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Christmas Trip to New Mexico: Albuquerque Edition 🎄

I spent two whole days because I couldn’t rent an SUV—ultimately, I had to give up plans to visit Bisti Badlands and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. But travel always has a few regrets, right? They just make me look forward to an even better trip next time! So instead, I embarked on a two-day adventure in Albuquerque—and it turned out to be full of little surprises. Day 1: Quirky Spots & Breaking Bad Vibes First up, I stumbled on a photo of a local grandpa’s house online—he built a quirky UFO-shaped structure with so much personality! It was close to my hotel, so I made a quick detour to snap some photos. Super fun and off-the-beaten-path! Of course, no trip to ABQ is complete without a stop for Breaking Bad fans: the iconic souvenir shop. Let me tell you—their merch selection is insane! From “Blue Meth” candy to Pollos Hermanos hats, they have every little detail a fan could want 🎬. The shop is near Old Town, so I wandered the area afterward: San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church: It’s free to go inside, and the gift shop feels like a tiny museum—filled with historical bits and religious artifacts. Definitely worth popping in for a quiet moment ⛪. Blackbird Coffee House: I tried their signature spicy coffee—it was okay, a little too sweet for my taste, but the café’s vibe was cozy and welcoming. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up after walking around ☕🌶️. Day 2: Sandia Peak Tramway & Hidden Gems The highlight of my ABQ trip? The Sandia Peak Tramway—North America’s longest aerial tramway! I went on January 1st (New Year’s Day) and scored a $10 discount per adult on tickets (win!). I was worried about holiday lines, but I arrived at 4:15 PM and only waited 15 minutes to board—lucky me! A few tramway tips: It’s a single cable, so only one gondola runs at a time (holds about 40 people). Lines get long in peak season, so timing matters! There’s a guide on board: On the way up, they pointed out rock formations and shared fun facts about the tram. On the way down, it turned into a Q&A—locals loved asking things like, “What’s the most interesting part of your job?” The guide was nearly 60 and told stories about his dad (who also worked on the tram) and his own decades with the job. Watching the sunset while he spoke? It was surprisingly touching 🌅. The view from the top was breathtaking—but warning: The wind was brutal and it was freezing! Layer up with coats, scarves, and gloves—you’ll need them. We wandered around for 20 minutes, then hopped back on the tram just as the sun fully set. Watching the city lights flicker on below? Pure magic. Everything felt like it was meant to be ✨. Later, I visited Petroglyph National Monument—a small but fascinating spot near downtown: Stop by the visitor center first to get a souvenir stamp! For hiking, navigate to Boca Negra Canyon (we chose Mesa Point Trail since we were short on time). The trail has a small hill to climb and takes less than an hour—along the way, you’ll see ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) left by Indigenous people . Super cool to see a piece of history up close 🪨. Final Bits: Food & Lodging By the last two days, I was tired of eating out—so I hit up Smith’s (a local grocery store) to buy instant noodles, veggies, and shrimp. I cooked simple meals in my hotel room, and was shocked by how affordable the groceries were! Accommodation: Residence Inn—easily one of my favorite US hotel chains (minus the boring, same-old breakfast). The kitchenette was a lifesaver for my “lazy cooking” days 🏨. One quick note: I took an Uber to the Nuclear Science & History Museum (another spot I loved—outdoor exhibits of planes and missiles, perfect for military buffs!). The driver warned me the area was “dangerous” and said to avoid walking around alone (even mentioned “kidnapping risks”). I’m not sure if that’s true, but better to stay cautious—stick to rideshares and avoid wandering after dark. All in all, ABQ surprised me—even without the SUV trips I planned. It’s a city of cozy cafes, quirky art, and stunning mountain views. I’ll definitely be back (with an SUV next time!) to explore Bisti and Chaco—but for now, this Christmas trip was just right. #Albuquerque #NewMexicoChristmas #BreakingBad #SandiaPeakTramway #PetroglyphNationalMonument #TravelDiaries

