short day trips from Albuquerque

 Jemez Springs About an hour drive from Albuquerque.

https://jemezsprings.org/

• Jemez Historic Site, 18160 NM-4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025
• Jemez National Historic Landmark is one of the most beautiful prehistoric and historic sites in the Southwest. It includes the stone ruins of a 700 year old village and the San José de los Jemez church dating to 1621.
• Soda Dam is a 7000 year old natural rock formation formed by Mineral rich hot springs to resemble a dam formed over the Jemez river.
• Gilman Tunnels created in the 1920s to transport logs by train and was converted to forest road 376. gives you the opportunity to drive through the mountains and see the location where parts of The Lone Ranger and 3:10 to Yuma were filmed. https://jemezsprings.com/things-to-do/attractions/ additional info can be found here
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  Jemez Hot Springs has four outdoor pools with over 17 healing minerals in the water along with shade and pool side service. Accommodates up to 50. Jemez Hot Springs is located along the Jemez River with a view of colorful Virgin Mesa outdoors under the stars. $25 for a 1 hr soak. bring a towel or robe and soak in the healing waters surrounded by the most amazing scenery.  https://jemezhotsprings.com/

Turquoise Trail winds through the backside of the Sandia Mountains all the way to Santa Fe with stops at Sandia Peak, Madrid, and several old mining towns. Tijeras is the beginning of the trail and its a short 20 minute drive from Albuquerque.   https://www.turquoisetrail.org/

• Madrid is an old coal mining town brought back from the 1800s with the Original Mine shaft Tavern with the longest wooden bar in the state and fantastic green chile cheeseburgers. Maybe a few Ghosts?
• Madrid is also the home to many galleries and old buildings Including Jezebel Gallery and Soda fountain built in the 1920s. 
• Maggie's Diner from the movie Wild hogs is a gift shop in Madrid. 
  
• Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park is a a 22-room museum with Wagon wheels, old fashioned store fronts, and wacky western memorabilia and an impressive collection of miniatures. https://tinkertown.com/ 
• Origami in the Garden is in Los Cerrillos just south of Santa Fe. Its an exhibition of Metal sculptures similar to Paper origami in larger scale in a garden setting. 
• Connies Photo Park in Madrid many boards and Photo ops.

Petroglyph National Monument is on the Westside of Albuquerque. 

it is one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. These images are a valuable record of cultural expression and hold profound spiritual significance for contemporary Native Americans and for the descendants of the early Spanish settlers. Free to attend. there are some handicap accessible areas. Petroglyphs are easy to recognize and see. There is multiple trails and viewing areas to see. its open until 5pm and you will want to allow a few hours to view the petroglyphs. bring water and stay hydrated. https://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct 5 -13, 2024 info, deals and expectations

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the most photographed event. Get your camera ready.  

General admission $15, children 12 and under are free. 

New Mexico residents free day is Monday October 7th. 

Just show local ID.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. 

Here is the online link https://balloonfiesta.ticketspice.com/2024-albuquerque-international-balloon-fiesta

Parking at Balloon Fiesta park is $20 cash only. 

Park and ride to avoid traffic. Tickets include admission, parking at your closest location Coronado Mall, Cottonwood Mall, Hoffmantown Church and Intel. With advance purchase the prices are $25 Adults, $23 Seniors, $10 children. prices increase same day. buses have easy designated route in and out of the Balloon Fiesta park.

 Here is the link with info https://balloonfiesta.com/Park-Ride

Ride your bike to the Fiesta bike valet parking is free. 

Expectations 

• The most balloons launching, entertainment, artists, vendors are at the Mass ascension on Saturday or Sunday Morning. This is also a busy time crowds up to 100,000 people.
• If you don't prefer larger crowds there is space available at the end of the field or go on a less busy day during the week. 
• Balloons launch daily weather permitting. they cant fly in the rain or winds higher than 10mph. We want a safe event. If the event cancels due to weather save your ticket for the next session.
• You will want to get there early because dawn patrol usually starts at 6am with traffic getting in you can expect to leave at 4:30am. 
• The Balloon Glow usually starts around 6pm followed by a fireworks display. 
• Dress in layers it can be 53 degrees in the morning jacket weather, by the afternoon its in 70s and 80s a t-shirt will be comfortable. 
•  Bring a camera, make sure all your batteries are fully charged. 
• 
  There are metal detectors and searches of purses and backpacks at the gate. 
• If you are walking on the field with the balloons and pilots watch the ropes when they are inflating balloons. that rope is going up... 

 I enjoy the on site fiesta experience. I usually volunteer for Chase crew. here's some basic info how to crew. You can sign up to crew same day of the event or in advance at the chase crew tower south end of the field. You don't have to drive your vehicle. You get the opportunity to work with the pilots and crew on the field assisting with getting the balloon from a bag in the back of the truck. To fully laid out in your section to inflate. Cold inflate, then the pilot adds the propane to make the balloon float. finally the zebras (launch director) come over and tell you you're next to fly. Watching the balloons fly away is a magical experience and everybody cheers. When you sign up for chase crew you choose the mornings and evenings you are available, you watch an instructional video, you get a free pass for the fiesta and you meet pilots from around the world. Win/Win 

Schedule of events here https://balloonfiesta.com/Event-Schedule

Entertainment schedule https://balloonfiesta.com/Entertainment-Schedule

Here is the Special shapes that will be there this year https://balloonfiesta.com/Special-Shape-Rodeo

After the flight the Chase crew has to follow and pack the balloon back up. The balloons land wherever they can find a decent size open space. Hopefully all the neighborhoods welcome our fiesta guests. I love seeing balloons over my house.  

Embrace the Sky