For nearly 500 years, cooks here have been blending Native American foods—like blue corn and squash—with chile peppers, wheat flour, pork and other ingredients that the Spanish settlers brought with them from Europe and Mexico. The result is what we now know as New Mexican cuisine. Today the smoke-kissed flavor of freshly roasted green chiles and the earthy fruitiness of red chile sauce are essential to our favorite dishes, such as breakfast burritos, stacked enchiladas and stuffed sopaipillas.

Albuquerque's one-of-a-kind Southwestern culture is in everything around you, from the city's quaint shops and Pueblo- and Spanish-inspired architecture to our world-famous cuisine, music and art. Countless customs and traditions that have been passed down over generations are a vibrant part of daily life in the city, making Albuquerque an epicenter of authentic Southwestern culture. There is no shortage of ways to discover the many different facets of New Mexican culture and heritage. Visiting one of Albuquerque’s many museums or cultural centers will bring the past alive, offering insight into local traditions.

The city of Albuquerque sits a mile above sea level (5,000-6,000-foot elevation) and has a high-desert climate, which means around 310 sunny days and cool, crisp evenings. Albuquerque and the surrounding mountainous terrain are a paradise for hikers and bikers. Varying levels of trails crisscross the Sandia and Manzano Mountains adjacent to Albuquerque, for some of the best hiking and mountain biking in New Mexico. Runners—including several Olympic distance runners—often take advantage of the benefits of altitude training in Albuquerque.

Clear blue skies, calm winds and mild temperatures are the norm in Albuquerque, encouraging year-round hot air ballooning and enabling more than 300 resident balloonists (more than any other state) to fly hot air balloons frequently and for long periods of time. If the hot air balloons you see dotting the sky pique your interest, why not take a flight yourself? Local hot air balloon companies provide rides for visitors on a daily basis.