As an all-around destination for the LGBTQ+ traveler, Albuquerque celebrates diversity. Visitors will encounter enchanting art and performances, exquisite cuisine featuring the flavors and spices of New Mexico, and the gorgeous high-desert landscapes. When visiting this fall, travelers will not want to miss the following experiences:
Hot Air Ballooning/Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: Albuquerque is often referred to as the “Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World,” and every October the city hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Oct. 2-10, 2021). During the festival, over 500 hot air balloons will fly over the beautiful city.
Chile picking and roasting: The end of summer and beginnings of fall mean one thing here in Albuquerque - it’s chile harvesting season; and chile harvesting means chile roasting. While we enjoy our chile year round, this is many locals’ favorite time of year, and chile roasting season is something every Albuquerque visitor should experience. Big Jim Farms offers a U-Pick experience through the end of October.
Take the Sandia Peak Tram to the top of the mountains: The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway transports you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain. See nature’s dramatic beauty unfold before you. At sunset the desert skies produce a spectacular array of color from the observation deck atop 10,378 foot Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view of the “Land of Enchantment.”
Explore the city by bike: Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals is a family-owned boutique in the heart of Historic Old Town with a focus on providing unique, sustainable experiences and products. Visitors can experience a number of guided bike tours throughout the city including scenic bike tours (art, rive tours), gourmet bike tours (chile, winery, brewery, taco tours), and the popular Breaking Bad themed “Biking Bad” tour.
Photos: Raymond Wyatt, Jay Blackwood