Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau

The monument contains more than 20,000 images pecked in stone. Some are recognizable as animals, people or crosses & other more mysterious. All are inseparable form the landscape & from the spirits of the people who created them. The images carved onto these black rocks provide an opportunity for people today to share the cultures of those who long ago inhibited & traveled through the Rio Grande Valley.

You are on an incredible high country journey, a breathtaking National Scenic Byway drive. Beginning 15 minutes east of ABQ, your journey takes you on the back road to Santa Fe.

Take I-40 E to the Tijeras exit (175). Spend a half-day or several days exploring. Drive to 360-degree vistas at 10,678 ft atop Sandia Crest in the Cibola National Forest. Hike, bike, ski, golf & shop while visiting our restored ghost towns, art communities & 4 museums. Get the latest information at the ranger station one mile south of the interstate or pick up our brochure at many NM locations.

Travel the artful way to Santa Fe along the Turquoise Trail. Explore some of NM's most unique towns, restaurants, Bed & Breakfasts, shops, attractions, studios, galleries & museums. Enjoy outdoor recreation & scenic views all along the Turquoise Trail, designated a National Scenic Byway in 2002. Visit our website for more info.

Slow down and smell the coffee...and fresh roses, bagels, lavender soaps, roasted chile, massage oils and old books.

Dine-in on gourmet meals, take out fast food, take in a show. Have your tires changed, dresses fitted, checks cashed, neck adjusted, pictures framed, boots repaired, and anything pierced.

Find gifts and necessities in hundreds of local businesses with great style and personal service. Spend a few hours, a few days, or a few years....but don't miss the delights of shopping the Nob Hill & Highland business districts in person.

Quiet hidden patios, winding brick paths, gardens and balconies are waiting to be discovered. Wrought iron and adobe benches beckon you to rest in the shade and watch people stroll by. Visit historic San Felipe de Neri Church and relax in the Rose Garden.

Shopping in Old Town is a truly delightful experience. Unique items from around the world, as well as those that are distinctly Southwestern, can be found in more than 150 shops, boutiques, galleries and artist studios.

When in New Mexico - Eat like New Mexicans! Try delightful chile dishes which evolved from a combination of Indian and Spanish recipes, or enjoy one of the many restaurants featuring everything from the All-American hamburger to fine Continental cuisine.

For almost three centuries Old Town has been the crossroads of the Southwest. It is a Historical Zone of the City of Albuquerque and home for many families whose ancestors founded the town.