Ruidoso

Walk in the footsteps of Billy the Kid while discovering the natural beauty of one of New Mexico’s most popular resort towns.

Stroll along the streets where Billy the Kid walked, enjoy panoramic views of the countryside and discover frontier history in the scenic town of Ruidoso. Surrounded by the snow-peaked Sierra Blanca mountains, Lincoln County and the Lincoln National Forest, Ruidoso is southeastern New Mexico’s primary resort town.

Experience pioneer history at the Hubbard Museum of the American West, and then head to the Flying J Ranch Chuckwagon Supper and Western Show. Take the kids on a pony ride, have cowboy coffee, shoot on a pistol range and enjoy a traditional cowboy dinner. Sit inside a tepee, see Native American artifacts and learn about Native American culture.

Outdoor adventurers will enjoy the fresh mountain air of Fort Stanton, Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area and the Lincoln National Forest. Camp, hike or feel the thrill of high-altitude bicycling. In the winter months, Ski Apache, with its smooth runs, tubes, jumps and rails offers ski slopes with something for every skier and boarder. Nearby Ruidoso Winter Park even has bobsled curves.

Ruidoso offers an array of entertainment and activities. Mine for gemstones and discover fossils and geodes at Fox Cave with its 300-million-year-old sedimentary rock. See a touring Broadway show at the Spencer Theater or live music at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, a Las Vegas-style casino. Listen to country and western music in a local bar. See artwork by renowned artists, N.C. Wyeth and Andrew Wyeth, at the Hurd La Rinconada Gallery. Browse the folk art and admire the 100-year-old adobe building at the Hondo Iris Farm. If you are a horse racing enthusiast, time your visit for the annual All American Futurity, a quarter horse race at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track.

Situated in New Mexico, Ruidoso is accessible by car, bus or plane. It is a three-hour drive from Albuquerque. For an authentic Western experience, time your visit with one of these festivals: Ruidoso Art Festival, Festival of Lights, Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally, the Mountain of Blues Festival or the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium.