There’s no wonder why Albuquerque is a favorite New Mexico destination – it’s a mix of old and new, frontier town and city and even mountains and desert. With so much packed into one location, it’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway. 

In the heart of the city, founded in 1706, lies historic Old Town. Old Town serves as the city’s cultural center with seven museums and plenty of shops, restaurants and galleries to inform and delight! There’s one museum that will make your skin crawl – the American International Rattlesnake Museum. At this museum, you’ll see displays of snakes from all over the country and a very impressive collection of snake memorabilia. Old Town also features the National Atomic Museum, Turquoise Museum and Lodestar Astronomy Center. 

If it’s nature you want, then it’s nature you can get. Old Town has plenty of that, too! Explore the Botanic Garden where you’ll find unique local plants. Check out the sharks at the Albuquerque Aquarium (if you want something more up close, just head to Tingley Beach for some fishing). Art lovers will find an amazing selection of crafts, sculptures, paintings and more, while shoppers will delight in the unique finds at the boutiques and galleries.

When you come to Albuquerque, don’t forget to bring your appetite. This city is home to some of the most delicious cuisine around! New Mexican cuisine is a blend of native ingredients (like corn, squash, beans and chilies) with a little bit of Mexican, Spanish and Native American flavor. Travel tip: When your server asks if you want “red or green,” they’re talking chile – ask for “Christmas” if you want both!

Wash down that spicy food with wine from the city’s very own wineries. Did you know that grape vines were first planted in New Mexico in 1629, making the Rio Grande Valley the oldest wine making region in the country? Talk about aged to perfection! Visit any of the award-winning wineries or sample the fruits of their labors at any local restaurant. A complete list of wineries can be found at www.itsatrip.org/activities/wineries-vineyards-microbrewer.aspx?all=1.

Albuquerque is always busy with events. Pick a weekend and you’ll find some exciting and one-of-a-kind experiences. A must-see event in November and December is the annual River of Lights. Thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays will light up the Rio Grande Botanic Garden. Events during the light show include ice skating, holiday nature crafts and live entertainment. This year’s festivities take place November 28 through December 30, from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. More information can be found at www.cabq.gov/biopark/common/decemberevents.html#rol.

Get a bird’s-eye view of the city with a hot air balloon ride! You can take a balloon flight anytime during the year thanks to Albuquerque’s clear blue skies and calm winds – ideal conditions. If you’d rather stay on the ground, you can check out the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum and learn everything about ballooning. Albuquerque is the capital of ballooning and home to the world’s largest hot air ballooning event, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta^®. More information on the museum can be found at www.balloonmuseum.com, and information on the Balloon Fiesta can be found at www.balloonfiesta.com.

On land or in the air, in the past or in the present, Albuquerque has it all! To plan your Albuquerque getaway, visit http://www.itsatrip.org/default.aspx.