Central New Mexico and Albuquerque

Directory:

Welcome to Albuquerque, "The Duke City"! Founded in 1706, Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico. Albuquerque is a favorite tourist destination, with a wealth of historic sites, artistic diversions, unique cuisines, and natural beauty. Located in the Rio Grande Valley tucked in amongst mountain ranges and desert mesas, Albuquerque is surrounded by beautiful country and interesting places to visit. We hope you enjoy your stay!

• The Albuquerque Convention & Visitor's Bureau offers a wealth of information about Albuquerque and the surrounding area.
• City of Albuquerque Homepage includes references to all city services, organizations, job openings, and lots of other useful information.
• The Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce maintains an informative website.

Art in Albuquerque is beautifully presented by the Wingspread Collector's Guide.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is one of the finest museums in the state. Plan to spend a whole day to take in all the exhibits and the DynaMax theatre.

The KiMo Theatre is a classic example of "Pueblo Deco" architecture. This historic theatre still stages events year 'round.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

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Things to Do

The Albuquerque International Balloon Festival is probably Albuquerque's most famous tourist event.

Petroglyph National Monument is only a short drive west of Albuquerque, and well worth a couple of hours of gentle hiking amongst ancient art.

East Mountain is one of the fastest growing and most pleasant neighborhoods in central New Mexico.

To get to Sandia Crest drive east on I-40 to NM 14 North, then follow the signs. The highest point on the Sandia Mountain range at 10,678 ft overlooks the city of Albuquerque with a panoramic view.

Sandia Peak Tramway is the world's longest tramway, a 2.7 mile trip from the foothills of the Sandias in Albuquerque to the top of the Sandias (a mile or so from Sandia Crest). The altitude at the landing is 10,360 ft. Right off the landing is Sandia Peak Ski Area, popular with skiers in the winter and mountain bikers in the summer. When weather permits, hikers often take the tram up Sandia and hike back down the spectacular steep trails. There is a Ranger station at the top with information on hiking and wildflowers. Enjoy a lunch or dinner at the top at High Finance, with panoramic windows overlooking the city far below! Spectacular!

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument near Mountaire, is a collection of various ruins that include Spanish-style mission churches built by Pueblo methods. Among the most photogenic ruins in New Mexico.

Turquoise Trail

This popular and beautiful backroad to Santa Fe runs along the east side of the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque. Use our clickable image map as a guide! (you will need a graphical browser)

Moriarty

Moriarty is a thriving community east of Albuquerque, and home of the world's best sweet corn, among other things. .

Check the monthlyEvents Calendar

Food and Drink in the Albuquerque Area

Restaurant Reviews ares submitted by our readers, part of our Food & Drink section.

Wines of Central New Mexico is just one part of our Wine Country of New Mexico feature. Take a tour of New Mexico wine country!

Other Sights Worth Seeing

These destinations are well worth a visit. We will be filling in more detail as we go along.

• Bien Mur Indian Market Center.
  Tramway Road and I-25 (just east of I-25 on Tramway)
  A unique store and gallery owned and operated by the Pueblo of Sandia. Items for sale are authentic Indian made arts and crafts.
  Open Mon.-Sat. 9-5:30, Sun. 11-5
  800-365-5400 or (505) 821-5400
  
  
• Cochiti Lake Recreation Center
  30 minutes north of Albuquerque on I-25. Fishing, boating, wind surfing, picnic and camping areas.
  (505) 465-2300
  
  
• Coronado State Monument
  1 mile west of Bernalillo on Highway 44.
  Ruins of Kuaua Pueblo. Spanish Explorer Coronado stayed here during the winter of 1540-1541.
  Visitor Center 867-5351
  
  
• Ernie Pyle Memorial Library
  900 Girard Blvd. SE
  Home of Pulitzer Prize winner and World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle.
  Open Tues-Sat 9-5:30pm. 265-2065
  
  
• Isleta Lakes Recreation Area
  13 miles south of Albuquerque. Take I-25 south to Highway 47 (Broadway) exit, go south on 47.
  Fishing, camping and picnic areas.
  (505) 877j-0370
  
  
• Historic Old Town.
  Rio Grande and Central
  The original center of Albuquerque. Clustered around a central plaza are historic buildings, galleries, gift shops, restaurants and a visitor information center. A must-see in Albuquerque. Plan on spending a day wandering the old adobe village!
  
  
• Rio Grande Zoological Park
  903 10th SW
  New Mexico's largest zoological park, situated on 60 acres, with over 13,000 animals, birds, and reptiles.
  (505) 843-7413
  
  
• The Beach
  I-25 to Montano, exit west and follow the signs.
  This 15 acre water park is ideal to cool off in the heat of the summer. Features a quarter acre wave pool, 5 water slides, an arcade, food booths, gift shops, volley ball courts, picnic tables and lockers.
  345-0605