Vacationing in Ruidoso, New Mexico

Ruidoso, New Mexico is in the southern part of the state, about 120 miles north of El Paso, Texas. Ruidoso is a resort community of practically 8,000 habitancy that can grow to over 30,000 during the winter peak of our skiing season and in the summer for horse racing. When the snow flies thousands head for the slopes of Ski Apache, owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Nation. In the summer, the attention turns to the Ruidoso Downs Race Track, the home of the richest quarter horse event in the world!

If you're not into skiing or horse racing you may want to think a stay in Ruidoso during our "low season". There are some excellent values from the last week of March through the middle of May or from the last week of September through until Thanksgiving. Area lodgers have specials during these periods and Ruidoso abounds with low cost accommodations. Local restaurants, galleries and attractions are less crowded and you can enjoy the "Mountain Cool" of the area.

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Noted wild west outlaw Billy The Kid hung out in Lincoln County and there are many museums and displays depicting the times. Smokey Bear Park in Capitan is exquisite for the youngsters and the young at heart. Particularly emotional, Smokey's final resting spot is on the park grounds. Did you know that old Smokey is the only celebrity with his own Us zip code? some staff members write back thousands of letters yearly as the message of Wild Fire safety continues.

Ruidoso is truly an artist's community. practically everyone, the guy at the convenience store, your waitress or the folks next door are aspiring artists. Ruidoso is alive with galleries containing every form of expression imaginable. At the very least plan on one of the rather unique carved bears...a Ruidoso signature!

Three casinos add the element of occasion the year round. The Billy the Kid Casino, and two Mescalero Apache casinos will give ample occasion to try your luck in search of the elusive "jackpot".

If you like the excitement of a bustling resort community, by all means come in season! Ski Apache, at 12,000 feet, has the largest lift capacity in the state. More skiing...less waiting! Horse season has it's own magic...with summer residents from all over the country. Naturally, lodging in Ruidoso books solidly for many prime weekends. Due to the laws of contribute and demand, room rates rise during the "high season". during many periods Ruidoso is booked solid, with many quite article to stay in adjacent communities as much as an hour away.

One of the more economical lodging alternatives are the area's vacation rentals. Underground owners place their cabins, condos and homes on the rental market when they are not occupying them. Units offer amenities not ready in industrial accommodations...private hot tubs and pool tables only begin to scratch the surface. Due to the fluctuation in lodging rates they can be an economical and appealing alternative for your stay. The key to staying in Ruidoso is....Book Early! It's Never too early to plan that journey.

Ruidoso has a variety of lodging accommodations. The big chains are here...Motel 6, Hawthorn Suites, relax Inn and many more. After having traveled more than a few times on business, I've seen enough of the chains formula. It is clean, comfortable and predictable but then again that is what they want! For my money, locally owned and operated hotels, cabins and lodges add charm and intrigue to your stay. No two are the same and each has their own brand of amenities and environment. Let's meet some of Ruidoso's best!

The community Lodge in an all suite facility. The entire lodge is non-smoking with one and two bedroom suites. Each suite has a kitchenette and fireplace with a shared hot tub and picnic area on the grounds. The community Lodge is owned and operated by Charles and Jane who have a knack for manufacture each and every stay enjoyable. The lodge is placed at 1000 Mechem (Hwy 48) in Ruidoso.

Further north on Highway 48 is the Casa del Cocinero Bed and Breakfast. Translated from Spanish that would be "House of the Chef". The inn is operated by Hal who happens to be quite a chef and one of the most accommodating men I've ever met. Morning meal is the event but other amenities including an in-room hot tub make the Casa del Cocinero one of the areas most rewarding "finds".

The Sitzmark Chalet is a touch of old world Europe in the heart of the New Mexico Mountains. Your hosts, Todd and Lori have a small but extremely comfortable hotel. placed near the heart of Ruidoso on Sudderth Drive the Sitzmark has reasonably priced rooms, a hot tub and picnic area. Stop and say Hi! Todd and Lori will contribute a compassionate dose of area hospitality.

Nestled in the heart of Ruidoso is the West Winds Lodge. Bob and Kristine will welcome you to a warm, appealing getaway faultless with a hot tub and indoor swimming pool. The lodge is just a short walk from the restaurants, galleries and shops dotting the Ruidoso mid town area. A walk through the Porticos of the West Winds Lodge will originate memories for a lifetime.

