Central New Mexico’s MainStreet Communities: Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Corrales and Los Alamos
Although central New Mexico’s MainStreet communities have plenty to entertain you, you might also want to sneak away to these features for a quick day trip.
The areas of Bernalillo, Corrales and Albuquerque are close enough to share nearly an equal distance to these features. Get to the top of Sandia Peak in minutes on the world’s longest aerial tram. The Sandia Peak Tram rises nearly 4,000 feet taking you to the 10,378 foot Peak for breathtaking panoramic views. Or, you can drive east around the backside of the Sandia’s for a variety of attractions. As you climb the mountain to the Peak, check out Tinkertown, a collection of miniatures, woodwork, and wacky memorabilia that is entirely unique. Once at the Peak, you can hike or mountain bike in the summer, and ski in the winter months http://www.sandiapeak.com/. Continue up Highway 14, also called the Turquoise Trail, to Madrid, home to a small but vibrant art community. Further up the road lies Cerrillos, a mining “ghost town” that was once in consideration to be the capitol of the state!
An hour’s drive north of Bernalillo takes you to Jemez State Monument, showcasing the 500 year old stone ruins of an Indian village and a Spanish mission church dating to 1610.
About 50 minutes southeast of Albuquerque lies Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument featuring the 17th Century ruins of Spanish and Indian cultures.
10 minutes from Los Alamos is Bandelier National Monument, home of ruins and cave dwellings left by Navajos 600 years ago. In the winter, try your luck on the slopes at Pajarito, just minutes outside of Los Alamos.
