This past week we had the pleasure of visiting Albuquerque, NM on a little vacation over Thanksgiving break.  There are few places that we can schedule to go in the winter time where we know for sure we won’t be snowed out or freeze to death.  New Mexico is usually tops on our list.  A few years ago, we traveled to Santa Fe, NM and had the best time, so this year we decided to go a little further west and take on the big city.  We don’t do this often, but when the temps are threatening to be around the freezing mark, we work a little harder, save up and splurge on a nice place to stay.  This time, even upped the ante, reserving a deluxe camping the KOA, instead of our usual camping cabin go to.

I had been to Albuquerque a few times visiting friends and had a good start on what to see and do while we were there.  Gia had only passed through on bus ride many years ago and was relying on me to do the homework and footwork for what we could see and do.  I don’t mind that as I love being in charge of the schedule.  That way, we can be as go go go as we want or relax and take it easy.  There are so many nice places to go, amazing places to eat, and cool areas to venture out into, we would be limited by time, but that’s not always a bad thing.  It would leave us a few places to visit the next time.

We talked on the way home and comprised a list of our top 10 places to go, visit and eateries to not miss while we were there.  Yes, we actually visited all of the places we list, and are not just going off a Google list.  We never recommend any place we don’t actually step foot inside.

So here we go…these will be in no particular order, due to the fact that there are several different categories included…

 

#10 – Sandia Peak (www.sandiapeak.com)

“Rising from the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque, you ascend one of America’s most stunning urban peaks. Reaching the 10,378-foot crest of the Sandia Mountains, an 11,000 square mile panoramic view awaits you. It’s an elevation of the body, mind, and soul in a mere 15 minutes.”

I could not have said it better myself.  Taken from their website, they literally said in a couple sentences what would have taken me several pages to describe.  This was not my first trip to the top, but it was my first trip this time of year.   It was to be very cold, so we layered up and took more layers in our backpack.  We had planned to hike a few trails when we got to the top, but they were ice covered.  No worries, though as the views were captivating so we stood around, sat around and just walked around taking it all in.  You won’t get these views from anywhere else, and you get both sides of the mountains as the backside has views of the Rockies all the way to Taos and beyond to Colorado.

TIPS – It is very windy so take more layers than what you might think you will need.  Get your tickets the day before and go as early as possible.  The crowds will be so much better and you will have room to move around.  We were the first to head to the top and only had to deal with around 12 people.  When we returned back about and hour and half later the lines were filled with around 100 people and there were 2 busses of school kids waiting to board.  If you go in the winter and walk to venture out on the trails take microspikes or crampons in order to do that as there will be snow and ice.

 

#9 – Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th St. N.W., Albuquerque, NM 87104)

Website – https://indianpueblo.org/

Ranked #6 of 383 things to do in ABQ on Yelp, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center has a museum and kitchen where you can visit the history of the 19 Pueblo’s in New Mexico.  My wife and I went through the museum, seeing the art on exhibit (they even had a children’s art exhibit at the time), visiting with a local tribal leader selling local art (we bought Christmas décor), and seeing how the tribes have managed to live and dwell throughout time.  We were very sad that we had missed a tribal dance that happened earlier that day, so make sure and look ahead of time to see what events they will be having at the Center.  We ended our time there by visiting the Indian Pueblo Kitchen and ordered a few local treats to get the full experience.  Plus, we wanted to go all we could as all the money spent at the Center goes to help all of the 19 Pueblos that are still operating in New Mexico.  It was a stop worth our time and the food was very good and unique.

#8 – New Mexico Beef Jerky Company (1425 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102)

Website – https://newmexicobeefjerkycompany.com/

This was the first place we went and one of the last before we left town.  Several years ago, when I was invited to come to Albuquerque by friends, this was the first place we met and first business I stepped foot in this amazing city.  At that time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  I was told they had the world’s best fresh Chicharrons.  Now, the only thing I had ever eaten before that resembled this was a bag that had that word on the outside, which we call “pork skins.”  These, my friends, are not even close.  Pork belly that is battered with some kind of concoction and then fried til chewy/crunchy.  I can’t even describe.  On top of those (you can order by the pound), you can get some of the best New Mexican breakfast dishes and burritos you have ever eaten.  The atmosphere is great, hole in the wall, friendly and old school with an order at the window.  I tell people all the time I would drive all the way to ABQ just to go eat at this place.  I can’t believe it does not receive any more recognition than it does.  It is unreal good.

#7 – Petroglyph National Monument (https://www.nps.gov/petr/planyourvisit/directions.htm)

One of the main things we love to do when we travel is to hit all of the National Parks, Monuments, etc.  Most of the time, these areas have lots of good historical information and are clean and well taken care of.  I am a huge fan of Petroglyphs as most of the time they are extremely old, unique and are outdoors.  Here at Petroglyph NM, you are able to visit so many different areas outdoors via hiking trails, which are right up our alley.  We actually went to this area on three different occasions on this trip and did not go to the same part of the park twice.  The Volcano area was really one of our favorites but Boca Negra Canyon is the area that has the most Petroglyphs (over 25,000) and is a very easy and beautiful hike.

#6 – Franks Famous Chicken and Waffles (400 Washington St SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108)

Website – https://www.franksfamouschickenandwaffles.com/

I was standing at church on the Sunday before we left to go on the trip and one of my friends who has traveled west extensively stated, “ok.  There is this chicken place you have to go to.  It is famous and so good.”  He googled it on his phone as it had been several years.  I typed it out on the ABQ notes on my phone, “Franks Chicken and Waffles.”  One of the duties I have before we take any vacation anywhere is to look at a website, I found a few years ago.  www.dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com has never let me down anywhere I have ever traveled.  It lists the best of the best of most major cities and states.  I looked at it the next day and this place was listed.  I knew it had to be worth the trip.

My wife and I pulled up at the side and parked.  We had made our way to a part of the city we hadn’t seen yet.  It was dark and gloomy, hood like almost.  There weren’t many businesses around and it was late in the evening so the area was very dark.  You could tell this place had been here for many years.  We sat down and received amazing service.  The place looked like it had been decorated back in the sixties, very retro.  Even had a couple of Prince’s guitars on display.  The smell of the food was what got us though. The sweet mixed with the savory.  We ordered the strips with the waffles.  The strips were home breaded and the waffles were legit good.  Don’t forget to get a side of the bacon jam.  It is the best thing I have ever put on a waffle.  You won’t regret it.  We didn’t order much on the menu but received so much food we left with a box.  We loved this place.

#5 – Old Town (https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/about-abq/neighborhoods/historic-old-town/)

I have been to several different cities that boast to have an “old town.”  I mean, it is not like it most cities there is not an area that is older than the rest of it.  You know?  It doesn’t make much sense, but then I guess that is a proper name for the older part of town.  That is exactly what happened here when Spanish settlers made this their settlement in 1706 making it ABQ’s first neighborhood.  Anyway, this area has a great atmosphere with a cool square.  Get there early as there is not much free parking around the square.  Most things open around 9 a.m. except the church on Sundays and they have two services.  We walked in between the services and looked around.  It is beautiful and worth a few minutes to see.

The shops around have most of the same stuff, souvenirs from the area, but there are a few that have different things.  Make sure and go down each of the little side alleys to visit the boutique coffee shops, art galleries and other crafty shops.  The Christmas store was interesting.  Don’t spend your money in the first shop where you see something.  You can always go back.