We've only just scratched the face on planning your visit to Ruidoso. For more Ruidoso vacation information, try the lawful Ruidoso tourism website http://www.goruidoso.com

Vacationing in Ruidoso, New Mexico

New Mexico History

The land and minerals of New Mexico have been used since the prehistoric time of the early cultures in the Southwest that long preceded the victorious sedentary civilization of the Pueblos, which the Spanish found along the Rio Grande and its tributaries. Many of the Native American Pueblos exist today much as they were in the 13th century. The word of the pueblos reached the Spanish through Cabeza de Vaca, who may have wandered across Southern New Mexico between 1528 and 1536. They were identified by Fray Marcos de Niza, as the fabulously rich Seven Cities of Cibola.

A full-scale expedition, dating from 1540 to 1542 to find the cities, under the leadership of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, was dispatched from New Spain. The first regular colony at San Juan is believed to have been founded by Juan de Oñate in 1598.

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In 1609, Pedro de Peralta was appointed Governor of the "Kingdom and Provinces of New Mexico," and a year later he founded his capital at Santa Fe. The wee colony did not prosper too much, although some of the missions flourished and haciendas were founded. The subjection of Native Americans to forced labor and attempts by missionaries to turn them resulted in violent revolts by the Apache in 1676 and the Pueblo in 1680. These rebellions drove the Spanish entirely out of New Mexico.

The Spanish did not return until the campaign of Diego de Vargas Zapata, re-established their control in 1692. In the 18th century, the development of ranching and some farming and mining became more abundant, laying the foundations for the Spanish culture in New Mexico that still exists.

When Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in 1821, New Mexico became a province of Mexico, and trade was opened up with the United States. In 1841, a group of Texans embarked on an expedition to contend Texan claims to parts of New Mexico and were eventually captured. The Mexican War marked the arrival of the Anglo-American culture to New Mexico. Stephen Kearny entered Santa Fe in 1846 without opposition, and two years later, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded New Mexico to the United States. The territory, which included Arizona and other territories, was enlarged by the Gadsden purchase in 1853.

A bid for statehood and an antislavery constitution was halted by the Compromise of 1850, which placed the Texas boundary demand in New Mexico's favor and organized New Mexico as a territory without restriction on slavery. In the Civil War, New Mexico was at first occupied by Confederate military from Texas, but was eventually taken over by Union military early in 1862. After the war and the seclusion of the troops, the territory was plagued by friction with the Apache and the Navajo Native American tribes. The surrender of Apache chief Geronimo in 1886 ended the friction in New Mexico and Arizona, which had been made a isolate territory in 1863. However, there were local troubles prevalent even after that time.

Already the ranchers had taken over a large portion of the grasslands. The arrival of the Santa Fe hasten in 1879 encouraged the great cattle boom of the 1880s. New Mexico finally gained statehood in 1912.

New Mexico History

New Mexico Casinos

New Mexico joined the union in 1912 as the forty-seventh state. The capital of this southwestern state is Santa Fe. Settled near Arizona, Colorado and Texas, New Mexico features a population of over 1,800,000 and is best known for its vast outdoor resources, rich Western patrimony and Native American culture. New Mexico has everything from volcanoes; the Anasazi ruins, and for conspiracy buffs and fans of the X Files television show there is the International Ufo Museum in Roswell. New Mexico is still infamous for the alleged Ufo landing at the sublime site in Roswell, the branch of many films and television shows.

Of course, along with all of the attractions in New Mexico, there is a wealth of grown-up fun for those interested in trying some of the many New Mexico Casinos throughout the state. From Acoma to Taos, there are more than twenty New Mexico casinos throughout the state. The New Mexico casinos comprise Native American-owned operations such as Dancing Eagle Casino in Casa Blanca, New Mexico, and the Casino Apache trip center in Mescalero. Slot machines are a big draw in New Mexico Casinos, but you can also find table games, and in some cases, horse betting and many other types of gambling.

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A good number of the New Mexico casinos offer buffets, free valet parking and many other amenities. Look for New Mexico casinos that are Aaa stylish and you'll find the usual Aaa perks, especially at New Mexico casinos that offer hotel service. A good number of the New Mexico casinos offer an Aarp discount, so if this applies to you be sure to do your homework about where these New Mexico casinos are located, you'll most likely get your best values here.

The commerce in New Mexico casinos is addition all the time. There are large numbers of new and proposed New Mexico casinos, together with a recent deal struck between the Pueblo population of Pojoaque and the Hilton Hotel chain. This deal could follow in the largest-ever Pueblo owned casino in New Mexico! Regardless of whether you visit New Mexico to play at a Native American casino or see the sights, you can absolutely have a lot of fun doing both on the same trip. A little industrialized homework done on New Mexico casinos to see where the best locations are on your journey will make your next trip to the state a very animated one. Don't miss the chance to try the New Mexico casino craze.

New Mexico Casinos