Schadenfreude

Staying at the Marriot on Louisiana Blvd. I'll be there Wed Thurs Fri and flying back to NJ Saturday afternoon. I'll be in seminars all day and AFAIK there's nothing going on in the evenings. Any suggestions? TIA from the NY/NJ/CT forum

Fourspin

You'll just miss the Balloon Fiesta by a few weeks, which is the obvious tourist destination. There is a balloon museum on the grounds of the fiesta. I haven't been but it might be worth a visit. Some cool ballooning history if you're in to that.

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/Balloon_Fiesta/schedule.html

You can take the Tram up to the top of Sandia Crest. The base of the tram is probably 20 min from your hotel. Good views of the city, maybe do this one evening and then go out to eat...either at El Pinto or the Range (see below).

http://www.sandiapeak.com/

Gruet Winery actually produces some decent Champagne. I've never been to their tasting room, but it's probably worth a quick visit, although it looks like they're only open until 5pm. About 10-15 min from your hotel.

http://www.gruetwinery.com/events.htm?cart=122111655956585

As for food, you are there during Green Chile Harvest, which is a good thing (if you like some spice in your food). I recommend hitting El Pinto down in the North Valley, which is probably 20 minutes from your hotel. New Mexican food is sort of a religion. El Pinto, Gardunos, Sadies, and a few others duke it out as local favorites. There's a Garduno's very close to your hotel at Winrock Mall, but I prefer El Pinto, it's what I grew up with. Their chile con queso is my favorite and I prefer their Carne Adovada (pork in red chile) to most others in town. If you order enchiladas or tacos, etc., ask for your chile "Christmas" (Red and Green) and gain immediate local cred. Ask to sit on one of the patios if the weather permits. Gardunos has decent food, but they have become chain in New Mexico and I think the atmosphere is severely lacking.

http://www.elpinto.com/restaurant/

The Flying Star is also excellent for breakfast/lunch/dinner. If you get a chance to go out for breakfast during the week or Saturday morning, head there. Their Huevos Rancheros with red chile and a strong cup of coffee is about as good as it gets. My favorite location is the one on Rio Grande (sit on the patio for extra hippie goodness), but you should probably go to the one downtown so you can see what little there is to see down there.

http://www.flyingstarcafe.com/locations.htm

A final restaurant recommendation is the Range Cafe. The one in Bernalillo is worth the drive (about 25 minutes from your hotel), but there are two in town as well. The Blue Corn Chile Rellenos Plate is good, as is a simple bowl of Green Chile stew.

http://www.rangecafe.com/index.php

The Albuquerque Aquarium and Botanic Gardens are actually pretty nice. You could do that and Old Town in one evening, except that the aquarium closes at 5pm.

http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/aquarium/

Albuquerque Old Town is a far cry from Santa Fe's version, but you could check it out. I haven't been in years, can't vouch for much there. La Placitas restaurant has been there for years...

http://www.laplacitadiningroom.com/

http://www.albuquerqueoldtown.com/

If you can make it to Santa Fe (about an hour North), it might be worth a drive one evening or, depending on your flight time, early Saturday morning. Hit the square downtown, there are amazing restaurants (El Pasqual, The Shed, Pink Adobe, etc.), see the old Catholic Church with the miraculous staircase, look at Native American Art being sold on the sidewalk, go into some of the galleries. Aspens will be changing, and a drive up to Santa Fe Ski Area (about 40 min roundtrip from Santa Fe) is absolutely gorgeous in fall. Santa Fe has a world class opera, but you won't have the time (and the season might be over, I can't remember).

http://www.santafe.org/

Let's see, what else...there is good mountain biking around Albuquerque if you have the means/time. There are Indian casinos at the North and South end of town...not my thing. There are two malls within 5 min of your hotel, but Albuquerque is not a "shoppers destination."

Hope you have a good time!

Fourspin

I live in Colorado, otherwise, I would have offered to meet up.

Schadenfreude

Wow, thanks for all the info. Much appreciated. Printing it out to take with me

Fourspin

No problem, hope you have a good time.

BlindBatForumFailer

Eat at Scalo (*** Hill area, great Italian), IlVicino (*** Hill area, great pizza), and make sure you have New Mexican food while you're there, try Los Cuates (the dive on the south side of Lomas accross from the main restaurant), Sadies is good, El Pinto has a great atmosphere, food is decent.

Have fun, I miss that city!