PLACES

AMAZING ALBUQUERQUE The 505 comes alive each winter

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTOS BY VISIT ALBUQUERQUE

Ready for a winter escape? Just over an hour plane ride away, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of the most culturally diverse and dynamic cities in the United States. Like the Valley, “The 505,” as it is often called, boasts 310-plus days of sunshine annually, making its light blanket of snow during the cooler months glisten like diamonds in all directions.

Accommodations

Speaking of diamonds, there is a new gem in the heart of the bustling city in Hotel Zazz, which opened in late 2022. The concept is the brainchild of Dr. Sharmin Dharas, a second-generation hotelier who grew up on the property as a child, back when it was a run of the mill motel along Route 66 run by her parents. All these years later, Dharas jumped at the challenge and opportunity to re-imagine the space into something a little more elevated to fit the evolving region surrounding it. Nearly 50 artists, all from the Southwest and many people of color and/or mothers like Dharas, contributed to the revival of Hotel Zazz via sculptures, murals, bath products, art installations, and statues. In addition to the intricate design work, careful attention to detail was also spent redesigning the well-appointed 49 rooms and suites. Today, each room tells a story through unique art and bold chromatic visuals while providing modern amenities. Across the property, the playground feel teased in the rooms continues to come alive via a life-sized chess board and bustling outdoor pool with regular evening entertainment including dive-in movies. There is also a daily banana popsicle hour, a hotline that delivers Champagne straight to guests’ doors upon request, and a speakeasy complete with curated cocktails and an evolving menu of small bites in place of the exact space Dharmas played as a child.

Entertainment

Hotel Zazz has excellent relationships with dozens of nearby attractions and activities, and its staff is happy to curate experiences based on guests’ preferences. Of course, with so much to see and do in all directions from the hotel, it is easy enough for visitors to plan their own custom itinerary. A great way explore the area is to cycle, walk or run along the 50-Mile Activity Loop. Completed in 2021, the loop starts in Albuquerque’s historic downtown before crossing the Rio Grande river and heading north toward Petroglyph National Monument on the city’s west side. It passes through or offers views of the

plateaus on the West Mesa, historic farmland, Route 66, Sandia Mountains, the cottonwood-lined Bosque, Albuquerque’s Uptown, and Historic Nob Hill Neighborhoods. Similarly new to the area in recent years and great way to get a literal taste of the city is the fast-growing network of craft breweries in the area. There is a seemingly endless number of options, many walking distance from each other, including Bosque Brewing Co. Public House, Tractor Brewing Company, Marble Brewing, Red Door, Rio Bravo Brewing Co., and Tractor Brewing. Those looking for something a little more adventurous should opt for a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Each peaceful ride allows guests to watch the sun’s first rays fall on the Sandia Mountains backdrop before dipping low over the Rio Grande, and then land for breakfast and a glass of wine. Seeking arts, cultural or unique attractions? Consider The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, which gives riders the opportunity to ascend more than 10,000 feet into the air above Albuquerque for some of the most stunning views in the state; the AndersonAbruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, the world’s premier facility dedicated to the art, culture, science, history, sport, and spectacle of hot air ballooning; the Electric Playhouse, a stateof-the-art space dedicated to immersive art installations, interactive gaming, live music and more; and American International Rattlesnake Museum, which features species of rattlesnakes from all over the world. Also, do not miss the ABQ BioPark, which is multiple experiences – The ABQ BioPark Zoo, Botanic Garden, Aquarium and Tingley Beach – all in one location. The zoo is home to more than 900 animals from around the world, and the 32-acre Botanic Garden has dozens of exhibits as well as BUGarium, one of the most elaborate exhibits dedicated to bugs and arthropods in the country, while the aquarium features an eatery steps from a 285,000-gallon shark ocean tank. Tingley Beach is the chilliest of the BioPark adventures, boasting three fishing ponds and ample walking trails that offer a respite from the city.

Cuisine

Albuquerque’s vibrant food scene is a celebration of the Southwest’s abundant ingredients, including corn, beans, squash, and chiles and the perfect blend of Mexican, Native American and Spanish flavors. There are also flavors from around the world showcased. Campo at Los Poblanos, which is located in a historic inn with an organic farm, is of note as it features authentic Rio Grande Valley cuisine using ingredients sourced from its farm and the surrounding fields. Within the downtown area, do not miss Mary & Tito’s Cafe, a local favorite since the 1960s that earned the America’s Classics Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2010, or El Pinto Restaurant and Café, which Food Network featured among its five favorite spots for ribs in the United States. Other best bets include fine dining Restaurant Antiquity, Native American Pueblo Harvest Café, and Spanish-influenced Cellar. Learn more at www.visitalbuquerque.org.