This small town in the mountains 130 mi/210 km southeast of Albuquerque is a popular vacation area, especially for people from west Texas. Many travelers go there to gamble at Ruidoso Downs and the attached Billy the Kid Casino. Slot machines are available every day, and live horse racing takes place late May-Labor Day.
Another draw is the Ski Apache resort operated by the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. The tribe also runs a well-known resort just outside of town called Inn of the Mountain Gods, a beautiful property with a golf course, fishing and a meeting center.
The town itself has a rather rough feel for being a tourist center. Some unusual shops are found on its main street, selling items like animal skulls and metal sculpture. The Hubbard Museum of the American West has a huge collection of artifacts and memorabilia related to horses and horse riders.
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