Ideas for Albuquerque trip or side trips
Jun 25th, 2011, 02:26 PM
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Ideas for Albuquerque trip or side trips
I'll be in the Albuquerque area for a 3 day weekend in late August, and I'm looking for ideas. I don't really enjoy all of the Southwestern type stuff, but I'm open to suggestions if it's something I shouldn't miss. I like visiting historic buildings/houses/hotels, art museums (something with more than Southwestern art), and quirky/unique attractions. I also like to hike and be outdoors. I can do longer hikes, but my wife might need an idea for something a little less strenuous than what I'd do. I thought being near the mountains would be good, but I can't figure out where to start. I'm also wondering if there would be enough water in the rivers for rafting. I don't want to spend a lot of time on the road because I've only got 3 days, but I was also considering Ruidoso or Taos instead of Albuquerque. We've been to Santa Fe several times, so I haven't thought much about going back there. Are there any places that I should consider to the west of Albuquerque?
Jun 26th, 2011, 05:49 AM
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Quirky/unique museums:
- Tinkertown Museum http://tinkertown.com/
- Unser Racing Museum http://www.unserracingmuseum.com/
- Fred Harvey houses
http://trailsandtreasures.com/belen_harvey_house.htm
- ABQ Trolley www.abqtrolley.com
- Nuclear Museum http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/
- Casa San Ysidro
http://www.cabq.gov/museum/history/casatour.html
a great deal of hiking trails have been closed until Oct due the the severe fire conditions. You can take the Tram up to top of Sandias and do some walks up there.
Petroglyph Trail for hiking [go early, it gets hot] http://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm
Tent Rocks great hike with amazing views ; http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/rec...ent_rocks.html [go early. gets hot]
The Bio Park is really nice[ zoo, aquarium and botanical gardens] http://www.cabq.gov/biopark
Unless we get some rain [it hasn't rained all year] rafting in late Aug will be slim pickings and certainly not down in ABQ.
Taos is very nice, but small. And a lot of southwestern stuff. Not sure you would enjoy it.
http://www.cabq.gov/visiting.html
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/...e7#/043b00e7/1
- Tinkertown Museum http://tinkertown.com/
- Unser Racing Museum http://www.unserracingmuseum.com/
- Fred Harvey houses
http://trailsandtreasures.com/belen_harvey_house.htm
- ABQ Trolley www.abqtrolley.com
- Nuclear Museum http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/
- Casa San Ysidro
http://www.cabq.gov/museum/history/casatour.html
a great deal of hiking trails have been closed until Oct due the the severe fire conditions. You can take the Tram up to top of Sandias and do some walks up there.
Petroglyph Trail for hiking [go early, it gets hot] http://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm
Tent Rocks great hike with amazing views ; http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/rec...ent_rocks.html [go early. gets hot]
The Bio Park is really nice[ zoo, aquarium and botanical gardens] http://www.cabq.gov/biopark
Unless we get some rain [it hasn't rained all year] rafting in late Aug will be slim pickings and certainly not down in ABQ.
Taos is very nice, but small. And a lot of southwestern stuff. Not sure you would enjoy it.
http://www.cabq.gov/visiting.html
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/...e7#/043b00e7/1
Jun 26th, 2011, 10:47 AM
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Thanks for the information. I thought of one thing that I wished I'd said. Although I said that I wasn't that interested in Southwestern things, I've been surprised before. I once visited a museum of all Western art thinking I'd be there for 20 minutes. I loved it and spent several hours there. So I am open to trying something out. The KiMo theater looks interesting, but I don't see anything on their calendar yet. Do they typically have something every weekend?
Jun 26th, 2011, 10:53 AM
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No, they don't have things on a regular basis, but you can probably go inside for a look see 
There are some amazing things here with southwest influence, it really is worth seeing. Let me know if you want ideas.
There are some amazing things here with southwest influence, it really is worth seeing. Let me know if you want ideas.
Jun 27th, 2011, 07:11 PM
#5
At the east end of Albuquerque- Sandia Peak tramway.
http://www.sandiapeak.com/
I hope the smoke from the forest fires doesn't get too bad.
There is a zoo, botanical garden and an aquarium at the west end of town.
http://www.sandiapeak.com/
I hope the smoke from the forest fires doesn't get too bad.
There is a zoo, botanical garden and an aquarium at the west end of town.
Jun 28th, 2011, 12:37 PM
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Hello -
We are experiencing some very dry, hot conditions lately so hopefully we'll be seeing some rain soon. Late August typically brings some afternoon showers during the Monsoon Season so hopefully that will happen and you'll be able to get out and experience our fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities.
Here are a couple of links to help with your trip planning. I am with the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau. Our website, www.ItsATrip.org, provides a comprehensive look at what the region has to offer including hotels, restaurants and a diverse calendar of events (www.ItsATrip.org/events).
