Destinations
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The true Southwest awaits you in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Come immerse yourself in our rich culture and heritage, rooted in centuries of history. Soak in our blue skies and sun that shines 310 days a year—perfect for outdoor activities. Breathe in the high desert air scented with sage and piñon, and you'll understand why Albuquerque, NM is a destination like no other.
www.itsatrip.org
Petroglyph National Monument
Petroglyph National Monument protects a variety of cultural and natural resources including volcanoes, archeological sites and an estimated 24,000 carved images. Many of the images are recognizable as animals, people, brands and crosses; others are more complex. These images are inseparable from the cultural landscape, the spirits of the people who created and who appreciate them.
www.nps.gov
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
The 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, opened the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) in August 1976 to showcase the history and accomplishments of the Pueblo people from pre-Columbian to current time. Thousands visit IPCC each year to experience Pueblo culture and hospitality. The environment at IPCC provides a peaceful respite for visitors. The plaza's circular form, adorned by murals painted by renowned Pueblo artists, beautifully accentuates the architectural design of the center.
The Center's focus is a 10,000 sq. ft. museum featuring the authentic history and artifacts of traditional Pueblo cultures and their contemporary art. The permanent exhibit highlights the Pueblo peoples' creativity and adaptations that made possible the survival, diversity and achievements of each of the 19 Pueblos.
www.indianpueblo.org
National Museum of Nuclear Science and History
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the nation’s only congressionally chartered museum in its field and an intriguing place to learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research of nuclear development through today’s peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate member.
www.nuclearmuseum.org
Sandia Peak Tram
A trip on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway transports you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain a distance of 2.7 miles. See some of nature’s more dramatic beauty unfold before you. At sunset the desert skies produce a spectacular array of color, and your vantage point from the observation deck atop 10,378 foot Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest affords an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment.
www.sandiapeak.com
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a premier national security research institution, delivering scientific and engineering solutions for the nation's most crucial and complex problems. Our primary responsibility is ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent.
The Los Alamos of today emphasizes worker safety, effective operational safeguards & security, and environmental stewardship, while outstanding science remains the foundation of the Laboratory.
In addition to supporting the Lab's core national security mission, our work advances bioscience, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, materials science, and physics disciplines.
www.lanl.gov
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge Located in the heart of New Mexico, 50 miles south of Albuquerque, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is comprised of nearly 230,000 acres of diverse habitat. Established in 1973, Sevilleta NWR is a vast landscape that supports Chihuahua desert, Great-plains short grass prairie, Colorado shrub steppe and Pinon juniper woodlands. The largest river in the state, the Rio Grande, bisects New Mexico’s largest National Wildlife Refuge. Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is truly unique and varied as the plant communities and wildlife it supports.
www.sev.lternet.edu
Valles Caldera National Preserve
The Valles Caldera National Preserve was a private ranch until 2000, when Congress created it from a well-known ranch known as “the Baca Ranch” in New Mexico’s volcanic Jemez Mountain Range. This 89,000 acre property is situated inside a collapsed crater. Studded with eruptive domes and featuring Redondo Peak (11,254 feet), this old ranch property is now being developed to explore a new way of managing public lands.
The preserve is open to the public but we guarantee you’ll find the visit unlike any other you’ve had in a park or national forest. We keep the numbers of visitors small for any activity so you’ll feel like you have the place to yourself. Don’t expect big crowds, a shortage of parking, or a shop full of trinkets. Instead, we offer a chance to get out and really experience a sense of solitude that we hope will leave you refreshed and relaxed. You’ll see wildlife, beautiful vistas and learn about the preserve’s rich history and geology.
www.vallescaldera.gov
Santa Fe, New Mexico
With a population of 70,000 primarily Hispanic, Anglo and Native American people, Santa Fe, which means Holy Faith in Spanish, is New Mexico's fourth largest city behind Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Rio Rancho. Situated at 7,000 feet in the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains, it was founded between 1607 and 1610, making it the second oldest city as well as the highest and oldest capital in the U.S. In 1912, it officially achieved statehood and today its unique offerings of art, culture and ancient traditions make it a world-class tourist destination, drawing more than 1 million visitors each year.
www.santafe.org
The University of New Mexico
Founded in 1889, The University of New Mexico now occupies 600 acres along old Route 66 in the heart of Albuquerque , a city of more than 700,000 people. From the magnificent mesas to the west, past the banks of the historic Rio Grande to the Sandia Mountains to the east, Albuquerque is a blend of culture and cuisine, styles and stories, people, pursuits and panoramas.
www.unm.edu