Albuquerque, the Duke City, is located on the historic Route 66. It is a culturally diverse city which exudes Southwestern flavor. The city is rich in history, has beautiful weather, natural beauty, wonderful attractions, outdoor activities, and surrounded by magnificent desert mesas and mountains. It is a lively city on the Rio Grande that offers the real taste of the Southwest!
Image by Danae Hurst, Asaavedra32, John Phelan, Luigi Novi via Wikimedia Commons
History of Albuquerque
The history dates back to 2,000 years B.C., when the first inhabitants were the Native Americans. In the 1500s, the Spanish came here, and in 1706, Albuquerque was founded on the banks of the Rio Grande as a Spanish settlement. It was named as the Duke of Albuquerque. The railroad was introduced in the town in 1880s and since then the city has expanded around the rail tracks a few miles away from the original settlement. The ‘New Town’ turned into the center of commerce and the city grew rapidly. The New town is the Downtown today. Albuquerque was formed as a city in 1891. In 1920s, historic route 66 turned into the popular automobile road passing through Albuquerque, thus helping restaurants and hotels to thrive, and beckon visitors. The city got its first airport in 1928. Albuquerque expanded greatly in the 1950s with the establishment of local military bases and a great influx of new residents and travelers.
Presently, it is the center of transportation, commerce and high-tech industry in New Mexico. In 2006, the city celebrated its tricentennial. It is a Southwestern city with some of the country’s best high-tech research facilities and diverse population.
Important Locations in Albuquerque
Albuquerque has something for everyone, from museums to outdoor fun and activities to mountain biking. Go on a ride on the world’s longest tramway, tour the museums and learn about the history and culture of the city, stroll along the neighborhoods, indulge in outdoor activities, and explore the recreational and natural attractions. Here’s a list of some of the important locations in Albuquerque that you should visit when in town-
The Albuquerque Museum of Art & History: The
Albuquerque Museum of Art & History houses the Southwest art and several traveling and permanent exhibits featuring 400 years of Ro Grande Valley and Albuquerque history.
Historic Old Town: The Historic
Old Town has Pueblo-Spanish style architectures featuring over 150 stores, several museums, 25 galleries and many fine restaurants.
American International Rattlesnake Museum: Check out the largest collection of rattlesnakes in the world at the
American International Rattlesnake Museum. It also houses several snake-related artifacts, memorabilia and works of art.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre: Learn about the culture and history of New Mexico’s nineteen American Indian pueblos at the
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway: Ride on the world’s longest tramway- the
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway that carries the visitors beyond the deep canyons from the Albuquerque Northeast Heights to the Cibola National Forest and the stunning terrains of the Sandia Mountains.
Petroglyph National Monument: Check out the world’s largest collection of petroglyphs- prehistoric Indian images carved in rocks at the
Petroglyph National Monument. It showcases the symbols and designs by Spanish settlers and Native Americans 400-700 years ago.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science: Get a glimpse of the dinosaurs, explore the solar system and volcanoes, and get on a time travel simulation rides at the
New Mexico Museum of Natural History.
Rio Grande Zoo:
Rio Grande Zoo features more than 250 species of animals in their natural habitat. Some of the popular species are polar bears, orangutans, sea lions, koalas, mountain lions, monkeys, giraffes, and more.
University of New Mexico Art Museum: The
University of New Mexico Art Museum features permanent collection of fine arts, including the works of Picasso, Rembrandt, O’ Keeffe, and more.
To know in detail about the important locations in Albuquerque, click here.
People and Culture of Albuquerque
The culture of the Duke City is steeped in its past. The city is culturally diverse and its diversity is reflected in its artwork, food, cultural centers, architecture and festivals. It is the hub of Southwestern culture and there are several preserved pueblos in the town. It is home to Latino, Native Americans, Anglo and Hispanic cultures. Over 70 ethnicities call the Duke City home.
Some of the famous personalities who have their roots in Albuquerque are: Jeff Bozos, Demi Lovato, Adrian Grenier, Neil Patrick Harrison, and more.
Time Zone and Phone Codes of Albuquerque
Time Zones
Albuquerque is in Mountain Time Zone (MDT).
Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -7 hours (Mountain Standard Time)
Daylight saving time: 1 hour
Current time zone offset: UTC/GMT -6 hour (Mountain Daylight Time)
Phone Codes
Dialing code: 1
Area code: 505
Best Time to Visit Albuquerque
The best time to visit Albuquerque is autumn (September-November). Another pleasant time to visit the city is spring with agreeable temperature. Summer (June-August) is a popular time for some outdoor fun in Albuquerque. During October, people flock to Albuquerque to witness the world’s largest hot-air balloon festival.
High season is from May to October
Shoulder season is from November to December
Low season is from January to April
The city hosts plenty of festivals and events throughout the year, from food festivals to women & creativity to art and culture festivals to balloon fiesta. Some of the popular festivals and events in Albuquerque are as follows:
Operational Hours
Offices: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Banks: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Shopping Centers: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Albuquerque Map Guide