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Car Free Journeys – Albuquerque – October 2013 By Steve Atlas 
This month, our car free journey spotlights Albuquerque. Despite its old age, Albuquerque is nothing short of a funky, eclectic, sunny getaway. The city boasts a great mix of art, culture, outdoor recreation and family fun. It is situated in the high desert which means four distinctly mild seasons and beautiful sunrises and sets against the backdrop of the beautiful Sandia Mountains. It is a getaway that is affordable as well as accessible for weekend travelers. Because most major attractions are within walking distance of a downtown hotel, or along a bus route, the city is a good weekend getaway choice for visitors who don’t want to drive. Getting Here The Alvarado Transportation Center (ATC), located in downtown Albuquerque, serves as the hub for Amtrak, Greyhound Lines and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail line (to Santa Fe). It is also the main hub for Albuquerque’s public transit service, ABQ Ride, and is therefore an easy place to catch a bus while in Albuquerque. 
A daily ABQ RIDE pass is $2 per day, up to 3 days for $6, and can be purchased on the bus. For more information about routes and schedules, visit http://abq.gov/transit, or call (505) 243-7433 every day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain Time. From the Albuquerque International Airport (airport code ABQ), ABQ RIDE provides shuttle service to the Alvarado Transportation Center every day except Sunday. ABQ Ride’s Route 50 operates weekdays, every ½ hour from the airport to the Alvarado Transit Center in downtown Albuquerque between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. From 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m., Route 50 ends at Yale and Central. There, you can connect with ABQ Ride’s Route 66, or visit the University of New Mexico. One way fare is $1. On Saturdays, Route 50 operates every hour, from the airport between 9:45 a.m. until 6:50 p.m. Because transit is so affordable, but unavailable on Sundays, consider returning home on Monday morning. If you need to catch a flight on Sunday, the most affordable transportation from downtown Albuquerque to the airport (by reservation only) is Sunport Shuttle (www.sunportshuttle.com, or call 505/883-4966.) The shuttle costs $11 one way + $5 for each additional person and operates from 4 a.m. until 11 p.m. Make your reservation the night before you want to leave. The shuttle will pick you up two hours before your plane is scheduled to leave. Now that you’ve arrived, let’s being our visit to Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Kelly Ryan, from Albuquerque’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, is our guide. What to Do After You Arrive Here are tips from Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.itsatrip.org, call (505) 842-9918):
Where to Stay and What to Do The Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau recommends Downtown Albuquerque and Historic Old Town as great neighborhoods for visitors who don’t want to drive. Here is a brief list of attractions and places to stay in each neighborhood: Downtown Albuquerque - http://www.itsatrip.org/traveltools/neighborhoods/downtown.aspx 
Downtown is home to the Albuquerque Convention Center as well as several major hotels, nightclubs, theaters, art galleries and restaurants. It is also home to the Alvarado Transportation Center – which can serve as your hub if you are seeing the city on foot. The Albuquerque Civic Plaza hosts many concerts and outdoor events – taking in all of the sunshine the city has to offer. Where to Stay Budget Accommodations: America’s Best Value Inn 615 Central Ave. NE (505) 247.8897 www.abvidowntown.com This is a conveniently located hotel with exterior corridors. Chain/Flag Hotels: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque 201 Marquette NW (505) 247.3344 www.DoubleTreeABQ.com The DoubleTree Hotel, located downtown, is just a quick walk to the Albuquerque Convention Center. Albuquerque Embassy Suites Hotels & Spas 1000 Woodward Place NE (505) 245.7100 www.albuquerque.embassysuites.com 261 spacious 2-suite rooms + spa. Albuquerque Hyatt Regency 330 Tijeras Ave. NW (505) 842.1234 www.albuquerque.hyatt.com This is a 4-Diamond, full-service hotel property adjacent to the Convention Center. The property features a