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| ALBUQUERQUE LOCAL HISTORY |
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The first permanent residents in Albuquerque were the Ancestral Puebloans who arrived in the 6ht century. They planted beans, squash and corn as well as constructed brick pit homes along the banks of the Rio Grande.
The Spanish arrived in the mid 16th century and established a trading post north of the present city. Albuquerque is named after the Duke of Albuquerque; viceroy of New Spain and the city has the nickname of “Duke City”.
The city changed with the arrival of the railroad in 1880 with shops and new development around the new railway station. Growth continued when Route 66 came through the town, which brought with it a steady flow of traffic. Albuquerque is an inexpensive and modest service town that is a little bit more grounded than any of its neighbours.
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New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science – 1801 Mountain Road, NW. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science takes you on a journey of discovery of 12 billion years through their exhibits. There are several displays of stones and gems, an “age of giants” display, where there are massive dinosaurs on display, a tropical oasis with aquariums of alligators and fish that were around a million years ago and still exist today, a volcano, where once you walk into the cave you can actually feet the air around you starting to get warm.
There is a simulated time travel ride that moves and rumbles through 38 million years of history, by moving up or down 2 000 meters, and the Lodestar Astronomy Centre is a sophisticated planetarium with a Virtual Voyages Simulation theater. The Museum also has a gift shop where you can buy things to remind you of this fantastic, magical place. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Church of San Felipe de Neri – Located in the Old Town. The Church of San Felipe de Neri was the first building to be erected by the settlers when Albuquerque was fist established in 1706. The church has wonderful stained glass windows and vivid, beautiful religious paintings. This church has been in use for almost 300 years.
Old Town – Located at the Northeast of Central Avenue and Rio Grande Boulevard NW, Albuquerque. Old Town has a maze of cobbled courtyard walkways that lead to hidden patios and gardens where many of the galleries and shops are located. The buildings once served as mercantile shops, grocery stores and government offices, but once the railroad came through Albuquerque many of the shops and offices relocated to be closer to the trains. This relocation resulted in the Old Town being deserted and not very busy. Old Town has tried to hang on to its history and started to attract people back, with the bustling tourism industry they seem to have succeeded. Old Town is a great place to wonder and look for something, which is unique or even a trinket to remind you of your visit to Albuquerque.
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Chef du Jour – 119 San Pasquale, SW, Albuquerque. This small, informal one room café serves elegant food, which is reasonably priced. The menu changes every week, but once you have tried this café, you will keep coming back for more. Even the condiments are all home made.
Duran Central Pharmacy – 1815 Central Avenue, NW, Albuquerque. The name is unusual, but the food is excellent, and this is where you will find the locals who want better and more authentic New Mexican fare. The restaurant is plain with red tiled floor and small tables and a counter. This is definitely a place to visit.
The Country Line – 9600 Tramway Boulevard, NE, Albuquerque. This restaurant is always loud and busy, and specialises in a South Western barbecue at reasonable prices. There is a spectacular view of the city lights. The décor is old Route 66 and has plenty of wagon wheel furniture, cowboy boot lamps and aged license plates on the walls. The service is good and the food is good and plenty; so be hungry when you get here. The restaurant is open Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 8:30pm, Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9:30pm and Sunday from noon to 8:30pm.
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Martini Grille – 4200 Central, SE, Albuquerque. The Martini Grille is the place for young professionals. The bar has a seductive Batman cave atmosphere. There is live entertainment most weekends and even some weeknights. The Martini Grille specialises in martinis, there are more than 30 flavours to choose from.
Burt’s Tiki Lounge – 313 Gold Avenue, SW, Albuquerque. Burt’s Tiki Lounge is decorated in surfboards, sombreros, life jackets, taxidermy fish and small Tikis. The beer is cheap and seems to be what everyone comes here for. There is punk rock music in the background.
O-PM – 211 Gold Avenue, SW, Albuquerque. O-PM is one of the places that have to be experienced. The club is such a success that patron’s are kept waiting behind velvet ropes for a chance to get in. The décor is quite different with Buddha statues, Moroccan henna lamps and glass mosaic tiles. The bar stocks premium vodka from every country, and the dance floor is washed in high tech sounds and lights, with a live DJ playing from the booth above. O-PM is open from Wednesday to Saturday.
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Albuquerque Biological Park: Aquarium and Botanic Garden – 2601 Central Avenue NW, Albuquerque. The first experience when you enter the Park is a 9-minute film, which describes the course of the Rio Grande River from its origin to the Gulf Coast. There is a touch pool where children can touch hermit crabs and starfish, an eel tank, a coral reef exhibit, a 285 000 gallon shark tank and a replica of a salt marsh where a gentle tidal wave moves in and out.
There is a huge botanical conservatory with the garden split in two sections. One section houses the desert collection and the other features the Mediterranean collection. There is a restaurant on the premises as well. From June through to August you can attend evening concerts every Thursday night, and in December you can see the “River of Lights Holiday Light Display”. The Biological Park is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. |
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Old Town – Old Town has the greatest concentration of galleries in Albuquerque. You could spend a whole day wondering through the Old Town and visiting all the various galleries in the area. There are some extremely beautiful exhibits.
Nob Hill – Located west of the University of New Mexico – There are some very interesting shops in Nob Hill, and the area seems to have an Art Deco feel. Take some time to wonder through and see what is out there; it will make a pleasant trip.
Southwestern region of Albuquerque – In the Southwestern region there is the greatest concentration of Native American and Hispanic arts and crafts on sale. Silver and turquoise jewelry, pottery, weaving, baskets, sand paintings and Hop Kachina dolls are just a few that you can find. They also have gourmet foods and some Southwestern fashions, which might be of some interest.
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American International Rattlesnake Museum – 202 San Felipe Street NW, Albuquerque. The Rattlesnake Museum has living specimens of common, uncommon and very rare rattlesnakes, which can be found all over North, Central and South America. There are albino and patternless rattlesnakes on display as well as baby rattlesnakes, which seem to be very popular with the kids. The Museum features rattlesnake artefacts from early American history, Native American culture, medicine, arts and advertising. There is a gift shop that sells Native American jewelry, T-Shirts and other memorabilia related to rattlesnakes. The American International Rattlesnake Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
Explora Science Centre and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque – 1701 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque. This Center houses various exhibits ranging from water, the Rio Grande, light and optics to biological perception and energy. Admission fees are $4 for adults and $2 for seniors and children between the ages of 2 and 12.
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