Albuquerque

Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, sprawling as it continues a growth spurt that started at the turn of the millennium. The scenery around the city itself is dramatic, with the Sandia Mountains running along its eastern boundary, and the Rio Grande flowing through it, north to south.

The original Hispanic settlement, or Old Town, provides some context to the city’s origins as a crossing point for the east-west road and rail routes with the roads south to Mexico, and the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum explains the city’s current capitalization on hot air balloon tourism. The city’s attractions also reflect its diverse history, with plenty of opportunities to learn about its people and cultural traditions in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Must see: Museum buffs can easily spend the day in the Old Town neighborhood. Check out the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History or, for those who aren’t afraid of snakes, the American International Rattlesnake Museum.

Lodging: The Hotel Parq Central–Located in the heart of the city, the Parq Central boasts the Apothecary Lounge, a rooftop locale with beautiful urban views and some of the best cocktails in town. The building was constructed in 1926 as a hospital for employees of the Santa Fe Railroad Company.

Cuisine: American fare, like quarter-pound chargrilled burgers, abounds in the area, along with taquerias and other southwestern staples. The Artichoke Cafe is a local favorite for its upscale mix of French, Italian and contemporary American menus.

Ground Transportation: John Steinbeck once famously called Route 66, the highway that ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, “The Mother Road.” You can still experience some of the old feel of Route 66 (or North 4th Street) as it runs through Albuquerque, passing colorful taquerias and old-time service stations.

Packing Tips: Albuquerque doesn’t often suffer from the 3-digit heat waves of its sister cities in the southwestern United States, but the temperature often varies by ten to twenty degrees throughout the day, so it’s a good idea to layer so you can adjust to stay comfortable. The weather can even vary dramatically between one city district and the next, so you should pack accordingly.

Recommended Books: For a little historical background into the Navajo people, who live in and near the city of Albuquerque, pick up a copy of Doris Paul’s The Navajo Code Talkers. The book explores the use, with the help of tribespeople, of the Navajo language as an Allied code during World War II.

Currency: The U.S. Dollar is the local currency.

Calling Code United States: 1

Best Travel Dates: The annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta takes place for nine days each October, providing a beautiful vista with hundreds of colorful hot air balloons taking off simultaneously. Fall is by far the most popular time to visit, so you may wish to schedule your visit according to the amount of interaction you want to have with tourists.

Airports in Albuquerque