I Love Lucy's sidekick, Ethel Mertz said she'd been born here and Glen Campbell sings, "By the time I make Albuquerque she'll be working..."
Albuquerque is the largest city in the State of New Mexico but is often considered to be Santa Fe's less-exciting sister or Taos' non-mystical cousin, but nothing could be further from the truth! Albuquerque may be the most overlooked and misspelled city in New Mexico, but it's certainly one of the coolest. Vibrant, quirky, and ethnically diverse, it draws visitors from all over the world to its unique Southwestern charm.
Need a few ideas of what to do when in town? The following are seven suggestions to put on your "Official Albuquerque Bucket List" - Many are classics, but some you might not find in your guidebook:
#1: A River Runs Through It
Evoking the romantic Wild West, the Rio Grande runs through Albuquerque serving as a natural border between the U.S. and Mexico. At the center of many of the city's attractions, fine dining, and shopping you can rent a bike to ride along the 16-mile Paseo del Bosque and then when the sun goes down, stroll along the water's edge and enjoy Albuquerque's exciting nightlife.
#2: International Balloon Festival
Perhaps Albuquerque's most famous event, the International Balloon Festival takes place in early October with over 600 balloons participating. Both pilots and spectators enjoy the colorful and awesome spectacle that, since its modest beginning in 1972, has grown to become one of the largest balloon events on the planet.
#3: The Great Outdoors
Open space and natural beauty abound due east of the city. The Sandia Peak Tramway carries passengers to the crest of the Sandia Mountains at an elevation of 10,000 feet. In warmer seasons trekkers take the 3-mile gentile hike along the ridge and, although winters are brief, there is plenty of time for skiing and snowboarding at Sandia Peak Ski Area.
#4: A Cultural Hotbed
Albuquerque boasts over 300 different ways to experience art, music, dance, film, museums, and ethnic artisan craft. Culture is alive and well in Albuquerque.
#5: Old Town, New Perspective
Originally founded as a colonial Spanish outpost in 1706, today Old Town manages to retain many of its traditional Spanish and Portuguese influences by offering historic plazas and paseos conducive to travel on foot. Feel like a local when rambling through the old village, stop for their famous coffee or find a unique and special gift made by homespun artists and craftsmen.
#6: Ghosts of Albuquerque's Past
And speaking of old towns…why not take a tour with a twist? Ghost Tour of Old Town offers ninety-minute lantern-lighted, nighttime tours to search for the lost souls of the Civil War. Learn about the basics of phantom hunting and hear legends, folklore and creepy stories of those who died centuries ago in the Old Town Plaza. Boo!
#7: The "Fit" City
The sun shines in Albuquerque on average 278 days a year so there's always physical and outdoor pursuits available. The city has an abundance of parks, well-planned bike routes, hiking trails and walking paths. In fact, a 2011 study by Walk Score, (a company that produces a public access walkability index) rated Albuquerque the 28th most walkable large city in the U.S. Just recently Albuquerque opened its first bicycle-friendly boulevard on Silver Avenue to help Albuquerqueans stay fit and healthy!
Lost in Albuquerque
Your bucket list is just starting – there's so much more to discover. In the words of the iconic and beloved Bugs Bunny, "I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque."
The writer of this article, Nicole, has been writing about travel and travel destinations for years. She recommends Barcelona Suites for a great hotel in Albuquerque.
