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Where to start

There are 8 unique neighborhoods in Albuquerque that all have their own restaurants, cultural events, and shopping. There are also a lot of things you can find in the city, such as a zoo, aquarium, and even an amusement park. It really depends on what you are interested in, whether the culture, the outdoor activities or any other number options here as to where you should spend your time. Below I listed 10 of what I think are the best things to do while in visiting Albuquerque, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to spend here.

1. Old Town

This was where Albuquerque began. The Spanish built their colony here and since then Albuquerque has grown in leaps and bounds. As you walk through Old Town you see the rich history of the Puebloan and Spanish architecture and narrow brick streets. The gazebo in the center of the plaza is a great place to take in this great part of the city. There are plenty of restaurants and shopping here, so plan to spend a little time. We never pass up Old Town when we’re in Albuquerque if for no other reason than to shop!

2. San Felipe De Neri Church

While in Old Town, make sure you check out this church. It was built in 1706 and still has some of the original adobe walls. It is one of the oldest buildings in Albuquerque. There is a museum here also. If you love history, you won’t want to miss this church. It is just amazing the architecture from so long ago.

3. Albuquerque Museum

This museum has a rich history of the city covering over 400 years. It has artwork, pottery and exhibits. If you love history, this should be a must on your bucket list. Again, you could probably spend hours here, especially if you enjoy history, so give yourself plenty of time.

4. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

This is one of my favorite places to visit here. I really enjoy learning about the history of Native Americans, and they have lots of information here. They have one permanent exhibit and a couple rotating exhibits along with an extensive art gallery. If you can make it on a weekend, local tribes do dances here for the public to watch. They are in full regalia and it is really something special to be a part of.

5. Nob Hill

This neighborhood is better known for its uniqueness and Route 66 themed buildings. It has a very eclectic atmosphere and is a lot of fun. There are both restaurants here to take those hunger pangs away and plenty of stores to shop in for yourself and souvenirs to bring home for friends and family.

6. Albuquerque Trolly Tour

If you want to get a good overview of the city taking one of the trolley tours is a great way to do it. There are a few different tours to choose from that cover different areas, so be sure to see which one meets your needs the best.

7. Breaking Bad Tour

Now obviously, this won’t be for everyone since not everyone watched this show, but if you are a fan, you should check out the tour of Breaking Bad sites in the city. There is a company called Breaking Bad RV tours that will take you to all of these sites or you can do them on your own. A must see is The Candy Lady candy store that supplies the blue rock candy seen in Breaking Bad.

8. American International Rattlesnake Museum

I will be the first to say that I hate snakes, and I really wasn’t all that excited about going here, but I gave in since the people I was with wanted to go. It actually was pretty informative, and I was surprised by all of the snakes they had here. Didn’t know there were that many rattlesnake species. If you’re looking for something a little different, check this out.

9. Sandia Peak Tramway

This is a definite must do! The views from the top are absolutely amazing and just beautiful. If you enjoy hiking, which we really don’t anymore, I’m told there are some great hiking trails up here. The tram ride takes about 15 minutes to go the 3 miles up the Sandia Mountains. There is a restaurant at the top and places to overlook the mountains and get some great pictures.

10. Balloon Rides and Balloon Festival

Albuquerque is probably best known for its balloon festival. Seeing all the balloons in the sky is a truly amazing sight. The festival is held in October and can be a really fun experience but keep in mind that not only is it really crowded, but hotel rooms are also more expensive during the festival. Now, I’m not saying don’t go during this time, just keep in mind how busy it gets. You can visit Albuquerque almost anytime during the year and see many of the colorful balloons in the air. You can also take balloon rides through a couple different companies. No matter when you go, just keep your eye to the sky to see these wonderful colorful balloons.

Extras

If you want to head out of the city a way, there are plenty of things to do. You can go to some of the many casinos, visit some of the pueblos or go to Petroglyph National Monument which is 15 minutes west of Albuquerque. You may also want to visit El Malpais National Monument or El Morro National Monument. If you have a few more days to explore, Santa Fe is only an hour north of Albuquerque.

Conclusion

As with any place you visit, there are plenty of things to keep you busy, the key is to investigate before you go to see what a place has to offer that piques your interest. The things I mentioned above are things that either interest me or that are known to be places of interest to many tourists. Maybe you just want to enjoy the beauty of the area and relax. You could plan a spa weekend here. Whatever you choose to do here, this city is a great place to have an adventure. We hope to get people excited about traveling to a new place and see what it has to offer. You never know what you might find. Even if you just do a day trip close to home, there is always something new to discover.

