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The city of Albuquerque, stretched out like a sun-soaked tapestry below Sandia Peak. After miles of switchbacks and a healthy dose of elevation gain, this is the kind of view that reminds you why you lace up your boots in the first place.
Central New Mexico

Albuquerque’s Top 3 Hikes—and Why Tree Spring Trail Keeps Me Coming Back 🌲🥾

10 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Looking for the best hikes in Albuquerque? Here's a local’s take on three top trails—including the under-the-radar favorite I keep coming back to: Tree Spring Trail in the East Mountains.

La Matanza in Belen, New Mexico, is a vibrant celebration of community, culture, and cuisine, where skilled cooks prepare traditional dishes like carne adovada and chicharrones over steaming cauldrons. Amid the crisp winter air, the festival brings people together to honor ranching heritage, share rich flavors, and keep New Mexico’s Hispano traditions alive.
Central New MexicoFood

The Belen Matanza in New Mexico: Where Tradition Sizzles, Chicharrónes Crackle, and Pants Get Tight 🐖

10 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

From Chicharrónes to Community Spirit: Everything you need to know about the Belen Matanza Experience

The Sandia Peak Tram glides toward the top, reaching an impressive height of 10,378 feet. From up there, you’re treated to sweeping views of Albuquerque sprawled below and the rugged, sun-soaked shrublands stretching out to the west.
Central New Mexico

Experience Albuquerque from Above: The Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway 🚡

10 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Take the Sandia Peak Aerial Tram to one of New Mexico’s best views. From dramatic landscapes to hiking adventures, it’s the perfect Albuquerque escape.

Get Ready to Feel the Heat: The 2025 National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show in Albuquerque
Central New MexicoFood

Get Ready to Feel the Heat: The 2025 National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show in Albuquerque 🌶️🔥

11 months agonewmexicotravelguy2 comments

Feeling the burn as the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue show returns to Albuquerque, New Mexico from February 28 - March 2, 2025.

Here's another look at St. Elizabeth’s Church (Bazylika św. Elżbiety Węgierskiej), along with colorful historic townhouses that house cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Beyond NM - Europe

A Road Trip through the Baltics – The Journey You Didn’t Know Was on Your Bucket List (Part 5 of 5): Poland

11 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Wrap up your Baltic road trip with a journey through Poland. Explore The Wolf's Lair, Wrocław, Toruń, Auschwitz, Ojców National Park, and Kraków

Cathedral Square is the heart of Vilnius, packed with history and landmarks. Vilnius Cathedral (left): This iconic building with tall columns is central to Lithuania’s Christian history. Palace of the Grand Dukes (right): Once home to rulers, it’s now a museum showcasing Lithuania’s rich past. Gediminas Tower (far right): The last piece of the Upper Castle, offering incredible city views. Grand Duke Gediminas Monument (center): A tribute to the founder of Vilnius in the square’s heart.
Beyond NM - Europe

A Road Trip through the Baltics – The Journey You Didn’t Know Was on Your Bucket List (Part 4 of 5): Lithuania

11 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Discover Lithuania's Hill of Crosses and Vilnius: A journey through faith, resilience, and history in the heart of the Baltics.

Welcome to Riga, Latvia! This photo features the House of the Black Heads, located in Riga’s Old Town. Built in 1334, it started as a meeting place for public organizations and banquets. Today, it’s a symbol of Riga’s history and a must-visit for anyone in Latvia’s capital.
Beyond NM - Europe

A Road Trip through the Baltics – The Journey You Didn’t Know Was on Your Bucket List (Part 3 of 5): Latvia

12 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Your Latvia Road Trip Playlist: Gauja National Park, Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track, and the capital city of Riga.

