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Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County, and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 448,607 as of the 2000 U.S. census. As of the 2005 census estimate, the city's population was 494,236, with a metropolitan population of 781,447. In 2005 Albuquerque ranked as the 33rd-largest city and 62nd-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. The metropolitan population includes the city of Rio Rancho, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
ABQ (the code for the city's airport and also a colloquialism for the city) is located where the Interstate highways I-40 and I-25 meet in an interchange which locals refer to as the "Big I."
Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Kirtland Air Force Base as well as Sandia National Laboratories and Petroglyph National Monument. The Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande flows through the city north to south. Albuquerque's climate is usually sunny and dry, averaging around 8-9 inches (250 to 300 mm) of precipitation per year. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually, Albuquerque is considered as having one of the best climates in North America.
The city has hosted the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every October since 1972.
With old Route 66 running straight through town, one can find plenty of attractions in Albuquerque. Central Avenue, which is part of the famous Rt. 66, runs along the University of New Mexico, and has plenty of great shops and restaurants to satisfy most. It has the feel of a college town rolled into a few blocks. The further to the east you get, the more rough the neighborhoods get, so your best bet is to either stay over towards the western part of town, or get up into the Sandia Heights on the eastern edge of the city.
A ride on the Sandia Peak Tram puts you on top of the Sandia Mountains, where, on clear days, you can look out over 15,000 square miles of magical landscape. To the west, the Rio Grande snakes its way through the cottonwood-lined valley, and dormant volcanoes are silhouetted against fiery red sunsets. As darkness blankets the city, thousands of lights twinkle like diamonds, matching the stars scattered across the enormous sky.
Sights'
There's plenty to see and do in Albuquerque itself before you head out to see the sights of the surrounding areas. The main drag through town in Central Avenue, old Rt. 66. While a good portion of it is seedy, the areas near the university (known as Nob Hill) as well as downtown are worth seeing. There are a plethora of shops and restaurants to keep one busy for a few hours.
If you enjoy the outdoors, it may interest you to head down to the Bosque, the forested preserve along the Rio Grande. There are walking trails, horse trails, biking trails, and opportunities to see a good deal of local character.
If you're looking to see 'old' Albuquerque, you may want to head to Old Town, which is around Central/Rio Grande. One of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, the area has been converted from houses into shops and restaurants, many catering mostly to tourists. Don't just walk in any door thinking it's a shop though; some folks still live here.
Eating Out
There are a plethora of great restaurants in town. Some of the best and trendiest can be found along Central Ave, near UNM. Graze is a concept restaurant where appetizer-sized portions are served to stimulate sharing of different foods amongst a group of people eating together. The Flying Star is a fantastic place just up the street with a twisted southwestern New York deli feel to it. They have a huge variety of foods, and anyone can find something to their taste. Kelly's Outdoor Grill is a hangout for college kids and bikers alike on warmer nights. Known more for their cheap beer than food, it's a good place to go and watch people.
Further to the east on Central just before the Nob Hill Arch is Orchid Thai. If you're into Thai food, this is the place to be. Their menu is practically a book, and there are more good dishes here than you can imagine. If Orchid doesn't do it for you, further east on Central (around Central and Alvarado) is Bangkok Thai, which has a less bulky menu, but equally fantastic food.
If you are looking for New Mexican food, there's a little-known restaurant at San Mateo and Gibson called Cervantes. Some of the best red chile in town. Los Cuates at Lomas and Jefferson and Menaul and Eubank, has a large variety of new mexican fare for reasonable prices.
A quick note about New Mexican food; it is NOT Mexican food. You'll notice a few differences, namely chile. New Mexicans love their chile, both red and green. Green is typically spicier, while red has more flavor to it. So when you're ordering your food, make sure to specify red, green, or "Christmas" for both!
Sorry, no tips were foundABQ (the code for the city's airport and also a colloquialism for the city) is located where the Interstate highways I-40 and I-25 meet in an interchange which locals refer to as the "Big I."
Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Kirtland Air Force Base as well as Sandia National Laboratories and Petroglyph National Monument. The Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande flows through the city north to south. Albuquerque's climate is usually sunny and dry, averaging around 8-9 inches (250 to 300 mm) of precipitation per year. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually, Albuquerque is considered as having one of the best climates in North America.
The city has hosted the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta every October since 1972.
With old Route 66 running straight through town, one can find plenty of attractions in Albuquerque. Central Avenue, which is part of the famous Rt. 66, runs along the University of New Mexico, and has plenty of great shops and restaurants to satisfy most. It has the feel of a college town rolled into a few blocks. The further to the east you get, the more rough the neighborhoods get, so your best bet is to either stay over towards the western part of town, or get up into the Sandia Heights on the eastern edge of the city.
A ride on the Sandia Peak Tram puts you on top of the Sandia Mountains, where, on clear days, you can look out over 15,000 square miles of magical landscape. To the west, the Rio Grande snakes its way through the cottonwood-lined valley, and dormant volcanoes are silhouetted against fiery red sunsets. As darkness blankets the city, thousands of lights twinkle like diamonds, matching the stars scattered across the enormous sky.
Sights'
There's plenty to see and do in Albuquerque itself before you head out to see the sights of the surrounding areas. The main drag through town in Central Avenue, old Rt. 66. While a good portion of it is seedy, the areas near the university (known as Nob Hill) as well as downtown are worth seeing. There are a plethora of shops and restaurants to keep one busy for a few hours.
If you enjoy the outdoors, it may interest you to head down to the Bosque, the forested preserve along the Rio Grande. There are walking trails, horse trails, biking trails, and opportunities to see a good deal of local character.
If you're looking to see 'old' Albuquerque, you may want to head to Old Town, which is around Central/Rio Grande. One of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, the area has been converted from houses into shops and restaurants, many catering mostly to tourists. Don't just walk in any door thinking it's a shop though; some folks still live here.
Eating Out
There are a plethora of great restaurants in town. Some of the best and trendiest can be found along Central Ave, near UNM. Graze is a concept restaurant where appetizer-sized portions are served to stimulate sharing of different foods amongst a group of people eating together. The Flying Star is a fantastic place just up the street with a twisted southwestern New York deli feel to it. They have a huge variety of foods, and anyone can find something to their taste. Kelly's Outdoor Grill is a hangout for college kids and bikers alike on warmer nights. Known more for their cheap beer than food, it's a good place to go and watch people.
Further to the east on Central just before the Nob Hill Arch is Orchid Thai. If you're into Thai food, this is the place to be. Their menu is practically a book, and there are more good dishes here than you can imagine. If Orchid doesn't do it for you, further east on Central (around Central and Alvarado) is Bangkok Thai, which has a less bulky menu, but equally fantastic food.
If you are looking for New Mexican food, there's a little-known restaurant at San Mateo and Gibson called Cervantes. Some of the best red chile in town. Los Cuates at Lomas and Jefferson and Menaul and Eubank, has a large variety of new mexican fare for reasonable prices.
A quick note about New Mexican food; it is NOT Mexican food. You'll notice a few differences, namely chile. New Mexicans love their chile, both red and green. Green is typically spicier, while red has more flavor to it. So when you're ordering your food, make sure to specify red, green, or "Christmas" for both!
Last edited by Anna (3:19, 09 August 2006)
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