Reasons to Visit Albuquerque

Welcome to New Mexico's largest and most populous city. With a small-town charm and home to the iconic series Breaking Bad, you will easily fall in love with the exciting attractions and beautiful desert landscape. Whether you are going on a family vacation or solo trip, Albuquerque offers plenty of cultural institutions, historical sites and culinary excellence for you to enjoy. Mingle with over 22 Native American tribes and take a souvenir to add to your collection. Here are some of our favorite reasons to visit Albuquerque.

Dubbed the longest tramway in the world, the 15-minute ride offers spectacular views of canyons, mountains, and forests below. Take in the beautiful Albuquerque sunset at the Peak of Sandia Mountain, 10,378 feet above sea level! There is a cafeteria at the top, and hiking trails that take you through the woods. For reservations and additional information visit, http://www.sandiapeak.com/.

Stretching over a 10-block radius, the Old Town is dedicated to showcasing some of the most historic heritage in our country. Experience striking works of art, Native American artifacts, and architecture from the Navajo and Hopi Native Americans. To top it all off, make sure you visit the Church of San Felipe de Neri which happens to be the oldest building in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque hosts the International Balloon Fiesta every October. It is a gathering of the largest collection of hot air balloons in the world. Incredible and unusual balloon designs fill the sky in a delight of shapes and colors you can see nowhere else. It's a great place to take vacation photos and a surreal sight to witness.

Runners, walkers, cyclists, roller skaters and skate boarders can circle the perimeter of the city through historic neighborhoods on the 50 Mile Activity Loop. If the route is too long for you, there are several mini loops to explore. In addition to historical sites you will also have access to some of the best restaurants and shops along the way. If you love outdoor activities, you are in for a teal treat along this activity loop.

The American International Rattlesnake Museum is a conservation museum dedicated to rattlesnakes. The collection of snakes here is enormous and if you fear snakes, well, you can try to conquer that fear by visiting this exhibit. The Tinkertown Museum offers a collection of carvings and memorabilia representing the different Native American tribes. Finally, there is the Balloon Museum which explains the history behind the Balloon Fiesta. While you're there try the balloon simulator to discover if you can fly a hot air balloon without crashing it!

Are you a fan of bird watching? Tour the Rio Grande river and see unique species of birds among the lush landscape along this world-famous river. If you like, there are guides on hand and guided tours to help you navigate the trails and spot common and elusive birds. There is even a feeder installed where hundreds of birds converge to enjoy a meal.

This is just a taste of what you can expect. Clearly Albuquerque is an underrated city. What's more, it's a stone's throw from Santa Fe, NM which itself has a myriad of historical sites and excellent dining and entertainment options. If you visit the area, be sure to go to both and get a two for one out of your vacation. You can get more information about this historical city at the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.