The history and beautiful landscape surrounding Albuquerque, New Mexico, brings in plenty of visitors throughout the year. While it’s easy to blow your travel budget in this city, it’s also possible to tour the area without spending a fortune. Follow these tips to explore Albuquerque while staying within your travel budget.
Snag a Cheap Hotel Room
Image via Flickr by Lightning_Todd
Albuquerque sees most of its travelers in autumn and winter, so spring and summer are the best times to get a deal on a hotel room. Even though spring in the desert usually brings mild temperatures, cool breezes can cause the temperatures to dip. Summer is often very warm, with temperatures in the 90s and rain showers in the afternoon. These less-than-ideal weather conditions mean that many Albuquerque hotels will offer discounts and deals.
Take a Hike
The beautiful climate in Albuquerque makes it an ideal place to get outside and enjoy nature. If you want to learn a little history on your hike, take a trip out to Petroglyph National Monument. Here, visitors can view more than 24,000 petroglyphs carved by ancient Pueblo people and Spanish settlers.
If you have an hour to spend, check out Boca Negra Canyon Trails, three separate hiking trails that wind past more than 200 petroglyphs. Visitors simply pay $1 for parking during the week, and $2 on the weekend. Guests staying at Hyatt Regency Albuquerque are just a short drive away from Petroglyph National Monument.
Spend the Afternoon at a Festival
Albuquerque is known for its festivals, and many of them are an affordable entertainment option. The biggest area festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, attracts more than 100,000 people every October, but there are other festivals throughout the year that are just as exciting. Every April, North America’s largest powwow comes together at the Gathering of Nations Powwow. Activities include music, dancing, singing, shopping, and native foods. General admission is just $14 on Thursday and $17 on Friday and Saturday.
Or, learn how to dance and sing with folk musicians at the annual Albuquerque Folk Festival held every June. During the two-day festival, musicians take the stage every day and children are encouraged to try different instruments at the Musical Petting Zoo. Tickets are just $15 for adults and children 11 and under are free.
Explore Old Town
Old Town is a historic area in Albuquerque dating back to 1706. The Spanish settlers set up their new town with streets radiating out from a central plaza with a church, much like the towns from their homeland. Today, the area is about 10 blocks of adobe buildings with San Felipe de Neri Church in the middle. There are five museums and more than 100 galleries, restaurants, and shops. It’s completely free to walk along the streets and browse through all the shops. Plus, guests staying at Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn are just a few blocks away from Old Town.
Albuquerque is a fun and fascinating city to explore. With these tips, you can enjoy your trip without going over your travel budget.
Guest post by:
Kristen McCalla is a writer and avid blogger who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband, cat, and dog. When she’s not writing on her blog, 31 Million Seconds, she enjoys traveling and exploring all over this beautiful country.
