ALBUQUERQUE, N. M. -- Perhaps the best thing about Albuquerque is that it has a great airport, providing a great jumping off point to see the stunning scenery of New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
Albuquerque, and its 60-miles-up-the-road neighbor, Santa Fe, are little more than rest stops for those who want to capture the imagery of the fantastic countrysides around each city.
With a state university (University of New Mexico), flat geography and a boring downtown, Albuquerque is not a very exciting place to visit. The city does have a hodge-podge of an Old Town (La Villa San Felipe de Neri de Albuquerque, established in 1706), featuring Indian-Mexican arts and crafts shops and some regional foods. The primary businesses are located in long strips alongside Interstate 25. There are museums, a science center, amusement park, astronomy center and biological park available, too.
One interesting aspect of Albuquerque is the Sandia Mountain overlook, about five miles north off Interstate 25. Reputedly the world's longest cable tram (more than 5 miles long) takes visitors to the top of the 10,678-foot peak, where they can enjoy great views, explore and eat at a glass-walled restaurant. A large gaming casino is just off the road to the tram. In winter, you can even take your skis and schuss down the north side of the mountain to the relatively small Sandia Peak Ski Area (30 trails). Roads and trails also provide auto and bike access. But serious skiiers do their stuff at Taos and/or Angel Fire resorts, each less than two hours away.
One of the city's greatest claim to fame is that infamous east-west U. S. Highway 66 ("Route 66" of TV and music fame) runs through it. But the road is pretty much like any other street through the city, except for its string of decades-old motels.
If you happen to make it to Albuquerque in early October you can see some beautiful air scenery, with the 20th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta set for Oct. 4-12, 2003. Hundreds of hot-air balloons fill the skies like floating rainbows during the festival.
An hour or less northeast up Interstate 25 is Santa Fe, a slightly smaller city than Albuquerque, but one with more vistas since much of the city is built on the side of a mountain.
Sante Fe also has a more interesting old section (Plaza area) than Albuquerque, with a variety of arts/crafts shops, restaurants, specialty shops and a large park square (which includes the oddly-named Ore House Restaurant, a facility which presents great food, an outdoor dining porch and excellent indooor seating).
If you would like to learn more of Indian culture and ancient life, numerous tours are offered from both Albuquerque and Santa Fe, providing looks at pueblos and and historic cliff dwellings.
If you're lucky enough to be in Santa Fe when its world-reknown symphony orchestra is performing in its open-air theater (June 27-Aug. 23) you could provide yourself a worthwhile musical treat.
Santa Fe also offers visitors lots of interesting adobe architecture. Take a drive along Canyon Road for a pleasurable ride.
Both Albuquerque and Santa Fe have Indian festivals throughout the year, with colorful performers providing glimpses of Indian dance and music.
But the most compelling attractions for both Albuquerque and Santa Fe are the various day trips available from each. These include the scenic U. S. 550 west Jemez Mountain Trail loop (Indian ruins, collapsed volcano crater, high-tech research center, lots of beautiful mountain scenery) or a round trip to Taos (Indian Pueblos, colorful valley towns, mountain villages, large ski area).
The Jemez Pueblo visitors guide claims 1.5 million people annually drive along U. S. 550 (formerly Route 4), and the state highway department estimates that 2,000 cars use the road daily.

On the Net:

www.santafe.org
www.itsatrip.org

This story was published on 28 Jun 2003.