Things to do in Albuquerque
Find your cowboy on a horse trail
Discover the fabulous desert scenery of pueblo backcountry, where cottonwood trees line the Rio Grande and the Jemez River. Horse trails still meander along paths that have been well trodden for centuries. Tours can be arranged at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa (tel: +1 505 867 1234; www.tamaya.hyatt.com).
Hike the La Luz trail
It may not be for beginners, but this famous 14.5km (nine-mile) hike up Sandia Mountain (www.laluztrail.com) affords ramblers some of the best walking opportunities in New Mexico. The view constantly revises itself throughout the trail and there are wildflowers galore to pick, sniff and fawn over.
Shimmy up the Sandia Mountains on the tramway
Visiting Albuquerque and not taking the 4.3km-long (2.7 miles) Sandia Peak Tramway (tel: +1 505 856 7325) to the Sandia Mountains is like going to Naples and not eating pizza. In winter, this is the gateway to the ski slopes, in summer it comes to life with hikers, bikers and those after breathtaking views.
Slither into the rattlesnake museum
Unsurprisingly, Albuquerque's American International Rattlesnake Museum (tel: +1 505 242 6569; www.rattlesnakes.com) is the only rattlesnake museum in the world. With conservation in mind, it has the largest collection of live rattlesnakes on the planet, and is also home to a mind-boggling array of rattlesnake-geared toys, paintings, engravings, pictures and boots.
Take on the Rio Grande
The swirling Rio Grande offers fantastic rafting and paddling, just minutes from Albuquerque. Whilst there are placid stretches of water for swimming, the adrenaline rush comes when rafters hit the Racecourse, promising 10km (6 miles) of class two and three rapids with names like the Maze and The Thunderdome. Speak to Far Flung Adventures (tel: +1 575 758 2628, www.farflung.com) about a trip.
