The Albuquerque Aquarium
It's wet. It's wild. It's H20 so wonderful! An exotic world of aquatic life pulses only inches away. Take a fascinating journey through the marine habitats of the Gulf of Mexico--salt marsh, eelgrass meadow, surf zone, coral reef, open ocean. You'll encounter 6-foot moray eels, spiny lobsters, shimmering schooling fish, beaky parrotfish, fluttering butterflyfish, and, yes, plenty of toothy sharks: nurse sharks, sandtigers, bonnetheads and browns. A 285,000 gallon tankful of sharks patrol their saltwater domain as undisputed monarchs.
Albuquerque Biological Park
City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department
903 Tenth Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-764-6200
The Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, and Rio Grande Zoo come together in the remarkable BioPark. Naturalistic habitats showcase more than 6,000 animals and 11,000 plants from all over the world. New exhibits feature rhinos, polar bears, tamarins, spider monkeys, koalas, and seadragons. Delight in the butterfly conservatory, summer concerts, and December's holiday lights. Other highlights include a camel ride, garden railroad, restaurants, and gift shops. Open 9-5 Tuesday through Sunday; closed Mondays and holidays. Free parking.
Three Great Attractions in One Park!
The Albuquerque Museum
City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department
2000 Mountain Road NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-243-7255 voice/relay
Located in historic Old Town, the Museum reveals the beauty of Southwestern art and fascinating details about four centuries of New Mexico history. Enjoy permanent displays and traveling exhibitions. Relax in the serene sculpture garden and visit our gift shop. Open 9am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday and holidays). Don't miss historic Casa San Ysidro in Corrales. This reconstructed 18th Century New Mexico home is filled with Hispanic folk art, textiles, and furniture. Call 898-3915 for reservations.
Above It All Balloon Rides
For Information call 505-861-3386
We are one of Albuquerque's largest and safest tour operators. Our pilots love what they do and it shows in the way they conduct their tours. Don't gamble with your vacation plans. Let us be your ticket to high-flying adventure in the "Land of Enchantment
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Located near Carlsbad, NM
Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless formations, is highly accessible, with a variety of tours offered year-round.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
2401 12th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
505-843-7270 · 1-800-766-4405
Explore the fascinating history, art, and culture of the Pueblos. Free dance performances and art demonstrations every weekend. Visit the gift shops, museums, restaurant, Pueblo cigarette shop
Kirtland Air Force Base/ Sandia National Laboratory
The world's directed energy weapon systems are developed at Kirtland AFB and Sandia National Laboratory
Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®
505-821-1000 · 1-800-422-7277
The Oct. 7-15 Balloon Fiesta features competitive flying events, Mass Ascensions, nighttime Balloon Glows, and the largest gathering of Special Shape Balloons in the world. Adults $4, children 12 & under free. Fiesta 2001 dates -- October 6-14.
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 Fourth St. SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-246-2261
Dedicated to the preservation of Hispanic arts and humanities, this one-of-a-kind center features rotating exhibits by renowned Hispanic artists as well as genealogy resources, a research and literary arts library, theaters, restaurants, and a gift shop. Parking is free.Amusement Places
National Atomic Museum
Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque
(Enter at Wyoming or Gibson Gates)
Shuttles on the half hour · 505-284-3243
The only national nuclear science museum in the USA tells the story of the atomic age with B-29 and B-52 aircraft and exhibits ranging from medicine to robotics to unclassified nuclear weapons. Guided tours by appointment; museum store. Open daily 9 - 5.
Old Town
Few American cities have been able to preserve their history the way Albuquerque has. The original town center, Old Town Plaza is surrounded by the structures built there in the early 1700s. The longevity of these buildings is testimonial to their construction. Adobe walls, some more than two feet thick were built from the very soil upon which they set.
Even though a thriving 21st century city bustles beyond the walls of Old Town, once you enter the plaza, you are transported to another place and time.
Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau
426 North Main Street
Roswell, NM 88201
1-800-ROSWELL
Rainbow Ryders, Inc.
11520 San Bernardino
Albuquerque, NM 87122
505-823-1111 · 1-800-725-2477
Soar above spectacular scenery with the Official Balloon Ride Operator for the Balloon Fiesta. We guarantee that all seats are first-class. 18 years of flight experience. Advance reservations are required. Fly with the local professionals
Rio Grande Gorge
View gorge from 650 feet above on bridge.
Observation platforms, picnic area. 11 miles northwest of Taos on U.S.
64.
Rio Grande Zoo
903 Tenth Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Nearest Train: South of Lead Avenue
Phone: +1 505 764 6200
The grounds are beautifully designed and maintained to accommodate you and permanent inhabitants. This zoo has won awards and is nationally known.
From snakes, lizards, and ?gators, to Lions, barrels of monkeys and tigers , it?s all happening at the zoo! Flamingos greet visitors near the entrance, and a simulated rain forest houses exotic birds. Don?t miss the seal and lion feeding times at 10:30am and 3:30pm daily. The Nature Theatre features weekend shows along with Wednesday and Friday demonstrations, showcasing various animals.
