Southwest musicians play Mariachi in Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico

Things to Do in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to Old Town Albuquerque, where the city was founded in 1706. With a festive Southwestern environment featuring shops, galleries, musicians, restaurants and museums, there are plenty of things to see and do in Albuquerque.

Hop on an Albuquerque Trolley  for a city tour and taste some New Mexican cuisine at a local restaurant.

When I crave Albuquerque cuisine there are many options:

• El Pinto, Sadie’s, Los Cuates, Casa de Benevidez

To escape work I:

• hike or bike in the mountains
• enjoy a spa treatment at La Bella Spa & Salon
• take my dog to one of several dog parks
• take a float trip down the Rio Grande with the Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures

For complete quiet, I can hide away at:

• The Los Poblanos Open Space or Open Space Visitor Center
• One of 17 public libraries around the cities
• Casa Rondena Winery in the North Valley

Get your picture taken with a Chile Ristra in Albuquerque

If you come to Albuquerque, get your picture taken

• at the Turquoise Museum
• at the American International Rattlesnake Museum
• in a hot air balloon
• get your picture taken at Wagner Farm in Corrales with a ristra

If you have to order one thing off the menu try:

• El Pinto – chile ribs appetizer
• Sadie’s – blue corn enchiladas or green chile cheeseburger
• Los Cuates – carne adovada blue corn enchiladas
• Casa de Benevidez – sopaipilla burger

Albuquerque is my one stop shop for hot air ballooning at the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to Little Anitas.

For a huge splurge, I go to Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steakhouse.

Photo ops in Albuquerque include San Felipe de Neri Church

Photo ops in Albuquerque include:

• San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town
• Sandia Peak Tramway
• Nob Hill neon signage
• In front of the dinosaurs at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
• Holding a chile ristra
• 4,000 square foot torreon fresco at the National Hispanic Cultural Center

The best vantage points are taken by taking the Sandia tramway to the top of Sandia Peak (10,378 ft)

The most random things about Albuquerque are:

• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (9 days each October)
• Days & Nights of Route 66 in Nob Hill (each summer)
• We have the largest flamenco event outside of Spain (Festival Flamenco each summer)
• Home to North America’s Largest Pow Wow
• Day of the Tread annual Halloween biking and running event
• National Fiery Foods Show
• Duke City Docfest – Documentary Film Festival
• Duke City Quest – scavenger hunt
• Lavender in the Village Festival
• Quilt & Wine Fair in Corrales

In Albuquerque, an active day outdoors involves:

• Hiking the La Luz Trail to the top of Sandia Peak (hiking trails are 20 minutes from most anywhere in the city)
• Biking along the Paseo del Bosque Trail, a 16-mile one-way trail that winds along the Rio Grande in the middle of the city with uninterrupted right-of-way
• Hiking at Petroglyph National Monument to discover some history along the way
• Skiing at Sandia Peak Ski Area in the winter months
• Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing during the winter
• Mountain biking among the many trails in the Sandia Mountain foothills

My favorite walking route is the Old Town to Downtown Walking Tour or the Paseo del Bosque Trail.

Albuquerque has 19 museums covering everything from turquoise and rattlesnakes to fine art, personal computers and nuclear science.

For a night of dancing, go to:

Salsa Baby Dance Studio

Tango at Hotel Andaluz

One Up

Frontier is the spot for late night dining.

To find out what’s going on a night or on weekends, read Local IQ or Alibi and www.ItsATrip.org of course!

Visit the Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

You can tell a lot about Albuquerque from visiting Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta –  the hot air balloon capital of the world!

In the spring you should attend:

• Gathering of Nations Pow Wow
• American Indian Week Pueblo Days
• Restaurant Week
• Women & Creativity
• Albuquerque Annual Wine Festival
• Run for the Zoo

In the summer you should attend:

• AAA Albuquerque Isotopes game
• One of the many live music concerts at the Rio Grande Zoo, Botanic Gardens or Albuquerque Museum
• Downtown Grower’s Market
• Savor Albuquerque cultural festival
• Annual Folk Festival

In the fall you should visit:

• Albuquerque International Balloon
• McCall’s Pumpkin Patch and haunted house
• Taste of Albuquerque
• Albuquerque BrewFest
• New Mexico Wine Festival
• New Mexico State Fair
• Globalquerque

In the winter you should go to:

• NM Symphony Orchestra or one of the many performing arts events
• Holiday festivities – especially in Old Town & Nob Hill
• New Mexico Thunderbird basketball games
• Weems International Artfest
• New Mexico Bowl

Hand painted pottery in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Hidden gems in Albuquerque are the Fresco Torreon at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Native American dancing at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to:

• The Grove
• Flying Star
• 66 Diner
• Gold Street Caffe
• The Grove

Just outside of  Albuquerque, you can visit:

• The Turquoise Trail and have lunch at the Mine Shaft Tavern
• Acoma Pueblo and have lunch at the Y’aak’a Cafe

You’ll  need a rental car to see Albuquerque, but Old Town, Downtown, Uptown and Nob Hill are very walkable neighborhoods.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss:

• Albuquerque BioPark – zoo, botanic gardens, aquarium and Tingley Beach
• Explora Science Center
• New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
• Cliff’s Amusement Park
• Hinkle Family Fun Center
• Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

What are your favorite things to do in Albuquerque, New Mexico?

Thanks to Megan Mayo of Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau for assistance with this post. You may also become a Facebook Fan of Albuquerque and follow them on Twitter. I was a guest of  Albuquerque. Article, YouTube video and photos by Nancy D. Brown

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The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to Troldhaugen, home to Edvard Grieg Museum

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg Museum the Old Bergen Museum and Alvøen Country Mansion.

When I crave Bergen cuisine, I turn to Enhjørningen Fish Restaurant or Bryggen Tracteursted on the Wharf, Fløien Folk Restaurant on Fløyen mountain, Holbergstuen – Torgallmenningen 6 or

Hanne på Høyden (previously called ”Spisestedet på Høyden”) – Fosswinckelsgt. 18

For complete quiet, I can take a walk on the top of Mount Fløyen or Mount Ulriken.

If you come to Bergen, get your picture taken at the top of Mount Fløyen, overlooking Bergen and the surrounding mountains, fjords and ocean.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Restaurant Wesselstuen, get the Fish soup a la Bergen.

Bergen is my one stop shop for  Oleana sweaters – made in Bergen.

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to Kaffistova.

For a huge splurge, I go to Lucullus at the Neptun Hotel, Smauet Mat & Vinhus – Nedre Vakserelvsmauet 1-3 or To Kokker – Enhjørningsgården 1, Bryggen.

Photo ops in Bergen include Bryggen – the Wharf, The Fish Market, the view from Mount Fløyen or Mount Ulriken and the narrow alleyways of Bergen (Nordnes, Skansen, Sandviken, Skuteviken.)

The best vantage points are taken by walking or taking the Finicular to Mount Fløyen

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken.

The most random thing about Bergen is the Bergen International Festival which takes place in the end of May every year.

Bergen Music Fest which takes place in the end of April every year.

Night jazz festival which takes place in the end of May every year.

Regular concerts at Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg’s Home

In Bergen, an active day outdoors involves hiking from Mount Fløyen to Mount Ulriken.

My favorite walking route is From Mount Fløyen to Mount Ulriken.

Bergen’s best museum is Edvard Grieg Museum – Troldhaugen.

For a night of dancing, go to Rick’s Lounge & Disco Banco Rotto.

To find out what’s going on a night or on weekends, read Bergens Tidende and Bergensavisen Enter www.visitBergen.com to see a complete event list.

There are many music festivals in Bergen including the Bergen Music Fest and Night Jazz Festival

In the spring you should attend Borealis – Bergen Contemporary Music Festival – medio March.

In the summer you should attend Bergen International Festival and Concerts at Edvard Grieg’s home – Troldhaugen.

In the fall you should visit Bergen Food Festival – medio September and the Bergen International Film Festival – end of October.

In the winter you should go to Voss – our best ski resort – 1,5 hour drive from Bergen.

A hidden gem in Bergen is Damsgard Manor.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to Godt Brød – Vetrelidsallmenning 19

Just outside of Bergen you can visit Old Bergen Museum, have lunch at Gamle Bergen Tracteusted.

The best way to see Bergen is to walk. If you are looking to connect with nature, go horseback riding in Bergen on a Fjord horse at Ovre Eide Farm.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss Bergen Aquarium, Fløibanen – the Funicular, Vannkanten Waterworld or VilVite – Bergen Science Centre.

What are your favorite things to do in Bergen, Norway?

Thanks to Visit Bergen for assistance with this post. I was a guest of Visit Norway. Article, YouTube video and photos by Nancy D. Brown

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In the United States, windsurfing is a popular sport. Windsurfers are spotted everywhere, from the San Francisco Bay to Oregon’s Columbia Gorge.

On a spring visit to Zeil, Netherlands, I learned that windsurfing is a popular sport for the Dutch, as well. Check out the body slide in the YouTube video.

What are your favorite things to do in Zeeland – or Zealand as it is called in the United States?

Photo and YouTube video by Nancy D. Brown.  I was a guest of  the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions.

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