#4 – Hot Air Balloon Rides (5601 Eagle Rock Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87113)

Website – https://rainbowryders.com/locations/albuquerque/

This has been on both of our bucket lists for a while.  I had my doubts about our timing of this though as going in November would mean that the mornings would be extremely cold, even for the desert.  Yet, we took the chance and decided to go with it.  Just like everything I do, I did my homework and looked at all of the places that offer these and what types of flights they offered.  RainbowRyders (www.rainbowryders.com) seemed to have the best reviews and the most reviews of anywhere in the area.  They offer different types of flights including sunrise, sunset and private flights.  I took the chance and reserved us two tickets on the sunrise flight.

When we arrived, I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.  I had no idea how popular this would be as car after car after car arrived about the same time as us and people started pouring into the facility.  I was glad we arrived early as there were six vans already loaded and ready and over 70 people were ready and eager to get on and go.  We first went into a holding area, then split up according to tickets and pilots, loaded into a van and headed to the other side of town.  I was not too excited that 12 people were about to get inside a basket with us (I was hoping for a more unique, private and personal experience), but I had to take the hand I was dealt.

We helped get the balloon blown up, piled into the basket (I would recommend being ready to get inside the basket during the winter months as soon as they get it stood up as you get closest to the pilot and the fire), and took off.  We had the best pilot I could ask for (He actually set us down right on the water of the Rio Grande River), gave us great information, had the smoothest flight, and enjoyed every minute.  Even with a wind and bumpy landing (I now know what he means when he says “we will have a little bump”), it was so amazing and I would do it again today.  Even though it is very expensive by my standards, I think it was worth every penny.  Finishing off the experience with a Champagne toast was a great way to end this epic bucket list experience.

NOTE – If you have a fear of heights or edges (as I do), you will feel safe on this experience.  I never felt unsafe one time during the flight.  You will barely notice any wind as you will be floating above the city.  The basket has very high (came up to my chest) sides so never had a fear of falling out.  The only thing I was scared of was dropping my phone, so you might want to be prepared and carry a phone tether to make sure that doesn’t happen.

#3 – La Guelaguetza Mexican Restaurant (816 Old Coors Dr SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121)

LINK – https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/albuquerque-la-guelaguetza-serves-taste-of-oaxaca/

This was a pleasant surprise as we were looking to end our trip on a high note.  We were very tired on the last day and decided to go back to the cabin and take a nap.  While my wife was resting, I decided to do some research and find a top-rated Mexican restaurant for us to eat dinner.  This one is not on the DDD list but should be.  It is on the west side of town, which was a good drive for us, but had amazing reviews on Google and Yelp.  When we arrived, we noticed they had been nominated for a James Beard award.  I had never seen or heard of any Mexican restaurant being nominated for this.

We got the tacos and the Birria pizza which is their most popular dish.  Both were out of this world good. The pizza is enough to feed several people so get ready for a “to go” box.  The brothers who own and run the place are some of the nicest people and helped us pick out what we wanted to eat.  I would eat here every single day if I lived in the area.

#2 – Fruit Basket (6343 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107)

Website – https://thefruitbasketabq.com/

For a different kind of place to visit, check out the Fruit Basket.  This open-air market has some of the freshest vegetables in the area.  Their vegetable sections of the market look like they have been photographed by an award-winning photographer.  They have so many good and local items such as fresh roasted green chiles and pinon nuts.  Coffees and canned or local items in jars will have you filling your basket to bring these goodies home!

#1 – Church Street Café in Old Town (2111 Church St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104)

Website – https://www.churchstreetcafe.com/

While in Old Town, you will want to stick around for lunch.  There are several different places where you can do that, but this place was highly recommended by locals.  Our decision to eat here, was one of the best we made that day.  What a great atmosphere and the food was outrageous good.  We loved the enchiladas and their Green Chile sauce was to die for. You can tell by this list that we are foodies and we know good food when we get it.  We definitely will not advise you to go to a place we do not enjoy and would never steer you wrong.  This place was amazing and I would go back in a heartbeat.

We got the combo plate in order to try a little of everything, and my wife ordered a bowl of the Pasole Soup which was incredible and I’m not really even a fan of Hominy.