Albuquerque, NM
As the gateway to New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment— and a not-so-distant neighbor to the state's artistic prima donna, Santa Fe—Albuquerque has some mighty big boots to fill. Over the past decade, though, this admittedly quirky community has begun to come into its own. Albuquerque enjoys more than 310 days of sunshine a year, so it's no surprise that the city has become a hub for solar energy production and a beacon for energetic, creative people as well. It's also the largest city in the state—one that comes alive in the fall with cultural festivals and activities to truly enchant.
The Lowdown
Bird's-Eye View: The views from the Sandia Peak Tramway and atop Sandia Peak are absolutely stunning. On a clear day, you can see over 100 miles. Hop on the tram or just hike up one of the many trails.
Culture Shock: Not sure which of New Mexico's 19 Indian Pueblos to visit? Stop by the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center for an eye-opening introduction to our rich Native American culture. After the tour, you must stop and try some fry bread, blue corn pancakes or posole at the Pueblo Harvest Café.
Foodie Find: My favorite New Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque, Mary and Tito's, is a little hideaway north of Downtown where the specialty is “Mexican turnovers,” a crescent-shaped pastry filled with meat and/or beans—then deep-fried and slathered with red or green chile sauce.
Thread Count
The recently renovated Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town (866-505-7829) is tucked away in the city's historic and cultural hub, with a host of shops, restaurants and museums within an easy walk. If your visit coincides with the Balloon Fiesta, Nativo Lodge (888-628-4861) is your best bet; its location, just steps from Balloon Fiesta Park, will provide unbeatable views of the 700-plus balloons as they take to the skies. For a more authentic (and less hectic) New Mexican experience, head to Albuquerque's fertile North Valley; Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Cultural Center (505-344-9297) boasts gorgeous traditionally furnished rooms, an on-site organic farm and easy access to a wealth of relaxing activities: hiking, wine tasting, gallery openings and more. The Inn also offers an extra incentive to swipe those cute little shampoo bottles: they're infused with lavender that's farmed on the premises.
Food Fix
The up-and-coming East Downtown (EDo) neighborhood is in the midst of a renaissance, and The Grove Café and Market (505-248-9800) is one of its sweetest additions. Executive Chef Jason Greene and his wife Lauren serve astoundingly fresh fare crafted from local organic produce, all-natural meats, fresh-baked breads and artisan cheeses. In addition to one of the city's most comprehensive wine lists and a variety of not-to-be-missed nouveau-comfort plates, Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro (505-254-9462) hosts a weekly Martini & Movie Night in their cavernous cellar. Belly up for $5 Clementine Cosmos and classic flicks like West Side Story and Doctor Zhivago. You can't visit Albuquerque without stopping by Sadie's of New Mexico (505-345-5339), a local favorite renowned for its five-alarm chile sauce. If you overdo it (and many do), cool your palate with an old-fashioned milk shake at 66 Diner (505-247-1421), just a quick jaunt down Route 66.
Night Out
For a taste of Albuquerque nightlife, head downtown where Central Avenue teems with lively bars and lounges. Chief among them is One Up (505-242-1966), an urban watering hole boasting strong drinks, a professional billiards room and floor-to-ceiling city views. Consistently topping best-of lists for live music, The Launchpad (505-764-8887) offers a seemingly endless parade of musical Next Big Things. For a more laid-back, sophisticated night out, Old Town's Q Bar (505-222-8718) features live piano and jazz music into the night. Imbibe (505-255-4200) in the hip Nob Hill district is a popular cigar bar that draws locals with a rooftop patio and chic humidor lounge, complete with hand-rolled cigars. Quench your thirst at the Chama River Brewing Company (505-342-1800), where you'll tap top regional beers like Class VI Golden Lager and Broken Spoke Honey Wheat Ale alongside the house-brewed favorite, Rio Chama Amber Ale.
Don't Miss
Albuquerque loves its hot air, so why not get into the spirit? Whether or not you'll be on hand for the Balloon Fiesta, hot air balloon tour companies like Skyspan Adventures (800-351-9588) and Rainbow Ryders (800-725-2477) can hook you up with a bird's-eye view of the city. Named for the unmentionable research conducted at Sandia National Laboratories—with a nod to The Simpsons—the town's minor league baseball team, The Albuquerque Isotopes (505-222-4058), have games well into September. Fall weather is picture-perfect here, so bring a blanket and sit on the grassy Berm to cheer the 'Topes to victory. Or head up the Sandia Peak Tramway (505-856-7325), where you can ride the world's longest aerial tram to a summit of 10,378 feet. The area is rich with well-maintained trails for hiking, more than 26 miles of world-class mountain biking as well as the High Finance Restaurant and Tavern (505-243-9742) atop Sandia Peak—a great place to pause before the breathtaking trip back down.
Retail Therapy
One could spend weeks searching for the quintessential “Albu-quirky” retailer—it's a place, after all, that has an entire store devoted to new and vintage kaleidoscopes: La Casita de Kaleidoscopes (505-247-4242). But if you only have a day or two, it's best to pick an area and stick to it. The city's downtown has undergone a remarkable revitalization since 2000, nearly tripling the number of shops and restaurants. Civic planners have taken great pains to encourage independent businesses like Sumner & Dene (505-842-1400) whose whimsical, arty spaces and unique offerings truly reflect the Albuquerque spirit. Stick to Central and Gold avenues and you won't be disappointed. The Nob Hill neighborhood is also a solid bet; it’s anchored by the three-story Classic Century Square Antique Mall (505-268-8080), but is peppered with cheeky options like Beeps (505-262-1900), a favorite with locals and visitors alike.
Stone's Throw
Santa Fe, America's oldest capital city, is just an hour's drive away from Albuquerque and just happens to be celebrating its 400th Anniversary (505-986-1610) this year. Festivities begin Labor Day weekend and continue through the end of the year with special events—walking tours, concerts, fiestas, markets, art shows, historical lectures and more—taking place nearly every day. Even if you miss the Anniversary festivities, it's easy to achieve total immersion in this art-centric town. Start on Canyon Road, the self-proclaimed “Art and Soul of Santa Fe”; this humble-looking stretch of adobe galleries is actually the second largest art market in the nation, with more than 100 galleries, studios, specialty shops and restaurants to color your memories. If you're staying overnight, skip the big hotels and opt for one of the eight charming rooms at the fancy-folksy El Farolito Bed & Breakfast Inn (888-634-8782).
On The Scene
The arts are a year-round pursuit in Albuquerque, but the fall months are particularly rich in cultural events. The National Hispanic Cultural Center (505-246-2261), worth a visit in any season, welcomes the ¡Globalquerque! World Music Festival, a colorful collection of international artists and performers, on September 25 and 26. The 21st Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival (505-292-7457), held during the October weekends surrounding the Balloon Fiesta, unites more than 250 artists and craftspeople under a massive white tent in Balloon Fiesta Park. When your neck needs a break from gazing up at the balloons, wander over for some down-to-earth entertainment. If you're traveling with children, don't miss the ¡explora! Science Center (505-224-8300), an interactive museum with exhibits so engaging, your kids won't even know they're learning. The center's hands-on educational programs have some wonderful offerings in September and October, including 90-minute drop-in classes on “Drawing Nature” and “Mysterious Matter.”
Events - Sept & Oct 2009
Indulge in some good old-fashioned fun at one of the country's largest state fairs—activities include horse shows, livestock competitions, rodeos and more.
Don't miss this yearly visual feast, featuring more than 700 balloons—it's the most photographed event on Earth.
Celebrate El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) a few days early with a costumed foot-and-pedal parade through the streets of Albuquerque.
