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Sandia Mountains and the
Rio Grande River
Photo Courtesy of www.marblestreetstudio.com
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Natural landscapes, historic attractions, cultural galleries and fantastic
shopping come together to create the dynamic city of Albuquerque.
Exemplifying the spirit of the west, Albuquerque offers a wealth of culture
that began with the inhabitants of the Southwest thousands of years ago.
Visitors can learn about Albuquerque's rich history and proud heritage at
one of the city's numerous Indian Pueblos. Aside from American Indian heritage,
Albuquerque has been described as one of the most culturally diverse cities
in the United States,
a trait that is clearly present in the city's restaurants,
shops, museums and art
galleries. As New
Mexico's largest city, Albuquerque encompasses a colorful spirit
converging the traditions of the Southwest with urban amenities.
ORIENTATION
Located in New Mexico, one of the most sparsely populated states in the U.S.,
Albuquerque spreads more than 100 square miles in an elevated valley. The city
is approximately 55 mi (90 km) southwest of Santa
Fe and 240 mi (385 km) north of the Mexican border. Albuquerque's location
between the impressive Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River affords an
abundance of recreational opportunities from mountain biking to white-water
rafting.
HISTORY
The history of New
Mexico's inhabitants began in the 6th century with the arrival of the
ancestral Puebloans who settled and worked the land along the banks of
the Rio Grande, planting corn, beans and squash as well as constructing
structures built with sun-dried clay and straw bricks called adobe buildings. The city of Albuquerque saw its beginning in the mid-16th century when King Philip of Spain gave colonists permission to settle the area of the
Rio Grande Valley, which is currently referred to as Old Town Albuquerque. The city was named in 1706 after the Duke of Albuquerque, viceroy of New Spain, and today still retains the nickname of Duke City.
Throughout the 18th
and 19th centuries Albuquerque was little more then a rustic trading centre
along a trail linking Mexico and Santa Fe. Families of Spanish descent
accounted for most of the population. The arrival of the railroad in 1880
dramatically changed the dynamics of the city and Albuquerque gradually
grew to a town resembling those of the East Coast in both demographics
and attitude. Albuquerque was incorporated as a town in 1885. Further
development occurred in the early 20th century with the establishment
of the first transcontinental highway Route 66, the easiest way to travel
from east to west through New Mexico. From the railroad and Route 66,
Albuquerque receives a steady stream of traffic right through the city.
Today, although Albuquerque
continues its traditional role as a transportation hub, the city has matured
into a leader in high-tech research with some of the nation's finest high-tech
research facilities, including the Sandia National Laboratory, Phillips
Laboratory and the University of New Mexico.
| |
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
23°F
(-4 °C) |
47°F
(8 °C) |
9
mm |
| Feb |
28°F
(-2 °C) |
53°F
(12 °C) |
10
mm |
| Mar
|
33°F
(0 °C) |
61°F
(16 °C) |
12
mm |
| Apr |
41°F
(4 °C) |
70°F
(21 °C) |
13
mm |
| May
|
50°F
(10 °C) |
80°F
(26 °C) |
16
mm |
| Jun
|
59°F
(15 °C) |
89°F
(32 °C) |
16
mm |
| Jul |
65°F
(18 °C) |
92°F
(33 °C) |
34
mm |
|
Aug |
63°F
(17 °C) |
89°F
(32 °C) |
37
mm |
|
Sep |
56°F
(13 °C) |
82°F
(28 °C) |
24
mm |
|
Oct |
44°F
(7 °C) |
71°F
(22 °C) |
23
mm |
|
Nov |
31°F
(0 °C) |
57°F
(14 °C) |
11
mm |
|
Dec |
24°F
(-4 °C) |
48°F
(9 °C) |
12
mm |
|
| | Climate
data from the
Western Regional Climate Center |
CLIMATE
On average, Albuquerque enjoys 310 days a year of blue skies and sunshine. In the winter months Albuquerque's temperature averages 47.8°F (8.8°C) and in the summer 89.3°F (31.8°C). The city's cool nights, even at the height of summer, provide some relief from the heat that is typical of the southwest. Albuquerque's low humidity combined with welcoming temperatures makes the city a favorite
destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
TRANSPORTATION
For long distance
traveling, the highways and freeways in the Albuquerque area are easy
to navigate and make various attractions and venues easy to find. In addition
to the Greyhound
Bus
service that runs throughout New Mexico, there are daily train services
from Albuquerque's Amtrak
station east to Chicago
and west to Los Angeles.
If traveling by air, the Albuquerque
International Airport serves as the the main gateway to New Mexico despite
the fact that it is relatively small and offers no international services. Cars
and other vehicles may be rented at car
rental agencies throughout the city.
The city itself offers
a hub of transportation options for local residents and visitors alike.
Visitors can opt for a ride in a luxurious limousine
or choose the convenience of one of the city's many taxi
services. ABQ
RIDE Bus provides public
transportation throughout the city. Be aware that the hours of
operation are limited on Saturdays and the buses stop running by 9pm on
weekdays.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
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Acoma Pueblo
Photo Courtesy of Lynn Barker | |
Albuquerque's American Indian heritage is proudly preserved through the cities
numerous Pueblos,
which are permanent American Indian villages in northern and western New Mexico
and northeast Arizona. The Pueblo people are known for their skilled craft in
pottery, basketry, weaving and metalworking. Before venturing out and exploring
Albuquerque's many Indian Pueblos, travelers can get acquainted with the American
Indian culture at The
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Visitors are invited to experience the
legacy left by these original inhabitants of the Southwest with changing exhibits,
murals and contemporary art. The center's restaurant serves traditional American
Indian food, including Indian baked bread and Indian fry bread, and the center's
store carries jewelry, pottery, leather crafts and paintings for purchase.