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Quinna Juhasz
Quinna Juhasz
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Christmas Trip to New Mexico: Albuquerque Edition 🎄

I spent two whole days because I couldn’t rent an SUV—ultimately, I had to give up plans to visit Bisti Badlands and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. But travel always has a few regrets, right? They just make me look forward to an even better trip next time! So instead, I embarked on a two-day adventure in Albuquerque—and it turned out to be full of little surprises. Day 1: Quirky Spots & Breaking Bad Vibes First up, I stumbled on a photo of a local grandpa’s house online—he built a quirky UFO-shaped structure with so much personality! It was close to my hotel, so I made a quick detour to snap some photos. Super fun and off-the-beaten-path! Of course, no trip to ABQ is complete without a stop for Breaking Bad fans: the iconic souvenir shop. Let me tell you—their merch selection is insane! From “Blue Meth” candy to Pollos Hermanos hats, they have every little detail a fan could want 🎬. The shop is near Old Town, so I wandered the area afterward: San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church: It’s free to go inside, and the gift shop feels like a tiny museum—filled with historical bits and religious artifacts. Definitely worth popping in for a quiet moment ⛪. Blackbird Coffee House: I tried their signature spicy coffee—it was okay, a little too sweet for my taste, but the café’s vibe was cozy and welcoming. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up after walking around ☕🌶️. Day 2: Sandia Peak Tramway & Hidden Gems The highlight of my ABQ trip? The Sandia Peak Tramway—North America’s longest aerial tramway! I went on January 1st (New Year’s Day) and scored a $10 discount per adult on tickets (win!). I was worried about holiday lines, but I arrived at 4:15 PM and only waited 15 minutes to board—lucky me! A few tramway tips: It’s a single cable, so only one gondola runs at a time (holds about 40 people). Lines get long in peak season, so timing matters! There’s a guide on board: On the way up, they pointed out rock formations and shared fun facts about the tram. On the way down, it turned into a Q&A—locals loved asking things like, “What’s the most interesting part of your job?” The guide was nearly 60 and told stories about his dad (who also worked on the tram) and his own decades with the job. Watching the sunset while he spoke? It was surprisingly touching 🌅. The view from the top was breathtaking—but warning: The wind was brutal and it was freezing! Layer up with coats, scarves, and gloves—you’ll need them. We wandered around for 20 minutes, then hopped back on the tram just as the sun fully set. Watching the city lights flicker on below? Pure magic. Everything felt like it was meant to be ✨. Later, I visited Petroglyph National Monument—a small but fascinating spot near downtown: Stop by the visitor center first to get a souvenir stamp! For hiking, navigate to Boca Negra Canyon (we chose Mesa Point Trail since we were short on time). The trail has a small hill to climb and takes less than an hour—along the way, you’ll see ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) left by Indigenous people . Super cool to see a piece of history up close 🪨. Final Bits: Food & Lodging By the last two days, I was tired of eating out—so I hit up Smith’s (a local grocery store) to buy instant noodles, veggies, and shrimp. I cooked simple meals in my hotel room, and was shocked by how affordable the groceries were! Accommodation: Residence Inn—easily one of my favorite US hotel chains (minus the boring, same-old breakfast). The kitchenette was a lifesaver for my “lazy cooking” days 🏨. One quick note: I took an Uber to the Nuclear Science & History Museum (another spot I loved—outdoor exhibits of planes and missiles, perfect for military buffs!). The driver warned me the area was “dangerous” and said to avoid walking around alone (even mentioned “kidnapping risks”). I’m not sure if that’s true, but better to stay cautious—stick to rideshares and avoid wandering after dark. All in all, ABQ surprised me—even without the SUV trips I planned. It’s a city of cozy cafes, quirky art, and stunning mountain views. I’ll definitely be back (with an SUV next time!) to explore Bisti and Chaco—but for now, this Christmas trip was just right. #Albuquerque #NewMexicoChristmas #BreakingBad #SandiaPeakTramway #PetroglyphNationalMonument #TravelDiaries

Albuquerque
Blackbird Coffee House
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