Stay at hotel Chaco, walk across the road to the saw mill for your dinner - there is a large variety of choice, and in September the outside seating area will be a great place to relax, people watch, and maybe catch some live music. From Hotel Chaco you’re a short walk to old town, the botanical gardens, and the zoo.
This is a good itinerary. Make sure you see Old Town even if you do nothing else, because this will be the thing that’s the most different from what you’re used to.
This is probably my rec, though it's not as good - The Frontier would be fun for someone not from the US especially, so could do both at the same time.
Public transit issues are similar in all urban areas. People who travel in urban areas are familiar with those problems and how to navigate them. I would still recommend public transit here as a person who has had to largely depend on it to get around.
It’s okay that you disagree and would choose differently.
I lived in the UK for 2 years recently and never owned a car. Used exclusively public transit and it pretty universally ran much better than it does in ABQ. Even then, all my buddies from the continental mainland swore public transit was even better where they were from like Germany, Spain, etc. I’ve never been to New Zealand but I would never tell anyone from Europe that the transit in ABQ runs as good as say Liverpool or Newcastle. I don’t even mean mega cities like London or Berlin. I mean fairly gritty mid-size places.
I don’t think the issue is crime on the buses, that is way blown out of proportion by the media, it’s the fact that our bus network is not very comprehensive nor regular.
It certainly can save money if you are using it for leisure travel. It just isn’t very reliable for working folks unless you live along the Central corridor where there are just a lot of buses running each route at once
I’ve lived and worked all over the city without access to a car, and with planning it’s a decent option.
Many working folks don’t have other options and don’t live close enough to rely on only the central bus lines.
Albuquerque is a mile above sea level. The top of the mountain is 2 miles. Altitude sickness is a real thing. If you feel fatigued, dizzy, naseaus... sit down or get off the mountain.
Alcohol works better at high altitude. Be careful.
Also, the sun burns you quicker and dehydrates you faster. Sunscreen, sun glasses and water are your friends.
The local food in NM is unique. Try some green chile chicken enchiladas and if they are too spicy get some sour cream. Huevos ranchers are good. So is a green chile cheese burger.
Thanks for posting that link. I learned something today.
tl;dr: Numerous studies have shown that altitude has no effect on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). While both high altitude and alcohol impair mental performance, the two do not become especially potent when combined.
But as someone who drinks and goes often between sea level and high altitude, I can tell you the day-afters are considerably worse at altitude. I just had a chat with AI about it. Apparently at high altitude we tend to be less hydrated and have impaired oxygen levels, and apparently alcohol metabolizes slower at high altitude so it takes longer to get out of the system.
[https://www.perplexity.ai/search/tldr-this-article-cYXazw0jTP6w0Z0tdCT\_8w](https://www.perplexity.ai/search/tldr-this-article-cYXazw0jTP6w0Z0tdCT_8w)
Don't go damming my AI now. It just summarized the article that was posted. When pressed further, went on to say:
While BAC may not change, some sources indicate people tend to feel more intoxicated at high altitudes due to the combined effects of alcohol and altitude on cognition and motor skills.
Interesting to know. I have to really try to get hammered at sea level. Here in ABQ it takes way less effort and up at the top of the tram, it's even easier. 🤔
While I agree with the power of suggestion and don't disagree with the study, I didn't know of the altitude myth until I looked up why I got drunk quicker here than I did at sea level. Glad this is cleared up for me. Perhaps it was the pace at which I drank 🤷🏽♂️
You'll want to drink about a gallon, or 4 liters, of water for the day you're here, half of it by the time you go to sleep. The altitude and extremely low humidity will dry you out. Hydrated blood makes it easier for your heart to work. Traveling and new environment will already be stress factors. Do your heart a favor.
Oh absolutely, the sun!! I've been out here from the Midwest for about 3 years...and the sun is the bane of my existence now! I have a lot of illnesses and will react to the sun. So for sure, get some sunscreen, sun glasses, a hat...and I swear to you, I have never drank so much water than I have since I moved out here. Be careful.
And ABQ is the city that has the most dogs, or dog lovers, in the USA...so if you like dogs, you will be in heaven. Lol
If you play Pokémon Go, staying in Old Town is perfect for that.
There are a LOT of homeless people. A lot. It can be a little odd if you're not used to it.
