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ALBUQUERQUE 1 and other New Mexico, NM Things to Do Tips

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New Mexico Things to Do Tips by jayhawk2000

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jayhawk2000   
The only Kansas farmboy to ever subscribe to Utne Reader


Real Name: Robert MacRae
Lives In: Manchester, UK
Member Since: Feb 18, 2001
VT Rank: 710

 
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New Mexico Things to Do
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Things To Do: ALBUQUERQUE 1
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  • Updated by jayhawk2000 on Feb 18, 2003
  • New Mexico Travel Guide
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    • Who needs to go to Santa Fe? With a half-million people, Albuquerque is New Mexico’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. Even though it is a century younger than Santa Fe, Albuquerque is every bit as historical. Few other large cities in the American Southwest can match Albuquerque for culture, scenery and history.

    Albuquerque lies in the valley of the Rio Grande between mesas of black lava in the west and the 10,000-foot summit of Sandia Peak looming to the east. It’s a dramatic setting for an enchanting visit.

    Bandelier, El Malpais, Chimayo and Salinas are all within 2-3 hours drive from Albuquerque. Santa Fe is about an hour north of town on Interstate 25, so it’s possible (and probably preferable) to stay in Albuquerque and see Santa Fe as a day trip. Take the Turquoise Trail highway, an old road which takes you through ghost towns and artists colonies on your way to Santa Fe.

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    Things To Do: ALBUQUERQUE 2
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  • Written by jayhawk2000 on Feb 18, 2003
  • New Mexico Travel Guide
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    • New Mexico - Yoo-hoo!
  • Yoo-hoo!
  • by jayhawk2000
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    • Much of the city’s heritage is centered around the serene town plaza, laid out by Spanish settlers in 1706. The Old Town Plaza has museums, shops, restaurants and art galleries inside old adobe buildings which gather around a grassy square shaded by tall trees. Many of these shops and galleries are hidden along narrow alleys located off the main streets which open into quiet courtyards ('placitas' or 'little plazas'). You never know what you'll find...!

    Among the crafts on sale are locally-made rugs, pottery and turquoise jewellery at prices a bit lower than in tourist-ridden Santa Fe. La Placita is a restaurant housed in one of the city's oldest buildings. You can dine on New Mexico fare and all-American steaks surrounded by local art hanging on the adobe walls.

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    Things To Do: ALBUQUERQUE 3
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  • Written by jayhawk2000 on Feb 18, 2003
  • New Mexico Travel Guide
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    • New Mexico - San Felipe
  • San Felipe
  • by jayhawk2000
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    • Several museums are either on the plaza or within walking distance, including a rattlesnake museum, turquoise museum, Albuquerque's Museum of Art & History (with the largest collection of Spanish colonial artefacts in the US) and New Mexico's Museum of Natural History & Science (famous for its dinosaur hall). All charge an admission fee, except for the art & history museum. A zoo, aquarium and botanic garden are also nearby.

    Also be sure to take a look inside the plaza's Church of San Felipe de Neri, dating from 1793.

    The plaza lies just north of Old Route 66, which you can follow east into Albuquerque’s modern downtown. Many of the buildings here are done in the style of Pueblo Deco, a type of Art Deco with Spanish and Native American motifs. A prime example of Pueblo Deco is the KiMo, a 1920s movie palace that is now a performing arts centre.

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    Things To Do: ALBUQUERQUE 4
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  • Written by jayhawk2000 on Feb 18, 2003
  • New Mexico Travel Guide
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    • New Mexico - Hello!
  • Hello!
  • by jayhawk2000
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    • For insight into the town’s Native American heritage, make the short drive to the Petroglyph National Monument on the western edge of the suburbs. Vast lava fields from ancient eruptions were once inhabited by local tribes who etched symbols onto the rock.

