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Albuquerque's terrain is diverse. Along the river in the North and South valleys, the elevation hovers at about 4,800 feet. East of the river, the land rises gently to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, which climb to over 6,000 feet; the 10,378-foot summit is a grand spot from which to view the city below. West of the Rio Grande, where Albuquerque is growing most aggressively, the terrain rises abruptly in a string of mesas topped by five volcanic cones. The changes in elevation from one part of the city to another result in corresponding changes in temperature, as much as 10°F at any time. It's not uncommon for snow or rain to fall on one part of town but for it to remain dry and sunny in another, and because temperatures can shift considerably throughout the day and evening, it's a good idea to bring along a couple of layers when exploring.
Wondering about that vibrant mosaic mural encircling the Convention Center? The towering aluminum totem at the Old Town entrance to I-40? Or the bedazzled Throne of Nyoka at the BioPark Zoo? Albuquerque's Public Art program, started in 1978, is one of the oldest in the country, and Downtown—and the rest of the city—is strewn with its wonders. Download a growing stock of self-guided brochures and apps for locating the 650-piece collection.
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