Where To Eat, Drink, Sleep, And Explore In Albuquerque, New Mexico

I began touring solo in New Mexico practically a decade in the past. And to be sincere, at the moment, I actually didn’t know what to anticipate. The one thought I actually had about it was, “So, it’s simply, like… a desert?” Then I visited on a whim as a stopover between my house in Colorado and a vacation spot additional West, in Arizona. Reader, I fell in love.

Lately, I all the time say, “there’s one thing particular in regards to the Land of Enchantment.” And the ABQ is not any exception.

Whereas I take into account myself to be nearing an expert-level solo traveler standing within the dreamy locales of Taos and Santa Fe in Northern New Mexico, Albuquerque is an entire totally different new beast. As a creature of behavior, I didn’t need my love affair with the state to in some way be spoiled by visiting a bigger metropolis – Albuquerque is house to over 40% of the state’s residents in any case. However similar to my first go to to New Mexico all these years in the past, a current journey to ABQ delighted me.

Georgia O’Keeffe, a well-known – if not the most well-known – New Mexico resident, as soon as mentioned, “Should you ever go to New Mexico, it’ll itch you for the remainder of your life.” She couldn’t have been extra proper. Right here’s my information for a weekend spent in Albequerque.

PART I — Eat

The purpose of spending an extended weekend in Albuquerque was to discover the city, however I largely ended up spending my time consuming. Every meal in some way appeared to outdo the final, with surprising pairings of flavors and recent components – nothing just like the Southwestern meals I imagined.

My favourite meal – possibly ever, if I’m being sincere – was at Mas Tapas Y Vino. Positioned within the historic downtown Lodge Andaluz, Mas Tapas Y Vino reimagines conventional Spanish delicacies utilizing recent and domestically sourced components. I attempted a number of small plates and every was higher than the final. The blue corn sourdough with Moroccan whipped butter was easy, however one thing I’m nonetheless dreaming about weeks later.

Another standouts had been the crispy Brussels sprouts, honey bacon wrapped dates, Berkshire pork stomach, and the lobster tail pasta.

For a extra conventional eating expertise, I headed to El Pinto – a restaurant and salsa firm that brings all of the New Mexican vibes. A household enterprise and vacation spot eating since 1964, El Pinto has 5 patios on twelve acres – and even a waterfall – to get pleasure from your margarita and taco plate.

I additionally love visiting The Grove Cafe for brunch – the place my primary avocado toast order was something however, and Sawmill Market, a warehouse meals corridor downtown with 20+ eateries and bars to maintain anybody glad.

PART II — Drink

Emily Hart

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Once I was ready within the Denver airport for my early flight to Albuquerque I noticed a few very trendy ladies ready close by. They each had shirts emblazoned with the Bow and Arrow Brewing emblem, and as somebody who’s admittedly closely influenced by trendy folks – I knew I had so as to add it to my itinerary.

I’m so glad I did. Bow and Arrow Brewing – moreover having a fantastic environment and even higher beer – is the nation’s first Native American Lady-Owned brewery. Based by Shyla Sheppard, a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation) and Dr. Missy Begay, who was raised within the Navajo (Diné) Nation – Bow and Arrow makes use of conventional native and indigenous components of their beers – from blue corn to prickly pear and juniper.

I loved a glass of Hazy Rodeo IPA with my guide on the taproom, reminding myself to all the time go away room for detours.

Each time I’m in New Mexico I attempt to go to a brand new vineyard (or two or three). House to over 40 wineries, the state has fairly a burgeoning scene. On this journey, I visited three wineries – and even visited one twice. Noisy Water Vineyard and Sheehan Vineyard Previous City Tasting Room are each situated inside yards of one another in Previous City Albuquerque. I liked the attention-grabbing blends at Noisy Water, particularly the Wild White – a wine infused with Lavender Sage Lemonade tea. Sheehan Vineyard Wines have a extra traditional really feel, and I liked the reds on my wine flight.

If you wish to get out of city, Casa Rondeña Vineyard affords a fantastic excuse. A family-owned and operated vineyard since 1995, Casa Rondeña makes, bottles, and ages all of the wine on their expansive property that feels worlds away from town.

PART III — Sleep

Historic Route 66 runs instantly by means of Albuquerque, and within the age of Instagram, the historic roadside motels are experiencing a renaissance. I stayed on the restored El Vado Motel, a motel/taproom/meals corridor with stay music and an outside pool. My suite was traditional New Mexican and the outside was clear and trendy.

On my subsequent journey, I’d love to remain at one other historic property – Los Poblanos. The Inn and natural farm is legendary for its lavender crop and house-made merchandise that yow will discover everywhere in the world. I visited twice throughout my lengthy weekend – as soon as to go to the farm retailer and a drink at Campo, and one other on a tour throughout an e-bike tour. The grounds are spectacular and trendy, with peacocks roaming and the scent of lavender filling the air.

Different choices extra centrally situated are Lodge Andaluz – which is on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations – and the luxurious Lodge Chaco.

PART IV — Discover

Emily Hart

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Albuquerque might be greatest identified, to many individuals, for… Breaking Dangerous. Effectively, Breaking Dangerous and scorching air balloons. And for good motive, too — because the setting of the notorious tv present, there are ample alternatives for followers to get their repair. In the meantime, on the Worldwide Balloon Fiesta – the biggest scorching air balloon competition on this planet – over 500 balloons may be seen within the air for 9 days in October.

However you don’t have to attend till fall for a trip. The wind patterns in Albuquerque – referred to as the “Albuquerque Field” — make it a perfect ballooning vacation spot. Actually, it’s the hot-air ballooning capital of the world. I spent my first morning on the town within the air with Rainbow Ryders on a dawn trip over the cottonwood forest referred to as “The Bosque.” It was unbelievable to see town and mountains from within the air – actually a bucket checklist expertise.

Should you’re trying to get in some mountaineering, head to Petroglyph Nationwide Monument, an space defending one of many largest petroglyph websites in North America. There are not any trails on the customer middle, however head only a quick solution to Boca Negra, Rinconada, Piedras Marcadas Canyons to see petroglyphs and get on the path.

One other cease you gained’t wish to miss is the Indian Pueblo Cultural Middle. Owned and operated by the 19 totally different pueblos of New Mexico, the middle works to protect, defend and educate on Pueblo Indian tradition, music, and artwork. I had brunch at their on-site restaurant and roamed across the galleries and museum areas – studying a lot historical past that has typically been, despicably, neglected of American mainstream cirriculum.

Previous City Albuquerque is a good place to meander for a day, or – even higher – to take an eBike Tour. I took a tour with Heritage Inspirationsthat took us from downtown to a bike-in espresso store, a lavender farm, a nature protect, and down into Previous City. It’s a good way to see this stunning and distinctive metropolis.