Welcome to Albuquerque
As the most populous city in New Mexico, Albuquerque is known for its outdoor activities, culture and heritage. The Rio Grande flows through the heart of the city, and the Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque. The city was ranked the "Best U.S. Destinations for Your Vacation Dollar" by Hotwire travel company in 2012. Soak in the 310 days of sunshine and warm temperatures throughout the spring and summer that lend themselves to nature adventures and dining al fresco. During the winter, lows reach the 20s, so visitors should dress prepared with a jacket, a hat and gloves. The city's dry climate is perfect for hot-air ballooning, giving it the nickname of "Ballooning Capital of the World."
To get around, a visitor's best bet is renting a car. The city is quite spread out, and besides transporting guests along Route 66 through Nob Hill, the University, Downtown and Old Town, public transportation is more geared toward residents. Albuquerque is laid out in quadrants and there are two major Interstates, I-25 and I-40, and where they insect in the center of the city is called the Big I. The bike system is great, and bike rentals are available at several locations across town. Business travelers might find it useful to know that Albuquerque is also home to the University of New Mexico, Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories and Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute.