The city of Albuquerque lies on the Rio Grande, surrounded by the Sandia Hills. The climate is dry, with hot summers and cold winters. A quarter of the total population of New Mexico live in the city, on which Indians, Spaniards and Anglo-Americans have all left their mark. Albuquerque has long been an important commercial town and traffic hub. It is an important center of research and development, with many institutes and laboratories (including nuclear research), as well as the University of New Mexico.
History
The Spanish colonial settlement of Albuquerque, situated on the trade route between Santa Fe and Mexico City, was founded in 1706 and soon developed into a considerable town. The Stars and Stripes were hoisted over the town in 1846 by General Stephen Kearny when he established a military post here. A boost was given to the town when the railway reached it in 1880. A new town was established which soon outstripped and incorporated the old Spanish colonial settlement.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center gives an informative picture of the history and culture of the Pueblo Indians. Visitors can watch as beautiful craft objects are produced by traditional techniques and can sample Indian cooking. On weekends there are performances of traditional Indian dances.
Groups can take a short guided tour if they book well in advance. For a more in depth look at the Pueblo culture, the center offers full day tours to the Puye Cliffs to see dwelling and the surrounding landscape. Tours are limited so check with the Cultural Center to see which days of the week they are offered.
Also of interest at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the Pueblo Harvast Café and Bakery, serving traditional native cuisine, and the Shumak'olo:wa Gifts, where visitors can purchase arts and crafts of the Pueblos.
Hours:
9am-5:30pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Albuquerque International Sunport is the name of the city's airport, which employs 2,500 people and handles more than 6 million passengers each year. The airport, known as ABQ, has four runways and is served by nine major carriers, of which Southwest Airlines is the largest.
The Albuquerque Little Theatre was founded in 1930 on historic Route 66. Located in the same building since 1936, the theatre presents live productions.
Address: Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale SW, Albuquerque, NM 87104-1133, United States
Phone: 1 (505) 242-4750, Fax: 1 (505) 843-9489
Hours:
12pm-6pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Albuquerque and the sport of hot air ballooning are so closely associated that there couldn't be a better place for a ballooning museum. The International Balloon Museum completes the scene. It is dedicated to the art, culture, science, history, sport, and spectacle of ballooning. Visitors will learn about not only the process but also the achievements that have been made in this field. There are literally all kinds of items on display, from stamps and postcards to jewelry and other decorative arts.
The museum building was designed to handle creative and technological exhibits. Ballooning events can be viewed from the roof decks, balconies and a large plaza. Throughout the year the Ballooning Museum features various events and activities which are open to the public.
The Art Is OK Gallery and Sculpture Garden has original and limited edition art and sculpture, as well as an outdoor sculpture garden. All of the sculptures are one-of-a-kind.
Address: Art is OK Gallery and Sculpture Garden, 3301 Menaul Boulevard NE, #28, Albuquerque, NM 87107-1854, United States
Phone: 1 (505) 883-7368, Fax: 1 (505) 880-8839
Block Party is a new amusement park opened in Albuquerque by Blockbuster Entertainment Group. Admission is free and patrons pay as they play. There are motion simulators and virtual reality experiences. The park is designed for adults rather than families particularly targeting young adults from 18 to 35. There is another site in Indianapolis.
The Central New Mexico Community College (fomerly Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute) is New Mexico's largest community college with 20,000 students on four campuses.
The Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque is made up of 32 professional musicians, who perform classical, youth and seniors concerts.
Address: Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, 2730 San Pedro Drive NE, Suite H-23, Box 35081, Albuquerque, NM 87176-5081, United States
Phone: 1 (505) 881-0844, Fax: 1 (505) 881-2634
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Cliff's Amusement Park in Albuquerque has 15 acres of family rides, water rides, roller coasters, bumper cars and arcades. Kiddeland is within the park, it is geared to children with pint-sized rides.
Address: Cliff's Amusement Park, 4800 Osuna Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109-2314, United States
Phone: 1 (505) 881-9373, Fax: 1 (505) 881-7807
Tips: Hours vary, call for details. Ride tickets cost extra.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The home of World War Two correspondent Ernie Pyle is now a museum, with many of his personal effects on display.
Address: Ernie Pyle Home and Library, 900 Girard Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106-2935, United States
Phone: 1 (505) 256-2065, Fax: 1 (505) 256-2069
The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is located on the east bank of the Rio Grande at Candelaria Road in Albuquerque, with exhibits on the ecology, geology, and history of the Rio Grande Valley.
Address: Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107-2965, United States
Phone: 1 (505) 344-7240, Fax: 1 (505) 344-4505
Hours:
8am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The South Broadway Cultural Center in Albuquerque has a library, performing arts facility and art gallery.
Address: South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway Street SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102-4400, United States
Phone: 1 (505) 848-1320, Fax: 1 (505) 848-1329
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Special Collections Library at Edith and Central in Albuquerque has a series of illustrations by local artists. The building is in the Pueblo Revival style.
The Tamarind Lithography Institute and Gallery trains master printers, engages in teaching and research, and houses a professional collaborative studio for artists. There are exhibitions on the history and methods of lithography.
Address: Tamarind Lithography Institute and Gallery, 110 Cornell Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106-3562, United States
Phone: 1 (505) 277-3901, Fax: 1 (505) 277-3920
Hours:
9am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Tips: Free tours are offered on the first Friday of each month at 1:30 pm.
The Tinkertown Museum east of Albuquerque is housed in a building made from more than 50,000 glass bottles. The owner Ross Ward displays hundreds of miniature wood carvings and historical curiosities in the 22 room museum.
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Albuquerque Biological Park
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Old Town, Albuquerque
Old Town, Albuquerque
Old Town, Albuquerque
Old Town, Albuquerque
Old Town, Albuquerque
Old Town, Albuquerque
Old Town, Albuquerque