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    Things To Do: ALBUQUERQUE 5
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  • Updated by jayhawk2000 on Aug 12, 2004
  • New Mexico Travel Guide
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    • New Mexico - See you in New Mexico!
  • See you in New Mexico!
  • by jayhawk2000
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    • Thousands of ancient carvings (including the famous flute playing figure, Kokopelli) can be seen as you walk and climb the several short trails along the volcanic mesas of the petroglyph park.

    Another prime place to enjoy the fresh air and scenery is from the summit of Sandia ('watermelon') Peak. Its distinctive curves reminded the Spaniards of a slice of fruit and these days it’s an easy drive up the east slope or a ski-lift up the west face for fantastic views. The Aerial Tramway takes about 90 minutes roundtrip, costs about 15 dollars per person and is at its best late in the evening as the sun sets. At the top are hiking trails and an elegant restaurant. In winter you can ski the slopes, too.

    There are plenty of other diversions in Albuquerque. For instance, this is the hot air ballooning capital of America and there is an annual festival in October which attracts a mind-blowing number of balloons in all shapes, sizes and colours. You can also gamble in the casinos, go mountain biking or venture out to some of the pueblos nearby. Happy travels!

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    Things To Do: CHIMAYO
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  • Written by jayhawk2000 on Feb 18, 2003
  • New Mexico Travel Guide
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    • New Mexico - Three Hail Marys for a Pepsi??
  • Three Hail Marys for a Pepsi??
  • by jayhawk2000
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    • A winding, narrow highway called the ‘High Road’ links Santa Fe with Taos to the north. Several tiny towns can be found along this route and you should take the time to visit Chimayo, Truchas and Trampas, with their dusty plazas and ancient churches.

    In Chimayo's plaza we found this store adorned with ristras (ropes of dried chile peppers) and the Virgin Mary that also advertised Popsicles and Pepsi. It was naively artless, not a bit self-conscious and altogether charming.

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    Things To Do: CHIMAYO 2
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  • Updated by jayhawk2000 on Sep 20, 2003
  • New Mexico Travel Guide
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    • New Mexico - Don’t block the blessings!
  • Don’t block the blessings!
  • by jayhawk2000
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    • The pride of Chimayo is its old Sanctuary. The plain adobe exterior belies its status as a popular place of pilgrimage. Legend says that the soil under the church’s foundations has miraculous powers and pilgrims descend in great swarms each Good Friday to seek miracles.

    Step inside to see the colourful altar warmed by the mellow light of candles lit by the faithful. To the side is a room crowded with canes and crutches, testaments to the miracles attributed here. Hundreds of gaudy paintings and statuettes line the walls.

    Crouch down and crawl into miracle central, the small room at the back of the church which has a hole dug through the floor so you can take your pinch of this divine dirt.

    Finding Chimayo was a blessing.

    Like us, you’ll realise that miracles happen in New Mexico.

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    More New Mexico Tips

    OverviewThings to Do
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 6
    Restaurants
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1    		Hotels & Accommodations
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    Nightlife
    Tips: 1    		Off The Beaten Path
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    Tips: 1    		Warnings Or Dangers
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    Packing Lists
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1    		Shopping
    Sports TravelGeneral Tips
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    Comments for jayhawk2000 about New Mexico
    »Leave a Comment for jayhawk2000   
    Echo_29 Sun Feb 13, 2005 07:46 UTC
     You pegged Santa Fe and all of its hype. Your comment on the one-third blue-blooded art collectors gave me a good chuckle. We couldn't wait to get out of there. It is like the southwest Disneyland Main Street. FAKE!    		JetlagCity Fri Jan 7, 2005 21:31 UTC
     Your pics here crack me up! Great comparison of the architecture between European churches and Native American ones. This is one state I'd really like to explore.
    Nemorino Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:59 UTC
     Looks nice! I spent three summers in New Mexico many years ago, and have always wanted to return. -- Greetings from Frankfurt.    		Paul2001 Wed May 19, 2004 22:15 UTC
     Strange when I saw the cliffside houses in Cappadocia I thought that they looked those in New Mexico. Great page with well written tips.
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