3 Quick Road Trips from Albuquerque NM
3 Quick Roadtrips from Albuquerque, NM
Located in Bernalillo County lies the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A city that has embraced its Native American and Latin roots, it has grown to over 500,000 full time Burqueños. Since Albuquerque is relatively close to other places, it is easy to take a road trip to other large cities in the state.
In this article, I have emphasized three cities that are within a day’s drive from Albuquerque.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
One hour north of Albuquerque is Santa Fe. If you do not have a lot of leisure time to visit other areas, then this city is the place to visit. One advantage of visiting Santa Fe is that it caters to many or special types of interests. If you are a looking to explore the nature of Santa Fe, then come explore the Dale Ball Trails. Its 22 miles of trail in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains will make you feel as though you are not in a large city. Additionally, the trails allow beginners and veterans alike to de-stress and exercise. The trails are dog friendly, but please be courteous to other visitors by using a leash.
Apart from its beautiful nature, the city of Santa Fe is also known for its artistic scene. One museum that you do not want to miss is the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Established in 1925 by Mary Austin and Frank G. Appelgate, the museums’s goal is to educate about and preserve Hispano art. A few of the current exhibits are “The Delgado Room” and “The Beltrán- Kropp Art Collection from Peru”. Both of these exhibits further contribute to the museum’s mission and also showcase the diversity within Hispano art.
Aside from nature and the arts, Santa Fe is also home to a growing food scene and many other outdoor activities. The city’s diversity will make you want to visit more than once.
Roswell, New Mexico
Known as the site of a supposed UFO crash in 1947, Roswell is a place that you should visit if you have 3 hours to spare.
If you are interested in learning more about the supposed crash, then come check out the International UFO Museum and Research Museum. Its mission is to be the global leader in UFO research. The hours of operations are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.(be sure to check the schedule for early holiday closures). In addition, come check out the upcoming 2018 UFO Museum Ufologist Invasion happening from July 6th-8th. At the event, you will have the opportunity to learn from various experts and potential new discoveries in the science field.
Similarly to Santa Fe, Roswell also has its own respective art scene. The Roswell Museum and Art Center showcases Southwestern-style art, which include paintings and photographs. A few of the current exhibits are “Peter Hurd on Paper” and the museum’s staff favorites.
Besides the city’s influence in science and art, Roswell has a diverse amount of activities, which include tasting wine at Pecos Flavors Winery to hiking at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Our last stop on our New Mexico road trip is the furthest distance from Albuquerque. It is 4 hours to Carlsbad, NM.
One site that the city is known for is the Carlsbad Caverns. An interesting fact about this Carlsbad landmark is more than 250,000 bats live in the caverns. It is important to note that the caves become crowded during the summer and holiday weekends. Therefore, it is advised to explore the area during the off season.
Another local hotspot to visit is the Sitting Bull Falls. One interesting fact about the falls is that the Apaches named the area “gostahanagunti”, which translates to “hidden gulch”. The area also has miles of trails that allow for activities, such as running and horseback riding.
As you can see, there are many benefits of living in New Mexico. Its close drives to other larger cities, various activities to see and do, and the state’s family-friendly atmosphere make it a place that you will want to call home for years to come.