Tex-Mex is a popular cuisine choice around the country, particularly in states like Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. Albuquerque, New Mexico’s capital city is full of restaurants offering their take on this fusion of American and Mexican Cuisine. Here are four top Tex-Mex restaurants to try in Albuquerque. 

  1. Frontier

An Albuquerque institution since 1971, Frontier offers Tex-Mex favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their New Mexican Tex-Mex menu includes tacos, enchiladas, a carne adovado burrito, and chicken nachos to name a few. Locals love to come here for the burritos especially. The breakfast burrito with an egg, hash browns, cheese, and a choice of green chile or meat is a particular favorite.

In addition to tasty Tex-Mex dishes, Frontier serves up standard diner dishes like burgers, sandwiches, and salads. It’s a local late night hang out and preferred place to study for students in the University neighborhood of the city. Read the rest of this entry »

Albuquerque is an outdoor lover’s paradise. It’s full of many natural places to hike, bike, golf, and more. If you’re visiting Albuquerque for the first time or are a native looking for something new to try, here are three outdoor activities to do. 

  1. Hike at Petroglyph National Monument

Run by the National Park Service, Petroglyph National Monument is one of the largest examples of historical rock drawings and designs in the country. It’s also a great place to go hiking. There are four different areas to choose from. At the Volcanoes Day Use Area, you can take a two-mile hike from the Albuquerque Overlook to the parking lot. It takes you over some of the volcanoes in the area.

For a more scenic route, you can take the JA Volcano and Albuquerque Overlook for a mile. It gives you views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Sandia Mountains. Those who want to explore the petroglyphs can take the Rinconada Canyon trail. This gives you a wonderful view of many of the rock carvings and the general area. You’ll see the remains of a 200,000-year-old volcanic eruption as you walk. The trail is just under 3.5 miles so bring plenty of water and your hiking boots. Read the rest of this entry »

As the most populous city in the state of New Mexico, it comes as no surprise that Albuquerque is home to a host of museums that exhibits anything ranging from turquoise to dinosaur skeletons to native Indian artifacts. If you find yourself in the area, here are a few museums that are well worth a visit. 

  1. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

This museum strives to preserve the unique natural and scientific heritage of New Mexico, and also to educate the public through exhibits, talks, and programs. The big, two-story building houses impressive dinosaur constructions, ice age cave replicas, minerals, and even a walk-through volcano. If you are interested in understanding how the process of paleontological preparation works, a group of trained volunteers at FossilWorks, currently working on fossils from a Jurassic site, will be all too willing to demonstrate the intricacies of this process.

Apart from exhibits, the museum also houses a planetarium, as well as a dynatheater where you can watch 3D movies such as “Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation” and “National Parks Adventure.” The museum also regularly hosts talks and events, such as an upcoming laser show focusing on the night sky, specifically focusing on Orion, and Perseus and Andromeda.

The museum is located at 1801 Mountain Road and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Read the rest of this entry »

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a city rich in diversity, culture, and history. It’s shaped by both Spanish and Mexican influences. This is apparent in the many historical places throughout the city. Here are four destinations to visit the next time you’re in town. 

  1. Old Town

Old Town is the historical part of Albuquerque. Here you’ll find cottonwood trees and cobblestone streets, and iconic Adobe structures to visit. Among the numerous destinations to visit here is San Felipe de Neri Church. Built centuries ago, it serves as the anchor of Old Town and includes the church, a school, rectory, and a museum. There are also some beautiful historical religious artifacts that are worth a look while you’re there.

After you tour the Church, head to the vendors at the nearby La Placita portal. Here you’ll find handmade crafts from multiple cultures and traditions. This crafts marketplace dates all the way back to 1706 when early Spanish settlers started this tradition.

  1. Historic Route 66

This part of the historical destinations list is not only part of Albuquerque history but also US culture. Route 66 is a famously traveled route that you can still find today. But it helped contribute significantly to Albuquerque’s economy and growth, particularly in the early 20th century.

The Albuquerque stretch of the famous roadway is the longest, coming in at 18 miles and officially traveled from 1925 to 1985. You can still see the famous signs that run along Central Ave, greeting both tourists and natives alike. If you feel so inclined, you can also stay at a historic Route 66 motel or eat at one of the diners. Read the rest of this entry »

Like many other companies, Ford is looking for ways to improve performance while protecting the environment. One of the ways that it does this is with the EcoBoost engine. The EcoBoost is more fuel-efficient and produces fewer emissions while also being more powerful than other engine options. This leaves many drivers confused as to how it works,  since eco-friendly options are generally thought to be less powerful than their counterparts. Here is a look at what makes the EcoBoost engine of the 2018 Ford Escape so powerful. 

