Don't get in a hurry!
by bobkw2000
Albuquerque and Rio Rancho are beautiful cities and the desert and mountain views are breathtaking. You will frequently see hot air baloons in the skies in the morning.
The only other thing I would say about this area, is as the title suggests, don't get in a hurry! The pace of life is very slow, from drivers regularly doing 10 to 15 mph under the speed limits, to service in restaurants being quite slow. If you are visiting from a fast-paced city, you'll likely get a little aggravated until you can adjust! My Sandia Peak trip is my fondest memory of my visit. The views are amazing. Be sure to read my rip tips, though!
“Southwest Pieta" Sculpture and Martineztown Park
by AlbuqRay
Nestled behind the hospitals in the South Martineztown area there is a small, neighborhood park at the corner of Edith and Roma, next to Longfellow Elementary School. A unique cultural treasure, the 1983, fiberglass sculpture, “Southwest Pieta,” by the famous New Mexico artist, Luis Jimenez Jr. sits on the west end of the park. Diagonally across the street is Manuel's Food Market, which was built in 1924. Everyone should read the wonderful blog about the area by Adelita, whose grandmother lived in Martineztown in the 1920's. Life was different in those days.
Martineztown is a historical Albuquerque neighborhood near downtown. It started when families in the 1800's drove their herds east to the sand hills for summer grazing and camped. A large irrigation canal called Acequia Madre de Barelas passed through the area. Around 1850, Manuel Martín and his wife Anna María decided to settle permanently, and the area became known as Los Martínes, and later, Martineztown. At the time the area became the "crossroads of New Mexico" because it was where the original east-west trail through Tijeras Canyon met the Camino Real connecting Santa Fe and Mexico City. Today Martineztown is bounded by Mountain Road on the north, Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue on the south, Broadway Boulevard on the west and I-25 on the east.
Take the Tram!
by shdw100
Take a ride on the world's longest aerial tramway! It's 2.5 miles up from the floor of the valley to the top of Sandia peak. From here, you can have great veiws of Albuquerque, as well as Santa Fe which is 50 miles north. Rates range from $8 one way to $15 round trip for 1 adult. (It's gotten a little pricey over the years!) The hours are usually from 9am to 9pm, but check to see if it is open as sometimes the weather will shut it down. It's located on Tramway Blvd, which is the road that hugs the base of the mountain
Bohemian Vibe
by danmike about Downtown Java Joes
If you are staying Downtown, live in the area or are just looking for an early morning coffee fix and a terrific, inexpensive breakfast, Java Joes is the place to go.
Located on the west end of Downtown, this brightly colored hang-out has a laid-back Bohemian vibe.
The breakfast menu features everything from bagels to pancakes and waffles, a veggie-tofu scramble and omlets of all kinds. The lunch menu includes hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, salads, veggie burritos, quesadillos and pot pies.
The work of local artists is regularly featured on their walls and on weekend mornings local musicians play jazz, traditional folk and New Mexico folk, starting around 9:30 am.
Julia's Cafe
by Paulie_D about Julia's Cafe
A small out of the way cafe on Old Town Albuquerque specialising in New Mexican and Vegetarian food.
Located off a quiet street just a few steps away from the main square of old Town Albuquerque
You can sit outside in a small tree shaded patio or, if the weather is not so fine, inside by the fireplace.
Stuffed Sopapilla
Sign in with Facebook
Inside the boathouse at Tingley Beach
Not a good pic, but our tour guide storytelling
Two Small Dining Areas
Mary and Inside the Ponderosa Tasting Room