Starbucks, lounge, restaurant and is conveniently located. Luxury: Hotel Andaluz 125 Second St. NW (505) 242.9090 www.hotelandaluz.com This is also a 4-Diamond property, recently named Lifestyle Hotel of the Year and a top hotel for business travel. The hotel features complimentary Wi-Fi, a 4-Star restaurant and live entertainment every weekend. It’s influences are Moroccan and Spanish from the Andalucian region of Spain. It was Conrad Hilton’s first property (obviously, it is no longer a Hilton Hotel). Hotel Parq Central 806 Central Ave. SE (505) 242.0040 www.HotelParqCentral.com Built in 1926, this hotel is an urban oasis located at the gateway to downtown in the EDo district (East Downtown). It is a blend of contemporary comfort and historic elegance, and is Albuquerque’s newest boutique hotel. Their rooftop lounge, Apothecary, offers panoramic city views. Bed And Breakfast Downtown Historic Bed & Breakfast 207 and 209 High Street NE (505) 842.0223 Beautifully restored Victorian home in downtown Albuquerque. 9 luxurious rooms full of heirloom antiques and custom-made bedding. Beautiful backyard with a fountain, stream and 100 year-old barn wood arbors. Mornings feature a bountiful homemade breakfast. Free internet and cable. What To Do Downtown Highlights:
Historic Old Town – http://www.albuquerqueoldtown.com 
From the Alvarado Transportation Center, the Historic Old Town neighborhood is a quick bus ride up Central Avenue. This is where the city was founded back in 1706. It has traditional adobe-style architecture and lots of shops and restaurants to explore and enjoy. This is a true taste of the Southwest and a don’t-miss on a trip to Albuquerque. Where to Stay Budget: Route 66 Hostel 1012 Central Ave. SW (505) 247-1813 www.rt66hostel.com This is Albuquerque’s only hostel. It’s technically located between the lively downtown district and Old Town, so it’s a great location. It’s an easy walk to the bus station and located right across from Robinson Park, where there is a grower’s market on Saturdays at various times throughout the year. Chain/Flag Hotels: Best Western PLUS Rio Grande Inn 1015 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (505) 843.9500 www.RioGrandeInn.com This is an AAA 3-Diamond full service hotel. It features a restaurant (no breakfast buffet), bar, pool and complimentary shuttle to/from the ABQ Sunport. It is a short walk from St. Clair Winery, Starbucks and the Old Town shopping district. Hotel Albuquerque (Part of Heritage Hotel Group) 800 Rio Grand Blvd. NW (505) 843-6300 www.HotelABQ.com This is about as close to Old Town Albuquerque as you can get. A hop across the parking lot brings you into the heart of Historic Old Town. The hotel features free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, and an outdoor pool. It is known to have one of the most popular nightclubs in town and features a traditional Southwestern cultural design. Bed and Breakfast Option: Bottger Mansion of Old Town 110 San Felipe Street NW (505) 243.3639 www.Bottger.com This historic mansion was built in 1910 and features a two-course gourmet breakfast, shady courtyard oasis and warm hospitality. They even have a pet-friendly room. Located just off of the Old Town square. What to Do There are MANY museums in Old Town in addition to the ones listed below (19 in total). Here are a few highlights:
Consider a walking tour through the Albuquerque Museum (Tuesday-Sunday at 11am, only offered from mid-March through mid-December. http://albuquerquemuseum.org/plan-visit/museum-tours A Few Ideas for Interest-Based Self-Guided Outings and Excursions from the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau Bike and Brew Albuquerque is a very bike-friendly city, with 400+ miles of bike paths and trails (and more in the works!). Our sunny climate offers an opportunity to bike year-round, and many visitors as well as locals are taking advantage of the great biking options we have in town. A popular afternoon bike activity would be to take a Bikes & Brews Tour with Routes Rentals & Tours. The tour offers a unique bicycle experience that combines the spectacular scenery of Albuquerque’s bike paths with professionally guided beer sampling, local culture and VIP back-room brewery tours. The trip itself is 12 miles and lasts for 3.5 hours. Included in the tour is a bike and helmet, VIP brewery experience including beer samples at each