Car Rental Albuquerque - Exploring Albuquerque

The forested 3,200m peaks of the Sandia Crest tower over Albuquerque to the east, affording particularly beautiful views from the top at and after sunset, when the city lights sparkle below. In summer, it's much cooler than in the valley below, and in winter you can go downhill or cross-country skiing. A superb hike is the 11-kilometre La Luz Trail that leads to the top of the Sandias. Visitors without a car can take the Sandia Peak Tramway, the world's longest single-span tramway at 4.3kms.

The towns surrounding Albuquerque form some of the last remnants of the famous Route 66, the winding old ‘Chicago-to-LA’ transcontinental highway which has been superseded by high-speed Interstate 40. Cruise along ‘America’s Highway’ and stop at the many historical and cultural sites that line the route.

Just out of town are several worthwhile cultural and recreational attractions. The University of New Mexico’s Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Spanish History Museum and University Art Museum combine to offer unique insights into the history, culture and art of the region. Afterwards, relax at the Rio Grande Nature Center or Albert G Simms Park, both of which feature gentle hiking and cycling trails that pass through woods and meadows. Fishing buffs can try their luck at the Sandia Lakes Recreation Area.

Though the area east of Albuquerque, stretching along I-40 towards Texas, is among the most desolate parts of the southwest, one or two towns merit a quick detour off the interstate, thanks largely to Wild West heroes such as Kit Carson and Billy the Kid. The mountainous region to the west of Albuquerque has more to see – particularly Ácoma Pueblo, the mesa-top community known as ‘Sky City’.

The flourishing artistic communities of Santa Fe and Taos lie only two hours to the north, while more spectacular natural scenery can be found to the south at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a World Heritage site.