Escape to a scenic adventure just a couple of hours down the road as the leaves turn and before the roads get rugged. Why not make a quick weekend road trip?

There are a few great spots not far from Lubbock that offer some scenic options. Make it a mini-vacation weekend and come back refreshed.

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    Ruidoso (About four hours west of Lubbock)

    Depending on when you are there, you could take in a show at Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts.
    From Cloudcroft to Ruidoso through the Lincoln Forest is said to be a wonderful and relaxing drive with great trees and wildlife.

    You could take in The Museum of the Horse and the Noisy Water Winery. Both received good reviews.
    A truly unique opportunity awaits at Free Spirits at Noisy Water. See beautiful statues of running horses throughout the park.

    Most well known in summer race season, Ruidoso Downs, but the casino is open all year there. And even if it's not ski season there's zip lining and mountain biking available at Ski Apache.

    There are several Day Spas including Blue Lotus Day Spa and Adobe Day Spa.

    Top Restaurants according to YELP:
    Cornerstone Bakery & Cafe,359 Sudderth Dr. Ruidoso, NM 88345 Phone number (575) 257-1842
    Tina’s Cafe 522 Sudderth Dr Ruidoso, NM 88345 Phone number (575) 257-8930
    Chef Shawn’s Eatery 2415 Sudderth Dr Ruidoso, NM 88345 Phone number (575) 257-2433

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    Palo Duro Canyon State Park (about two hours north of Lubbock)

    Best known for their summer musical, there are great adventures to enjoy there anytime of year. Check out great, beautiful and scenic hiking, mountain biking, horse back riding and zip lining. Explore historical homes and museums.

    According to Trip Advisor, there are several stables that offer horseback riding through the canyon including: Palo Duro Riding Stables, Cowgirls and Cowboys in the West, and Old West Stables.

    A zip-line adventure awaits at Palo Duro Zip-line.
    If you'd like to hike the Lighthouse Trail or the Charles Goodnight Memorial trails both received good reviews. The Charles Goodnight House also an excellent destination.

    If you'd like an adventurous drive, the jeep rides from Elkins Ranch promise a great journey into the canyon for young and old alike.

    And while tooling around town you can take in some stunning history at the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

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    Carlsbad Caverns (A little more than three hours drive southwest of Lubbock)

    In addition to the Carlsbad Caverns cave tour, there are several recommendations to include in your trip to Carlsbad Caverns.

    The Bat Flight is an incredible sight. There is a separate Lower Cave Tour that requires some climbing and is not seen as much by the general public. Rattlesnake Springs is said to be a great picnic spot and perfect if you enjoy bird wildlife. Walnut Canyon Desert Drive is a scenic drive on a gravel road. You'll want the map from the visitor's center. The Hall of The White Giant is a separate tour that requires you to wear a helmet with a light, long sleeves and long pants, expect  a climb and an adventure.

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    Caprock Canyons (1 hour 45 minutes northeast of Lubbock)

    Well known for free-roaming bison, Caprock Canyons in Quitaque is home to the Official State Bison Herd of Texas and Lake Theo and is adjacent to the historical town of Quitaque founded by Charles Goodnight in the late 1800s.

    There are 90 miles of hiking trails in the Canyon, along with: Tent Sites, Horse Trail Equestrian Sites, Bike Trail, Picnic Area, Group Picnic, Swimming, Boat Ramp, Fishing Pier, Playground, Amphitheater, Historical Marker Scenic Overlook Interpretive Center and more.

    Find their history at the Comanchero Canyons Museum.

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