Location: Ruidoso Downs
Top Things to do in Ruidoso Downs
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10 Things to Do in Ruidoso Downs That You Shouldn't Miss
Ruidoso Downs is a city in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, located within the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 1,824 at the 2000 census and 2,815 at the 2010 census. Originally incorporated as a village, it became a city in May 2002. Known locally as "the Downs", Ruidoso Downs is a suburb of adjacent Ruidoso and is a part of the Ruidoso Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city, located along U.S. Route 70, is named after the Ruidoso Downs Race Track, which is located in the city along with Billy the Kid Casino and the Hubbard Museum of the American West.
Restaurants in Ruidoso Downs
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. Fox Cave
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By OregonStrider - Portland, Oregon
Tourist trap? Well, kind of, yes...but no one is forcing anyone to buy anything. We didn't spend a dime, but enjoyed stopping and checking the place out. LOTs of gem stones, minerals, crystals, fossils and other "stuff". Actually, a lot of it is not overpriced at all, like some of the crystal geodes, for example. There is a lot to see here and the couple who were running the place while we were there were friendly and did not apply pressure for a sale. I wouldn't drive out of my way there as a destination, but would stop by again should I find my rig driving by.
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 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Seeping Springs Trout Lakes and RV Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
We offer the opportunity for you and your kids to actually catch fish. We provide everything you need to fish. When you get done fishing we clean your fish and then we give you recipes for cooking your fish. Hours vary depending on the season, so please call for times.
Reviewed By Penny C
The lady at Seeping Springs worked hard to make our granddaughter's fishing experience a great and successful one. She gave us good information from phone calls to fishing tips once we got there and we were able to land 7 rainbow trout. My only suggestion would be to clean up the grounds/clutter and work on landscaping.
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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