National attention focuses on the Ruidoso Downs racetrack on Labor Day for the world's richest quarter-horse race, the All American Futurity, which has a purse of $3 million. The course is also home to the Racehorse Hall of Fame, and the small Billy the Kid Casino.
Ruidoso Downs Racetrack
Southeastern New Mexico
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
16.8 MILES
It's hard to believe that in Billy the Kid's era Lincoln was home to a bustling population of nearly 900. Today it is essentially a ghost town, with only…
23.22 MILES
The remote Three Rivers Petroglyph Site showcases over 21,000 petroglyphs, incised six centuries ago by the Jornada Mogollon people onto the flat surfaces…
Hurd-La Rinconada Gallery & Sentinel Ranch Winery
16.83 MILES
San Patricio, a tranquil country village along the Rio Ruidoso, has the kind of golden glow and gentle scenery that's been drawing artists to New Mexico…
Mexican Canyon Trestle Overlook
26.68 MILES
Built in 1899 to carry timber down to Alamogordo for the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad, the railway line here twisted up the Sacramento Mountains for…
Hubbard Museum of the American West
0.57 MILES
This town-run museum focuses on local history, with a wonderful gallery of old photos, and also displays Native American kachinas, war bonnets, weapons…
Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation
15.73 MILES
Around 4000 Apache – not only Mescalero, but also Chiricahua and Lipan – live on this reservation, stretching approximately 720 sq miles south and west of…
14.8 MILES
At Smokey Bear Historical Park, in the village of Capitan, 12 miles west of Lincoln, you can see the famous bear's grave and learn tons about forest fires…
Nearby Southeastern New Mexico attractions
1. Hubbard Museum of the American West
0.57 MILES
This town-run museum focuses on local history, with a wonderful gallery of old photos, and also displays Native American kachinas, war bonnets, weapons…
2. Smokey Bear Historical Park
14.8 MILES
At Smokey Bear Historical Park, in the village of Capitan, 12 miles west of Lincoln, you can see the famous bear's grave and learn tons about forest fires…
3. Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation
15.73 MILES
Around 4000 Apache – not only Mescalero, but also Chiricahua and Lipan – live on this reservation, stretching approximately 720 sq miles south and west of…
16.8 MILES
It's hard to believe that in Billy the Kid's era Lincoln was home to a bustling population of nearly 900. Today it is essentially a ghost town, with only…
5. Hurd-La Rinconada Gallery & Sentinel Ranch Winery
16.83 MILES
San Patricio, a tranquil country village along the Rio Ruidoso, has the kind of golden glow and gentle scenery that's been drawing artists to New Mexico…
6. Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
23.22 MILES
The remote Three Rivers Petroglyph Site showcases over 21,000 petroglyphs, incised six centuries ago by the Jornada Mogollon people onto the flat surfaces…
7. Mexican Canyon Trestle Overlook
26.68 MILES
Built in 1899 to carry timber down to Alamogordo for the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad, the railway line here twisted up the Sacramento Mountains for…