🌟 The Hardest City Name to Pronounce! My Albuquerque Travel Notes 📝

This time in New Mexico, due to limited time, I only visited two cities and missed White Sands National Park and the Native American reservations. But Albuquerque and Santa Fe were fascinating enough! As someone from Northwest China, I’d call this the American version of the "Great Northwest" 😂. The adobe architecture (yes, "adobe" means mud brick in Spanish 🧱), the vast plains, and the 300 days of sunshine a year gave me the surreal feeling of being back home. 📍 Cultural & Historical Attractions Albuquerque Albuquerque Old Town: Definitely worth visiting! Allow 3-4 hours to explore the unique shops selling non-mass-produced handicrafts. At Candy Lady, you can even buy Breaking Bad-style "blue rock candy" — a fun souvenir for friends. Albuquerque Museum: Right next to Old Town. Spend about an hour here. It has six galleries featuring both permanent and seasonal exhibitions, covering local culture and conceptual art. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: Highly recommended! Allow 2 hours. The circular layout showcases various tribal cultures and languages. There’s also a Pueblo restaurant known for its authentic flavors (though it was crowded, so I just grabbed a cookie 🍪). Santa Fe Old Town: Spend an afternoon here! There are plenty of museums and handicraft stores (though many sell similar imported goods). The adobe architecture and museums are beautiful — but might be less engaging if you’re not into cultural exhibits. Santa Fe History Museum: Allow 2 hours. A detailed introduction to New Mexico’s rich history. IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts: A bit underwhelming 😅. It blends modern art and Indigenous themes — intriguing but abstract! 🌄 Scenic Spots Sadly, I didn’t have time for the reservations or White Sands. If you have 4+ days, check out Indigenous experiences recommended in Lonely Planet’s A Local's Guide To Must-See New Mexico. Sandia Peak 🍉: Absolutely worth a visit! About 1 hour. It was once the world’s longest tramway — amazing at sunset 🌇. Located between ABQ and Santa Fe. Book in advance during peak season (we walked in and had to wait in line). #Albuquerque #SantaFe #OffTheBeatenPath #HiddenGems