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Welcome to my blog/travel guide. Take a look around, you never know what you might find!
Welcome to my blog/travel guide. Take a look around, you never know what you might find!
New Mexico is the chili capitol of the world, and for two weeks in October, every year Albuquerque becomes the hot air balloon capitol of the world.
Hundreds of balloons from around the world in every color and shape imaginable ascend from the fairgrounds in Albuquerque and drift down the Rio Grande valley for as far as the eye can see.
In a matter of a few hours, up to 600 balloons inflate and take off down wind in the morning light. The balloon field is open to the public and walking around between the seemingly endless variety of balloons as they ascend is a magical experience. Keep moving and watch out for the unusual shapes taking flight.
Early in the morning, before the sun has a chance to peak over the Sandia Mountains on the east side of town, a handful of brave balloonist take to the sky. The balloons light up like Chinese lanterns when the pilots ignite their burners, and the sky twinkles like a forest of fire flies. When the balloons are high enough, they are struck by the morning light from the rising sun and shine in the twilight sky. The balloons start early, so go to sleep early the night before. October temperatures in Albuquerque are cooler than most people think, so dress appropriately for being outdoors for hours in 40deg weather. An assortment of coffee and breakfast burrito stands are there to help though, so bundle up with a hot cocoa and burrito and enjoy the show. It helps to keep walking. Take a stroll and check out all the balloons getting ready for flight.
Typical hot air balloons are tear drop shaped, but most of the fun of the balloon fiesta is spotting all of the unique shapes. A crocodile with a backpack, a cowboy armadillo, and a goldfish sporting a monocle, cane, and top-hat are just a few of the incredibly creative shapes of balloons that you’ll see take to the skies. A few times throughout the week, the a number of these eccentric designs inflate (but usually don’t take off) during Special Shape Rodeos. Check the schedule for when these events occur.
Fast Trax Skydivers streak tails of colored smoke across the afternoon sky as they plummet from balloons. Balloon pilots compete to see who can harness the wind more precisely and drop sand bags on targets during the Competition Ballooning. A number of concerts, car shows, chain saw carving events, and various demonstrations take place throughout the festival as well.
Any fan Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul knows the shows are set in Albuquerque, but unlike many Hollywood productions, the shows are shot entirely in Albuquerque. Nearly everything you see in the shows is completely accurate (regarding Albuquerque). You can stop by the White’s house, although it is a privately owned home and the current residents may not be the friendliest to fans. The car wash is real as well. Local companies offer Breaking Bad tours and shuttle people around in RVs, very similar to the one in the show. The show is very much embraced in ABQ, so keep an eye out for Breaking Bad Easter eggs like the mural on the side of LA Underground Central Ave and Terrace St. SE or Heisenberg symbols like the on T-Shirt Corner at the corner of Carlisle and Claremont, across the street from Whataburger.
Similar bus tours are available for the rest of the many famous movies filmed in and around Albuquerque as well (Transformers, Avengers).
On the east side of town, the Sandia Mountains loom over the city. A gondola style tramway whisks you 3800ft. up the side of the mountain for a glorious view of the entirety of Albuquerque and nearly eleven thousand square miles of the New Mexican countryside. The gondola is glass-walled, offering panoramic views all the way up the mountainside, but fifty people are packed into the cabin, so it is a bit tight inside. The lift takes you over the dramatic Domingo Baca Canyon, which is where, in 1955 a small plane crashed and some of the wreckage can be seen from the tram car. So called flights leave roughly every fifteen minutes, but wait times vary drastically. During busy times the wait can be as long as two hours. Although the views from the tram itself are incredible, instead of waiting in line you can drive to the top of the mountain yourself. Ascending into the mountains takes you from desert to alpine forest. At a height of 10,378ft the mountain top is 20-30 degrees cooler than the city, so be prepared for cold temperatures and high winds. If you’re interesting in hiking, a number of trails of various difficulties take you up the mountain. If you’re less interested in straining yourself, but would still like the mountain hike views it is possible to take the tramway up the mountain, and hike back down, but hiking from the tram to trailheads can add a few miles to your total trip.
The fabled road, symbolizing both the American Southwest and era of classic automobiles, roadtrips, and freedom itself is known locally as Central Avenue, which runs through the entirety of Albuquerque from East to West. The road still holds much of its original charm, albeit a modernized version of it. Motels, restaurants (stop in at 66 Diner for a nostalgic bight to eat), and other local businesses along the famed roadway are alive with the spirit of the Mother Road.
Old town encompasses roughly 10 blocks of historic adobe buildings. A classic Spanish-style town square, surrounded by a number of restaurants and shops, and flanked by San Felipe de Neri Church, constructed in 1793. At the center of the plaza is a small park with a gazebo where live music or Native American dances are performed. You will likely spot a few restored classic cars parked here and a number of Native American jewelers who sometimes make jewelry on the spot. If you’re looking for a souvenir, the old town plaza is Albuquerque’s gift shop.
