Looking for a place with outdoor adventures, a booming art scene, and interesting culture and history? New Mexico should top your list. This southwestern American state attracts travelers to its lush landscapes, hiking trails, parks, and unique museums. In New Mexico, many travelers make Albuquerque a destination, due to the varied outdoor attractions and activities available. Here, you can experience great weather outdoors and end each day with a comfy place to stay.
Finding accommodations in Albuquerque isn’t difficult. Just ensure that the location of your hotel is accessible to the main attractions you plan to visit. Once you’ve settled on your hotel in Albuquerque, draft your itinerary. The list below highlights some of the outdoor attractions you can enjoy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Find them on Google Maps and don’t miss the chance to include them on your visit.
Balloon Fiesta Park
Balloon Fiesta Park is home to the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Every October, festival-goers flock to the park for numerous events and shows. In addition to hot air balloon flights, other activities include light shows, gas balloon inflation races, a dawn patrol show, and a fireworks display.
Don’t miss the chance to catch the skies of Albuquerque filled with colorful balloons that create stunning backgrounds. Autumn mornings during the festival will be different because of the most popular event, the mass ascension, when hundreds of gigantic balloons take flight at the same time.
La Luz Trail
La Luz Trail. Image via Flickr by Jeff Kubina.Situated in the northwestern area of the Sandia Range, La Luz Trail is a famous hiking area in Albuquerque. This trail isn’t for faint-hearted, with a 1,151-meter elevation gain and a grade of 12 percent. The trails, however, allow hikers to enjoy and marvel at the flora and fauna that are native to the Sandia Mountains.
You can start your way from La Luz Trailhead and hike about 8 miles to either Sandia Crest or Sandia Peak Tramway. Since 1965, the trail has served as a track for the La Luz Trail Run. The race only accommodates up to 400 people, and slots are usually awarded through a lottery. Trail Runner Magazine featured the run on its list of 12 Most Grueling Trail Races in North America.
Albuquerque Biological Park
One of the last recommended tourist attractions to include on your itinerary while in the city is the Albuquerque Biological Park. The whole family will enjoy the educational experiences on offer at ABQ Bio Park. The main attractions are the zoo, botanic garden, aquarium, and Tingley Beach.
Located next to the Rio Grande, this 64-acre zoo makes a perfect venue for close encounters with animals like elephants, tigers, polar bears, wolves, rhinos, and a lot more. The botanic garden’s paths are ideal for walks, and they’ll expose guests to vibrant varieties of flowers. During the summer, the park holds classes that give children a profound look at the wonderful biodiversity of the park. Camping and overnight experiences are also available to stimulate your kid’s interest in the importance of nature.
If your time in Albuquerque permits you to explore even more attractions, include the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Jerry Cline Park, the National Museum of Nuclear Science, and the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park on your itinerary.
