Situated in an eminent vale flanked by the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque is a pleasurable doorway to New Mexico. Also named the ‘Land of Enchantment’, this location provides visitors with a unique mixture of Hispanic and Native American culture, stunning landscapes and a wide range of natural attractions away from the city limits.
Before the construction of the railway, the Old Town, founded in 1706, was the core of the city. Designed as a Spanish plaza, nowadays it is a huge architectural museum boasting a spectacular landmark, the San Felipe de Neri Church, as well as more than 150 shops, restaurants and galleries. Further impressive tourist pulls are the Albuquerque Museum of Art, History and Science as well as the New Mexico Museum of Natural History.
The pueblos enclosing Albuquerque are a fundamental element of the city’s past, and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center offers history lovers a profound insight into the growth of Pueblo traditions. Night owls will be overwhelmed by Albuquerque’s entertainment facilities, varying from scruffy hangouts to stylish cocktail bars, while gambling aficionados can abandon themselves to vice in two modern casinos.
Highlights
Old Town: this historical square was set up in 1780 and is a superb shopping area for Pueblo and Navajo handicrafts.
Albuquerque Museum of Art and History: the city’s major museum displays Spanish colonial objects and an 18th century composite with gear once used by Spanish cowboys.
Rio Grande Zoo: located in the middle of the city, Albuquerque’s captivating zoo is home to over 250 species of animals kept in their natural habitats.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: owned by New Mexico|Mexico’s 19 Indian pueblos, this nonprofit center boasts historical exhibits and a small theater, and presents ceremonial dances performed by Native Americans.
Coronado State Monument: these well preserved ruins of an ancient Indian village contain hundreds of rooms, presenting an exceptional look at the natives’ lives long before the arrival of the Spaniards.
Sandia Peak Tramway: takes you to the summit of Sandia Peak day or night, providing access to various hiking trails and the most spectacular views of the city.
Festivals: Gathering of Nations Powwow, with more than 3,000 traditional dancers, and Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, the globe’s biggest hot air balloon festival, are just two of Albuquerque’s numerous exciting cultural and artistic festivals.