Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico, set in the central part of the state in the American Southwest. It is a place where a visitor can find a substantial city and a wide, open landscape close at hand. The city is also known by the nickname Duke City.
What draws visitors
Albuquerque is best known for its hot air balloon festival, an event that brings balloons into the sky and draws crowds from across the region. If your trip coincides with the festival, it is likely to be the defining feature of your visit. Even outside that event, the city offers the chance to see a large urban area framed by the New Mexico landscape.
Planning your visit
- Location: Central New Mexico, in the United States.
- Best suited to: Visitors interested in a city stay, ballooning, and the character of the Southwest.
- Also known as: Duke City, a name you may see on local signs and in regional writing.
Because the balloon festival is a major attraction, travellers may want to check dates in advance and plan accommodation and transport early. Albuquerque makes a practical base for exploring the state, giving you a city to return to after a day of driving or sightseeing elsewhere.
