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Albuquerque Information
Commanding the wide valley between the Sandia Mountains and the sweeping plateau country paralleling the Rio Grande, metropolitan Albuquerque is New Mexico's big city. And at more than 5,000 feet, Albuquerque's elevation makes it one of the highest metropolitan areas in the United States. The combination of elevation and low rainfall distinguishes Albuquerque's high desert climate, but despite relatively little rainfall the area is hardly desolate. Wildlife abounds among the wetlands and cottonwoods along the Rio Grande, while in the nearby mountains increased levels of precipitation support forests of ponderosa pine, not to mention a winter ski area on Sandia Peak. Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by 18 families from Bernalillo in search of greener pastures. Soon their flocks and crops were flourishing. The colonists laid out their town in traditional Spanish fashion, incorporating a central plaza bordered by a church, government buildings and homes. Due to the local climate and scarcity of wood, sun-baked adobe bricks made from mud and straw were the construction materials of choice.
In the mid-19th century the U.S. government established a series of forts to protect American settlers heading west, and Albuquerque became a major supply depot for these. The coming of the railroad in 1880 created a modern, more vigorous Albuquerque 2 miles east of the historic core. Although the old city languished, it did not lose its character, and the new city soon engulfed and later annexed Old Town. Today Old Town is a quaint area of flat-roofed, adobe-style buildings with rounded edges and projected wooden roof beams called vigas. Brick paths and patios are tucked in among a variety of shops, galleries and restaurants. Visitors cannot help but notice the colorful clumps of dried chili peppers suspended in windows and beneath eaves. Called ristras, these hand-strung arrangements are hung for good luck and to welcome guests. Of course, chili peppers are not just for decoration. A favorite ingredient in many Southwestern dishes, chile, as the term appears on menus here, come in two colors--red and green--and are usually served as part of flavorful sauces for a range of dishes.
Within walking distance of Old Town are several museums, including the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. An information center in Plaza Don Luis provides brochures and maps. Albuquerque's Central Avenue runs through Old Town, but it is probably better known to out-of-towners as Historic Route 66. Called the "Mother Road" and the "Main Street of America," Route 66 once connected Chicago with Los Angeles and transported thousands of desperate people westward during the Great Depression.
Designated in 1926, this icon of American auto travel actually intersects itself in downtown Albuquerque thanks to a 1937 realignment that replaced a north-south segment through town with an east-west routing. During its golden era, a wave of whimsically designed motels, diners and service stations rose up along the road. Some still remain, such as a gas station on the pre-1937 segment at 2455 Isleta Blvd. sporting a mushroom-shaped canopy. Another Route 66 landmark is the KiMo Theater at 423 Central Ave. N.W., an ornate 1927 building designed in the Pueblo Deco style as a venue for vaudeville acts. Wall sconces made to look like steer skulls along with Southwestern-themed murals and ornate plaster ceilings characterize its quirky interior.
Farther east on Route 66, just past the University of New Mexico campus, is Nob Hill, a commercial area noted for its eclectic cafés, diners and shops. Gateway arches outlined in neon lights span the roadway marking the eastern and western boundaries of the district, which boasts such architectural styles as Pueblo Revival, Streamline Moderne and Art Deco. Making the leap from 20th-century pop culture to a culture hundreds of years older is no more difficult than a drive to one of New Mexico's 19 Indian pueblos, three of which are in the Albuquerque vicinity. The Sandia Pueblo is 15 miles north via I-25; its Bien Mur Indian Arts and Crafts Market, 1 mile east of I-25 exit 234, is one of the largest in the Southwest. Isleta Pueblo is 13 miles south and is widely known for its pottery and fresh bread. Santa Ana Pueblo, 16 miles north near Rio Rancho, dates to the 1500s. Be aware that some pueblos have strict rules regarding photography, sketching and videotaping. Contact the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center for further information about pueblo etiquette and for listings of events; phone (505) 843-7270.
Northwest of Albuquerque is Petroglyph National Monument, where more than 17,000 ancient Indian rock carvings--some as much as 3,000 years old--have been cut into the black volcanic rocks. The visitor center is west on I-40 to Unser Boulevard, then 3 miles north to Western Trail. Frequently seen soaring above the monument's petroglyphs are the far more delicate shapes of hot-air balloons. Local wind and weather conditions create what is known as the "Albuquerque Box," an atmospheric effect enabling pilots to change direction by varying their altitude, making precision flying possible. For this reason, hot-air balloonists come from all over the world to fly here, especially during the 9-day Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, held during the first week of October. Probably the most dramatic fiesta events are the mass ascensions during which some 700 colorful craft take to the sky all at once.
Another way to rise above Albuquerque and its environs is by way of a thrilling ride aboard the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. The 2.7-mile-long ride lifts passengers a total of 3,819 feet into the New Mexico sky, affording a panorama of more than 11,000 square miles of desert landscape. A closer look at the spectacular high countryside is possible via a 62-mile scenic loop that follows I-40 east to Tijeras, SR 14 north to San Antonito, SR 536 west to Bernalillo and returns to Albuquerque via I-25. The section between San Antonito and Bernalillo crosses the crest of the Sandias, but because the most rugged 8 miles are unpaved, large trucks, trailers and RVs are prohibited. Drivers should heed posted signs. The Turquoise Trail runs along the east side of the Sandias between Cedar Crest and La Cienega near Santa Fe on SRs 14 and 536; highlights include mountain scenery, a few ghost towns, thick pine and aspen forests and Sandia Crest. Madrid is one of several ghost towns that have been revitalized into quaint art communities with galleries and shops.
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