Happy Halloween! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, and are excited for the night to come. We finally settled on appropriate costumes for both kids, and we’ll have a bookworm and a ‘throwback’ coach (think short-shorts and sweatbands!) headed out tonight. I’ve got my sights set on all the Twix and Kit Kats…what about you?
A few weeks ago, Mr. Sugarplum and I slipped away for a quick getaway to a spot I’ve been anxious to explore for awhile. I’ve been to Santa Fe and Taos a few times, but had never really explored Albuquerque. My aunt has been raving about this often-overlooked town in New Mexico for years, so we finally had a chance to check it out for ourselves…and it did not disappoint!
Flying in over the Sandia Mountains gave us an exciting peek of what was to come…gorgeous terrain, amazing hiking, jaw-dropping sunsets, and endless sunshine. It was an active-lover’s dream. In fact, had it not been for the excessive amount of New Mexican food we inhaled, I might have actually lost a pound or two!
Just a quick drive out of town, and it feels like you have the whole world to yourself…with nothing but wide-open views. Our favorite site in the area was definitely the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument….only two formations like it in the world!
The unusual (and slightly phallic, or maybe that’s just me?!) cone-shaped formations were produced by volcanic eruptions almost 7 million years ago! The views from the top are a breathtaking (and windy!) 360-degrees…and the best part, is it’s a pretty easy 1.5 mile hike up there!
Our hotel had cruiser bikes available, and the entrance to the Rio Grande River Trail just a short ride away. I preferred pedaling through the nearby stunning neighborhood of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Casa Rodeña Winery.
For a sunset to remember, ride up the mountain on the second longest aerial Tramway in the world. It takes about 20 minutes to ascend the 10,000 feet to the top, where it’s deceptively cold. Sandia is Spanish for watermelon…the color these mountains glow as the sun sets over ABQ (as the locals call it, because who can spell it!!??)
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Less than an hour out of town lies a small, unassuming parking lot at the trailhead of of two easy hikes. But less than a minute into your walk, you’re treated to stunning formations, canyons, and Apache tears at every step.
Biking
There are tons of trails & gorgeous neighborhoods to explore.
Casa Rondeña Winery
A local winery in a beautiful setting. They offer tastings & spots for picnics.
Walter White’s House
Yes, we actually drove by…only to find two very annoyed homeowners parked in plastic lawn chairs on the lawn, littered with signs warning people of trespassing.
Old Town Albuquerque
Albuquerque’s Old Town is rich with history and unique culture. There are thrilling ghost tours, galleries and shops, museums, and several small cafes with patios.
Sugarplum Travel Tip: ABQ is 5,000 feet above sea level, with some of the mountain peaks at 10,000 feet. So make sure to stay hydrated and go easy on the alcohol your first few days. We all know I get a little puny with altitude, so I stayed mindful of it while we were there.
Our stay included breakfast, so we were treated to new dishes everyday, inspired by the day’s harvest right off the farm. It usually included a choice of sweet or savory (we always had one of each!), plus house-made granola, fresh fruit, baked goods, and just-squeezed juices. Dinner looked magical and smelled delicious, but we didn’t have a chance to try it.
Seasons
A great spot in Old Town with the best views. The patio upstairs offers more casual food & live music, while downstairs is more fine dining. Guess which one we did? 🙂
Antiquity Restaurant
This tiny place tucked away in Old Town smelled amazing, and is voted the #1 restaurant in ABQ on Trip Advisor. And while it was a great ambiance, we didn’t love the food & experience.
Sadie’s of New Mexico
This spot was so highly-recommended by several readers, and we kept hearing about their salsa, so while we didn’t have a chance to eat here, we did get chips & salsa to go, and enjoyed it on our little hotel patio. It’s a massive restaurant with not much ambiance, but the salsa was the best I’ve ever had.
Church Street Cafe
This spot in Old Town is very unassuming from the front, but it actually extends back an entire city block, in the oldest house in ABQ. The patio is a charming spot to sit day or night, and the green chiles were amazing.
El Pinto
This is honestly the first spot I’d go if we get the chance to return to ABQ. I saw a darling reader here (hi, Erin!), and she said her family eats there every single trip, too. The patio is huge, with a giant pile of Mexican blankets to snuggle in on chilly nights…plus the margarita and queso were the best I’ve ever had.
Sandiago’s Mexican Grille
A festive restaurant at the base of the Sandia Peak Tramway…and perfect spot for a quick drink overlooking the lights of ABQ below, but I’d skip the food. We were also told repeatedly to avoid the restaurant at the peak of the Tram.
Sugarplum Travel Tip: It’s all about the chilies with New Mexican cuisine, and the biggest question is ‘red or green?’ Chances are, you’ll firmly be one or the other, and both will do a number on your untrained digestive system. #worthit I’m a green girl, all the way!
Albuquerque doesn’t get the same attention as nearby Santa Fe, but neither does it have the crowds. It’s also really easy to get to since you fly directly into ABQ, so it makes the perfect home base for exploring much of the beauty New Mexico has to offer. Can you believe many of these pics were captured on my iPhone? And no filters necessary…Mother Nature does her own technicolor filter for you.
*This post was created in collaboration with Nordstrom, but all styles, opinions, & alarming green-chili reactions are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!
