Landscapes, history and green chiles in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico combines flavors of the Wild West with contemporary embellishments, making it an enchanting site for wandering, eating, shopping and adventuring. The historic Nob Hill shopping district, near the University of New Mexicos beautiful campus, has an enticing spread of boutique treats and is among the most pedestrian friendly pockets of the city. Around the Rio Grande, there is an oasis of park grounds for families. With White Sands Missile Range and Petroglyph National Park nearby, Albuquerque is settled on historically charged ground, where the presence of local legacies is always felt. Also, outdoorsy folks, take note! The local desert, mountainous region and river are all teeming with hikes, mountain bike trails, camping and horseback riding outfitters, for starters.
To get a day off to a beautiful start, take the Sandia Peak Tramway, which is not only one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the region, it offers gorgeous scenic views of valleys, forested slopes and the metropolitan surroundings of Albuquerque. Travelers in winter can easily access the quaint Sandia Peak Ski Area, home ... More >
To get a day off to a beautiful start, take the Sandia Peak Tramway, which is not only one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the region, it offers gorgeous scenic views of valleys, forested slopes and the metropolitan surroundings of Albuquerque. Travelers in winter can easily access the quaint Sandia Peak Ski Area, home to a few powdery slopes. In the warmer seasons, enjoy a hike down the mountain or throughout Cibbola National Forests 30 miles of trails.
I make a point of visiting The Owl every time I'm in Albuquerque. It serves traditional diner cuisine with some New Mexican touches - the green chile burger, for instance - and has a more inviting menu than your average lunch stop. The thrill for me, though, is the amount of owl paraphernalia on the walls and, best of all, eating in ... More >
I make a point of visiting The Owl every time I'm in Albuquerque. It serves traditional diner cuisine with some New Mexican touches - the green chile burger, for instance - and has a more inviting menu than your average lunch stop. The thrill for me, though, is the amount of owl paraphernalia on the walls and, best of all, eating in a building that's shaped like the bust of an owl.
Located in Old Town, this Victorian building is loaded with character, including elegant hoards of antiques and unique rooms whose personalities are without match.
Old Town Albuquerque is equal parts historical museum and souvenir blowout, and is an unfailing way to get in touch with the old Southwests famous pueblo town structure. Old Town is mostly accessible by foot only, and is extremely well preserved as a result. The church, the oldest remaining structure in town, was founded in 1793, tho... More >
Old Town Albuquerque is equal parts historical museum and souvenir blowout, and is an unfailing way to get in touch with the old Southwests famous pueblo town structure. Old Town is mostly accessible by foot only, and is extremely well preserved as a result. The church, the oldest remaining structure in town, was founded in 1793, though the town itself first came to be in 1707. The central square is lined by galleries, jewelry shops and Native American craft-makers. Its true, the amount of turquoise and hand-painted clay ware can be overwhelming, but the goods in Old Town are startling in their authenticity.
Attention, museum-goers, science geeks and nostalgic proponents of mid-century America! The Museum of Nuclear Science & History is home to a gripping series of exhibits that are inviting as much as they are alarming, with fear, spectacle and morality always on the line. Exhibits reveal the chronology of scientific research that occur... More >
Attention, museum-goers, science geeks and nostalgic proponents of mid-century America! The Museum of Nuclear Science & History is home to a gripping series of exhibits that are inviting as much as they are alarming, with fear, spectacle and morality always on the line. Exhibits reveal the chronology of scientific research that occurred in tandem with World War II and the Cold War, with emphasis on the drama of the Manhattan Project and J. Robert Oppenheimer's love affair with New Mexico, where his research underwent some of its earliest testing. I especially enjoy the museum's very believable 1950s and 60s living room and bunker set-ups, effectively displaying the weird blend of national character and anxiety that the Atomic Age incited. Visitors can also stop onto an outdoor tarmac zone where war planes can be boarded and bombs viewed from the inside.
A hint for those who flip for specialty cuisine: the Casa Vieja may be the specialest of them all. Located just a short drive from Albuquerque in adorable Corrales, the Casa Vieja puts an emphasis on culinary boldness - it even has a menu listing called the Adventure Plate. I recommend going for dinner for wider menu options. Be sur... More >
A hint for those who flip for specialty cuisine: the Casa Vieja may be the specialest of them all. Located just a short drive from Albuquerque in adorable Corrales, the Casa Vieja puts an emphasis on culinary boldness - it even has a menu listing called the Adventure Plate. I recommend going for dinner for wider menu options. Be sure to ask the staff about the history of the building; it is indeed a very old Casa, and is said to date back to the 1700s.
| I recommend going for dinner for wider menu options. |
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Visitors to Albuquerque who are looking for classic, authentic lodging should check out the Bottger Mansion Hotel. Located in Old Town, this Victorian building is loaded with character, including elegant hoards of antiques and unique rooms whose personalities are without match. Expect a delicious breakfast, not to mention some happy southwestern hospitality. More
Visitors to Albuquerque who are looking for classic, authentic lodging should check out the Bottger Mansion Hotel. Located in Old Town, this Victorian building is loaded with character, including elegant hoards of antiques and unique rooms whose personalities are without match. Expect a delicious breakfast, not to mention some happy southwestern hospitality.
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