Albuquerque

On an October morning, hundreds of hot-air balloons rise into the deep blue sky above the Rio Grande all at once – the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most photogenic festivals in the world. A trip to Albuquerque also takes you to a Spanish old town, to Pueblo cultures, and to a cuisine that would be unthinkable without green and red chiles. For a vacation in the American Southwest, New Mexico's largest city makes an ideal base.

Pueblos, Spaniards, and Route 66

Long before the Europeans arrived, Pueblo peoples lived here, and some of their villages are still inhabited today. In 1706, Spanish colonists founded the Villa de Alburquerque, named after a Spanish duke; the first "r" was later dropped. The Old Town plaza with the Church of San Felipe de Neri dates from this period. Albuquerque grew with the arrival of the railroad in 1880 and later with Route 66, which runs through the city as Central Avenue. In the 20th century, research and the military shaped the city, for example through the Sandia National Laboratories. More recently, it became world-famous as the filming location for the series "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul."

Sights in Albuquerque

Old Town, with its adobe buildings, galleries, jewelry vendors, and courtyards, is the historic heart of the city. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, run by New Mexico's 19 Pueblos, presents art and history and offers traditional dances on weekends. The Sandia Peak Tramway, one of the longest aerial tramways in America, glides up to an elevation of more than 10,000 feet; at sunset the mountains turn pink – "Sandía" is Spanish for watermelon. Petroglyph National Monument on the western edge of the city preserves thousands of rock carvings. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History and the Albuquerque BioPark, with its zoo, aquarium, and botanic garden, round out the offerings.

Neighborhoods and Food in Albuquerque

Nob Hill, along Central Avenue east of the university, is the liveliest neighborhood, with neon signs from the Route 66 era, boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Downtown, with the restored KiMo Theatre in Pueblo Deco style, is another destination. The restaurants in Albuquerque serve New Mexican cuisine: enchiladas, burritos, and huevos rancheros with red or green chile sauce – if you want both, order "Christmas." Sopaipillas, fried pastry served with honey, and carne adovada, pork braised in red chile, are classics. In late summer, the city smells of freshly roasted Hatch chiles, which are roasted in drums outside supermarkets.

Getting Around, Best Time to Visit, and Day Trips

The Albuquerque International Sunport is just a few minutes south of downtown. ABQ RIDE operates buses and a rapid bus line along Central Avenue, and the Rail Runner Express goes to Santa Fe. You'll need a car for day trips. The best time to visit is fall, with the Balloon Fiesta in early October – book your accommodations early – or spring. Summers are hot but dry. Day trips lead to Santa Fe, along the Turquoise Trail with its old mining towns, to Acoma Pueblo, the "Sky City" on top of a mesa, and to the Jemez Mountains with their hot springs.