CHA-CHIN-CHA-CHIN. The sound of quarters clicking in my grandmother’s tub was the soundtrack of our casino trips. Although I’d tag along, I never quite got the appeal—until now.

After a 60-minute massage at Sandia Resort and Casino’s Green Reed Spa, I found myself floating off the table in a blissed-out stupor, preparing for the next round of self-care: hot steam, cold plunge, and dry sauna. I let out a yelp as I stepped into the icy waters of the plunge pool and thought to myself, Now this is a casino experience I can get excited about.

Later that day, a poolside DJ filled the air with music. My freshly minted kindergartener, Esther, splashed around with some kids enjoying a five-year-old’s birthday party. My husband played 18 holes on the Scott Miller–designed Sandia Golf Club—and even won $40 at the roulette table. I shopped for gifts from local artists at the Bien Mur Indian Market across the street from the resort.

This was not my grandma’s casino. In New Mexico, casino resorts are doubling down on fun beyond the thrill of hearing your dealer say, “Winner, winner, chicken dinner.”

The golf course at Inn of the Mountain Gods creates a beautiful setting. Photograph courtesy of the Inn of the Mountain Gods.

“Native American casino resorts are very competitive in the hospitality sphere,” says New Mexico–native Chris Archunde, a marketing consultant for Raving, which works with tribal casino resorts nationwide. “New Mexico tribal casino resorts are especially competitive with a wide variety of things to do,” she says.

Take Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder, for example. Recently, I redeemed some Hilton Honors Points and booked one of the Pueblo-style rooms, thinking my daughter could enjoy the splash pad and massive pool while I kicked back in the hot tub. But what really blew me away was the expansive art collection on display, owned and curated by the Pueblo of Pojoaque.

The $2 million collection features renowned Indigenous artists, many of whom have exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution and Museum of Modern Art in New York. Walking through the 587-acre resort, I was captivated by works from many tribes and pueblos, like a stunning clay sculpture by Rose B. Simpson (Santa Clara Pueblo). It felt like a cultural scavenger hunt—each turn in the hallway revealing a new piece of history and artistry.

“In the event spaces, lobbies, hotel rooms, and even fine dining restaurants, the culture is weaved into the design with paintings, sculptures, weavings, photographs,” explains Archunde. “Even the pattern of the carpet is usually custom, representing patterns, colors, or symbols of that specific tribe or pueblo.”

Relax at Sandia’s Green Reed Spa. Photograph courtesy of Sandia Resort & Casino/Chris Corrie.

Isleta Resort & Casino, located just south of Albuquerque, similarly treasures its heritage and history. The resort showcases traditional Pueblo art, including black-and-white photography chronicling early Isleta life. Notable works include pottery by Isleta clay artist Stella Teller and life-size figurines by Jemez Pueblo artist Kathleen Wall. “There are no unorthodox places for Pueblo art in New Mexico,” says Wall, whose works are displayed at both Isleta and Buffalo Thunder. “The Pueblo people have immersed every corner of our state in beautiful artwork and talent.”

From fine art to live entertainment, New Mexico’s 24 tribal casinos and five racetrack casinos cater to every taste. Quezada’s Comedy Club at the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, near Bernalillo on Santa Ana Pueblo, delivers laughs with big-name comedians like Annie Lederman and Caroline Rhea. Hosted by Breaking Bad actor and touring comedian Steven Michael Quezada, the club debuted last December in the former Cantina Rio space, marking the return of live comedy to the resort after the Star’s nightclub closed to make room for the new Legends Sportsbook. Feeling bold? Take the stage on karaoke night.

Sandia Resort’s 4,000-seat, open-air amphitheater hosts summer concerts and live events with headliners including REO Speedwagon and comedian Kevin Hart. Isleta Resort ups the ante with its massive 15,000-seat outdoor venue. And at Inn of the Mountain Gods, nestled in the Sierra Blanca Mountains, you can catch performances by legends like Charley Pride or hot newer artists, such as Kane Brown.

Hit the links at one of Buffalo Thunder’s three nine-hole layouts. Photograph courtesy of Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder.

The state’s resort properties also offer a royal flush of outdoor recreational opportunities. Sandia Golf Club, New Mexico’s longest course at 7,752 yards, boasts a challenging layout against postcard-picture views of the Sandia Mountains. “Sandia is fun to play for all levels—big fairways, bigger greens, and a mix of holes with risks and rewards,” says Ben Gasparich, Sandia’s head golf pro. Even if you’re not a golfer, the 16,000-square-foot Sandia Clubhouse Grill is a local favorite, offering a patio with views of the 18th-hole waterfall and the mountains beyond—a perfect brunch spot for those in the know.

