Sarah & Walter
Things To Do
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
This is the highlight of an Albuquerque visit! There are lots of activities scheduled throughout the week, including mass ascension, where nearly 1000 hot air balloons take off from the balloon field and fill the Albuquerque sky. You can walk around the field, up close and personal with the balloons while crews prepare for launch. There are also some of the best breakfast burritos in town from the vendors! Sarah‘s personal favorites are the night glows, where the balloons are tethered in the field and they fire the burners to make them glow. You can walk around directly under the balloons and get great views. You can order tickets online to any of the events, although, usually tickets are not a problem.
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Co.
Rainbow Ryders is the premier company for private or small group hot air balloon experiences. If you have always wanted to try a hot air balloon ride, we highly recommend it during Balloon Fiesta. They are the only company that launches from the Balloon Fiesta park. Reservations are limited and they fill up very quickly during the fiesta. Book early!
Railrunner Train to Santa Fe & other stops
This is a great way to get to Santa Fe without having to drive and being able to enjoy the scenery. There are 2 train stations in Bernalillo and several throughout Albuquerque. Several of the Bernalillo hotels and casinos have shuttles to the station. It is about an hour train ride to Santa Fe and a 10 minute walk to the historic Santa Fe Plaza. There are plenty of Ubers once you get there. There’s also a well known New Mexican restaurant immediately outside the Santa Fe train station called Tomasitas. Try their special margarita, The Frog! The train also goes south from Bernalillo to downtown ABQ, Los Lunas, and Belen (2 more suburbs.) Our second date was a train ride to Santa Fe and a walk down Canyon Road in Santa Fe to see the galleries. We highly recommend this-pack some snacks and have a picnic on the train, just like we do regularly!
Santa Fe Plaza
The historic Santa Fe Plaza. Beautiful New Mexican architecture surrounded by some of the best restaurants and shops. A nice and easy walk to explore the area. One of our favorite stops on the Plaza is the French bakery at La Fonda hotel. We especially enjoy the chorizo crepes--a real cultural fusion and totally delicious!
Meow Wolf Santa Fe (The Original)
Meow Wolf is an interactive and immersive arts experience in Santa Fe. It’s is offbeat and hard to describe-but wildly popular and exciting. If you venture to Santa Fe, we recommend it.
Green (or red) chile
Green chile isn't just a pepper...it's an INSTITUTION in New Mexico! It can literally be found at virtually any restaurant, including chains that you'd never expect. (Even McDonald's in NM have green chile cheeseburgers featured prominently on their menus, so you know it's popular!) Green chile is usually served as a salsa and red chile, from the same pepper, is typically a sauce. Is it hot? Sometimes. Is it delicious? ABSOLUTELY! And if you order "Christmas", you'll get both red and green chile. Chile in NM is not like "Texas chili"--it's a condiment, not a meal. And if you spell it 'chili', we'll know you're not from around here!
Tamaya Mist Spa
The spa is part of the venue resort, and is great for massages, facials, and relaxing in the hot tubs and saunas. They use a lot of native plants and minerals in their procedures, and it’s a great way to relax! You don’t not need to be a guest of the resort to make a reservation at the spa.
Old Town Albuquerque
Old Town Albuquerque was established in 1706 and was the original city center. Old town is nice for a stroll, and is home to many restaurants, museums and galleries. The Natural History Museum and Explora hands-on science museum are both nearby and very nice. The San Felipe de Neri church was completed in 1793, and is an example of the traditional adobe construction common to the area. The Albuquerque Zoo and Botanical Gardens are also nearby and are exquisite. We personally love the zoo and go at least a few times per year.
Sandia Peak Tramway
The tram is the longest in the Americas and goes to the crest of Sandia peak, 10,378 ft. During the trip, you can see all of the Albuquerque metro and, on clear days, the Santa Fe peak to the north and Mt Taylor to the west. At the top, there is a restaurant, Ten Three, that is upscale and usually requires reservations. There are also hiking trails at the crest, ranging from easy strolls to lengthy, strenuous hikes.
Petroglyph National Monument
If you have an hour or two, the Petroglyph National Monument is an interesting place to visit. It's just a few miles from the venue in NW Albuquerque and is an easy walk, with both paved and unpaved, but very flat and easy, trails. Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. There is a $1-2 parking fee, and the visitor center provides great information on the historical site.
TEN 3
Ten 3 restaurant and bar is at the crest of Sandia Peak and is only accessible by the tram. It is a great spot for a romantic dinner with spectacular views of the Albuquerque area and some of the best sunsets around. Reservations are required, although seats at the bar may be available, and the tram does not operate in inclement weather or in high winds. Check either the restaurant or the tram’s website for current status.
Range Cafe Bernalillo
Another Bernalillo institution. Great New Mexican food and often have a band in their bar area in the evenings. Lots of quirky decorations and a gift shop featuring local artisans. Family friendly and located just a few miles from the venue.
Silva's Saloon
This is a weird one but one of our personal favorites! Silva’s is a Bernalillo institution and is the oldest bar in New Mexico-they hold liquor license number 2 for the state. Mr. Silva’s father opened it when he was only 6 months old immediately after the end of Prohibition. Mr. Silva still comes in, although his daughter now runs it. It has been the setting for countless movies and is full of memorabilia on the walls and ceilings. (The Polaroid of Julia Roberts and Mr. Silva during the filming of her first movie is a highlight.) It is often surrounded by motorcycles, but we assure you it’s totally safe-the locals and regulars keep order, and it’s worth a stop. They are open irregular hours, usually close by 7, and are cash only, but it’s a cool stop.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
For one of the best-kept secrets in the area, visit the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, just 30 minutes north of Bernalillo on the Cochiti Pueblo. This park is a great example of the geology of the area. The cone-shaped tent rocks, or hoodoos, are made of softer pumice stone, topped by harder boulders formed during volcanic eruptions. The trails are 1-1.5 miles and not difficult, but the scenery is unique. Nearby, also on the Cochiti Pueblo, is Cochiti lake, where the Rio Grande is dammed to form a calm and scenic lake. It will be too chilly to swim, but it's scenic and a nice stop.