Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
Whenever I'm in Albuquerque and want to get away from it all, I come here. The center, located just a few miles north of Old Town, spans 270 acres of riverside forest and meadows that include stands of 100-year-old cottonwoods and a 3-acre pond. Located on the Rio Grande Flyway, an important migratory route for many birds, it's an excellent place to see sandhill cranes, Canadian geese, and quail -- more than 260 bird species have made this their temporary or permanent home. In a protected area where dogs aren't allowed (you can bring dogs on most of the 2 miles of trails), you'll find exhibits of native grasses, wildflowers, and herbs. Inside a building built half above and half below ground, you can sit next to the pond in a glassed-in viewing area and comfortably watch ducks and other birds in their avian antics. There are 21 self-guided interpretive exhibits as well as photo exhibits, a library, a small nature store, and a children's resource room. On Saturday mornings you can join a guided nature walk. Other weekend programs are available for adults and children, including nature photography and bird- and wildflower-identification classes. Call for a schedule.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
A trip through this museum will take you through 12 billion years of natural history, from the formation of the universe to the present day. Begin by looking at a display of stones and gems, then stroll through the "Age of Giants" display, where you'll find dinosaur skeletons cast from the real bones. Moving along, you come into the Cretaceous Period and learn of the progression of flooding in the southwestern United States, beginning 100 million years ago and continuing until 66 million years ago, when New Mexico became dry. This exhibit takes you through a tropical oasis, with aquariums of alligator gars, fish that were here 100 million years ago and still exist today. Next, step into the Evolator (kids love this!), a simulated time-travel ride that moves and rumbles, taking you 1 1/4 miles (2km) up (or down) and through 38 million years of history. Then, you'll feel the air grow hot as you walk into a cave and see the inner workings of a volcano, including simulated magma flow. Soon, you'll find yourself in the age of the mammoths and moving through the ice age. Other stops along the way include the Naturalist Center, where kids can peek through microscopes and make their own bear or raccoon footprints in sand, and FossilWorks, where paleontologists work behind glass, excavating bones of a seismosaurus. Be sure to check out the newest addition to the museum, the LodeStar Astronomy Center, a sophisticated planetarium with the Virtual Voyages Simulation theater. Those exhibits, as well as the DynaTheater, which surrounds you with images and sound, cost an additional fee. A gift shop on the ground floor sells imaginative nature games and other curios. This museum has good access for people with disabilities, including scripts for people with impaired hearing and exhibit text written in Braille.

Sandia Peak Tramway
This fun and exciting half-day or evening outing allows incredible views of the Albuquerque landscape and wildlife. The Sandia Peak Tram is a "jigback"; in other words, as one car approaches the top, the other nears the bottom. The two pass halfway through the trip, in the midst of a 1 1/2-mile "clear span" of unsupported cable between the second tower and the upper terminal.Several hiking trails are available on Sandia Peak, and one of them -- La Luz Trail -- takes you on a steep and rigorous trek from the base to the summit. The views in all directions are extraordinary. Note: The trails on Sandia may not be suitable for children. There is a popular and expensive restaurant, High Finance Restaurant and Tavern, at Sandia's summit. Special tram rates apply with dinner reservations. Be aware that the tram does not operate on very windy days.

Econo Lodge East
The Econo Lodge East, conveniently located less than five miles from attractions and events like the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, the Isleta Casino, the Sandia Casino and the University of New Mexico. This pet-friendly hotel welcomes pets for a small nightly fee, FREE continental breakfast and FREE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS IN ALL ROOMS. Rooms with refrigerators, microwaves and coffee makers are available. Truck parking is also available. A 24-hour Waffle House is located on the premises. Pet ...

Crossland ABQ-Northeast
Crossland Albuquerque-Northeast is designed specifically for people who need more than just a room while away from home. The oversized studio suites feature a kitchen that allows you to prepare meals at your convenience. As a guest of Crossland, you receive free local phone calls, voice-mail, and a phone with a computer dataport. Guests also have access to a 24-hour, coin-operated laundry facility. Weekly housekeeping ensures that you have fresh linens throughout your ...

Silver Moon Lodge Old Town
Located in the heart of Downtown Albuquerque, the Silver Moon Lodge is a recreation of Route 66 finest overnight motels and Southwestern Hospitality with all the modern day amenities. The hotel has a fitness room, in-room coffee, dataports for dial-up Internet, wireless Internet access in most rooms, meeting space, a complimentary airport shuttle, free parking and small pets are welcome. Come relive the days of yesteryear in an environment uniquely Silver ...