albuquerque

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Overview

Albuquerque is the ‘big city’ of New Mexico, located in the north-central part of the state, about about an hour southwest of the much smaller state capital, Santa Fe. If you’re just looking to see the main sights, you can tour it in about a day.

Downtown really only comprises a few tall buildings spread over a few square blocks. However, there’s a growing nightlife strip along east-west Central Ave.

Day-Ish Long Itineraries

  • Old Town Plaza

    Yes it's touristy, but it's also very cool.

    * Museums:

    If you like history, check out the *New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science**.

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    Central Ave

    This 'main drag' cuts across the heart for the city east-west, and has points of interest all along it.

    * Shopping:

    *Santa Fe Farmer's Market** (Saturdays 8AM-1PM) for local spices and dried ingredients, along with pastries and coffee.

    * Brunch:

    Or, walk a couple blocks east to *Sage Bakehouse**, a quick-serve bakery offering artisan baked goods as well as sandwiches.

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    Along I-40

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  • Want to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Albuquerque?

    Sandia Peak

    * Need to update.

    National Museum of Nuclear Science and History

    * Need to update.

LOgistics

Airport Stuff: Flying directly into Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) is sometimes possible, but more likely is to fly into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ, and yes, they changed the name from Airport to Sunport in 1994). Santa Fe is about an hour northeast of ABQ by car. Alternatively, the Rail Runner train runs frequently between the two cities and takes about 90 minutes. Get on at either Bernalillo County Station (some trains) or Downtown ABQ Station (all trains).

Getting Around: If you’re sticking to the triangle of Santa Fe Plaza, Santa Fe Railyards District, and Canyon Road, you can manage on foot - they’re at most about a mile apart. Museum Hill can be visited by rideshare, and Ski Santa Fe can be managed by public transportation.

Where to Stay: Downtown is a good home base, but anywhere within walking distance to the triangle would work.