Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Albuquerque, New Mexico is over 300 years old. It was not always the city that it is now, of almost half a million people. Before the Spanish explorers arrived, Pueblo Indians chose the fertile spot on the bank of the Rio Grande to grow their crops. With the arrival of the Europeans, the small trading post established in the same area grew. Now spanning both banks of the Rio Grande (the Nile of New Mexico) Albuquerque has grown to be the state's largest city, http://www.albuquerque300.org/index.aspx?pk=47&temp=2.

Early Years

In its early years the city expanded north and south along El Camino Real, http://elcaminoreal.org/home.php, old Route 66, and east-west as the route got realigned along Central Avenue. Old Town, built in traditional Spanish style around the square is a good starting point for a visit to Albuquerque.

Arrival of the Railroad

The arrival of the railroads led to another growth surge, which helped to define and shape the city in ways that are still in evidence, even though the heyday of the railroads is past,

New Growth

Currently, the city is experiencing another growth spurt; this time mainly across the river in the western part of the city. The eastern edge of the city is already all up to the way up to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Most of the growth in this area is infilling of areas bypassed in previous phases of development.

Quality of life

The attraction of the city lies in its charm, its people, the high desert climate, an inspirational landscape and the quality of life it allows. Bike, running and hiking trails and paths along the Rio Grande and through the Sandia Mountains encourage outdoor activities and attract outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. You can step out your door and walk straight up into the mountains, or you can leave your downtown office and in less than half an hour, be on the cable car for a fifteen minute ride to the top of Sandia Peak for an afternoon of skiing, then return to an evening on the town in the city without concerns about snow or bad weather. Golf courses are well maintained and accessible to all.

The west side offers gorgeous views of peachy-red dawns, the bosque fringing the river, and the Sandias from a distance. On the other hand, if you live in the foothills of the northeast, you may have close-up views of the mountains and are more likely to enjoy glorious sunsets and the seasonally changing views of the west mesa and Mount Taylor rising majestically in the background.

City Attractions

Throughout Albuquerque, great restaurants abound. Food is inexpensive and people eat out a lot. In-town venues like the historic Kimo, the Hispanic Cultural Center and The Pueblo Cultural Center, The University of New Mexico, and several museums and galleries offer a rich cultural feast of theatrical and musical performances, art and craft shows and exhibitions. The pueblos north, south and west of the city offer shows, feast-day celebrations, and casino entertainment and gaming throughout the year. The annual, two-week-long balloon fiesta is of international proportions, http://www.balloonfiesta.com/. Each quadrant of the city has well-maintained, accessible golf courses.

Surrounding Areas

If these attractions turned out to be insufficient, Albuquerque, at the center of Bernalillo County in the center of the state, is easily accessible to the all the attractions of surrounding cities and counties in the state. Jemez, Santa Fe, Taos, Angel Fire, Chaco Canyon, Acoma, Bosque del Apache, and White Sands, are only a few of the beautiful places that are only a day trip or less away from Albuquerque.

Visit or Come to Stay

Duke City, our favorite name for our city, named for the Duke of Albuquerque, is a special place. If you get the chance to visit, you should. It is no longer a well-kept secret. It has been discovered - voted best place to raise a family, start a new business, work, and play. It is difficult to visit Albuquerque and not fall in love with it. Visit Albuquerque, and you will want to stay. The city is a great introduction to the state of New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment.