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Sunday, June 28, 2009
Look homeward, traveler, for Duke City's gems
By Hailey Heinz
Journal Staff Writer
EDITOR'S NOTE: In a tough recession year, New Mexicans should consider rediscovering our own state.
In a continuing summer series about traveling in New Mexico, the Journal takes a look at the Albuquerque area.
Getting outside Albuquerque is always fun, but in today's tight economy not everyone can afford to hit the open road. That makes it a perfect time to check out all the hot spots right here in the Duke City.
Check out these Top 10 Albuquerque attractions, as recommended by the Convention & Visitors Bureau.
1. Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. Few things are more spectacular than gliding up to Sandia Crest in the world's longest passenger tram. The tram takes passengers up 4,000 feet in about 15 minutes, and there are dining options at the top and bottom. sandiapeak.com
2. Shopping and gallery-hopping in Old Town. Even for a local who has done it before, visiting Old Town never loses its charm. Art and jewelry are of course the highlights, and Old Town is the obvious choice for visitors seeking a souvenir or for locals with a taste for pretty things.
3. Shopping in Nob Hill. If Old Town offers traditional shopping, Nob Hill is all hip, youthful flair. Vintage clothing at the landmark Buffalo Exchange, music records and other curiosities can all be found along the Central Avenue corridor. And when you've shopped till you dropped, stop into any number of tasty, stylish bistros and coffee shops to regain your strength.
4. Albuquerque Biological Park. The BioPark includes the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Rio Grande Zoo and Tingley Beach. If it has fur, scales, feathers or leaves, you can find it in one of the BioPark attractions. There's even a great little train that takes you between them. cabq.gov/biopark
5. Museums. The Duke City sports a healthy array of museums, from the major institutions to niche museums like the American International Rattlesnake Museum, and another devoted entirely to turquoise. The latest addition is the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, which had been housed on Kirtland Air Force Base but recently moved to a new location on Eubank SE.
6. Balloons. It's always balloon season in Albuquerque, even when the October hordes have all gone home. No matter the time of year, you can catch a balloon ride from a number of local companies that will take you aloft, and sometimes feed you breakfast. If ballooning piques your interest, check out the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum for the low-down on ballooning's history and the science that makes it work.
7. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. New Mexico's 19 Indian Pueblos are at the heart of the state's culture. The center features regular art and dancing exhibits as well as an interactive wing aimed at kids. indianpueblo.org
8. National Hispanic Cultural Center. New Mexico's place as a border state gives it rich Hispanic roots, which are showcased at the cultural center. The center features a permanent research library and art exhibits, as well as rotating displays, Latin dance classes and other events. nationalhispaniccenter.org
9. Petroglyph National Monument. The monument site contains about 20,000 images, which were carved by American Indians and are thought to date from about 1300 to the late 1680s. A family-friendly trail takes visitors through some of the most distinct petroglyphs with signs that explain their significance. nps.gov/petr
10. Golf. Albuquerque boasts several nationally ranked courses, combined with gorgeous scenery and unbeatable weather. One of the perks of Albuquerque golf is the varied terrain, not to mention courses that are consistently ranked as affordable compared with similar courses elsewhere.
Off the beaten path
Done all of those? We're just getting started. Here are some less well-known attractions for the seasoned Albuquerquean:
• Wine tasting: Albuquerque grows a lot of grapes. There are several excellent wineries in the area, all of which will let you sample some of their tasty offerings, then treat yourself to a glass of your favorite.
• Jeep tours: New Mexico Jeep Tours is exactly what it sounds like. Your guide will take you down primitive roads to Pueblo ruins, volcanic formations and other destinations by request. nmjeeptours.com
• Guided cycling, hiking and rock climbing: Active Knowledge is one company that offers tailor-made tours for families or larger groups. The destination and level of physical activity is up to the customer. activeknow.com
• Rio Grande Nature Center: The center provides classes, nature walks and other educational activities along the bosque. Its mission is to preserve the Rio Grande ecosystem and raise public awareness about it. Or for that matter, just enjoy the bosque trail. rgnc.org
• Tinkertown Museum: One of Albuquerque's oddities, the museum includes 22 rooms of wood carvings, peculiar western memorabilia, small figurines that spring to life and a 35-foot antique wooden sailboat. It's always changing; swing by to see what's there today. tinkertown.com
• Talin Market: This grocer specializes in international fare, with Asian sauces and herbal formulas, European and Latin American cuisine. Moreover, it offers cooking classes if you're looking to branch out of an Easy Mac routine. talinmarket.com
• Telephone Museum of New Mexico: This is, strangely, exactly what it sounds like. Located Downtown, it's a three-story museum containing historical telephone equipment, photographs and literature from the first 100 years of New Mexico's telephone industry. 842-2937
• Outpost Performance Space: A nifty nonprofit, member-supported performing arts center that features lots of quality jazz, as well as international, folk, Latin and local performance. One of a number of intimate performance spaces in Albuquerque that locals would do well to explore. outpostspace.org
A day out
The Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau provided these sample one-day itineraries for a family of four for less than $100.
MUSEUMS:
• Start with the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum ($16).
• Then head over to the Old Town area. Visit Explora children's museum ($28) and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science ($24).
• Finish the day with a few concerts in Old Town.
Day's total: $68.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES:
• Begin with a hike at the Petroglyph National Monument ($2), or the Sandia Mountains offers several free trails.
• Then head over to the Albuquerque Biological Park (zoo, aquarium and botanic gardens) ($28).
• Finish with an Albuquerque Isotopes AAA baseball game ($24).
Day's total: $54.
HISTORY AND CULTURE:
• Start at the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History ($28).
• Then head over to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center ($24).
• Finish the day at a Zoo Music Series concert at the Rio Grande Zoo ($20).
Day's total: $72
Dates to save
• July 10-12: Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque, the nation's premier mariachi conference, is held in Albuquerque and culminates in concerts, competitions and a Sunday Mass. Visit mariachi spectacular.com.
• July 16-26: The New Mexico Jazz Festival showcases local jazz musicians as well as talent drawn from other locales. The festival is 10 days of shows in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Visit newmexico jazzfestival.org.
• July 18-19: The Arté de Muertos Expo features a roundup of the best Dia de los Muertos artisans from around the Southwest. Visit artedemuertos.com for details.
• Aug. 7-9: The Ballet Pro Musica Festival introduces a new kind of performance that combines live chamber music and classical dance. The festival is presented at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, and details are available at balletpromusica.org.
• Aug. 8-9: The Great Southwestern Antique Show features more than 200 dealers showcasing antique furnishings, rare books and other treasures. Visit greatsouthwestern antiqueshow.com.
• Aug. 23: The Albuquerque Tomato Fiesta features tasty tomato samples grown by master gardeners and including rare varieties. There will also be live music, cooking demonstrations, fresh produce for sale and activities for kids. Visit abqmastergardeners.org.
For a more complete listing of special summer dates, visit the Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site at itsatrip.org.
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