Courtesy Sukuru

Albuquerque is nestled in the middle of the Rio Grande River Valley at just over 5,000 feet, bounded by the Sandia and Manzano mountains to the east and ancient volcanoes on a mesa to the west.

Old Town

Courtesy Richie Diesterheft

Hotel Albuquerque borders historic Old Town, where early Spanish settlers built homes and forged the route north that completed El Camino Real. Today, it is still home to the oldest building in the city (the San Felipe de Neri Church) and a rich and diverse shopping experience.

Over 150 artist studios, shops, and galleries surround the original plaza. You’ll enjoy exploring the lanes, nooks, and crannies as you discover distinctive gifts and art. There’s live music in the late afternoon in the plaza, where you can kick up your heels for salsa and flamingo dancing.

Weather

Courtesy Mike Fisher

Albuquerque is in the high desert with a semi-arid climate. In June, the highs will be in the 90s with low humidity. While you bask in a just a few of the 300 days of annual sunshine, be aware that you need to stay well hydrated (best way to avoid altitude sickness) and protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays. Water, hats, sunglasses, and sunblock are necessary–anticipate real hot and sunny. For up-to-date weather information, click here.

Also on the bright side, should you choose to sample any of the legendary margaritas or other libations, you’ll be happy to know that drinking at altitude means you’ll get more kick from less alcohol!

Museums and the Arts

Courtesy Jason Bechtel

From the hotel, you’re just steps away from the world-renowned Albuquerque Museum of Art and History and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (with a planetarium and DynaMax theater). Looking for a more esoteric museum experience? Drop by the American International Rattlesnake Museum or Turquoise Museum in Old Town.

New Mexico is home to 19 Pueblos, the Navajo and Mescalero Apache nations, and the Jicarilla Apache reservation. To explore the evolving history and culture of the Pueblo people, visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, just a couple miles from the hotel. Here you can watch traditional Deer, Eagle, and Buffalo dances, performed daily.

Just a short drive from the hotel are the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque’s South Valley and the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology on the campus of the University of New Mexico. The National Hispanic Cultural Center houses the famous Torreón Fresco, the largest (4,000-sq ft) concave fresco in North America.

Food

Courtesy PW Baker

The TAA Conference is not the only thing that will spice up your writing! Three hundred years of Native American and Spanish cultural traditions combine in a sparkling yet singular cuisine, different from anywhere else in the Southwest or Mexico.

It’s all about the chiles, and they come in red or green. You’ll be asked to pick one or both (“Red, Green, or Christmas?”) when you order traditional foods such as enchiladas, burritos, and tamales. But it doesn’t end there. Expect to see green chile offered as an option on everything from cheeseburgers and bagels to pizza and sushi rolls.

Note that chile is made fresh daily and ranges from mild to hot (ordering it on the side is always acceptable). If you happen to take a bite that’s a bit too molten, the best antidote is to eat something sweet (honey), acidic (citrus), or drink milk.

Even if spice is not your thing, you won’t want to miss the chance to savor succulant blue corn enchiladas, carne adovada (slow-cooked pork), or calabacitas (squash and corn).

Santa Fe

Courtesy Karol M

As the third largest creative economy behind New York and Los Angeles, Santa Fe blends Old World style with a contemporary bent. World-class art and restaurants await you at the City Different on the southern-most range of the Rocky Mountains. You’ll be immersed in Spanish Territorial and Pueblo-style architecture as you stroll along hundreds of shops and galleries around the Plaza, Canyon Road, and Museum Hill. Santa Fe is only an hour from Albuquerque and has cool crisp nights due to its 7,000-ft elevation.

Transportation & Other Attractions

• The New Mexico Rail Runner Express offers a scenic and comfort-filled double-decker ride from Albuquerque to the Santa Fe Depot (eight blocks from the Plaza). A day pass is $8, or a typical round trip fare based on an overnight stay is $16. The Downtown station on 1st Street is a short cab ride from the hotel.
  
  
• National Geographic Adventure Magazine named Albuquerque as one the of best cities for outdoor adventure. The hotel is just a mile away from the Rio Grande Valley State Park and the Paseo del Bosque trail, 16 miles of uninterrupted paved trails dedicated to walkers, bikers, bladers, and wheelchair users, with a natural surface for equestrians. You can rent a bicycle and go at your pace as you parallel the banks of the Rio Grande.
  
  
• Take a historic guided tour of Albuquerque on an open trolley from the Abq Trolley Company. Adult tickets are $23.
  
  
• You can still drive Route 66 (Central Avenue) for miles 75 years after it was first designed.
  
  
• Batter up! Root for the Albuquerque Isotopes, Triple-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers at Isotopes Park. Home games are Thursday, June 23 and Friday, June 24 against the Oklahoma RedHawks (Houston Astros) at 7:05pm. Ticket prices range from $6 to $22.
  
  
• Four of New Mexico’s 24 casinos are within a short drive. Try your luck at Las Vegas-style slots and table games.