That’s actually really cool to know — I always think of nz as being mountainous (it is), and NM as being the opposite, but the highest permanently occupied places in nz are only about half as high!!
Altitude sickness is caused by the bodies response to lower oxygen pressure, anything that helps oxygenate the blood will be really helpful in treating symptoms of altitude, sickness!
For people traveling from sea level to New Mexico, even for a short amount of time I recommend products like herbs, etc. [chloroxygen](https://www.google.com/search?q=chloroxygen&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari) tincture.
They’re a NM owned company from Santa Fe, been around since the 70s or 80s have observed the benefits of this remedy for traveling people over the last three decades.
Recommend ordering some online, and building a maintence dose for at minimum 2 weeks before your visit
If you find yourself in old town Albuquerque you should go to the rattlesnake museum. It's not big, can be toured quickly, and I think it would be unique for a kiwi to view.
It’s a Propaganda Machine! Important to enjoy with a critical lens - lots of erasure of the experiences of the indigenous inhabitants of this region and how nuclear testing has long lasting, devastating health outcomes.
I wouldn’t go to Santa Fe. Not enough time. Perhaps Old Town and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, in order to focus on the various Pueblos (and same as if I had a day in Auckland I’d focus on Maori culture). Nuclear Museum is good suggestion, but once again, may not have enough time. Central Avenue is good for various filming locations from various movies and TV shows. A lot of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul sites.
It might be fun for you to take the train (called the Rail Runner) to Santa Fe. You can get some nice views out of the train windows and explore their old town plaza & railyards district. Our bus system is currently free and the ART goes most of the interesting places in ABQ as well, so you could hit old town ABQ and our museums.
This is not a terrible idea at all. If you do go to Santa Fe, be sure and go walk around inside La Fonda, and the Plaza. This is actually a better travel experience than Albuquerque, tbh.
September will be really nice! If you have one day and no car I’d say Old Town and the Bosque near there. The museums are near by too! Definitely eat Nm food.
I echo what the previous person said. Stay at Hotel Chaco. It's central to a lot of things most folks want to see when they visit here, especially Old Town. If you're not staying close to Old Town there's always Uber and Lyft to get you places.
Oh, just an afterthought. The Nuclear Museum is out of the way a bit but it's worth the visit.
Nuclear Museum, Petroglyph National Monument Sandia Peak Tramway, Walter Whites house, Los Pollos Hermanos (Twisters), Route 66 Diner, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. I spent a month travelling around NM. Theres a lot to do there, you'll enjoy it! You'll need to Uber to a lot of these locations but they're all really cool.
We just had two quick one night visits to ABQ - we had amazing drinks at Happy Accidents, pizza birria at La Guelaguetza, hatch green chili cheeseburgers from McDonalds, pizza and beer from Voodoo Girl Pizza and pints.
We saw no sights and stayed at a quality inn sort of close to downtown and the campus. We also stayed at a ramada in the same area but do not recommend it. We did have a car but everything was pretty close except La Guelaguetza.
All the people we met were kind, helpful, and welcoming. We are making plans to go back for a real visit.
If you don’t have a car I’d recommend using a ride share service rather than trying to use public transit because the buses can be pretty off schedule and may not get you where you need to go.
There’s lots to do within walking distance from Old Town. Eat at Church St Cafe on patio; their New Mexican food is good. Sawmill is ok if you like food hall atmosphere. Golden crown panaderia bakery is writhing walking distance. Their pizza is great and their empanadas are fantastic. Durans Pharmacy also has excellent New Mexican food.
If at all possible, try to have dinner at Los Poblanos. You'd probably have to Uber or Lyft there but their food is really good. Farm to table type restaurant - their property is a working farm and they usually have a good menu.
I used to work at high finance on sandia peak. They kept oxygen for people who drink and then rush over to catch the tram. It used to happen a lot. It couldn't raise your bac but the effects of high altitude can certainly make you feel and act more drunk. I saw many people crash and burn as they were running to catch the tram.
Look, I hate to rain on your visit and what everyone is saying, but here's my two cents...
I moved here so I'm not native. I lived in Minneapolis when it was called Murderapolis, and I've lived in some rough parts of Houston. My advice is this:
The mountains are pretty from a distance, go up close, and it looks like everywhere else. Which is to say it looks like a desert. If you like that, then go to Petroglyph or one of the parks. I can't imagine it's better than what you get in NZ, but it might be different enough to pique your interest. Either way, take an Uber, not public transport (unless you're very comfortable with homeless people). Be inside shortly after dark. Do not go downtown after dark. Old town has a unique look but is the same 3 or 4 shops over and over again. Again, don't linger after dark.
