In Albuquerque, your family will breathe in the crisp, high-desert night air and bask in the light of a hundred glowing hot air balloons. Zoo storytellers will send kids on imaginary journeys with wild animals, and an oversized fantasy garden will reveal the world through a bug's eyes. Everyone will come home with a true desert experience that is sure to be a rewarding way to connect in this picturesque state.
High-Desert Heat
Albuquerque's sunny days outnumber the gray ones 6 to 1. An average humidity of 44 percent keeps you comfortable even when midsummer temps top 90 F. All year long, Albuquerque's nighttime temps average 27 degrees cooler than during the day, putting summer nights at around 60 F. You probably won't need sweaters until late October or November, and you can usually leave the raincoats at home—annual rainfall averages just 9 inches. Snow in the city is a rare event and typically melts within 48 hours. One warning: the thin, dry air and nearly constant sunshine invite dehydration. Bottled water, high-SPF sunscreen and dark glasses are necessities for outdoor excursions.
A Bird’s Eye View
Take in the magic of Albuquerque's Balloon Glow at the International Balloon Fiesta and see a parade of hot air balloons lit like stained glass against the October night sky. View the city like the balloonists do aboard the Sandia Peak Tramway, ascending from the eastern edge of town along a nearly 3-mile-long cable to the observation deck atop the 10,378-foot Sandia Peak. Or, stay firmly grounded at the ABQ BioPark's Botanical Garden and find a new perspective on gardening with the larger-than-life topiary dragon, watering can, potted plants and assorted crops. Get a little history lesson in as you admire the historical architecture in Old Town's adobes, church and museums; or take a trip back in time as you walk along Central Avenue in Nob Hill. Formerly Route 66, this iconic road is now home to a huge selection of retro restaurants.
Business and Beyond
Kirtland Air Force Base is Albuquerque’s largest employer, but a diverse group of high-tech industries also call the city home: Sandia National Laboratories spearheads a vibrant alternative-energy industry, Albuquerque Studios' nine sound stages buzz with major film and television productions, and IT firms—both international and start-up—provide everything from data mining and cybersecurity to mapping and animation. Other key industries include nanotech, biotech and electronics.
Getting Around
Getting to and around Albuquerque is a snap, thanks to the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport and a well-planned public transport system. Southwest, JetBlue, United, American, Alaska and Delta offer nonstop flights from 23 major cities. Rent a car and drive 4 miles to downtown or hop aboard the Sunport Shuttle and head straight for your hotel. Is train traveling more your speed? The Amtrak Southwest Chief's Chicago-to-Los Angeles route stops at the downtown Alvarado Transportation Center, the hub for the city's public buses. If you're visiting Albuquerque on a road trip, I-25 runs south from Colorado Springs and north from El Paso to intersect downtown with I-40, which runs east from Flagstaff and west from Amarillo.
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