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Albuquerque [1] is a sprawling desert metropolis near the center of New Mexico.
Although it is the largest city in the state, Albuquerque is often overshadowed by Santa Fe, 60 miles to the north. But Albuquerque has a number of great attractions in its own right, with pleasant scenery, colorful history, and a spectacular hot-air balloon fiesta in the fall.
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SEE DO EAT
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 SEE
- Albuquerque Biological Park [10], which includes the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Botanic Garden, the Rio Grande Zoo, and Tingley Beach (see below under Do). Combo tickets for the Biological Park can be purchased, and include the price of train rides from the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens to the Zoo.
- Rio Grande Zoo, 903 Tenth Street SW (just southwest of downtown). Daily, 9AM-5PM, except major holidays. This zoo has most of the "popular" species like polar bears, lions, zebras, giraffes, elephants, and gorillas in nice big exhibits with trees, grasses, water and rockwork. Some of the best exhibit areas you can't miss are the seals & sea lions, the polar bears, a huge Africa area, and the "Catwalk". Seal and sea lion feeding times are 10:30 am and 3:30 pm every day, and the polar bear feeding times are 2:30 pm every day. A small narrow-gauge train runs through the zoo (10AM-3:30PM daily at 20 minute intervals), with a conductor pointing out some of the animals and explaning what goes on behind-the-scenes. A separate train line runs to the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens. There are frequent outdoor concerts and other events at the Zoo. $7 adults, $3 seniors, $3 children, under age 3 free (train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo ticket).
- Albuquerque Aquarium / Rio Grande Botanical Garden 2601 Central Avenue NW (just east of the Rio Grande). Daily, 9AM-5PM, except major holidays. The Aquarium has freshwater species from the Rio Grande and saltwater species from the Gulf of Mexico. There are also jellyfish, seahorses, Koi fish, a Gulf shrimp fishing boat, and a creepy eel tunnel. The highlight of the aquarium is a huge shark tank with other ocean species like sea turtles and rays. Divers enter the big tank every day from 2-3PM to feed the fish. The Botanical Garden has 36 acres of gardens, with an emphasis on desert plants. Some of the major exhibits are a huge glass conservatory holds plants from desert and Mediterranean climate zones, an indoor butterfly garden that is open in the summer, and an early 20th century farm, with a farm house and a barnyard petting zoo. There's also a model "Garden" railroad, and a fantastic Children's Fantasy Garden with giant pretend vegetables, garden tools and bugs. A narrow-gauge train runs to the zoo from 10:15AM-3:45PM Tu-Su. $7 adults, $3 seniors, $3 children, under age 3 free (train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo ticket).
- Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE (on the grounds of the Balloon Fiesta), [11]. Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. Dedicated to the science and history of ballooning, with collections from famous balloonists and an exhibit on ballooning in Albuquerque. $4 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children, age 3 and under free.
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW (just north of I-40), +1 505 843-7270, [12]. Every day 9AM-4:30PM, closed on major holidays. Operated by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico, this museum has a large collection of artifacts of the culture and history of the pueblo people. The center also has art galleries, a children's area, photo archives, restaurant and gift shop. Indian Dances are a frquent event. $6 adults, $4 children, under age 5 free.
- National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St. SW (south of downtown), +1 505 246-2261, [13]. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, closed major holidays. A large museum complex dedicated to Hispanic culture and art. There is also a library (closed Sunday), restaurant and gift shop, and frequent special events. $3 adults, $2 seniors, aged 16 and under free.
- Sandia Peak Tramway, Off Tramway Blvd. on the northeast corner of the city, +1 505 856-7325, [14]. Runs from a lower terminus in the northeast heights to the top of 10,400-foot Sandia Peak east of the city, and is one of the longest (some sources say the longest) and most spectacular aerial tramways in the world. The first upward tram departs at 9AM (except Tuesdays in the off season), and service continues until early evening. The 15-minute ride to the top is incredible, bringing you right up to the rocky face of the Sandias. The view of the city from Sandia Peak is tremendous after sunset, and there is a restaurant and a visitor center at the top. Closed for two weeks in spring and fall for "maintenance," but spring winds are so intense that you really don't want to be on an aerial tram then anyway. $15 round trip for adults, with discounts for children and seniors.