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Shopping

As I mentioned if you like to shop, there is a wide assortment of stores in Santa Fe. I love shopping around the plaza in Old Town, but Santa Fe has lots of shopping all over the city. If Native American jewelry is something you are interested in, then you must stroll through the vendors who set up on the Plaza in front of the Palace of the Governors. Just looking at all their wares is amazing, and you know you are getting authentic products. For a different kind of shopping experience check out Meow Wolf. Make sure you also check out La Fonda Hotel. Not only is it one of the oldest hotels in the city, but it has great shopping and restaurants.

Art Galleries and Museums

There are many art galleries here, including Georgia O’Keeffe’s gallery. There is also a shop devoted to the works of RC Gorman. If you love art, you should really take a walk-up Canyon Road, where there are many art galleries for you to explore. Just the sculptures alone are worth the walk.

If you like museums, make sure you check out the New Mexico History Museum and Govenor’s Palace. If you head up to Museum Hill there are 4 museums there that include, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, this is my favorite with so much history and beautiful arts and crafts. The other museums are Wheelwright Museum of American Indian, Museum of Spanish Colonial Art and the International Folk Art Museum.

Common Tourist Spots

There are so many things to do in Santa Fe, from shopping to outdoor adventures, I’ll list a few that are most common for tourists. The Loretta Chapel, San Miguel Chapel (this is oldest chapel in US history) and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi are three things you shouldn’t miss. So much history and beauty.  A couple of tourist attractions that aren’t so well known here are Burro Alley where there is a replica of a burro carrying wood. Back in the day when it was a small town and no roads, the burros were used to bring firewood from the mountains to Santa Fe. The other place you might want to check out is 109 E. Palace St., this is where the Manhattan Project headquarters was. If history is your love, you can take a guided tour of the city. Also, check into other tours to visit nearby pueblos and historical sites. The Railyard is another area that has been revitalized with shops and restaurants. Worth checking out.

Restaurants

I don’t know about you, but food is always on my list of things to check out when I’m on vacation and Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint! The plaza alone has so many great restaurants whether you’re looking for great New Mexican cuisine or a quick bite there are many options. One of our favorite places is Plaza Café Downtown. If you love Native food, try their blue corn enchilada with red sauce. Sooo good! When eating in a New Mexican restaurant here, don’t be surprised if they ask if you want red, green or Christmas chili sauce. Christmas is a mix of both. Just a little head’s up! If you aren’t looking for New Mexican cuisine, there is not only a great assortment of cuisines around the plaza, but many other choices around town. Another thing Santa Fe is known for is the Margarita Trail. If you love margarita’s, you should check this out. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll be introduced to some great restaurants. I don’t think you’ll have a problem finding some great food while you’re visiting here.

Conclusion

I haven’t even begun to talk about all the things to do in Santa Fe, but these are just some of the highlights for a quick trip to this great city. Just a few other noteworthy things, if you’re looking to relax check out the many spas in Santa Fe. There are plenty of places to hike in the area and not far from town. And so much more within a few hours’ drive in any direction. If you’re thinking of taking a trip to the southwestern US, I recommend putting Santa Fe on your list. I hope this has given you a few tips on things to do here. We hope to inspire you with our blogs and videos to find your own adventures and experiences! If you’re interested in seeing more of Santa Fe, click for our video here

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Packing

One of the best things about road trips is what you can pack. You can take full size bottles of toiletries, pack extra clothes, if those shoes don’t fit in the suitcase, you can put them on the backseat floor, and you can take drinks and snacks with you. You can bring a cooler with you, so you have cold drinks as you drive. We found that a rolling cooler works really well. We got this Coleman and the wheels help make it very easy to move around. But it does come in handy when your hotel room doesn’t have a fridge. Buying snacks ahead of time, saves money too! I also bring a box of tissue and roll of paper towels, we always seem to get the tissue box that has only a couple left in it, so I just bring my own. Since we usually make a couple quick stops to sleep on our way to our destination, I love that I can leave my big suitcase in the car and just bring in my overnight bag. I pack my pajamas in my overnight, then put the outfit for the next day on the top in my luggage and just grab that. It saves me from taking the big suitcase to every hotel. Once we get to our destination and are staying a couple of days, I bring in the big suitcase and repack for trip home.

Landscapes & tourist stops

Another reason I love going on a road trip is seeing the countryside. I love taking pictures from the car, even though they don’t always come out perfect, as you can see. Still, it helps me preserve my memories from the trip.

I try so hard to remember all of the places we travel through which is why I do take pictures, but I’ve found that writing it down as we drive is a much better way to remember. I put little descriptions in a small notepad and then when we stop for the night, I expand on them. These notepads are great to keep in your vehicle so you can quickly get to them.