brewery, light snacks and bottled water. The cost is $45 with bike rental or $35 if you BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike). It’s a great afternoon adventure. To get there: The tours take off from the Routes Rentals location at 11th and Mountain. Take Route 36 to 12th and Granite. It is a less than .2 mile walk then to the Routes Rentals Shop. Routes Rentals also offers a free pick-up and drop-off bike service within the Albuquerque area. You’d just need to give them a call: (505)933.5667 Kids Explora! Science Center & Children’s Museum - http://www.explora.us/en/ This museum is designed for kiddos, but will keep the whole family entertained and learning. From their website: “Explora is a new kind of learning place, providing real experiences with real things that put people’s learning in their own hands. Explora is part science center, part children’s museum, part free-choice school, part grandma’s attic, part grandpa’s garage, part laboratory, part neighborhood full of interesting people, and part of many people’s lives. Exhibits are designed to engage visitors of all ages.” How to get there: Explora is located in Old Town Albuquerque. From the East: ABQ RIDE Bus #766 to Rio Grande and Central. Walk North on Rio Grande, then East on Mountain (.6 miles) From the West: ABQ RIDE Bus #790 to Rio Grande and Central. Walk North on Rio Grande, then East on Mountain (.6 miles). ABQ BioPark - http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark 
Albuquerque is a very affordable city, and the ABQ BioPark is one of the reasons why. It consists of the Zoo, Botanic Garden, Tingley Beach and Aquarium, and in the summer is home to some great family-friendly concerts at very affordable prices. Whether your family decides to dine next to the sharks at the Shark Reef Café, check out the animals eating with the Feeding Times and Activities Chart at the Zoo, or check out the Butterfly Pavilion at the Botanic Garden … there is something for everyone. Public Transportation to the BioPark: From the Downtown stations (bus and train), you have options:
For tickets and more information: http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark/tickets American International Rattlesnake Museum - http://www.rattlesnakes.com This museum is home to more species of live snakes housed under one roof that anywhere else in the world! A walk through the museum will introduce you to information about snake skins, fangs, tail rattles and more. The best part might be the certificate of bravery that you receive after completing the tour. It is fun – and informative! How to get there? Take ABQ RIDE’s Route 766 for access to Old Town. The Rattlesnake Museum is located at 202 San Felipe NW (they are located 100 feet south of the southeast corner of the main plaza in Old Town). When the Sun Goes Down: A few Ideas for Evening Activities Theatre A great evening option is the KiMo Theater – located in downtown Albuquerque. The theatre has a steady stream of evening performances and events, and is easily accessible via the bus. www.kimotickets.com - 423 Central Ave. NW Comedy If you are looking for a nice improv show, The Box performance space offers live comedy improv every Friday and Saturday night at 9pm. The tickets are only $8 and the show is open to anyone over the age of 13. The box is located at 100 Gold Ave. SW. and is a one minute walk from the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown. www.theboxabq.com - 100 Gold Ave. SW Nightlife Ibiza at Hotel Andaluz. www.hotelandaluz.com/eat-drink/ibiza - 125 2nd St. NW Ibiza has a roof-top bar and patio overlooking the eastern Albuquerque sky and mountains, and is open every night. It’s just a three-minute walk from the Alvarado Transportation Center. Hotel Parq Central’s Apothecary Lounge. www.hotelparqcentral.com/apothecary-lounge – 806 Central Ave. SE The view of the city from this lounge, specializing in seasonal cocktails, is stunning. The lounge also has some Prohibition-era classic cocktails on the menu, following suit of the hotel’s Prohibition-era theme. It is elegant and great for a date night. Hotel Parq Central is accessible via the 66 bus (7 minute ride) getting on at the Alvarado Transportation Center and getting off at Central Ave. @I-25. Tips from ABQ Ride for Visitors who Don’t Want to Drive Rick De Reyes, Public Information Officer for ABQ Ride: Albuquerque’s public transit