Culture, Arts, History and More...
The first time I visited New Mexico, I was a gawky 11-year old passing through in the family station wagon. The second time, I boarded a bus at Albuquerque International Airport and headed straight to Santa Fe.
My mistake!
During a recent three-day trip to Albuquerque, I discovered what I'd been missing -- a city with fabulous Southwestern cuisine and friendly people that's draped in natural beauty.
Once a dusty frontier outpost, Albuquerque, today, is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country. And the best way to immerse yourself in its art, culture and history is to visit the city's many museums.
While you might not be able to cram all of these into one trip as I did, the next time you visit Albuquerque, I suggest you put at least a few of the following on your itinerary:
1. Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
Many of us know that Albuquerque is the "Hot Air Ballooning Capital of the World."
Albuquerqueans love their balloons. And here in Balloon Fiesta Park, the home of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (the largest balloon gathering in the world) , you can explore the history of ballooning at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.
Anderson and Abruzzo were (you guessed it) pilots, who, along with Larry Newman of Phoenix, Arizona, completed the first helium balloon flight across the Atlantic in 1978.
The museum, dedicated to the art, culture, history, science and sport of lighter-than-air craft, has numerous exhibits that highlight the heroic flights of local pioneers, as well as national and international pilots. Filled with art, balloon and airship memorabilia, I could have happily spent the entire morning here.
