National Hispanic Cultural Center
Located in the historic Barelas neighborhood on the Camino Real, this gem of Albuquerque museums offers a rich cultural journey through hundreds of years of history and across the globe. It explores Hispanic arts and lifeways with visual arts, drama, music, dance, and other programs. I most enjoyed the 11,000-square-foot gallery space, which exhibits exciting contemporary and traditional works. Look for photographs by Miguel Gandert. An exciting 2004 exhibit was Corridos Sin Fronteras, which re-creates the historical development of the corrida (a song portraying an adventure) in Mexico and the southwestern U.S. A restaurant offers New Mexican and American food. It's a good spot to sample authentic regional dishes such as tacos and enchiladas either from a buffet or by ordering from the menu. My favorite is the tortilla burger (a burger served in a flour tortilla, with all the fixin's). Plans are to incorporate a cultural cooking component into the center, which would allow visitors to sample Hispanic foods from all over the world.

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.

Rio Grande Zoo
More than 1,200 animals from 300 species live on 60 acres of riverside bosque among ancient cottonwoods. Open-moat exhibits with animals in naturalized habitats are a treat for zoo-goers. Major exhibits include polar bears, giraffes, sea lions (with underwater viewing), the cat walk, the bird show, and ape country, with gorillas and orangutans. The zoo has an especially fine collection of elephants, mountain lions, koalas, reptiles, and native Southwestern species. A children's petting zoo is open during the summer. There are numerous snack bars on the zoo grounds, and La Ventana Gift Shop carries film and souvenirs. Also check out the seal and sea lion feeding at 10:30am and 3:30pm daily and the summer Zoo Music Concert Series.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites ALBUQUERQUE-NORTH I-25
Welcome to Albuquerque's newest full service hotel, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, conveniently located at I-25 and Jefferson Street NE-Exit 229. We have been expecting you! Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Albuquerque is located North of Downtown, 8 miles from the Airport-Albuquerque International Sunport, 2 miles from Balloon Fiesta Park, 8 miles from Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, 5 minutes from the University of New Mexicoand less than 10 minutes from Kirtland AFB. Each of our 122 beautiful and ...

Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque
The hotel is conveniently located in northeast Albuquerque in the uptown area. We are close to shopping, restaurants and the Uptown business district. Albuquerque Intl ARPT 9 MI, NE Taxi-Rental Car - Fee. Amtrak Station 5 MI, NE Taxi- Fee. Downtown 5 MI, NE Taxi-rental car - ...

Best Western Rio Grande Inn
Welcome to the Land of Enchantment and the Best Western Rio Grande Inn, the finest resting spot in all of Albuquerque. The ambiance reflects the Santa Fe style and architecture of Old Town, conveniently located nearby, placing the Inn among Albuquerque's finest ...