Turbocharging

One of the most common ways of boosting engine performance is through turbocharging, which involves using different methods to increase air intake. Increasing the airflow rate allows for faster, stronger, and all-around better combustion. The EcoBoost engine harnesses the power of the exhaust system to turbocharge its air intake.

The exhaust cannot be fed back into the engine, but it is used to spin a turbine that compresses air and feeds it into the engine quickly. By doing so the engine gets a higher airflow rate and creates a burst of extra energy.  Read the rest of this entry »

Ford’s EcoSport provides a practical solution to everyday driving that is better for the environment while still providing an enjoyable driving experience. While most environmentally friendly cars can be less impressive in performance, the EcoSport can be fun to drive for a number of reasons. If you are looking for a way to help the environment and enjoy your daily commute, here are four technologies that will make driving the 2018 Ford EcoSport more enjoyable. 

  1. Sport-Tuned Suspension

A good sport-tuned suspension can make any car feel more like a race car. The key is in the suspension dampening, which allows the suspension to control how fast and extensively it responds to stimulus. A sport-tuned suspension also promotes better performance by giving you better control over the road in different situations. The Ford EcoSport comes with a sport-tuned suspension, which makes it feel smooth but in touch with the road as you drive.  Read the rest of this entry »

Children have tons of energy, especially on those chilly, dark nights of fall and winter. Sometimes it seems like they’re going to bring the house down. Finding something to keep them occupied is a never-ending challenge for parents everywhere. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of three ways to entertain the kids on dark nights around Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Go to the Museum on First Friday Nights

New Mexico’s Museum of Natural History and Science sits on the outskirts of Old Town, next to the Albuquerque Museum. Featuring exhibits that span 12 billion years of natural history, this museum lets you discover a collection of life-size replicas from the Jurassic era. Venture into the Hall of the Stars for an explanation of the night sky, and stop by the museum’s 3D movie theater.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is open late from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. other days. General admission is just $8 for adults and $5 for children. Exhibits like the 3D movie theater and planetarium come with an additional cost. Read the rest of this entry »

Local farmer’s markets seem to spring up everywhere nowadays. People from all walks of life are enjoying the benefits of freshly grown produce and grass-fed meats. Chances are, there’s a farmers market within a few miles of your home in New Mexico. Here are three farmers markets you need to visit this fall around Albuquerque. 

  1. Downtown Growers’ Market

Discover Downtown Growers’ Market at Robinson Park on the corner of 8th Street and Central. It’s open to the public every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Get there early and get great deals on local items, with everything from food vendors, farmers, and artisan’s wares.

This dog-friendly market has a nice grassy area in the middle that’s perfect for resting and enjoying a snack. Grab a scoop of homemade strawberry ice cream or an authentic burrito. You’ll also find regional honey and bee pollen, often the perfect remedy for those who are battling seasonal allergies.  Read the rest of this entry »

Are you a fan of the TV show “Better Call Saul?” This black comedy is a prequel to the show “Breaking Bad” and premiered back in 2015, earning rave reviews from critics and viewers alike. It’s filmed on location in Albuquerque to provide an authentic on-camera look. This means there are plenty of spots in the area you can visit to see where the actors and crew filmed some of the show’s most iconic moments. Check out these locations if you want to take your fandom to the next level. 

The Nail Salon

Remember back in season one, when Jimmy was a struggling lawyer and had his office in the back of a nail salon? This is a real nail salon called Day Spa and Nail that you can visit. While they might not provide cucumber water like in the show, the nail technicians do provide excellent mani-pedis. Pamper yourself while soaking in the atmosphere; the address is 160 Juan Tabo Blvd. in Albuquerque. Read the rest of this entry »

In the field of subcompact SUVs, the 2018 Ford EcoSport reigns supreme. This mini SUV features a wide range of user-friendly tech to make your ride more comfortable. Learn more about this vehicle from Ford to see if it’s the right fit for you. 

Integration With Modern Tech

Do you use Waze to direct yourself during rush-hour traffic? If so, you’ll love the fact that the Waze app is compatible with the Sync 3 AppLink entertainment system. This allows you to get the best-hidden routes to your destination, as well as get real-time traffic, road hazard, and accident alerts. Operate the app through the EcoSport’s available 8-inch touch screen or use hands-free voice commands to eliminate distractions.

The EcoSport also comes with a new Ford+Alexa app, which combines the power of the Sync 3 AppLink system with the convenience of Alexa to provide traffic information, voice navigation, Amazon Prime shopping, and more. If you’d like, you can even control your smart home devices from your car to turn the lights on before you return. Read the rest of this entry »