Spring Break in New Mexico: A 5-Day Trip for US Students

Due to various reasons, I only booked flights and accommodation two nights before the trip—total spontaneous travel! But this last-minute plan meant the national park (NP) visits and hot air balloon rides I originally wanted were fully booked. I had to tweak the itinerary over and over. ‼️ Pro tip for anyone planning a trip: Book all reservations in advance! Day 1: Albuquerque (ABQ) My flight landed around 2 PM. After checking into the hotel, we headed to ABQ Old Town. There are lots of shops here—great for friends who love browsing (take your time!). But it felt a bit quiet when we went, maybe because of the weather? (Maybe it’s nicer at night with lights!) We stayed for about 1–1.5 hours, then left when our parking time was up. Next, we drove to SWAMILL MARKET—it’s like an indoor food hall. We tried Neko Neko, a taiyaki spot recommended by many on highly recommend it! The taiyaki was crispy and fragrant, and the matcha flavor I ordered was spot-on. 🍵🥞 Evening: Sandia Peak Tramway (America’s longest aerial tramway) to watch the sunset. ‼️ Buy tickets in advance on the official website! ‼️ Choose a time slot based on sunset, and remember to leave extra time for queuing—we waited about 30 minutes. On the tram, a guide shares the tram’s history. Once you reach the top, the wind is super strong—‼️ bring warm clothes, a hat, and a scarf! ‼️ After sunset, take the tram back down to enjoy ABQ’s night views—definitely worth it! 🌅🌃 Dinner: El PintoIt’s famous for having “America’s 3rd best ribs.” The meat was tender and juicy, coated in chili (but not too spicy). Eat it while it’s hot—cold ribs lose some of their texture. 🐖🌶️ Day 2 Morning: Bandelier National MonumentWe hiked the two most popular trails: Pueblo Loop Trail: There’s a short ladder to climb for photos, but you might have to wait in line. If you’re not into it, feel free to skip! Alcove House Trail: This one also involves ladders, but they’re steeper and longer. Super fun if you enjoy hiking—worth the effort! Afternoon: Wandered around Santa Fe Plaza. As my friend put it, “It’s like a bigger version of ABQ Old Town”—charming, but familiar if you’ve been to Old Town. 🛍️ Dinner: La Boca (in Santa Fe Plaza)It’s a Spanish restaurant with lots of recommendations online… but we thought it was a total letdown. Easily the most disappointing meal of our trip! ❌ #NewMexico #NewMexicoTravel #SpringBreak #USC #TravelGuide