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DO
- Albuquerque Isotopes, at the corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and University Boulevard (south of UNM), +1 505 924-2255, [24]. The Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, play baseball in a beautiful stadium. Seats in the park are both good and cheap—$11 can get you a seat behind home plate. All the concessions and restrooms are located along a big concourse behind the seats, so you don't miss any of the action. For $5 a ticket, you can bring a picnic blanket and find a spot in the grassy "Berm" behind right field that's perfect for kids—they can enjoy the grass and play on the playground on top of the Berm. Beware of foul balls. The park is a notorious "launching pad" for hitters that drives pitchers nuts. $5-$22.
- Cliff's Amusement Park, 4800 Osuna Rd. NE at San Mateo (just south of the Osuna-San Mateo/I-25 interchange), +1 505 881-9373, [25]. Open weekends April-September, hours vary by month. This is just about the only amusement park in New Mexico. Fairly small, but with a good amount of rides. Thrill rides (including two roller coasters), family rides, kiddy rides, and a water play area. Ride pass (includes general admission and all rides) is $24 for over 48" tall, $20 for under 48" tall, $17.45 for age 2 and under (Parking is free).
- Petroglyph National Monument, visitor center at 6001 Unser Blvd, NW, +1 505 899-0205 ext. 331, [26]. On the west side of town, Petroglyph is a new unit of the United States National Parks system, and preserves a number of interesting archaeological sights and objects (including lots of interesting petroglyphs). There are interpretive exhibits and a few short trails. Day use only; $3 fee (Park Pass applies).
- Rio Grande Nature Center, 2901 Candelaria Road NW, +1 505 344-7240, [27]. Every day, 10AM-5PM. A very pleasant state park along the banks of the Rio Grande. Visitor Center with a natural pond and exhibits on the native wildlife. Two short trails head into the Bosque from the visitor center. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, like geese, roadrunners, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and numerous other species. $1 adults, $.50 children.
- The Sandia Mountains offer outdoors opportunities ranging from straight hiking (the La Luz trail is popular, perhaps too much so) on to serious, multi-day rock climbing. Mountain biking is also really popular, and there are great trails in the foothills as well as at the ski area on the other side of the mountains during the summer. If less athletically inclined, ride the tram to the top.
- During the winter, you can ski or snowboard at Sandia Peak [28]. The ski season is typically mid-December to mid-March, depending on the seasonal amount of snowfall. There are 30 trails with four chairlifts and two surface lifts, and a terrain park. Most of the facilities are at the bottom of the slope (which is accessible by road), including a cafeteria, ski school, the equipment rental shop, and a sports shop. At the top of the hill is access to the Sandia Peak Tramway (see "See" section above) and the High Finance Restaurant (see "Eat" below). The peak can be reached either by taking the tram up (Skiers get a discount on tram tickets, but you have to bring your own equipment. There are a few equipment rental places in Albuquerque) or a 45 minute drive around the mountain. $43 adult full-day lift tickets, $32 children full-day lift tickets (half-day and Beginner Lift Only tickets are also available).
- Santa Ana Star Center, just off of Unser in neighboring Rio Rancho, +1 505 891-7300, [29]. It is home to the Rio Rancho Scorpions [30] ice hockey team. There are also concerts, conventions and other events. Scorpions tickets $15-$40.
- Tingley Beach, Tingley Drive, just south of Central Avenue (just east of the Rio Grande), [31]. Daily, sunrise to sunset. A facility of the Albuquerque Biological Park. This park, located along the Rio Grande, has fishing ponds for adults and children, a model boating pond, a cafe, and a gift shop where you can buy fishing licenses, fishing gear, or rent a pedal boat for a ride on the central pond. A train station for the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens - Zoo train is located here. Free (separate fee required for train rides).
- UNM sports (the Lobos), Avenida Cesar Chavez / University Boulevard (south of UNM), +1 505 925-5626, [32]. The Lobos are big. For a deafening experience in college sports, try to catch a basketball game at "The Pit," the university's semi-underground fieldhouse that has been a house of pain for visiting basketball teams for years. The women's teams have been doing better than the men's lately, and at
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EAT
Dining out in Albuquerque tends to be relatively inexpensive and very casual. Many places offer outdoor seating. Iced tea is the beverage of choice.
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