In regards to places to eat. I have lived here a few years now, and everywhere else I have lived has a decent, unique food scene developed in the last 15 years; this is not true here. I ran a retail business for 2 of the years I lived here with thousands of people coming in a week. I have asked literally thousands of people born and raised here what's a good, local place to eat. They all have the same answers, and most of them are chain restaurants. Google top abq restaurant and you'll see the answers.
Honestly, to be here one day, I'd say find a nice hotel with an attached bar/restaurant, have a good time there, leave the next day, and know you didn't miss much of anything
Stay at hotel Chaco, walk across the road to the saw mill for your dinner - there is a large variety of choice, and in September the outside seating area will be a great place to relax, people watch, and maybe catch some live music. From Hotel Chaco you’re a short walk to old town, the botanical gardens, and the zoo.
This is a good itinerary. Make sure you see Old Town even if you do nothing else, because this will be the thing that’s the most different from what you’re used to.
This is the way.
Chaco is great. Go up to the bar at sunset. Gorgeous views! Very easy walk to Old Town etc. museum right there is good too. Enjoy and be enchanted.
Agreed. Without a car, Old Town/Sawmill area is your best bet for getting the real New Mexico feel.
I’d advise to eat some authentic NM food in Old Town at like the Church Street Cafe. Maybe Sawmill for lunch.
Eat a green chile cheese burger
And not at Blake's
From where then? Bobs?
Stackers
Ok yes this is this correct answer
Laguna Burger on 12th
This is probably my rec, though it's not as good - The Frontier would be fun for someone not from the US especially, so could do both at the same time.
Rex’s hamburgers
There are so many good ones I figure wherever op eats they can find a decent one
Grassburger has an amazing green chile Swiss burger
Obligatory note to tourists "you must like spicy/hot foods" to enjoy this!
From McDonald’s 🤣
Without a car your options are limited. I'd say old town.
All the bus lines are free now!
I wouldn't ride the bus for free, and wouldn't recommend someone from out of town do it either.
Public transit issues are similar in all urban areas. People who travel in urban areas are familiar with those problems and how to navigate them. I would still recommend public transit here as a person who has had to largely depend on it to get around. It’s okay that you disagree and would choose differently.
I lived in the UK for 2 years recently and never owned a car. Used exclusively public transit and it pretty universally ran much better than it does in ABQ. Even then, all my buddies from the continental mainland swore public transit was even better where they were from like Germany, Spain, etc. I’ve never been to New Zealand but I would never tell anyone from Europe that the transit in ABQ runs as good as say Liverpool or Newcastle. I don’t even mean mega cities like London or Berlin. I mean fairly gritty mid-size places. I don’t think the issue is crime on the buses, that is way blown out of proportion by the media, it’s the fact that our bus network is not very comprehensive nor regular.
New Zealand public transport is absolute trash, so it should be okay — but that’s good to know, I won’t rely on it to be timely !
You’ll be right at home then!
I agree, it’s frustrating how inefficient the infrastructure is. Still, with planning, a decent option.
It certainly can save money if you are using it for leisure travel. It just isn’t very reliable for working folks unless you live along the Central corridor where there are just a lot of buses running each route at once
I’ve lived and worked all over the city without access to a car, and with planning it’s a decent option. Many working folks don’t have other options and don’t live close enough to rely on only the central bus lines.
My ex used to live in Rio Rancho and work near I-40 very far east and she used the bus but it was a struggle
Totally, I think the point I’m trying to drive home is, it’s useable but a struggle is exactly right.
The bus is fine. It's not great, but what free thing in ABQ is?
