A very interesting and educational place to visit, the American International Rattlesnake Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the slippery snakes. Located in Old Town Albuquerque, the small animal conservation museum houses over thirty kinds of rattlesnake, all of which reside within the appropriate recreated natural habitat. Through displays and demonstrations, visitors can learn about each species and hopefully cure any fears or phobias they may have about the cold-blooded creatures.
The museum is also home to a Gila monster — the largest lizard in America — and has a gift shop that sells all kinds of snake-themed souvenirs. Offering up a fascinating look into the history, culture and heritage of both the city and Southwest is the excellent Albuquerque Museum. Also located in Old Town, its ever-growing collection includes everything from art installations and interactive exhibitions to artifacts and archaeological findings with an outdoor sculpture garden also on offer.
Since being founded in , the museum has educated countless generations on the history and art of the region. On top of this, it regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events and operates tours around the historic home of Casa San Ysidro which gives guests a glimpse into Spanish colonial life. One of the oldest surviving structures in the city, it was built in during the Spanish colonial period and has remained in continuous use since then.
Exhibiting a magnificent mix of architectural influences, the centuries-old church sports two twin bell towers that rise up above its thick, earth-colored adobe walls. Inside, its Gothic Revival-style interior decorations such as its wood-carved altar and pulpit, both of which are painted white, give it a more European appearance.
The charming church also adjoins an old rectory, convent and school while its small museum displays some gorgeous religious art and artifacts. In a six year old boy was unfortunate enough to be in the lobby during a show at the same time as the boiler in the basement exploded. The boy called Bobby did not survive the accident and it is said that he still haunts the theatre today.
The theatre has been restored over the years and still holds regular shows for delighted audiences. It was built in and was originally called Francisco Cuervo y Valdez, this was later changed to the name you see today. Throughout the years the church has had many additions including the towers, a local parish school and a convent.
The church is undergoing extensive renovations both to the inside of the building as well as the outside. The water tanks are full of saltwater species to enjoy. The main attraction is a , gallon tank which is named Jellies: Aliens of the Sea.
There are plenty of brightly coloured fish to keep both children and adults entertained as you walk around the aquarium. As you leave the aquarium you will see another huge tank that holds six different species of sharks as well as stingrays and sea turtles. Hotel Andaluz was the fourth Hilton hotel and the first high-rise hotel in the state.
Due to the design and importance of the building it is on the U. S Register of Historical Places, N. In the hotel was renamed as Hotel Andaluz and features a rooftop bar, Mas restaurant and large scale conference facilities.
The hotel is also the only full service boutique hotel in Downtown Albuquerque. When you arrive at the Unser Museum you will be taken on a guided tour of the museum and learn all about the history of the Unser Family. The museum starts with the early days of racing that include Pikes Peak and Indianapolis and goes right through to the technology that is used today. There is a racing simulator that gets you behind the wheel in a racing situation.
There are many cars for the visitor to enjoy, these range from antiques to race cars that have won many events. Take a walk around the trophy room and admire many trophies that go through all the different years of racing. The Coronado Center is the largest shopping mall in the state of New Mexico. It was originally an open air mall when it opened in , ten years later it was remodeled and from then on it became an enclosed mall.
Visitors can spend their time perusing the shops before settling in one of the many restaurants and enjoying something to eat before heading home. The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology has been labelled as one of the finest anthropology museums in the country. It focuses its efforts on different cultures around the world with a strong focus on the Southwest.
When you visit the museum you will learn about the richness of human life as well and its diverse expression. The museum was initially founded in and was the first public museum in Albuquerque. Albuquerque's high desert environment makes for one of the best spots in the world for hot air ballooning. Hundreds of balloons and tens of thousands of people come to the city for the International Balloon Fiesta.
For more than a week, the cold morning skies fill with hot-air balloons from all over the world. Sunset finds the balloons inflated again for evening "balloon glows," where the burners are fired into the stationary envelopes to make them shine against the dark sky.
Balloon rides and scores of other events round out the celebration. The balloons can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Adjacent to Balloon Fiesta Park, where the main part of the fiesta takes place, the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum is open year-round with a great selection of ballooning history and exhibits. Permanent installations at the museum include a Balloon School, the Weather Lab, and an experiential 4-D theater.
