ALBUQUERQUE

A Southwestern Gem on the Rio Grande

A visit to Albuquerque is absolutely transformative if you’re coming from a part of the country that doesn’t have rust-colored rock formations, raw deserts, and missions dating back centuries. The mix of time-honored and modern attractions here makes New Mexico’s largest city a must-visit spot to remember the next time you get hit with a case of wanderlust. Let’s talk about how to let Albuquerque put some Southwestern style into your veins in just a few days.

GETTING TO ALBUQUERQUE

If you’re flying to Albuquerque, Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the widely used gate to New Mexico. As an official hub for Southwest Airlines, Sunport always has many cheap flights up for grabs from bigger cities. Alaska, American, Delta, United, and JetBlue all also fly in and out of Sunport. The airport is just about 10 minutes from downtown. If you’re not keen on flying to Albuquerque, you might like to know that the city has Amtrak service from 128 cities around the country. It will take you just over a day to ride in from New York City.

Things to Do in Albuquerque The first thing I’m going to recom- San Felipe de Neri Church on your La Placita Dining Room if you’re mend doing in the city will take you list. Constructed more than 300 coming in search of traditional a little bit out of the city. Grab your years ago, this adobe-style Catholic Mexican cuisine. If you’re strictly tickets to take in stunning views of mission predates the Revolution- looking for margaritas, I’ve found the crest line of the Sandia Moun- ary War. It is the oldest surviving Monroe’s Restaurant to be the best tains on the Sandia Peak Tramway. building in Albuquerque. It also spot. I appreciated all of the small This one-of-a-kind attraction is the positions you nicely for a visit to the cafés and “treat” establishments longest aerial tram in the Americas. rest of Old Town. peppering Old Town during my visit because I tend to grab and My next pick is ABQ BioPark. This The gem of any visit to New Mex- go while I shop. Q Chocolate, the campus is several attractions in one. ico, Old Town Albuquerque brings Candy Lady and Blackbird Coffee First, the ABQ BioPark Botanic together history, entertainment, House ended up being my favorGarden dazzles you with 1.5 miles and commerce in a delightful way. ites after several days of snacking of manicured paths teeming with This chunk of the city came to be around Old Town. colors and subtle wildlife. Next, the when a group of Spanish families show-stopping zoo located next to found it to be a pleasant spot to set- While I didn’t personally have an the Rio Grande will delight you tle in near the Rio Grand in 1706. interest in visiting the American with its famed penguins, seals, and Old Town has more than 150 International Rattlesnake Museum sea lions. There’s also a world-class shops, restaurants, and galleries to I passed by during my time in Old aquarium on the campus show- explore in total. The big anchors Town, I did chat with a family with casing aquatic wonders spanning of Old Town are the Albuquerque young kids visiting from the East from the Rio Grande to the Gulf Museum of Art and History and Coast. They found it to be the highof Mexico. the New Mexico Museum of Natu- light of their trip. It’s really easy to ral History and Science. finish up at Old Town with bags of Another bright spot on any Albu- gifts to bring back home. The arquerque trip is the Indian Pueblo If you find yourself in the position tisan shops and trading posts that Cultural Center. Operated in con- to come to Albuquerque during pepper sidewalks here are filled junction with New Mexico’s 19 the holidays, don’t miss out! Old with treasures that only exist here. Pueblos, this attraction immerses Town is famed for its vibrant lumi- You’ll find the right mix of jewelry, you in traditional New Mexican naria displays during December. crafts and wares at Genuine Southculture by way of live dance per- As you’d expect, Old Town is food west Arts and Gifts right on Old formances, food, museum exhib- central for ABQ. Find your way to Town Road. Plaza Indian Tradits, and more. While you’re in the La Hacienda of Old Town, Taque- ing Post is another one with really mood to step back in time, put the ria Alondra’s Mexican Food, and high-quality, authentic goods.

Beautiful, Natural Albuquerque Should Be on Your Bucket List Albuquerque is a very open, airy should know that the campus is also with a city bordered by mountains city where you always feel like worth a visit if you’re interested in and the Rio Grande. This Southyou’re just a whisper away from exploring a few hundred acres of west city is proof that vacations are nature. While I didn’t mention the attractive buildings and manicured best when served with a side of red University of New Mexico, you terrain. Overall, you can’t go wrong chile sauce!