“We continue to upgrade our offerings, providing a great staycation spot for couples and families alike,” says Pueblo of Sandia Governor Felix Chaves.

Just 15 minutes north of downtown Albuquerque, Twin Warriors Golf Club at Santa Ana Pueblo provides another scenic option. Built on ancestral pueblo land, the 18-hole championship-level course winds through 20 ancient cultural sites and serves as the home to the Native American Open in October. The 36-hole golf tournament draws competitors from almost 50 tribes throughout the country. “With our five different sets of tee boxes, Twin Warriors is set up for all skill levels to have an enjoyable experience,” says head golf pro Zach Hoefel. “The wide fairways and big greens make it fun for all golfers, from recreational to championship play.”

If you’re craving more variety, Buffalo Thunder’s Towa Golf Club offers three unique nine-hole courses, designed by Hale Irwin and William Phillips, complete with dramatic elevation changes—the final par 3 on the Boulder Course drops 100 feet from the tee box to the green—and New Mexico’s only island green.

Feel the thrill of Inn of the Mountain Gods zip line. Photograph courtesy of the Inn of the Mountain Gods.

Farther south, Inn of the Mountain Gods on Mescalero Apache land is a haven for outdoor adventure. The Ted Robinson–designed 18-hole golf course is just the beginning. You can try out clay shooting, horseback riding, big-game hunting, and tandem zip-lining. “With our sister property, Ski Apache, just a short drive away, visitors can enjoy year-round outdoor adventures, including world-class bluebird skiing,” says Frizzell Frizzell Jr., COO of Inn of the Mountain Gods. Set on Mescalero Lake, the resort also offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and sunrise-to-sunset trout fishing, with rowboats available for rent.

After a long day of outdoor fun—or a lucky streak at the craps table—New Mexico’s casino resorts also provide plenty of relaxation. Opened in 2019, the Spa at the Inn of the Mountain Gods draws inspiration from Mescalero tribal traditions. “The Mescalero Sumac Rose Purifying Treatment is a full-body experience, featuring dry brush exfoliation, an herbal sumac rose-clay body mask, and a grounding foot massage,” says Madison Spiegel, the hotel’s public relations spokesperson.

Back at Sandia’s Green Reed Spa, massage therapist Esther Delpilar says, “Green Reed’s facilities are the best in town.” No surprise—the Albuquerque full-service spa and salon offers a napping room with cozy blankets, cold- and hot-jetted pools, and both dry and steam saunas. It’s no wonder locals and hotel guests alike book appointments weeks in advance.

“In the event spaces, lobbies, hotel rooms, and even fine dining restaurants, the culture is weaved into the design with paintings, sculptures, weavings, photographs.”

—Chris Archunde, casino marketing consultant

Isleta Resort’s Jar Spa is another must-visit destination. You might recognize its giant urn-shaped metal sculpture with a hot tub inside from Breaking Bad, but its most unique treatment is the Ashiatsu massage, where barefoot therapists apply deep pressure with their feet for a truly rejuvenating experience.

Foodies may feel like they’ve hit the jackpot without ever pulling a slot machine arm. Sandia’s fine dining restaurant, Bien Shur, perches on the resort’s top floor for views of both the cityscape and the Sandia Mountains. “Much of our produce is sourced from the pueblo,” says chef Sean Staggs. “We get everything from pecans and potatoes to tomatoes and chile.” The menu includes indulgences like Long Island duck breast with a bourbon-ginger-pear demi-glace, and Wagyu New York strip steak. A nightcap in the lounge, accompanied by live music on the weekends, rounds out the experience.

At Santa Ana’s Prairie Star Restaurant & Wine Bar, located in a near-century-old adobe ranch house, executive chef Myles Lucero—who grew up on Isleta Pueblo—brings a playful touch to dishes with local ingredients, like roasted beet salad topped with red-chile-candied piñon or roasted halibut with stuffed piquillo peppers. For a steal of a deal, the restaurant offers a three-course meal with a bottle of wine for $79 per couple on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Indulge at Hilton Buffalo Thunder’s Red Sage restaurant. Photograph courtesy of Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder.

At Tesuque Casino, the Cottonwood Bar & Lounge is a local favorite, especially for its daily happy hour deals and expansive outdoor patio with views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. “We love our locals,” says chef Ruben Tanuz, the casino’s food and beverage director. “And our locals love our signature cocktails, like the Tesuque Perfect.” The drink—a pear vodka, ginger, and elderberry martini—pairs perfectly with the crimson-colored sunset views.

New Mexico’s casino resorts offer a new take on the traditional casino vacation, blending cultural immersion, outdoor adventures, and luxurious relaxation with gaming and entertainment. Whether you’re visiting for the art, golf, spa, or simply a great meal, these resorts make sure there’s something for everyone—a true winning hand for every guest.