New Mexico | White Sands National Park & Albuquerque

First entry of my New Mexico notes: Landed at ABQ Airport. Legend has it that March—during spring break—is the best time to visit New Mexico. I packed my “desert cool” outfits, only to run into heavy rain and snow 👊🤡👍. The hot air balloon rides were canceled too, but it still felt like a unique experience in its own way! ◻️ White Sands National Park This place is so beautiful—please, please catch the sunset here! Ok? Drive Time: It takes about 3 hours to get here from ABQ. The scenery along the way is gorgeous! Download offline maps in advance—driving there and back in one day means you’ll need to be comfortable with long drives 🚗. Documents: Bring your ID! We weren’t checked this time, but I’ve heard they might ask for documents like passports, I-20s, or I-94s—better safe than sorry. Essentials: Sunscreen and sunglasses (the white sand reflects sunlight like crazy!). Snacks and water (you’ll get hungry/thirsty exploring). Wet wipes (the restrooms only have toilets—no running water to wash hands!). Food Nearby: There’s a McDonald’s nearby 🙏—total lifesaver when we were starving (team McDonald’s for the win!). Visit Tips: The wind was howling the day we went, with sand flying everywhere. Luckily, the sand is fine, so it didn’t feel too bad even if it got in our noses or mouths. Also, the midday glare was so strong we could barely see anything! But around 5 PM, the light softened and visibility improved. By 7 PM, the sunset was incredible—worth the wait! 🌅 ◻️ Sandia Peak + Ten 3 Restaurant Scenic Drive Up: On the way to the peak, you’ll get great views of the roads winding through the mountains .Arrive early before taking the tram—look for areas with houses nearby to snap photos (the contrast of homes against the mountains is lovely 📸). Ten 3 Dining Hack: If you’re eating at Ten 3 (reservations required in advance), you can check in at the tram station. This lets you skip the regular line and board the next tram up—total time-saver! Weather at the Top: It’s freezing at the summit! There was even snow (though that might have been because of the sudden temperature drop). Layer up—you’ll thank yourself! ☃️ Also, the rainy weather brought thick fog, so we could barely see anything. I even felt lightheaded, short of breath, and a bit of altitude sickness—something to watch out for if you’re sensitive to height. Ten 3 Food Review: Let’s be real—the food was underwhelming. None of the entrees are worth recommending, but the foie gras appetizer was good. The tuna tartare felt a bit stale, though. This spot clearly relies on its views for appeal, but since we couldn’t see a thing that day, our experience was just “meh.” #WhiteSandsNationalPark #Albuquerque #USATravel #NewMexico #SpringBreak #TravelGuide #Photography #StudyInUSA #WhereToGoForSpringBreak