system, offers these tips: Bicycling in Albuquerque: -“Albuquerque is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the country, with more than 400 miles of bike paths and trails with more in the works. Bicyclists can also ride along the Rio Grande along a trail in the bosque, Spanish for forest. ABQ RIDE can also let you bike and bus, with racks on the front of the bus to accommodate your bicycle at no extra charge. Bike maps can be downloaded through the website www.bikeabq.org. To receive a hard copy of Albuquerque’s bike map, call 505-768-2680 to have the City mail you one.” Shopping and Sports: “There are two major shopping malls in Albuquerque, Coronado Center in the city’s Northeast Heights and Cottonwood Mall on the city’s west side (with a third being refurbished); all of which are accessible using ABQ RIDE’s Rapid Rides. “Sports includes Triple A baseball (one step below the Major Leagues) in the form of the Albuquerque Isotopes. They are the top affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and play in Isotopes Park. Right across the street from the ballpark is University Stadium, where the University of New Mexico Lobos play football. UNM’s nationally-renowned basketball team plays its home games at The Pit, otherwise known as University Arena.” Neighborhoods that are good choices for Walkers: The Old Town neighborhood is great for walking or strolling, with its various shops and cafes. The Country Club area, just southwest of Downtown, features stately old homes and the old Albuquerque Country Club. And on the edge of the Country Club area sits the Albuquerque Little Theater, which has been staging theatrical productions since 1930. It’s where Albuquerque native Vivian Vance earned her theatrical chops, on the way to Broadway stardom and then to national stardom as Ethel on I Love Lucy. Other stars who’ve performed there include Don Knotts, Bill Daily, Ann B. Davis, Nancy Kulp, and Maureen O’Sullivan. 
The University of New Mexico-Nob Hill area is great for a walk taking in its myriad restaurants, cafes, pubs and funky shops. Favorite Places to Eat that are Easily Accessible by ABQ Ride: Some of the best places to eat and enjoy the city can be accessed using ABQ RIDE, especially along Central Ave (the longest stretch of urban Route 66 in the country). In Downtown, some restaurants accessible by walking include Tucano’s Brazilian Grill, Villa Di Capo Italian Restaurant and Pasión Latin Fusion at 7th and Lomas. The famous Cecilia’s Café on 6th St is open for weekday lunch. Just a long walk or quick ABQ RIDE trip away to the east (in the city’s EDo-East Downtown area) are the Artichoke Café, the upscale Standard Diner and the kitschy, 50’s-themed Route 66 Diner. And just to the west are restaurants such as Monroe’s (Mexican) Restaurant, La Hacienda in Old Town, the renowned Monte Carlo Steakhouse (and Package Store) and El Charritos Restaurant. To the south along 4th St is the Barelas Coffee House (New Mexican food only open weekdays). North 4th near Downtown features the famous Mary and Tito’s Café (also New Mexican food). Venture out from Downtown and you can find even more restaurants using ABQ RIDE. For instance, to the east past EDo is the University of New Mexico and Nob Hill area. It features restaurants like the late night-icon Frontier Restaurant, Kelly’s Brew Pub, O’Neill’s Pub, Flying Star Cafe, Il Vicino, Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro, Two Fools Tavern and the upscale Scalo. Take the #766-Rapid Ride/Red Line to such restaurants in Albuquerque’s Uptown area as Bravo! Italian Restaurant, The Elephant Bar and the upscale Marcello’s Chop House. Route #790-Rapid Ride/Blue Line will also take visitors to Cottonwood Mall, where a number of national restaurant chains around the mall await visitors. Visit http://www.itsatrip.org/accp2013/thingstodo/tours-day-trips/day.aspx for ideas. For More Information Visit www.itsATrip.org, or call (505) 842-9918. For information about local public transit, including fares and schedules, http://abq.gov/transit, or call (505) 243-7433 every day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mountain Time.
Steve Atlas enjoys hearing from readers. To contact Steve, share feedback about this or other “Car Free Journey” columns, or suggest destination for future columns, e-mail steveatlas45@yahoo.com
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