What's going on, Albuquerque?

Favorite Activity for Out-Of-Town Visitors?

Howdy all! I've got a friend coming to visit for several days, and am wondering--

What's your favorite thing to show visitors about Albuquerque? or do with visitors? We'll have a Balloon Fiesta day, and probably a visit to Taos and Santa Fe, but I've got a couple more days to fill up!

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Permalink Reply by Brendan on September 15, 2011 at 3:17pm

Tram, tinker town, hot springs... skate park if there are mopey teenagers.

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Permalink Reply by misterhinkydink on September 15, 2011 at 3:17pm

Trinity Site will be open the first Saturday in October. Then you can hit the VLA on the way home.

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Permalink Reply by JeSais on September 15, 2011 at 3:33pm

She will be here the 2nd Saturday! but thanks for the reminder-- The Trinity site has been on my list

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Permalink Reply by Shifty on September 15, 2011 at 3:22pm

Bandelier! Everyone I've ever taken there said it was the highlight of their trip. Even less-physical folks can tour the main ruins and the drive up is beautiful. Acoma Sky City Pueblo is also a hit with most people and can be done as a day trip.

Closer to home, you can spend half a day walking around Old Town and then get cocktails at Seasons or St. Clair. I find that Sadie's is too hot for most out-of-towners and I now take them to El Pinto or El Bruno's for the New Mexican restaurant experience. I have found my visitors are underwhelmed by Sandia Peak and Petroglyph Monument.

Have fun and good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Brendan on September 15, 2011 at 3:25pm

DIdn't Bandelier experience heavy fire damage? It might not be a good year for there.

On the way to Santa Fe, the slot canyon near Cochiti is nice.

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Permalink Reply by Shifty on September 15, 2011 at 3:30pm

Good point! Some of the park is still open but much of it is not. It looks like the Tsankawi Trail is still open, though. It's very cool four-mile hike to some ruins but is not a good option for people who are afraid of heights.

http://www.nps.gov/band/planyourvisit/tsankawi.htm

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Permalink Reply by JeSais on September 15, 2011 at 3:34pm

I should have said this is a spunky, fit 70 year-old, kind of my second mom. She is from Hawaii (not sure if that makes a difference)

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Permalink Reply by K on September 15, 2011 at 6:17pm

I highly recommend Acoma. It is a great slice of the New Mexico pie landscape, culture, and history.

Also, take the railrunner to Santa Fe and walk to the Museums and have a tapas and margarita at the Coyote Bar.

Ojo Caliente is also a great trip, if you like to soak but is somewhat pricey. There is also 10,000 waves in SF too

Bike or walk along the bosque trail near the Nature Center.

Hike the North 10K trail to the rim in the Sandias.

Sometimes there are dances at the Pueblo Cultrual Center

If you go to Taos, take the high road and stop at the Santuario de Chimayo and then to the Ranchos de Chimayo restaruant. You may even be able to go into the church at Las Trampas and the road ends at the church at Ranchos de Taos.

Sorry, just got carried away. I could go on and on.

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Permalink Reply by nancy on September 15, 2011 at 10:27pm

Tent Rocks! It always amazes our visitors. The hike through the slot canyon is so much fun.

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Permalink Reply by PJH on September 16, 2011 at 5:58am

For a short, in-town adventure, how about a nice morning or evening walk around Tingley Beach and then into the bosque itself to enjoy the two ponds back in there.

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Permalink Reply by cathyray on September 16, 2011 at 7:50am

Acoma!

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Permalink Reply by Edith Grove on September 16, 2011 at 9:52am

Our visitors have always enjoyed Acoma, but another wonderful place is the oft-overlooked Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in Mountainair. It's a lovely drive down there and there are three ruins to visit. I personally love Quarai and Abo, but the main visitor center is at Gran Quivira. Take a picnic and enjoy a relaxing day exploring the ruins.