Taking the excuse of my son having to travel to go to Albuquerque in mid-June. He will be sleeping out in the woods somewhere, hot and miserable. I will be solo and staying at an Air BNB somewhere for 8 glorious nights.

I have never been to New Mexico and am looking for suggestions of things to do from those that have or live there, specifically great hiking and other outdoor adventures. And any suggestions of cool places to stay would be welcomed, I’d rather not stay in the city. I’m imagining some tiny house looking at a mountain.

I appreciate any advice!

You could take a day trip to White Sands, and for giggles drive through Roswell.

I spent far to many days in ABQ.

A few things to do:

Cable car to the top of Sandia Peak at sunset. Do dinner at the restaurant TEN3 that is up there.

Day trip up to Los Alamos to see the museum. One time I was there at the museum, the docent giving me a tour had a picture of himself as a young man working on "the bomb" in 1944 in the friggin' museum.

A day trip to Santa Fe and Taos is worth the drive to see the galleries.

Visit The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (used to be on Kirtland AFB, now off the installation).

If you have a military ID, I believe you can get onto Kirtland AFB. I haven't been to KAFB recently, but there was a decent static display of aircraft, including a B-29.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
I spent far to many days in ABQ.

A few things to do:

Cable car to the top of Sandia Peak at sunset. Do dinner at the restaurant TEN3 that is up there.

Day trip up to Los Alamos to see the museum. One time I was there at the museum, the docent giving me a tour had a picture of himself as a young man working on "the bomb" in 1944 in the friggin' museum.

A day trip to Santa Fe and Taos is worth the drive to see the galleries.

Visit The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (used to be on Kirtland AFB, now off the installation).

If you have a military ID, I believe you can get onto Kirtland AFB. I haven't been to KAFB recently, but there was a decent static display of aircraft, including a B-29.

^^^!!

My daughter lives there and I am retired military.

Time dependent, all these are outstanding suggestions

If you aren’t dead set on staying in Albuquerque, consider staying north towards the Santa Fe area.

A great historic steam train ride is the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad. Departs 10am or so for a day long leisurely trip through some of the most picturesque areas of the Rocky Mountains. Departs from either Chama, NM or Antonito, CO, both easy to reach by car, and a pretty drive.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
If you have a military ID, I believe you can get onto Kirtland AFB. I haven't been to KAFB recently, but there was a decent static display of aircraft, including a B-29.

Everything was moved off base to the museum's new location years ago. Moving the B-52 required taking down power lines and fences. If you have base access you might take a look at the world's largest entirely wooden structure, known today as The Trestle. You can't get too close to it but if you head SE down the hill towards the golf course you can get a good view from the road looking NW.

Good plan not staying in ABQ. Number one per capita for car theft, and I always tell people Breaking Bad isn't too far from the truth. Also June is typically the hottest month, as there is no relief from the heat with afternoon monsoons. A trip north to Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Taos, etc. with get you out of the heat. Speaking of north, NRA's Whittington Center is up outside Raton on the Colorado state line.

If you're in to steam engines, the Cumbres and Toltec line is really great. However the Durango and Silverton line is probably faster to drive to from ABQ.

If you're looking for hikes in/around ABQ, the La Luz trail is a favorite on the west side of the Sandias. You can start at the lower tram station and finish at the upper tram station, then use the tram to get back down. That route is about 12 miles, with 4000+ ft elevation gain. It's a serious hike through different zones, and the lower section is exposed. Get an early start to beat the heat and bring LOTS of water.

There are tons of trails on the east side of the Sandias. They all require a Forest Service parking fee so bring a few bucks or your National Parks pass to display. There are some lower key trails in the Manzanos too (Tunnel Canyon, Oak Flat, Pine Flat) south of I-40.

Bottom line, and I can't recommend this enough: try the local food! New Mexican cuisine is unique and not found anywhere else. I'm sure Google can help more than me, but my favorite is Gabriel's outside Santa Fe. Tons and tons of options in ABQ too (try Monroe's or Papa Felipe's). And when they ask you red or green, the only logical answer is "Christmas".

Good luck avoiding trouble. It's not too hard especially if you get out of the city.

The city itself doesn't offer a lot of activities. We always enjoyed taking the kids to the Natural History Museum in Albuquerque.

Hiking up any of the trails in the mountains right at the city is fun and scenic. When we lived there (late 80's to mid 90's) my favorite was the Piedra Lisa or the Embudo. I expect they are very crowded on weekends now.

An alternative is to take the tram to the top and then hike down. Check out the TWA wreck if any of it is still there.

Within a couple of hours there is a lot to see and do.

Driving the back way to Santa Fe is much more scenic than taking I-25. Go east from Albuquerque on I-40 and then go north on 14 through Cedar Crest.

Los Alamos is worth a visit. Definitely see the museum. A very scenic drive is through the caldera of the Jemez Mountains. Go north from ABQ on I-25 to Bernalillo, then west on 550 to San Ysidro. Take 4 through the caldera and then take 501 into Los Alamos. Go back to ABQ through Santa Fe.

Acoma Pueblo was always a favorite place for us to take visitors. It is just a bit more than an hour from Albuquerque, west on I-40.

If you like just exploring by car, from Acoma go south on 117 then 603 to Pie Town, over to Socorro, then north on I-25 back to ABQ.

The Range Cafe. I like the Rio Rancho one the best, but all are good.

Dion's Pizza. Go for the Duke City - cheddar, turkey, green chili. Sounds like an odd combination but it really works.

If you go to Santa Fe, go up or come back via the Turquoise Trail, on the east side of the mountains. Madrid (pronounced MAH-drid) is where they filmed Wild Hogs.

Get out of town far enough to find some Indian fry bread at some roadside stand.