As mentioned earlier, you always seem to find something unique as you’re driving down the road. An example is Uranus, MO. Who would have thought that there would be a great fudge factory and cute little tourist attraction area in the middle of Missouri? It really was fun to stop here and only added about a half hour to our trip to Oklahoma. I would imagine that on almost every highway in America you will come across an exit that has some kind of tourist attraction. And I’m a sucker for tourist traps! But you will also find landmarks with historical significance, small towns that have interesting history and many other things of interest if you have time to stop. Check out the blue whale in Oklahoma here https://studio.youtube.com/video/OpJ4jTrsxJs/edit

More space

Another great thing about road trips is if you don’t load the vehicle up on your way there, then you have plenty of room to put all those great souvenirs and purchases you made. And if you’ve read my post about Santa Fe, you’ll know I love to shop!! This is a picture of shopping in Sedona. I love finding shopping areas like this to just wander around. You also don’t have to worry about how heavy your suitcase is or how many you’re taking. As I mentioned before you also don’t have to worry about the size of your luggage, etc. There’s just more room for extra things you can’t take on a plane.

Best things to do in Sedona

Comfort

And lastly, what I love about road trips is the comfort. You can take your shoes off, have the air or heat at the temperature you want, and get a drink or snack when you feel like it. You can relax more and not worry about bothering other people. To me, it’s just a more relaxed way to travel.

Conclusion

For me, road trips are the way to go if you want to explore and aren’t in a hurry to get somewhere. We usually have a destination in mind, then find new ways to get to it and a different way on the way home to see different scenery. Even if you just do a quick day trip, it’s always fun to discover new things and places. The comfort, control of trip and space makes a road trip much more relaxing for us. I hope you take the time to do this once in a while. If nothing else, it will give you memories to look back on. We love to travel and inspire others to do the same. Please read about our other adventures if you are looking for some inspiration for your next adventure. If you want to see some of our travel videos, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHd0t6kGqoLBGO9NhpaxrmQ

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I have looked at a lot of checklists online to see if there was one that would really help me when I pack because I have forgotten things many times, but most of them seem to be geared toward going places or doing things that I’m not going to be doing. So, I realized that the most important thing to think about before you even start packing is where you are traveling. If you are going to the beach, you will need many different items than if you are going to Alaska. You get my point. Next, I always check the weather before I start packing. If it looks like it might rain when I’m there, then I need to take an umbrella, if the nights are going to get chilly, then I need to pack a jacket and so on.

The other thing that will change for me is if we are going on a road trip or flying. As you know, there are many restrictions when flying, so I keep that in mind. I start my list by going through the motions of what I do during the morning to start my day and then go from there. I bought this tablet of packing list sheets to make it a bit easier when making my list. You can get it on Amazon. Let’s get started.

Toiletries

So now to make my list; let’s start with toiletries. So always first on my list is the medications I’ll need. Next, I start thinking about what I do when I get up in the morning. First, I take a shower. What do I need for that? Soap, shampoo, conditioner, razor. Now, here’s one place where I do things differently if I’m flying. I probably won’t take shampoo or conditioner with me because the hotel supplies these and I don’t have to worry about getting travel size containers for these items. I do take soap with me because of my sensitive skin, but if any soap works for you then use the soap in the hotel. If I’m going on a road trip, I’ll probably take these with me, so I have the brand I like. The next thing is toothbrush and paste. Next is any hair products or in my case a curling iron. I think you get the idea. Just go through your daily routine in the morning when getting ready and you should remember everything. I also try to pack the minimal amount of make-up. I bought a small toiletry bag to put a lot of this in.

Clothes

The next thing is clothes. First on my list is always pajamas. Next, what am I going to be doing while on my trip? Am I going to need a jacket? Will I be swimming? What’s the temperature going to be when I’m there, long or short sleeve tops? You probably get my point. Next is how many of everything will I need? I personally wear a lot of jeans, so usually two or three pair will suffice most trips. Can you get away with just a few pair of pants and then add a shirt for everyday you’ll be there? Most important is to think about what you’ll be doing while you’re there to help determine what you want to wear. Don’t forget shoes. I usually take an extra pair and either flip flops or slippers to wear in the hotel room. That way I have two pair of shoes and something comfy for the room.

Extras

Next is miscellaneous items, do you need jewelry, a scarf, an umbrella? Don’t forget to think about the weather and if you’ll need jewelry for a special engagement . I used to just leave them off my list, sure I would remember to pack them and of course I forgot. This is also where if I’m going on a road trip, I will add more items. We usually pack a cooler, take extra drinks for the hotel room, etc. I also take a laundry bag with me to help sorting dirty from clean when we get home. I got a collapsible bag and can be washed so you can just throw it all in the washer when you get home. They can take up a bit of space in your suitcase when you fill them, but it should take the same space your clean clothes took.