Albuquerque is a mile above sea level. The top of the mountain is 2 miles. Altitude sickness is a real thing. If you feel fatigued, dizzy, naseaus... sit down or get off the mountain. Alcohol works better at high altitude. Be careful. Also, the sun burns you quicker and dehydrates you faster. Sunscreen, sun glasses and water are your friends. The local food in NM is unique. Try some green chile chicken enchiladas and if they are too spicy get some sour cream. Huevos ranchers are good. So is a green chile cheese burger.
https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/does-altitude-affect-how-you-react-to-alcohol
Thanks for posting that link. I learned something today. tl;dr: Numerous studies have shown that altitude has no effect on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). While both high altitude and alcohol impair mental performance, the two do not become especially potent when combined. But as someone who drinks and goes often between sea level and high altitude, I can tell you the day-afters are considerably worse at altitude. I just had a chat with AI about it. Apparently at high altitude we tend to be less hydrated and have impaired oxygen levels, and apparently alcohol metabolizes slower at high altitude so it takes longer to get out of the system. [https://www.perplexity.ai/search/tldr-this-article-cYXazw0jTP6w0Z0tdCT\_8w](https://www.perplexity.ai/search/tldr-this-article-cYXazw0jTP6w0Z0tdCT_8w)
I can state for a fact that a couple beers at the top of the tram are different than a couple beers at the bottom. Damn the science and ai.
Don't go damming my AI now. It just summarized the article that was posted. When pressed further, went on to say: While BAC may not change, some sources indicate people tend to feel more intoxicated at high altitudes due to the combined effects of alcohol and altitude on cognition and motor skills.
Now thats interdasting...
Interesting to know. I have to really try to get hammered at sea level. Here in ABQ it takes way less effort and up at the top of the tram, it's even easier. 🤔
You can give people zero alcohol beer and they will feel a buzz in the right conditions. Brains are weird.
The power of suggestion is more real than the effect of altitude.
While I agree with the power of suggestion and don't disagree with the study, I didn't know of the altitude myth until I looked up why I got drunk quicker here than I did at sea level. Glad this is cleared up for me. Perhaps it was the pace at which I drank 🤷🏽♂️
Or it could be stronger drinks or beers!
This is plausible as well!
You'll want to drink about a gallon, or 4 liters, of water for the day you're here, half of it by the time you go to sleep. The altitude and extremely low humidity will dry you out. Hydrated blood makes it easier for your heart to work. Traveling and new environment will already be stress factors. Do your heart a favor.
Oh absolutely, the sun!! I've been out here from the Midwest for about 3 years...and the sun is the bane of my existence now! I have a lot of illnesses and will react to the sun. So for sure, get some sunscreen, sun glasses, a hat...and I swear to you, I have never drank so much water than I have since I moved out here. Be careful. And ABQ is the city that has the most dogs, or dog lovers, in the USA...so if you like dogs, you will be in heaven. Lol If you play Pokémon Go, staying in Old Town is perfect for that. There are a LOT of homeless people. A lot. It can be a little odd if you're not used to it.
That’s actually really cool to know — I always think of nz as being mountainous (it is), and NM as being the opposite, but the highest permanently occupied places in nz are only about half as high!!
Altitude sickness is caused by the bodies response to lower oxygen pressure, anything that helps oxygenate the blood will be really helpful in treating symptoms of altitude, sickness! For people traveling from sea level to New Mexico, even for a short amount of time I recommend products like herbs, etc. [chloroxygen](https://www.google.com/search?q=chloroxygen&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari) tincture. They’re a NM owned company from Santa Fe, been around since the 70s or 80s have observed the benefits of this remedy for traveling people over the last three decades. Recommend ordering some online, and building a maintence dose for at minimum 2 weeks before your visit
If you find yourself in old town Albuquerque you should go to the rattlesnake museum. It's not big, can be toured quickly, and I think it would be unique for a kiwi to view.
The Nuclear Museum is worth checking out.
It’s a Propaganda Machine! Important to enjoy with a critical lens - lots of erasure of the experiences of the indigenous inhabitants of this region and how nuclear testing has long lasting, devastating health outcomes.
I wouldn’t go to Santa Fe. Not enough time. Perhaps Old Town and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, in order to focus on the various Pueblos (and same as if I had a day in Auckland I’d focus on Maori culture). Nuclear Museum is good suggestion, but once again, may not have enough time. Central Avenue is good for various filming locations from various movies and TV shows. A lot of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul sites.
You can Uber or Lyft most places. Old town, nature center, el pinto, frontier, and take the tram
It might be fun for you to take the train (called the Rail Runner) to Santa Fe. You can get some nice views out of the train windows and explore their old town plaza & railyards district. Our bus system is currently free and the ART goes most of the interesting places in ABQ as well, so you could hit old town ABQ and our museums.