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
The spectacular Albuquerque
Biological Park is a stable of endless entertainment consisting
of three separate facilities: the Rio Grande Zoological Park, the Albuquerque Aquarium and the Rio Grande Botanic Garden. With over 250 species of exotic and native animals, the Rio
Grande Zoo allows visitors to ogle everything from polar bears
to Mexican wolves in realistic habitats complete with vegetation, grasses,
water features and rock-work.
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 |
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Rio Grande Botanic Garden
Photo Courtesy of Raymond Watt Albuquerque BioPark |
Visitors at The
Albuquerque Aquarium follow a drop of water as it passes from
the upper Rio Grande in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, through to
the lower Rio Grande and into the Gulf of Mexico. A 285,000-gallon ocean
tank with floor to ceiling viewing windows houses sandtiger, blacktip
and nurse sharks swimming beside colorful reef fish, eels, sea turtles
and numerous other ocean species.
Located across from
the aquarium, the Rio
Grande Botanic Garden allows guests to stroll through over 20
developed acres of lush greenery in the middle of the desert. A 10,000-square-foot glass conservatory is home to a Desert Pavilion and a Mediterranean Pavilion. Other garden features include a herb garden, a ceremonial rose garden and a demonstration garden.
Natural Parks
 | |
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway
Photo Courtesy of Jay Blackwood | |
New Mexico's magnificent natural landscapes easily explain why the state
has been dubbed the Land of Enchantment. Views of Albuquerque's spectacular
scenery are offered at the Sandia
Peak Aerial Tramway, one of the world's longest double reversible
aerial tramways. While traveling 2.7 miles, from the base of the foothills
to the top of the 10,400-foot Sandia Peak, passengers glide over a lush
ponderosa forest, rugged canyons, extinct volcanoes and desert landscape.
In the winter, riders can ski down the slopes of the Sandia
Peak Ski Area and in the summer the brisk mountain air provides
the perfect setting for either a ride down aboard the Sandia Peak Ski Area's
primary chairlift or on a mountain bike down a series of trails in the Cibola
National Forest. Bike
rentals are available at the base and the top of the chairlift.
Boasting over 270
acres of riverside forest and meadows, The Rio
Grande Nature Center is a natural paradise allowing visitors to
develop an intimate relationship with nature. 100 year-old cottonwoods,
and clumps of willow, tamarisk and Russian olive trees are threaded throughout
the park creating a pristine environment for more than 260 species of
birds. In addition, this park also houses over two miles of trials. Built
partially underground, the park's visitors center is home to a library
and exhibits highlighting the ecology, geology and history of the Rio
Grande Valley. Further recreational opportunities can be found at the
Sandia
Lakes Recreation Area, with over 40 acres of mature cottonwood
forest, three stocked fishing lakes, hiking trails, bird watching opportunities
and picnic areas.
Entertainment
A unique mix of cultural
influences have provided Albuquerque with unique shopping and entertainment
venues. The center of the original Villa of Albuquerque, The
Historic Old Town
is a local hot spot bursting with southwestern shops, restaurants and
art galleries. This area, now a historic zone, maintains much of the original
Pueblo-Spanish style architecture that was present centuries ago. Another
interesting shopping experience is promised at The
Little Shops on Rio Grande with specialty stores featuring original
art, pottery, jewelry, apparel, southwestern, gifts, collectibles and
much more.
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Handmade American Indian Jewelry
Photo Courtesy of www.marblestreetstudio.com |
Albuquerque is a gem
for the arts community, housing over 100 galleries and studios with a
medley of styles and expressions. Moreover, a diversity of dynamic performing
arts companies, including the New
Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the Albuquerque
Little Theatre, offer live entertainment. One of the most popular
performing arts companies, The
Gorilla Tango Comedy Theater is an all ages improve and sketch
comedy theatre which features original sketch shows and improv teams.
Museums
Rich in cultural tradition
and heritage Albuquerque is home to a plenitude of museums that are sure
to capture a variety of interests. For history buffs, The
Albuquerque Museum of Art & History showcases 400 years of Albuquerque
history through permanent displays and special exhibitions, as well as
Southwestern artwork. The
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
highlights the state's exceptional dinosaur collection, from fossilized
dinosaur skin to a dinosaur egg, and invites visitors to walk through
an active volcano as well as experience the Ice Age. The Dynamax Theater
and the LodeStar
Astronomy Center add additional entertainment and education to
the museum. Focusing primarily on the Manhattan Project, The
National Atomic Museum features exhibits that take visitors through
the process that developed, produced and tested the first nuclear weapon.
Adventure seekers
can explore The
Turquoise Museum, a mine tunnel replica featuring rare and spectacular
turquoise specimens from around the world, or examine the Petroglyph
National Monument, home to one of the world's largest accessible
collections of prehistoric rock art. Specializing in the cultural heritage
of the Southwest, The
Maxwell Museum of Anthropology features a reconstructed cave setting
complete with Ice Age drawings and sculptures. Lastly, The
Explora Science Center & Childrens Museum is sure to keep young
hands busy with over 50,000 square feet of educational, hands-on exhibits
and activities.
