The Rio Grande

The Rio Grande :: An Underground Guide to Alburquerque

Ah, water. Source of life. Who doesn’t love the Rio? How could you not? But for most of us the River and Bosque are so fundamental to Albuquerque it’s easy to forget they’re even there.

We accept it might be hard on someone with a particular sensitivity to bugs, or a wicked cottonwood allergy—and if that’s you, we’re so sorry. But as much as we’re talking about paying our beloved Source of Life a visit, we’re also talking about what it gives us. And thanks to an impressive system of acequias, pipes and valves, you don’t have to be there to enjoy

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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. Continue Reading

Kit Carson Park

kitcarson

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. Continue Reading

Hidden Park

hiddenpark

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. Continue Reading

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.” Continue Reading

¡Explora!

explora

Are you ever too old for magnets and bubbles? No, no you’re not. Build a robot, make a movie and ride a high-wire bike (!!!) all in the same day. If you’re seven or seventy, ¡Explora!’s got you covered. Continue Reading

Biopark

botanicalgardens

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. Continue Reading