The museum offers a wide-assortment of children's programs focused on science and creativity. This impressive institution offers visitors an in-depth look into Albuquerque's past. Located at the edge of Old Town , this museum hosts a spectacular collection of cultural items from the past years.
It is a place where the visitor not only gains a better understanding of Albuquerque's history but about European settlement in the entire southwest. Displaying suits of Spanish armor, historic wood carvings, and even art from the likes of Georgia O'Keeffe, the museum also hosts traveling and temporary exhibits.
With its expansion and upgrades of the past decade, the zoo has become a premiere destination hosting hundreds of species many endangered and one awesome playground. The aquarium is perfect for kids interested in sharks, while the botanical garden is a lush environment to discover butterflies and other insects. Tingley Beach has three designated fishing ponds open to the public and pedal boats for rent.
This is an excellent place for an all-day family outing. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Mr. For thousands of years, the numerous cultures of the Pueblo people called this area now New Mexico home.
While dozens of pueblos disappeared with the coming of the Spanish, many remain vibrant. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center , located two miles north of Old Town, celebrates these living cultures and histories with an outstanding museum, as well as cultural events, lectures, workshops, and tours. Be sure to make time to attend at least one of the traditional dances.
Named after a legacy racing family in the Albuquerque area, the Unser Racing Museum features a wide range of motor vehicles from throughout the last century. While the vehicles look immaculate on the museum floor, many of the cars and motorcycles on display come straight out of the Unser family history and timeline.
This is an engaging experience for both automobile enthusiasts and racing fans, but anyone will enjoy learning about the exciting history behind motor-engine racing. A racing simulator within the facility also allows visitors to get behind the wheel themselves.
One of Albuquerque's best-known architectural landmarks, the KiMo Theatre was originally built in The somewhat gaudy Pueblo-Revival-Art Deco style incorporates adobe architectural styles with the linear motifs and recessed spandrels more typical of classic Art Deco.
Paintings and images of Native American cultures abound. Through the s, the theater fell into neglect and was barely saved from the wrecking ball. A renovation completed in has allowed the theater to again become one of the city's premier venues. To explore more of this neighborhood: www. On Saturday downtown and Sunday in the Rail Yards, these markets burst with fresh produce from local farms. Downtown, children gambol in the grass amid bluegrass tunes from the likes of the Squash Blossom Boys while parents nosh on chocolate-almond croissants.
In warm weather, the rooftop cantina is the perfect place to while away the evening sipping my favorite drink. Called The Angry Bee, the cocktail includes fierce green-chile-infused tequila, Cointreau, honey, and fresh lime juice. Along with several biking trails, the city counts more than miles of bike-friendly routes. NW, Suite ; ; www. The trail is uninterrupted by car traffic, making it the perfect locale for the out-and-back route of the Duke City Marathon, held here each October.
Ballooning Confession: When the blockbuster Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta approaches each October, I groan slightly at the thought of the added traffic caused by the , visitors that flock to the city. But without fail, when I see those candy-colored drops take to the skies, I feel immense delight, and my traffic woes are quickly forgotten. In fact, I took my first ride in April. What will yours be? All the beef is hormone-free and grass-fed.
The veggie burger is also delightful. Be sure to save room for a milkshake for dessert. SE; Le Chantilly and Le Quiche both serve breakfast and lunch, as well as a full slate of pastries throughout the day. At Le Quiche opt for the almond-chocolate croissant for breakfast. Le Chantilly: Menaul Blvd. Both steamy espresso drinks and the Nitro Cold Brew coffee are wonderful—as is the colorful ambiance.
During sunny days, grab a table on the back patio. Go Lobos! Standouts: the red-chile glazed bacon and the huevos rancheros. Sandia Peak Tramway This is a top destination for first-time visitors to the city, but for locals, rising to the 10,foot Sandia Peak in an aerial gondola remains a thrilling experience.
Great views abound. SW; The art, which is on display at the Albuquerque International Sunport and throughout the city, enlivens alleyways and bustling boulevards. The city also partnered with contemporary art center Arts to create a series of murals.
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