A Week in Albuquerque New Mexico

Southwest Sights When You Only Have a Little Time

Albuquerque is the city famous for the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. The city has devoted an entire park to the event. Every October for two weeks thousands of balloonists take to the New Mexico skies around Albuquerque and millions of spectators look on in awe in what has been called one of the most photographed events in the world.

Our plans were to stay longer, but that fell through. It’s not Albuquerque itself that’s so interesting, but the territory surrounding the city: Sandia Wilderness, Taos, Santa Fe and the Turquoise Trail scenic drive. Albuquerque itself really is a lot of urban sprawl and in a desert valley there is a lot of room to spread outward.

When you are in Albuquerque or passing through, here are a few places and sights well worth your time:

• See Old Town, the oldest surviving center of town. A lot of the shops are quite touristy, but the architecture and quaintness are unique to this region.

• The Rio Grande runs right through downtown. One of the great American rivers . Then follow the road along historic Route 66. This ambles along two-lane highway marked first with the University of New Mexico then with classic American period motels, kitschy diners and downright interesting sights. Keep your camera available.

• Our favorite neighborhood in Albuquerque was by far the Nob Hill area located along a section of 66. Nob Hill is populated with unique shops and boutiques, cool restaurants of all kinds and punctuated with traditional Route 66 kitsch.

• North, above Albuquerque Sandia Wilderness offers a stunning example of classic Southwestern territory—the image you have in your mind and perhaps planted there from old 30s and 40s cowboy movies. I imagine this type of area is where those spaghetti westerns were filmed. Sandia is high and rugged desert mountains covered in rocky outcroppings and blue green sagebrush. The Sandia Tramway is the longest tram in the world and runs from the base of Sandia up to the crest. There are two restaurants: one at the bottom of the tramway and one at the top.

Albuquerque restaurants and coffee shops we enjoyed:

• Satellite Coffee is unique to Albuquerque. If you’re a coffee aficionado, give it a try.

• Flying Star Bakery—another local business—has locations in a number of areas throughout the city. You’ll find plenty of fresh baked goods, but Flying Star also has a pretty expansive breakfast and lunch menu. The tuna sandwich is a winner.

• Dion’s is an affordable family-friendly Italian restaurant chain throughout the city. The pizza is ok, but we loved it most for the late night people-watching. And when it comes to late night fare, there are few restaurants open past 9 pm. Dion’s is one of them.

• Jade Chinese located at the intersection of Wyoming and Paseo del Norte is one of the better known cheap American Chinese joints.

• For more upscale Asian fusion fare try Pacific Rim Bistro located along upper Montgomery Avenue. Not cheap, but great curry chicken.

Traveling in Albuquerque with Pets

If you are traveling with dogs there are a number of dog parks in Albuquerque. We visited on three occasions the park located at Wyoming and Corona. It is well-maintained: the ground covered in pine bark, benches and a couple of covered picnic tables available. The park is divided in two—one for big and active dogs, the other for small dogs. Of the other dog parks we’ve experienced this park was by far the most committed to dog civility. Fresh water is available and almost everyone we saw took the time to pick up after their dogs. A good time was had by all.