Albuquerque - American Southwest - page 252

6001 Unser Blvd. NW (3 miles north of I-40 at Unser and Western Trail). & 505/899-0205. Fax 505/899-
0207. www.nps.gov/petr. Admission spring, fall, and winter $1 per vehicle; summer $2 per vehicle. DISC,
MC, V. Visitor Center and Boca Negra area daily 8am-5pm. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and
Christmas.
Sandia Peak Kids This fun and exciting half-day or evening outing allows
incredible views of the Albuquerque landscape and wildlife. The Sandia Peak Tram is a
“jigback”; in other words, as one car approaches the top, the other nears the bottom. The
two pass halfway through the trip, in the midst of a 1 1 / 2 -mile “clear span” of unsupported
cable between the second tower and the upper terminal.
Several hiking trails are available on Sandia Peak, and one of them—La Luz Trail—
takes you on a steep and rigorous trek from the base to the summit. The views in all
directions are extraordinary. Note: The trails on Sandia may not be suitable for children.
If you'd like to enjoy a meal during your trip, you can eat lunch (salads, burgers, and
pasta dishes) or dinner (steaks, seafood, and pasta) at the High Finance Restaurant and
Ta ve r n at the top of the tram. Recently opened at the base of the of the tram, Sandiago's
Mexican Grill serves lunch and dinner. Special tram rates apply with dinner reservations.
Be aware that the tram does not operate on very windy days. The ride takes 15 minutes
each way. Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours here, more if you're a hiker.
10 Tramway Loop NE. & 505/856-7325. Fax [phone]. www.sandiapeak.com. Admission $18
adults, $15 seniors and teens 13-20, $10 children 5-12, free for children 4 and under. Memorial Day-
Labor Day daily 9am-9pm; spring and fall Wed-Mon 9am-8pm, Tues 5-8pm; ski season Wed-Mon 9am-
8pm, Tues noon-8pm. Closed 2 weeks each spring and fall for maintenance; check the website for details.
Parking $1 daily. AE, DISC, MC, V. To reach the base of the tram, take I-25 north to Tramway Rd. (exit 234),
then proceed east about 5 miles on Tramway Rd. (NM 556); or take Tramway Blvd., exit 167 (NM 556),
north of I-40 approximately 8 1 / 2 miles.

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6 ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS

Albuquerque Biological Park: Aquarium and Botanic Garden Kids For
those of us born and raised in the desert, this attraction quenches years of soul thirst. The
self-guided aquarium tour begins with a beautifully produced 9-minute film that
describes the course of the Rio Grande from its origin to the Gulf Coast. Then, you'll
move on to the “touch pool,” where at certain times of day you can gently touch hermit
crabs and starfish. Next comes the eel tank, an arched aquarium you get to walk through
and a colorful coral-reef exhibit. Finally, culminating the show, is a 285,000-gallon shark
tank.
Within a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot conservatory, you'll find the botanical
garden, split into two sections. The smaller one houses the desert collection and features
plants from the lower Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts, including unique species from
Baja, California. The larger pavilion exhibits the Mediterranean collection and includes
many exotic species native to the Mediterranean climates of southern California, South
Africa, Australia, and the Mediterranean Basin. Allow at least 2 hours to see both parks.
There is a restaurant on the premises. May to September, the PNM Butterfly Pavilion
fills with the colors of several hundred North American butterflies.
In December, you can see the “River of Lights Holiday Light Display” Tuesday
through Sunday; and June through August, you can attend Thursday evening concerts.