Day Trips
Acoma Pueblo (Sky city)
One of the most honest representations of a New Mexico pueblo. An impressive new museum kicks off your trip up the mesa. Pick up a $20 “day pass” (includes a camera permit–it’s bad etiquette to take pictures of villagers without permission, and absolutely forbidden to shoot video). For a sense of the real (and bloody) history of New Mexico, Acoma is a must.
Biopark
An oft-overlooked jewel, the BioPark is actually three parks: the zoo, aquarium and botanic gardens. Besides the sublime flora and fauna, they host some great concerts and performances in the summer–always a major scene.
Dixon's Apple Farm
Dixon’s Apple Farm is a perfect change of pace and scenery. The apples ripen in late September, and a 10-pound bag will last you most of the winter. Apple snobs will debate the burgundies versus the champagne. A jug of the cider brings the taste of autumn home.
Graffiti in the Arroyos
Manny offers, “A special place where artists can take their time to throw up a good piece of work, free from the prying eyes of the public–or the police.”
Hidden Park
Every now and again you need something to remind you how strangely cool city government can be. Great for a secret rehearsal, if you know what we mean.* Lomas to Carlisle. North on Carlisle. Right on Mackland. Look for paths leading past the houses.
Hiking Trails
The foothills are all about opportunity. La Luz is seven miles long and goes all the way to Sandía Peak, over 10,000 feet high. There’s a tram for the weak of foot. Alternatively, drive up the back of Sandía via Cedar Crest and find even more forest land and hiking. Directions: point your car at the mountains and drive.
Jemez Hot Springs (Spence Springs)
You’ll know you reached Jemez Pueblo when you see the most beautiful red rocks in New Mexico. Stop for an Indian Taco and look around. No photos of the pueblo, gringo! A soak in the hot springs will clue you in to why we call New Mexico the “Land of Entrapment.” Prepare for naked people or get naked yourself. On the way back stop in Jemez Springs & try dinner at the Laughing Lizard.
Kit Carson Park
On the cusp of the Bosque, this svelte and charming park, named for an Indian-killing frontiersman, makes perfection for a lazy afternoon Frisbee-toss or a late-night date (cops may not agree). Features a kid-friendly playground open dawn to 10:00pm, and an unstoppable litany of family parties on Sundays.
Madrid
If you head east from ABQ either on old Route 66 or I-40, and hang a left (north) onto State Route 14 for a little more than half an hour, you’ll come across Madrid, NM, a gem of a town in our mountainous hills.
McCall's Pumpkin Patch and Haunted Farm
Owned and oped by a married couple and their two kids, McCall’s grows various things on their farm throughout the year, but when October comes, it’s the pumpkins you’re going to care about. Oh, and the haunted farm and haunted corn maze, too.
Mystery Box
AKA the Mystery Box, the Free(k) Box, and just the Box, the 24–7 Mystery Media FREE(K) BOX may arguably be modern Albuquerque’s coolest and most consistently pleasing secret. What is it, you ask?
Piedra Lisa Park
An adorable little (and we mean little) park. The crown jewel should be the mountain view, but most people know it as the park with the pretty painted dam. Kat learned to ride her bike in the soft grass, then muddied her shoes in the open space during the rainy season.