Strollers are available in addition to Gift Shops and the Cottonwood Café, offering an extensive menu. Plenty of free parking is on the premises.
Route 66 Historic Trail
A National scenic byway that has been a paved route since 1937; this byway encounters many historic towns along its' way and provides an intriguing look at one of the first routes that allowed travel for motorists. Route 66 has been deemed "America's Main Street." New Mexico provides some of the most well preserved historic and scenic parts of this old road. Come travel the legendary Route 66.
505-224-2802
Rural/Mountain Byway
NM 14, NM 536; 61 miles
Scenic route from Albuquerque to Santa Fe
Cibola National Forest
Sandia Crest Scenic Byway
Take a breathtaking drive up the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway. Sandia Crest is a mile above the surrounding countryside and 2 miles above sea level. As you ascend to the summit you drive through vegetative zones you would see on a trip north to Canada . Once at the top you can see 100 miles in any direction, viewing the majesty of the Land of Enchantment.
Sandia Mountains
Cibola National Forest
Through Sandia Park
Albuquerque, NM 87122
Phone: +1 505 856 7325
The mountains are a 20-minute drive from downtown Albuquerque, providing downhill and cross-country skiing. Hike, camp or pick a trail and go mountain biking or have a picnic at any of the dozens of picnic and campgrounds in the area.
Drive up the east slope, or hike up the west face of the Sandias and marvel at the view from the 10,678-foot Sandia Crest and observation deck. Watch hang-gliders take off from the mountain ledges and soar in silence, or take a ride up the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, the world's longest aerial tramway.
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway
The world's longest aerial tramway is waiting to lift you from the Sandia foothills through five natural life zones to the top of the Sandia Mountains, more than 10,000 feet above sea level. The distance can also be measured in the drama of an 11,000 square mile panoramic view.
At sunset, the desert skies produce a spectacular array of colors. Time and terrain seem to move in harmony as passengers scout the rugged canyons and lush forests for bighorn sheep and deer. Hang gliders launch from rocky mountain ledges and are silently beautiful to watch.
The tram docks alongside the High Finance Restaurant where fine dining is made even better by the awesome setting.
This is a must see! With 2.7 miles of sky-view travel, be sure to visit this spot while in Albuquerque.
Sandia Peak Ski Area.
Just 17 minutes from Albuquerque via the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, this popular full-service alpine ski area boasts 30 trails served by four chairs and three surface lifts. Ski season begins on Thanksgiving weekend and usually ends the first of April. The ski area is ideal for the mid-level skier.
Sandia welcomes snowboarders and telemark skiers and boasts competitive rates.
Ski classes are available as well as ski equipment rentals and demos
Santa Ana Star Casino
54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road
Bernalillo, NM 87004
505-867-0000
Located 15 minutes north of Albuquerque, I-25 to Exit 242, 2 miles West on Hwy 44/550
San Felipe's Casino Hollywood
25 Hagan Road
I-25 Exit 252 between Albuquerque & Santa Fe
Algadones, NM 87001
505-867-6700
Santa Fe Indian Market
The Santa Fe Indian Market is the largest and oldest juried Native American art show and market in the world. It gives buyers and sellers of fine Native American art the opportunity to meet and deal directly with each other. Originally established in 1922 to encourage the continuation of traditional Indian arts and crafts and provide artists with a marketplace, this world-class event now features 1,200 artists from more than 100 tribes showing their work in 600 outdoor booths on the historic Santa Fe Plaza. Indian Market draws more than 100,000 visitors from around the world each year.
Turquoise Trail Association
P.O. Box 303, Sandia Park, NM 87047
505-281-5233 · 1-888-263-0033
Email: trail@turquoisetrail.org
Travel one of New Mexico's 24 Scenic Byways to find gorgeous scenery, restored ghost towns, and unusual attractions. Archaeology and mining exhibitions, the Tinkertown Museum, eclectic galleries and shops, friendly lodging, and cozy restaurants promise a unique visit.
Drive the back route from Albuquerque to Santa Fe through the majestic Sandia Mountains to visit the revived "ghost" mining towns of New Mexico. Visit museums; see local arts and crafts, theatre, music, and restaurants. This is a route that is fun for everyone.
www.turquoisetrail.org
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Events ¤ Festivals ¤ Fiestas ¤ Shows
Historical Sites ¤ Monuments ¤ National Parks
On July 16, 1945 the world changed with the explosion of the first atomic bomb.
Movies ¤ Film
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Water Activities also try...Fishing
Top Ten Attractions in New Mexico
1. Santa Fe
(North Central Region)
2. Carlsbad Caverns
(Southeast Region)
3. Taos Ski Valley
(North Central Region)
4. Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque
(Central Region)
5. Chaco Culture National Historical Park, San Juan Basin
(Northwest Region)
6. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Chama
(North Central Region)
7. International UFO Museum, Roswell
(Southeast Region)
8. Billy the Kid Museum, Fort Sumner
(Southeast Region)
9. White Sands, Alamogordo
(Southeast Region)
10. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs
(North Central Region)