Cumbres and Toltec railroad mentioned above has the best meat loaf lunch I ever had!

Have fun!

Fly in the ointment here:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized the deployment of New Mexico National Guard personnel to support the Albuquerque Police Department in response to ongoing public safety challenges in the city, particularly along the Central Avenue corridor and other specific areas.
The emergency request from APD cites the fentanyl epidemic and rising violent juvenile crime as critical issues requiring immediate intervention. Additional support is needed to maintain momentum in addressing these challenges.
“The safety of New Mexicans is my top priority,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “By deploying our National Guard to support APD with essential duties, we’re ensuring that trained police officers can focus on what they do best–keeping our communities safe. This partnership represents our commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis and juvenile crime with every resource at our disposal.”
Between 60-70 National Guard personnel will be deployed to Albuquerque beginning in mid-May. Their training to assist APD is already underway under the supervision of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, Department of Public Safety, State Police and APD.
The initiative aims to improve public safety and quality of life for Albuquerque residents by addressing immediate needs while working toward long-term solutions to the city’s most pressing public safety challenges.

That being said, from what I’ve read and heard from friends south of the city the crime is now spreading to the northeast side of the city, used to be the South Valley and downtown were the sketchy parts of town.

If you go south, about eighty miles to Socorro, New Mexico Tech has a large geological display in the campus. Go ten miles south to San Antonio, (birthplace of Conrad Hilton) and exit on U.S. 380, you’ll be heading east. About a mile or so before you cross the Rio Grande on your left is a bar and restaurant, The Owl Bar. Quick history lesson:
HISTORY OF THE OWL BAR & CAFÉ
When Frank Chavez came home to San Antonio, New Mexico, in 1945 after serving in the US Navy during the “Big War”, he and his wife, Dee opened a little bar in the grocery store operated by Dee’s father, JE Miera. JE had been in business since the late 1930’s serving the needs of the local folks.

Soon after the Owl Bar opened, it became the hangout of a handful of so-called prospectors who had moved into the tiny community. These “prospectors” were actually atomic scientists who would later activate the famous Trinity Site explosion, the first test of the atom bomb used to end the war with its devastation of two Japanese cities.

At the request of the “prospectors” and other patrons, Frank put in a grill behind the bar and began cooking hamburgers. Thus the birth of the world famous “Owl Burger”, the green chile cheeseburger of which its recipe remains unchanged since 1948.

Frank and Dee’s daughter, Rowena, and her husband, Adolph Baca, operate the Owl Bar in much the same way Frank and Dee did. On June 1, 2018, Adolph and Rowena’s daughter,
Janice took over the reins of the Owl, becoming the fourth generation to operate the Owl. It is with much pride that she continues to operate the business in much the same way as her great grandfather, grandparents and parents.

Green Chile Cheeseburgers! Try one.

Don't miss visiting the VFW Post on Bridge Street. The men's restroom is done up as a Jane Fonda Shooting Range with a picture of Hanoi Jane in the center of every urinal. This truly warmed my heart as an old Vietnam veteran.

Go up around jemez and hike. If you are into golf there is great course at cochiti up near Santa Fe.

Catch an isotopes baseball game.

If you need to exercise, the bike/walk path on the river (rio?) is pretty decent.

I'll be there Saturday for my son's graduation. The city itself is kinda meh. The nuke museum is awesome.

Santa Fe is artsy fartsy, but decent. Try Clafoutis for authentic French food.

The Catholic cathedral or basilica in Santa Fe claims to have a piece of wood from the True Cross if that interests you.


And the Atomic Museum in ABQ has a Geiger counter that may have belonged to Enrico Fermi.

Interesting bookends of faith and science.

Ron Peterson Guns used to be a good shop with interesting used guns. I haven’t been there in years and don’t know if it’s even still there.

I appreciate the ideas so far.

I’ll probably stay somewhere between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, looking at something rural or at least not in the city. Trying to decide between several options now.

Looking at gun laws…

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
I appreciate the ideas so far.

I’ll probably stay somewhere between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, looking at something rural or at least not in the city. Trying to decide between several options now.

Looking at gun laws…

Lot of strange things with the Governor going on, was supposed to be impeached for the gun ban over a year ago, nothing came of it.
I would suspect if you had to use one in self defense it would be one hell of a legal battle either way.

Breakfast and orange juice at The Frontier.

La Hacienda in Old Town for Mexican food. There are other dives that probably have better food but La Hacienda has always been good. It's been a lot of years since I've been to Albuturkey and I can't remember any of the dives we used to frequent.

Governor's Palace in Santa Fe for the history. Loretto Chapel with the Immaculate Staircase is a couple of blocks from the Governor's Palace.

Acoma Pueblo west of town can be a cool experience.

My wife insisted on visiting the Ernie Pyle house and library when we passed through. She has family from his hometown in IN and went to EP Elementary school.

For a good local New Mexican lunch, go to Padilla’s on Girard. FYI: it’s CASH ONLY.

Stop by a Golden Pride or Stripes for a breakfast burrito.

You may be able to find a place to stay in the Golden or Madrid (MAD-rid) area. It’s rural and a bit between ABQ and Santa Fe. I live in Edgewood.

The cable car up to the crest is worth it, but it can be shut down due to high winds. You can also drive up the east side to get to the top. Lots of good hiking up there.

quote:

Originally posted by rizzle:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
...

Looking at gun laws…

Lot of strange things with the Governor going on, was supposed to be impeached for the gun ban over a year ago, nothing came of it.
I would suspect if you had to use one in self defense it would be one hell of a legal battle either way.

Don't forget, gun laws on the reservations are different than state laws (generally, much stricter), and NM has lots of reservations.