Electronics

Last but not least, all of our electronics. I sometimes think that maybe I should leave them at home, but then I really like my Kindle Fire so I can read, especially on the plane or if I’m going to the beach. If you are like me, a Kindle Fire is a wonderful item because not only can you read books, but I use it in place of my laptop and tablet. So, then I have to make sure I add cords, chargers, etc. to my list because I really don’t want to have to buy new ones. Think about taking an extension cord also, because sometimes in the hotel rooms plugs aren’t in convenient places. And no matter what, we always have our phones and have to remember our chargers. I got this travel bag for my electronics so that the cords don’t tangle.

Conclusion

For me, even though I always feel like it’s going to be such a chore to pack for a trip, once I sit down and think through what I will really need, packing becomes much easier. If you picture what you need every day at home and really think about where you are going, you should be well prepared for your trip. I hope that this helps you too! Have fun and enjoy your adventures!! If you are looking for a new adventure, please read some of our other posts and find your inspiration.

If interested in watching our travel videos, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwhGhIRZo-k6Gb5J1HP9YHg

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Since neither of us have ever been to Taos, we decided to just go straight there and figure out if there was anywhere, we wanted to stop on the way back. The drive is beautiful, with views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande which is such a striking river with the rapids and force of the water. One of the things you can do while in Taos is white water rafting tours. Also, make sure you check out the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Sometimes I am so amazed by engineering and structures that are built. And the beauty of the sacred Taos Mountain is a sight to behold.

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Shopping

My goal this vacation was shopping!! We recently moved to Henderson, NV and I was looking for décor for our house and gifts for Christmas and Taos didn’t let me down with the wide variety of shops. If shopping is on your list of things to do in Taos, make sure you walk around the shops on Bent St., the John Dunn shops and Taos Plaza.

Amongst the shops on Bent St. and John Dunn St. there is a variety of restaurants and coffee shops where you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. If you love chocolate, make sure to stop at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory!!

Pro Tip: If you like to shop like me but hate carrying the bags, I found this great shopping bag on wheels that also folds to fit in your luggage. Check it out on Amazon.

Places of Interest

Taos also has many historic sites to see if you have time. Taos Pueblo is probably the most well-known. It is about 3 miles north of the city and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Another place to see is the Historic Taos Plaza. It has been a center for local trade for centuries. Today a lot of the old mercantile stores house galleries, restaurants and shops. You can tour San Francisco de Asis Catholic Mission Church or go to the Kit Carson home & museum. You can also visit the Taos campus of University of New Mexico. If you enjoy something a little different, take a trip to see the Earth Ships that are northwest of Taos. It is a community of housing resembling out of this world houses that use only solar and wind power.

Galleries

My favorite artist, R.C. Gorman, lived in Taos and opened his first gallery here, making it the first Native owned gallery in the area. The gallery is now located in the Hotel La Fonda de Taos. If you like Native American art, you should check this out. The beautiful colors alone are what draw me to his work. There are quite a few galleries and museums throughout the town of Taos and in the plaza. Ledoux Street in particular has many galleries. It is a very pleasant stroll around the plaza, so be sure to check out all of the great places to see here.

Taos Ski Valley

The other thing people flock to Taos for is skiing! Taos Ski Valley is a village and alpine ski resort located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. There are hotels, condos & chalets you can choose from all near the ski runs. They have ski runs for all skiers from beginner to advanced. There are plenty of restaurants here from morning coffee to lunch-time snacks and many dinner choices. There is some shopping here, but it is limited. All in all, you have plenty of choices so there is no need to go to town, if you don’t want to. Winter isn’t the only time to visit Ski Valley though. In summer you can hike trails to Williams Lake or Wheeler Peak (highest peak in New Mexico), mountain bike, rock climb or fish.

White Water Rafting

On our way back, we stopped to watch some of the white-water rafters, I would like to try this one day. It looks like so much fun. The Rio Grande River is very impressive and looks like a wonderful place to white water raft. You can also raft through the Rio Grande Gorge. There are various levels of rafting available along with a number of companies to choose from. Please be aware rafting season only runs from spring to the end of fall.

Casinos

Even though we always love new casinos, we only stopped at Cities of Gold casino on the way back. But if you’re interested in casinos, there are two other casinos on the low road, Ohkay Hotel and Casino and Santa Claran Hotel and Casino. There is also the Taos Mountain Casino near Taos Pueblo

If you would like to see more of our adventures in Santa Fe and Taos click on this link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHd0t6kGqoLBGO9NhpaxrmQ

Conclusion

I recommend if you want to really enjoy all there is to offer in Taos that you plan to at least spend a few days. There are so many things to do whether you want to learn about history, if you want to shop or if you like outdoor activities. I was in awe of the beauty surrounding this area and if we had the time I would have stayed longer and taken the high road back to Santa Fe.

I hope this helps you plan your trip to Taos or inspires you to go on your adventure elsewhere. Find time to explore new places and enjoy! I hope you check out some of our other adventures and find somewhere that ignites your passion.

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