I’ve been dying to get out of the house and go somewhere I haven’t been before, or somewhere I haven’t been in a while. Nowhere in particular – just anywhere! I can handle staying in Albuquerque and having a good ol’ staycation. But there’s something about getting in the car and traveling somewhere new and exciting. One of my favorite things to tell people is that I’m the eternal tourist – I want to see it all, experience it all, taste the local food…EVERYTHING!
What kinds of places are on your list of travel locations? Do you have a favorite place that you visit every year or during certain seasons? If you’re in the mood for a new favorite spot to check out in the state, here’s a compilation of destinations to check out.
Heading North
Are you heading North? Santa Fe is always a nice day trip getaway, such as a stroll around the Plaza, visiting the Loretto Chapel, and the miraculous spiral staircase, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum and Meow Wolf. A quick departure from Santa Fe is El Santuario de Chimayo, with a story of mystical sand that’s believed to treat ailments and even heal.
If you want to journey a little further North, you can check out the tiny New Mexican town, Madrid, where the movie, “Wild Hogs” was filmed. Even further to the North is plenty of hiking and adventuring at the Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos, and Chaco Canyon, south of Farmington.
Will you be hanging around Farmington for a day or two? Check out the Four Corners Monument, where you can have a body part in a different state at the same time…in a totally non-creepy way. Many people like to check out Taos and the art scene, but the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge gets a lot of attention for its breathtaking view.
Educational Destinations
Do you consider yourself a nerd? Under normal circumstances, I’d tell you to check out the VLA (Very Large Array), about 50 miles west of Socorro. In-person tours are not available to the public, but you can do a virtual tour. But if that just isn’t enough, you can drive out and park your car on the tiny highway next to the enormous satellite dishes and watch them slowly crawl across the desert as they search for signs of life in outer space.
Sometimes you don’t need a long journey out of town to get away and do something a little different. A drive to the Sandia Mountains will help to recharge your batteries! Even a ride to the crest on the tramway while enjoying the view of Albuquerque is a great place to start. At the moment, the tram is operating at 1/3 the capacity due to the COVID pandemic, but they clean each tram car between every trip. If you’re not a fan of heights, then hiking at the base of the mountains could be more your pace.
Always Check What’s Open!
Wherever you decide to venture, make sure to check and see if any of the locations are open to the public. Some might still be closed temporarily due to the COVID pandemic, while others might be operating at a fraction of the normal capacity.
Hopefully, you’re able to go on one adventure this summer before the fall and colder temperatures set in. Wherever your travels take you, the team with Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling want to remind you to take your mask with you, to practice social distancing, and to enjoy every location you venture to.