5 Days in New Mexico: The Land of Enchantment

Albuquerque is a charming small city with lots to offer visitors between nature, history and dining. Below are some suggestions on how to spend your day in ABQ:

• Things to do & places to shop: Old Town ABQ, Route 66, Sandia Peak Tramway, Rail Yards Market, Paseo Del Bosque Trail, Los Poblanos Ranch

• Lunch: El Modelo, Mary & Tito’s Cafe, Frontier

• Dinner: Campo at Los Poblanos Ranch, Artichoke Cafe, Green Jeans Farmery Food Hall

• Breweries & Bars: Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., La Cumbre, Steel Bender, Sister Bar

Every October Albuquerque hosts the International Balloon Fiesta, painting the blue sky with beautiful hot air balloons from sunrise to sunset. This magical event is one that everyone should add to their bucket list.

• Morning Glow Mass Ascension - Enjoy a cup of coffee or hot cocoa while you watch the hot air balloons take off at sunrise.

• From the morning session head straight to Nob Hill to have brunch at The Grove Cafe & Market before walking around the cute neighborhood.

• Balloon Glow - After a relaxing afternoon head back to the balloon festival for the sunset session - enjoy amazing live music, a beer garden and food trucks while watching the balloons light up the night sky.

Within a 2.5 hour drive of Albuquerque are the charming cities of Santa Fe and Taos. Santa Fe is the state capital and is known for its Pueblo-style architecture and history. Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark.

• Get an early start to head to Santa Fe. Stop in town to have breakfast and walk around before continuing onto Taos. Recommendations: Modern General Feed & Seed, Tia Sofia’s, The Pantry, Counter Culture

• The High Road to Taos is about a one & a half hour leisure, scenic drive. Once in Taos there are many sites to visit such as the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and the St. Francisco de Asis Church. The Historic Taos Plaza has cute mercantile shops to support local artisans, and I would recommend ending the afternoon by enjoying a beverage with incredible views at The Lounge by Rolling Still Distillery.

• On the drive back to Albuquerque stop in Santa Fe for dinner at one of the many incredible restaurants. Recommendations: Cafe Pasquale’s, Palacio Cafe, Milad Persian Bistro, Geronimo, The Shed.

• Get an early start to head south to Las Cruces. Explore this Chilean capital, stop by their famous farmers market and enjoy a patio lunch before making your way to the nearby White Sands National Park.

• Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dune field. The smooth white sand stays cool to the touch even in the heat of the summer. Sign up for a ranger-led program if you want to experience a guided tour with an expert. Visit their website for more information and to plan your visit.

Spend the morning enjoying a relaxing breakfast and a leisure walk around Albuquerque to explore any sites you didn’t get to on your arrival day before your flight home. Some favorite spots:

• Humble Coffee

• The Brew

• Golden Crown Panaderia

• La Waffleria