for the West. The whole thing is worth seeing, and won't take more than 2 1/2 hours of your time.
3. Flying J Ranch
Overall Ratings
5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By janalee63 - Littlefield, Texas
This is one stop you do need to make while you are visiting the Ruidoso area. This is a fun time! Music, laughter, food and a street gun fight! They put on a great show!
4. Apache Eagle Ziprider
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Southwest_Gaucho - Payson, Arizona
This was a fun experience overall and I would recommend it to anyone traveling in the area that is not in a hurry. Employees were friendly and helpful and views were spectacular.
I would suggest pre-planning to make the trip a little more enjoyable. You can watch the training video online but it can be difficult to find, however, it will save you time.
The negative about this ride is that it was disorganized as others have stated. Our group of 4 arrived at 0915 for our 1000 reservation. We were asked to come back later as we were early. We went back to the check-in desk around 0940 only to find out that 12 people had checked in before us and were already moving forward. Ok, no big deal, but then the gear hut was helter skelter with not much organization. We did managed to get our gear and then got in the training line only to be delayed again. Completed the training and were on our way to the gondola when we found out that 6 people that had 1000 reservations had just arrived at 1030 and we would have to wait for them. Really? What was advertised as a 1.5 hour experience turned into a 3 hour experience. Not that big of a deal, however, we did have plans back in Ruidoso that we were delayed for.
Bottom line, fun activity to do but be prepared for a potential delay.
5. Ruidoso Downs Race Track
Overall Ratings
4 based on 68 reviews
Racetrack that is the home to the world's richest quarter-horse race.
Reviewed By Alesia T
If you enjoy the horse race scene, this is a fun day. We enjoyed the museum, the restaurant, and the thrill of being trackside! Be sure to pick up the tipsheets from a convenience store before going the night before so you can study the horses and know how you want to bet in advance.
6. Ruidoso Winter Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By Salma R
I would rate this zero stars if I could. My brother and sister were in town so me, my two teenagers my brother and my sisters 8 year old decided to come here. Right away when my sister bought her passes she had dealt with someone she thought was kinda rude. Me and my sister went down the the hill once and decided we were just going to just watch our kids who were going down a few times with their uncle. My sister wanted a refund since she wasn’t going to be going down the hill anymore. Once again she dealt with the rude man who reluctantly gave her a refund. I then asked if I could have a refund since I was gonna be there to just watch my kids he refused, had a bad attitude and told me to go to the next line. This man was the owner. Whatever I didn’t really care that much since it was only about twenty dollars, my sister was the one wanting the refund it was his attitude that made me more upset and I told him he was rude. Not long after we all just wanted to leave and as we were WALKING OUT ALREADY a man with a beard was standing there. He was yelling at me pointing his finger in my face in front of my two teenagers, claiming that I was a scammer and liar because apparently i lied and said I had a little boy to watch at the kid corral?? The only little kid is my nephew and I never mentioned him or claimed he was mine while talking to the owner so sir, clean your ears out or YOU stop lying and saying “I was right behind him when you were talking”. The fact that he was yelling at me as I was already exiting with my two teenagers is very unprofessional. We would’ve been fine leaving. As a business owner myself I would NEVER have workers treating customers that way nor would I treat customers that way. There were still some good staff members. Could be better with new management. Don’t recommend but if you do go it should be fine just DONT complain. They apparently get very offended if you use the word rude as well.
7. Ruidoso Downs
Overall Ratings
4 based on 211 reviews
Racetrack that is the home to the world's richest quarter-horse race.
Reviewed By marigoldchantel - New Mexico
Two days of exciting horse racing, plenty of space to enjoy the day. Concession stands with cold beer and wine. Sunshine, fun people, and lots of action...fun for the whole family or a great date.
8. Billy the Kid Scenic Byways Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By snipe49445 - Muskegon, Michigan
Stopped here while staying in Ruidoso prior to heading out on the Billy the Kid Tour. The staff was great, extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. Georgia is Awesome! Clean bathrooms if you need a stop. Little surprise in the Men's bathroom will give a chuckle. A wealth of pamphlets regarding NM and this area.
9. Noisy Water Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
A true Ruidoso Experience, Come in to try our World Famous Relleno Brothers line of Wines(Don't forget to try the famous Green Chile Wine) along with our Artisan crafted New Mexico cheeses! (Including the worlds hottest cheese, Made with the Ghost Pepper!) Try other great New Mexico products and hit up our gift shop to get all those great Ruidoso Souvenirs and Apparel. Noisy Water is a must stop for anyone traveling to The Cool Pines and our friendly and fun staff can't wait to share our experience with you and all of your friends and family!Established in 1993 Noisy Water has been operating in Ruidoso for over 20 years now. With many remembering us before we took the leap into wine and cheese in the late 2000's. A family business that has grown and changed to meet the needs of Ruidoso's ever changing community. We love Ruidoso and all of its great guests and look forward to having people come see us on their visits to our gorgeous mountain town.
Reviewed By work2travelTexas - Texas
Overall, great selection of dry reds and sweet whites. I don't like the others so my review wouldn't be fair to those. One of the tasting rooms has more of the "reserve" type wines. It has seating out front for enjoying the weather and your glass of wine. Had a kiddy coloring corner and some snacks for them to try in their sample trays. Good set up.
The other one looks likes it in the back room of another store and has more of their general wines. A little cramped and not so much of a tasting room feel to it.
10. Museum of the Horse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
This unique museum has an amazing collection of all things related to the horse.
Reviewed By Wanderer790 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
We searched high and low for the museum of the horse until we figured out that they had changed the name. The museum is located right next to the race track since it was started by a racing family; the Hubbards. We enjoyed the horse sculptures in front of the building, the building itself which is beautiful and new, and all of the carriages and other antiques that were displayed. They have wonderful commentaries on all of the displays which is missing from a lot of museums. We paid $5 for seniors and $7 for adults. Well worth it!! Tour the sculpture garden and the Billy the Kid information center next door (free). We would visit this place again.
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