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Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Albuquerque's Top 10 Destinations

By Nancy Tipton
ABQJournal.com
Sandia Peak Tram
As long as you aren't afraid of heights, don't miss the Sandia Peak Tram, the world's longest aerial tramway With a slow, gentle lift, the tram climbs 2.7 miles to the peak of the Sandia Mountains.
You pass through four of the Earth's seven life zones on the way. And with binoculars, you might spy a black bear or mule deer on the slopes.
Once you reach the top at 10,378 feet, on a clear day you can see an impressive 11,000 square miles. From the High Finance restaurant, you can enjoy the sunset and the city lights. If you plan to stay for dinner, reservations are required.
To get there, from I-40, take exit No. 167 and go north about nine miles to the Sandia Peak Tramway turnoff. From I-25, take exit No. 234 east to the Sandia Peak Tramway turnoff.
For more information, call 856-7325. Their Web site is here

Scenic Drive
If you want the view without the tram ride, you can motor to Sandia Peak on N.M. 536, a National Scenic Byway that curves through numerous overlooks on its way to the crest. Bring a lunch and stop by one of the many picnic sites in the Cibola National Forest.
Views close to the city can be had at Elena Gallegos Picnic Area in Albert G. Simms Park. The 640-acre park nestled in the foothills of the Sandias offers a wheelchair-accessible nature path, as well as a network of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking and sightseeing.
To get there, take Tramway Boulevard north from I-40 to Simms Park Road. For information, call the city's Open Space Division at 873-6620.

Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Blvd. NW, is yet another area where you can commune with nature. Outside, the 270-acre riverside preserve is threaded with two miles of trails, offering a sense of isolation and tranquility as they wind through partially wooded areas to open sand flats alongside the Rio Grande.
Watch for some of the 260 species of birds that rest during migration or nest in stands of cottonwoods, tamarisk and Russian olive. This time of year, you might spy a sandhill crane or two.
Inside, the visitors' center includes exhibits on local ecology, geology and history. The glass-walled library features a pond overlook.
The visitors' center is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 344-7240. Nature Center Web site.

Petroglyph National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument, which stretches 17 miles along the city's West Mesa, a volcanic basalt escarpment at Unser NW, features images chipped into rocks by native people and early Spanish settlers.
Three walking trails wind through the petroglyphs. The monument also includes five volcanic cones and hundreds of archaeological sites.
For more information, call 899-0205 or their Web site.

Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden and Rio Grande Zoo
The Albuquerque BioPark, 2601 Central Ave. NW, which includes the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden and Rio Grande Zoo, offers a fascinating way to while away an afternoon or two.
At the aquarium, you can walk through an eel cave and marvel at a 285,000-gallon shark tank.
The botanic garden showcases the natural environment of the Rio Grande Valley through specialty gardens and desert and Mediterranean conservatories.
The zoo, at 903 10th St. SW, is a perennial and ever-evolving favorite attraction. Explore an African savanna, tropical rain forest, primate island, wolf woods, birds of prey aviary and more.
All BioPark attractions are open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 764-6200. On the Web.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, is a favorite family destination. In addition to meeting the life-size sculptures of dinosaurs "Spike" and "Alberta," you can explore an ice cave, stand inside a "live" volcano or ride the "Evolator" back to the age of the dinosaurs.
The museum houses the Lockheed Martin DynaTheater, featuring large-format films every hour on the hour.
It is also home to the LodeStar Astronomy Center, a high-tech planetarium with astronomy exhibits, an observatory, Virtual Voyages motion simulator and a gift shop.
The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone number is 841-2802. Web site.

National Atomic Museum
The National Atomic Museum, 1905 Mountain Road NW, offers displays and movies on the development of atomic energy and weapons, as well as the latest advances in energy research. Exhibits present history, science applications and future developments of nuclear energy.
A ZOOMzone allows inquisitive young minds to try their hands at science activities or develop their own experiments.
The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For information, call 284-3243 or 245-2136. Their Web site.

Old Town/Albuquerque Museum
No visit to Albuquerque would be complete without a look at where it all began in 1706 historic Old Town, bounded by Rio Grande Boulevard, Central Avenue and Mountain Road NW.
Explore more than 100 art galleries, shops and restaurants lining Old Town's narrow streets. Discover romantic hidden patios, winding brick paths, gardens and balconies and enjoy the pueblo-Spanish or adobe architecture. The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, 2000 Mountain Road NW, sponsors a walking tour through Old Town at 11 a.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Call 243-7255 for more information.
The museum features permanent displays on the city's history, along with traveling exhibits from around the world. It is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Web site

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St. NW, is your gateway to the 19 pueblos of New Mexico. Enjoy Indian dance performances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. every weekend and frequent artist demonstrations.
The center includes a museum, gift shop and the Pueblo Harvest Cafe.
Hours are from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily. Phone 843-7270; Web site.

Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
One of the nationšs finest anthropology museums, the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology offers exhibits and programs relating to cultures around the world, with a special emphasis on the cultural heritage of the Southwest.
Hours are Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.9 - The Maxwell Museum is located east of University NE between Las Lomas NE and Dr. M. L. King Jr. NE. Limited parking is available west of the museum. More information is available by calling 277-4405 or on the Web.