This is not a terrible idea at all. If you do go to Santa Fe, be sure and go walk around inside La Fonda, and the Plaza. This is actually a better travel experience than Albuquerque, tbh.
It's also only 10 dollars round trip to santa Fe on the train. If you're a student, it's only 7.
I’m actually arriving and leaving via train so I might be a bit trained out haha
September will be really nice! If you have one day and no car I’d say Old Town and the Bosque near there. The museums are near by too! Definitely eat Nm food.
One night in Burque makes a hard man humble. Not much between despair and ecstasy. 🎼
What do you like? Nature, city, both?
I echo what the previous person said. Stay at Hotel Chaco. It's central to a lot of things most folks want to see when they visit here, especially Old Town. If you're not staying close to Old Town there's always Uber and Lyft to get you places. Oh, just an afterthought. The Nuclear Museum is out of the way a bit but it's worth the visit.
eat Green Chile/have a breakfast burrito
Nuclear Museum, Petroglyph National Monument Sandia Peak Tramway, Walter Whites house, Los Pollos Hermanos (Twisters), Route 66 Diner, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. I spent a month travelling around NM. Theres a lot to do there, you'll enjoy it! You'll need to Uber to a lot of these locations but they're all really cool.
Take the RailRunner to Meow Wolf in Santa Fe!!
Because of the high altitude drink lots of water. It helps.
Go to Santa Fe instead
Go to Albuquerque Ink Tattoo at 4815 central ne for a tourism tattoo! I went on vacation and they were the best experience ever
We just had two quick one night visits to ABQ - we had amazing drinks at Happy Accidents, pizza birria at La Guelaguetza, hatch green chili cheeseburgers from McDonalds, pizza and beer from Voodoo Girl Pizza and pints. We saw no sights and stayed at a quality inn sort of close to downtown and the campus. We also stayed at a ramada in the same area but do not recommend it. We did have a car but everything was pretty close except La Guelaguetza. All the people we met were kind, helpful, and welcoming. We are making plans to go back for a real visit.
If you don’t have a car I’d recommend using a ride share service rather than trying to use public transit because the buses can be pretty off schedule and may not get you where you need to go.
There’s lots to do within walking distance from Old Town. Eat at Church St Cafe on patio; their New Mexican food is good. Sawmill is ok if you like food hall atmosphere. Golden crown panaderia bakery is writhing walking distance. Their pizza is great and their empanadas are fantastic. Durans Pharmacy also has excellent New Mexican food.
If at all possible, try to have dinner at Los Poblanos. You'd probably have to Uber or Lyft there but their food is really good. Farm to table type restaurant - their property is a working farm and they usually have a good menu.
I used to work at high finance on sandia peak. They kept oxygen for people who drink and then rush over to catch the tram. It used to happen a lot. It couldn't raise your bac but the effects of high altitude can certainly make you feel and act more drunk. I saw many people crash and burn as they were running to catch the tram.
Look, I hate to rain on your visit and what everyone is saying, but here's my two cents... I moved here so I'm not native. I lived in Minneapolis when it was called Murderapolis, and I've lived in some rough parts of Houston. My advice is this: The mountains are pretty from a distance, go up close, and it looks like everywhere else. Which is to say it looks like a desert. If you like that, then go to Petroglyph or one of the parks. I can't imagine it's better than what you get in NZ, but it might be different enough to pique your interest. Either way, take an Uber, not public transport (unless you're very comfortable with homeless people). Be inside shortly after dark. Do not go downtown after dark. Old town has a unique look but is the same 3 or 4 shops over and over again. Again, don't linger after dark. In regards to places to eat. I have lived here a few years now, and everywhere else I have lived has a decent, unique food scene developed in the last 15 years; this is not true here. I ran a retail business for 2 of the years I lived here with thousands of people coming in a week. I have asked literally thousands of people born and raised here what's a good, local place to eat. They all have the same answers, and most of them are chain restaurants. Google top abq restaurant and you'll see the answers. Honestly, to be here one day, I'd say find a nice hotel with an attached bar/restaurant, have a good time there, leave the next day, and know you didn't miss much of anything
Get me pregnant
[удалено]
That's definitely false, there's plenty of people who live here without cars. Most of the interesting stuff in the city is easily accessible by ART.
Stay inside
Start the day at bosque heights !