We also have a great specials & deals page. Check it out since you still have time to take advantage of the coupons: http://www.itsatrip.org/deals-packages/default.aspx.
You specifically mentioned rafting. There is a fairly new business called Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures that does guided float trips in kayaks and canoes down the Rio Grande just north of Albuquerque near Bernalillo. I highly recommend them for a beautiful, scenic look at the area: http://www.quietwaterspaddling.com/. Locals, you should check it out too!
Another great way to orient yourself to the city is the Albuquerque Trolley Company. They offer city tours daily and have some fun custom tours if you're interested in movies, local foods, ghost tours, etc. www.ABQTrolley.com
Another great find is the Turquoise Museum. You'll learn more than you ever knew you wanted to know! http://www.turquoisemuseum.com/
About 45 minutes west of Albuquerque is Acoma Pueblo. It's a spectacular Native American experience: www.skycity.com
There are many more ideas to share, but hopefully this helps to get you started. Our website will give you a great overview as well: www.ItsATrip.org.
Enjoy your visit to New Mexico!
Megan, Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau
We are experiencing some very dry, hot conditions lately so hopefully we'll be seeing some rain soon. Late August typically brings some afternoon showers during the Monsoon Season so hopefully that will happen and you'll be able to get out and experience our fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities.
Here are a couple of links to help with your trip planning. I am with the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau. Our website, www.ItsATrip.org, provides a comprehensive look at what the region has to offer including hotels, restaurants and a diverse calendar of events (www.ItsATrip.org/events).
We also have a great specials & deals page. Check it out since you still have time to take advantage of the coupons: http://www.itsatrip.org/deals-packages/default.aspx.
You specifically mentioned rafting. There is a fairly new business called Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures that does guided float trips in kayaks and canoes down the Rio Grande just north of Albuquerque near Bernalillo. I highly recommend them for a beautiful, scenic look at the area: http://www.quietwaterspaddling.com/. Locals, you should check it out too!
Another great way to orient yourself to the city is the Albuquerque Trolley Company. They offer city tours daily and have some fun custom tours if you're interested in movies, local foods, ghost tours, etc. www.ABQTrolley.com
Another great find is the Turquoise Museum. You'll learn more than you ever knew you wanted to know! http://www.turquoisemuseum.com/
About 45 minutes west of Albuquerque is Acoma Pueblo. It's a spectacular Native American experience: www.skycity.com
There are many more ideas to share, but hopefully this helps to get you started. Our website will give you a great overview as well: www.ItsATrip.org.
Enjoy your visit to New Mexico!
Megan, Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jul 1st, 2011, 12:33 PM
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How bad is the air? Is it something that keeps you from the hiking areas or is it also going to cause problems being outside in town? I tried to check the air quality on the http://air.nmenv.state.nm.us website, but I couldn't figure out which map is the best indicator of air quality for Albuquerque.
DebitNM, sure, let me know any Southwest influenced ideas for travel.
DebitNM, sure, let me know any Southwest influenced ideas for travel.
Jul 1st, 2011, 12:45 PM
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the Sandoval county one is the closest, not sure why ABQ [Bernalillo County] isn't shown.
The air in ABQ is noticeably hazy and smokey. Who knows about August, we are just going day to day here. As I mentioned, right now, hiking is greatly restricted in most hiking areas if not actually forbidden.
The air in ABQ is noticeably hazy and smokey. Who knows about August, we are just going day to day here. As I mentioned, right now, hiking is greatly restricted in most hiking areas if not actually forbidden.
Jul 1st, 2011, 03:58 PM
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You might find the University of New Mexico interesting - most of its buildings are a fusion of Southwestern Pueblo and Art Deco styles (hence the designation "Pueblo Deco").
Agree that Acoma Pueblo is an interesting place to visit.
A trip to Acoma could be combined with a visit to El Malpais National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/elma/planyourvisit/index.htm) which has lava flows and natural arches (La Ventana is the most accessible) among its striking scenery. It's a bit off the beaten path, though. You need to be careful if you hike on the lava flows, though, as they are uneven and sharp (so they can be painful if you fall). Doing both Acoma and El Malpais would be around 200 miles of driving.
Even farther afield is El Morro National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/elmo/planyourvisit/things2do.htm) but you could combine it with Acoma and El Malpais for a very full day of activity (with 300 miles or so of driving).
Agree that Acoma Pueblo is an interesting place to visit.
A trip to Acoma could be combined with a visit to El Malpais National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/elma/planyourvisit/index.htm) which has lava flows and natural arches (La Ventana is the most accessible) among its striking scenery. It's a bit off the beaten path, though. You need to be careful if you hike on the lava flows, though, as they are uneven and sharp (so they can be painful if you fall). Doing both Acoma and El Malpais would be around 200 miles of driving.
Even farther afield is El Morro National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/elmo/planyourvisit/things2do.htm) but you could combine it with Acoma and El Malpais for a very full day of activity (with 300 miles or so of driving).
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