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During your Albuquerque vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
¡Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum
As a center for lifelong learning, ¡Explora! houses more than 250 hands-on scientific exhibits for visitors of all ages on topics as diverse as water, the Rio Grande, light and optics, biological perception, and energy. It features exhibits utilizing technology that is creatively accessible to the public and exhibits that engage visitors in creating all kinds of art.
Petroglyph National Monument
These lava flows were once a hunting and gathering area for prehistoric Native Americans, who left a chronicle of their beliefs etched on the dark basalt boulders. Some 25,000 petroglyphs provide a nice outdoor adventure after a morning in a museum. You'll want to stop at the visitor center to get a map, check out the interactive computer, and, in summer, hook up with a ranger-led tour. From there, you can drive north to the Boca Negra area, where you'll have a choice of three trails. Take the Mesa Point Trail (30 min.) that climbs quickly up the side of a hill, offering many petroglyph sightings as well as an outstanding view of the Sandia Mountains. If you're traveling with your dog, you can bring her along on the Rinconada Trail. Hikers can have fun searching the rocks for more petroglyphs; there are many yet to be found. This trail (located a few miles south of the visitor center) runs for miles around a huge rincon (corner) at the base of the lava flow. Camping is not permitted in the park; it's strictly for day use, with picnic areas, drinking water, and restrooms provided.
Turquoise Museum
Don't be put off by the setting of this little gem of a museum in a strip mall west of Old Town. For those with curiosity, it's a real find that's been featured in Smithsonian Magazine and on 60 Minutes. The passion of father and son Joe P. Lowry and Joe Dan Lowry, it contains "the world's largest collection of turquoise" -- from 60 mines around the world. You start through a tunnel, where turquoise is embedded in the walls, and move on to exhibits that present the blue stone's geology, history, and mythology. You'll see maps showing where turquoise is mined, ranging from Egypt to Kingman, Arizona, and find out how to determine whether the turquoise you're hoping to buy is quality or not. Lowry, Sr., will fill in any details and even tell you more about turquoise you're wearing. There's also a real lapidary shop; jewelry made there is sold in a gift shop that's open until 5pm. If you're lucky, one of Lowry's grandkids will tell a joke like this one she told me: What do you call a sleeping bull? A bulldozer. Plan to spend about 1 hour here.
Cinnamon Morning
Bienvenidos! Welcome to New Mexico, the land of enchantment. Here you will find superb arts and crafts, exquisite jewelry, unique food, interesting and friendly people, and the most charming of homes. In our home, which we lovingly restored, we combined the art and artifacts we have collected in Old and New Mexico and we delight in sharing it with our friends. We hope that we will soon be able to count you among our friends and that you, too, will enjoy the colorful decor of our home with ...
Holiday Inn Express ALBUQUERQUE-AIRPORT
Welcome to New Mexico, the land of enchantment. The place to stay in Albuquerque is the Holiday Inn Express Albuquerque-Airport Hotel. We are conveniently located near the Albuquerque Airport and a mile from Kirtland Air Force base and the University of New Mexico and all that Albuquerque has to offer. Hotel features include complimentary continental breakfast and free wireless high speed Internet and free local phone calls. Visit Albuquerque, NM and stay smart at the Holiday Inn Express ...
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