This picture captures a slice of Tallinn, Estonia’s medieval city walls, complete with its famous towers. The towers are part of the remarkably well-preserved defenses that wrap around Tallinn’s Old Town. These towers are linked by the old defensive walls that were built between the 13th and 16th centuries. The whole area is a centerpiece of Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and a favorite spot for visitors to explore.
Beyond NM - Europe

A road trip through the Baltics – the journey you didn’t know was on your bucket list (Part 2 of 5): Estonia

12 months agonewmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Your Estonia Road Trip Playlist: Tallinn, Soomaa National Park, and Pärnu

Flags of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (from left to right)
Beyond NM - Europe

A road trip through the Baltics – the journey you didn’t know was on your bucket list (Part 1 of 5): Overview

January 13, 2025newmexicotravelguy2 comments

From Tallinn to Kraków, this Baltic road trip hits small towns, capitals, and stunning landscapes.
Part 1: An introduction to the Baltics.

Ristras hanging from a store in Hatch, New Mexico
Food

Exploring the Flavors of New Mexico: An Interview with Art Pollard, Author of “Enchantment: A New Mexican Cookbook” (2024) 🌶️📖

December 30, 2024newmexicotravelguyAdd comment

Discover New Mexico's rich food traditions with Art Pollard's cookbook "Enchantment: A New Mexican Cookbook" featuring 1,200 authentic recipes.

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If you have any suggestions for places, people, or events I should feature in an upcoming post, feel free to contact me at mark@newmexicotravelguy.com

Destinations

  • Central New Mexico 20
  • Northeast New Mexico 6
  • Northwest New Mexico 4
  • Southeast New Mexico 14
  • Southwest New Mexico 10
  • Beyond NM - Africa 1
  • Beyond NM - Canada 5
  • Beyond NM - Europe 6
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  • Beyond NM - United States 1
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Recent Stories

Down here it’s one jaw-dropping scene after another.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park: A Day in the Cave and a Night With the Bats
3 months ago
Blue-tailed Damselflies (Ischnura elegans) in the classic “wheel position” during mating — a heart-shaped snapshot of odonate courtship.
Dragons and Damsels Take Flight at Bitter Lake’s Dragonfly Festival
4 months ago
Truth or Consequences may have a quirky name, but this view’s what really sells it—soaking in mineral-rich hot springs with the Rio Grande at your feet and Turtleback Mountain rising gently in the distance.
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico: Hot Springs, Quirky History, and Riverside Adventures ♨️
5 months ago
A path paved in bones — and not for the reason you might think.
Silver City, New Mexico: Clay, Copper, and a Field of Bones 🏺⚒️💀
5 months ago
Launching a lantern at the Obon Festival
Celebrating Japanese Culture in New Mexico: The 2025 Obon and Aki Matsuri Festivals in Albuquerque 🪔🍁🎎
6 months ago
Once a model home, this Earthship now serves as a classroom at the Earthship Biotecture Visitor Center — built with recycled bottles, adobe, and solar panels, and still running entirely off the grid.
Taos Earthships: What It’s Like to Visit — and Spend the Night Off the Grid 🛖
6 months ago
Glencoe, New Mexico
Glencoe, New Mexico: Tale of Cave, a Church, and a Valley of Coes 🏞️🕍🐺
6 months ago
Another view of Dam Site Marina in the distance—surrounded by desert textures, canyon curves, and just enough cactus to remind you you’re in southern New Mexico.
Elephant Butte, New Mexico: Lake Life, Bird Calls, and a Marina Makeover 🐘🚤🐟
7 months ago
A local favorite band, Nosotros, helps the crowd get their salsa dancing on
Santa Fe Summer Scene 2025: Free Music, Movies, and Outdoor Fun in the City Different 🌄🎶
8 months ago
New Mexico Ghost Towns: Lost Places, Lasting Stories, and Where to Find Them 🏚️🪦
8 months ago
The unassuming parking lot behind San Felipe de Neri Church—reportedly a hotspot for paranormal activity tied to long-forgotten graves.
Haunted Places in Albuquerque: Ghost Tour, Haunted Hotels, and Ghost Stories 👻
8 months ago
End of the road at Sandia Crest
Birding Sandia Crest in Albuquerque’s East Mountains: Searching for rosy-finches, three-toed woodpeckers, and other alpine birds
8 months ago

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