Albuquerque New Mexico is the heart of the American Southwest. Hot air ballooning, museums, and a plaza straight from the Spanish colonial era provide some of the best-known activities for visitors, but the local restaurants stand unsurpassed in delivering outstanding New Mexican cuisine, heavy on the fresh chiles.

Ancient Indian pueblos of bygone civilizations and dramatic scenic vistas abound throughout New Mexico. The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, the Petroglyph National Monument, and the Old Town of Albuquerque provide exciting opportunities for day or half-day excursions.

US National Parks in New Mexico --- http://www.nps.gov/state/nm/

The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway --- http://www.itsatrip.org/activities/aerial-tramway/default.aspx

Old Town Albuquerque --- http://www.itsatrip.org/activities/neighborhood-guide/old-town.aspx

Albuquerque Museums --- http://www.itsatrip.org/activities/museums-culture/default.aspx

Albuquerque Local Listings --- http://local.botw.org/New_Mexico/Albuquerque/

For a really memorable road trip in this wonderful corner of America, drive a rental car from Albuquerque to Las Vegas Nevada and fly home from there. Many National Monuments: El Morro, The Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly, and The Grand Canyon are easy to reach, and you can’t buy a big enough memory card for your camera to capture it all.

US National Parks in Arizona --- http://www.nps.gov/state/az/

US National Parks in Colorado --- http://www.nps.gov/state/co/

US National Parks in Utah --- http://www.nps.gov/state/ut/