WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO ON VACATION?
There is a little something for everyone in our corner of the rockies! Whether you are looking for a hike, a museum, art, a golf game, learn about Smokey Bear, or even relive the last stand of Billy the Kid, we can help you find it!
Take a look through some of our favorite day trips to see if you find anything interesting. Looking for something off the list? Just ask! We probably know exactly you want to go!
Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway
Geared especially (but not exclusively) toward the history buff in your party, the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway is a nationally recognized drive. Billy's Byway is full of attractions for everyone in the party! Highlights include Smokey Bear's Museum and Park, Fort Stanton Museum and Cemetery, beautiful desert basins and mountain forests, and of course, Lincoln National Monument: legendary town of the last stand of Billy the Kid. Give yourself at least 2 hours drive time for the loop. Lucky for us, because of our location, an alternate interior loop of Billy's Byway is accessible from BHC grounds takes about an hour and a half. Check these websites for more information on these and other attractions along the Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway:
Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway 
The Real Smokey Bear
The History of Smokey Bear 
Wm Bonny, AKA Billy the Kid: Wanted: Dead or Alive
Hubbard Museum of the American West
Billy the Kid Scenic Byway Visitor Center
Peak to Peak to Peak
Whether you are looking for an exciting mountain drive
or the hiking challenge of your life, the three peaks of the Sacramento Mountain Range will take your breath away!
Monjeau Peak & Lookout -- While the Monjeau Lookout is currently closed due to the 2012 Little Bear Fire, the Crest Trailhead is accessible from Monjeau Road.
Scenic Road Trip
These seldom traveled winding roads will take you through Cloudcroft, Alamogordo, Tularosa, Mescalero Apache Reservation, and Ruidoso, including the only road tunnel in New Mexico! Take your chargers: it's about a 3 hour drive, and plan on at least another few for picture opportunities! You're close enough to White Sands National Monument that it's worth the extra few miles.
National Solar Observatory - Sunspot
Apache Point Observatory - Sunspot
The Hiker
Lincoln National Forest boasts over 1.1 million square acres of land that range from about 4,000 to about 11,500 feet above sea level! Needless to say, whatever kind of hike you are looking for, it's right in our back yard, literally. Need a guide? Ask, we can probably set you up!
Be sure to ask us about a national forest hiking trail that ends right at your cabin!!!!
Forest Service Comprehensive List of Hiking Trails in Lincoln National Forest
Ruidoso Visitor's Center Select Hikes
The Rider
Prefer the thrill of two wheels over two feet? If mountain biking is more your speed, we've got that too! This sport's growing popularity has led to brand new trails in our area! Ruidoso already hosts several annual bicycle races and events, look for several more to follow soon!
Did we mention that the hiking trails to cabins are bicycle friendly? Enjoy!
Ruidoso Visitor's Center Select Mountain Biking Trails
The Campfire Musician
Music is a common flavor in Ruidoso, both with nightly entertainment and special events. Sure, we've got a honky-tonk or two. But we are also lucky enough to have a few of the more unique and beautiful concert venues you will run across, including our own BHC Amphitheater. As if that wasn't enough, we also happen to have some of the best and brightest local musicians around today. While you're always welcome to bring your 6-string down to the campfire, there are several local venues where you are invited to share your musical talents, or just take in some of Ruidoso's best. Don't be bashful; our little village offers several karaoke and open-mic opportunities every week! Ask us when and where!
Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts
Inn of the Mountain Gods upcoming shows
Sacred Grounds Coffee and Tea House
Carrizozo Music in the Park Schedule
Bottlehouse Cabins Amphitheater
The Artist
There is an intrinsic link between art and the beauty of the natural world. Year round galleries complimented by seasonal tours and loops make Ruidoso a hot destination for any budding artist, no matter your canvas.
Ruidoso Visitor's Center Select Galleries
Ruidoso Art Festival information
High Mesa Art Tour information
Alto Artists' Studio Tour information
Or just ask us for some of the best drives and trails for excellent photo ops and great places to set up your easel!
Native American Culture, Ceremony, and Petroglyphs & Ruins
Dated as far back as AD 1000, our area has two accessible sights with petroglyphs, or prehistoric rock etchings. Thousands of petroglyphs are visible from the Three Rivers Petroglyph hiking trail! If you feel like a jaunt into the desert, the Gran Quivira and other sites of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument are about an hour and a half away.
Mescalero Ceremonial Dances & Rodeo
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Family Fun Time
Ruidoso has long been a place shared by families. We share campfire stories all the time with guests who bring their children and grandchildren to see the natural beauty that their parents and grandparents shared with them once upon a time. This is such a family friendly area, here is but a small selection of area attractions that the whole family can and will enjoy:
The Culture Seeker
If you are interested in exploring SE New Mexico and Lincoln county's vast and explosive history, or if you're looking to experience first-hand some of the art and live entertainment that characterizes our beautiful area, then look no further!
Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts 
Hubbard Museum of the American West
Carrizozo Music in the Park Schedule
East/Southeast
The Fine Diner
Our area boasts some of the finest cuisine in New Mexico, bar none! Try one of these great restaurants for a one-of-a-kind dining experience: 
Wendell's Steak and Seafood Restaurant and Lounge
The Foodie
Looking for that local fare? Eat like a local to experience the true flavors of Ruidoso!
The Sweet Tooth
If sweets are your treats, Ruidoso is for you! We have some great shops that will knock your socks off with their freshly made cupcakes, fudge, local cider, ice cream, pastries, and more! And be sure to keep your calendars open for the Apple and Cherry festivals! 
Roy's Ice Cream Parlor - Carrizozo
Heart of the Desert Pistachios and Wine - Alamogordo
Pistachio Tree Ranch - Alamogordo (be sure to pick up their RAC card from our office for free nuts!)
High Rolls Annual Festivals - High Rolls
Papa Bear's Cupcake Emporium - Mid-town Ruidoso
Sweet Retreat - Mid-town Ruidoso
Ask us how to get to D & T’s Bonito Store, just minutes away from BHC! You'll be happy that you did. And be sure to pick up Carrizozo Cherry or Raspberry Cider at a number of local retailers!
Note: This is by no means a comprehensive list! Businesses on this page are not affiliated with Bottlehouse Cabins, BHC LLC, or Bottlehouse Amphitheater. Listed businesses are merely an example of some of what we as a community have to offer. Lists were compiled based primarily on guest feedback as well as those locations frequently visited by staff. It would be impossible to list every individual business in our area. Any local businesses left off these lists should reflect only the brevity of each entry, and in no way reflects any intended disrespect to any individual, business, or entity. For information on inclusion, please contact our office.