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Region in New Mexico, United States
Photo: myself (PerryPlanet), Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Central New Mexico is the region of the state containing Albuquerque and vicinity. Unusually for a United States city of significant size, Albuquerque has almost no true "suburbs" that have grown along with and after, rather than independent of, the city; about the only one of consequence is Rio Rancho. Several Native American pueblos also call this region home, some of them of interest to the traveler. Attractions in Albuquerque are covered in that city's guide; this page deals with attractions of the extended region. Santa Fe, the state capital, is generally considered part of the North Central New Mexico region.
By train
Albuquerque is served by two rail services. Amtrak's Southwest Chief makes a daily stop in each direction, going on to Los Angeles and Chicago.
By car
Albuquerque is built at the intersection of Interstate highways 25 and 40, the latter generally following the route of historic Route 66.
There are no unusual driving problems in most of this area under normal conditions; the mountains are not high enough, nor the arid valleys low and hot enough, for significant weather-related driving hazards.
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Albuquerque · International · ABQ
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The largest city in the state and its only major air hub, Albuquerque has plenty to offer the visitor: a historic Old Town where the city was founded over 300 years ago, a collection of excellent museums, the state's largest university, the pleasant scenery of the Rio Grande, the spectacular western face of the Sandia Mountains with its popular aerial tramway, and an annual balloon festival every October that never fails to amaze. Most traveler amenities in the area are to be found here, including a diverse range of restaurants as well as the only nightlife scene of note in this predominately rural region.
The freight rail hub of the state, Belen is a small city about 30 mi south of Albuquerque with a couple of minor historical attractions as well as a few nice restaurants.
A small town at the northern end of the Albuquerque metro area, home to the ruins of a pueblo at Coronado State Monument.
A scattered settlement situated along I-40 on the eastern side of the Sandia Mountains, this town serves as a primary gateway for those driving into the mountains to hike, picnic, ski, or simply admire the view from Sandia Crest.
A small town along I-40 further east of the Sandia Mountains.
A cozy little town about 20 mi south of Albuquerque. There aren't really any tourist attractions here, but visitors passing through will find a couple of excellent restaurants.
A town about 30 mi east of Albuquerque on I-40, where the mountains give way to the rolling plains of eastern New Mexico.
A tiny settlement in the southeastern portion of the region, Mountainair sits on the eastern side of the smaller Manzano Mountains range and is primarily known as the home of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, a set of three sites in the vicinity of the town which preserve the striking ruins of Spanish mission-era churches alongside the remnants of abandoned Native American pueblos.
One of the primary attractions of New Mexico is its large and diverse collection of American Indian (or, Native American—both terms are used in the state) pueblos, reservations, artwork, and of course, people. The 19 pueblos are spread across north central, central, and northwest New Mexico.
For the town in Spain, see Alburquerque Albuquerque, also known as ABQ, is a vibrant, sprawling city near the center of New Mexico. Cradled in the Rio Grande Valley beneath the Sandia Mountains, it is by far the largest city in the state, acting as the media, educational, and economic center of New Mexico, as well as the home of the state's only major airport, making it a common entry point into New Mexico.
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