Recent messages seem to imply that the best thing to do once you land in Albuquerque is get out of town fast and head north? Is it really that bad? I have about 24 hours in the area before heading south to Carlsbad, Guadalupe and Big Bend NP. Best to spend the time exploring on the way to Sante Fe and skip ABQ and Old Town? Are there places to stay in ABQ as exceptional as those in Sante Fe? Thank you for any insight into this.

I was also told that Albuquerque wasn't worth bothering with; I was there for the Balloon Fiesta a few years ago with a friend, and after our ballooning we headed north to Santa Fe and Taos. But 2 years later I went back with another friend, and we stayed at a hotel right near/in Old Town (the Sheraton, I think). We really enjoyed it. I wouldn't necessarily stay longer than a day, but a trip up Sandia Peak is a must, and Old Town was fun to browse in.

Don't completely blow off Old Town. I have found some of the art more reasonable than the boutique prices in Santa Fe and Taos. Have an Owl Green Chile Burger for me.

Sandia peak is a fun trip.

Santa Fe just has that ambience I think of when I think of a New Mexico town. I like it much better than Taos too.

Thanks for the tips. Is Old Town a fairly safe area to wonder through in the evening? And does anyone have any suggestions on where to go for creative New Mexican cuisine in the Old Town area or elsewhere in Albuquerque? Appreciate the help.

I stayed there a day once and found it interesting enough for that, although I wouldn't want to stay much longer. I went to Old Town and wandered around shops and the plaza, plus spent several hours at the Albuquerque Museum (which is one block to the Plaza) which is very good for local art and history. Also, the museum has a handout walking tour of Old Town you might want to get.

I don't think they have as special hotels as Santa Fe, and it's a much larger city, of course, so wouldn't be the same atmosphere. I stayed at La Posada de Albuquerque downtown near the convention center because I wanted something with a little history and style. It was great, the lobby is beautiful and they have a decent restaurant and bar, also, and it's a short cab ride to Old Town or the airport. The rooms are not luxurious but fine; the outer public rooms are more special than the bedrooms. It's on the national registry of historic places, here is the URL
http://www.laposada-abq.com/
One advantage is that hotels are a LOT cheaper than in Santa Fe. During that trip, I got a room at La Posada for about $90-100 whereas the equivalent quality in Santa Fe was about $175.

Albuquerque seems like a fairly unpretentious city. 24 hours would be a nice amount of time to see Old Town, Sandia tram, and catch some local food. The national atomic museum or zoo might also be to your likings.

Thanks for the tips on the museums. It sounds like my best choice for lodging then is the Sheraton or La Posada?... I just checked and the price is about the same. Apparently there are no smaller inns/boutique hotels? La Posada has the history, but the walking aspect of the Sheraton is appealing as well. I wonder where I get the Owl Green Chili Burger? Any restaurants of note near these 2 hotels? - thanks.

If you are a museum person, you must visit the museum near old town (can't remember the name right now but something like "Albuquerque History Museum") It's about the only place to park in that part of town if that is any help.

Thanks - I will add that to my list!