Albuquerque, New Mexico, dates back to Francisco Vásquez de Coronado’s arrival in 1540, but the city we know today wasn’t founded until 1706. Back then it was called San Francisco de Alburquerque, but the extra “r” fell off somewhere along the way. Before you visit, here are some things you probably didn’t know about Albuquerque.
Red or Green?
When you order a meal, the server will ask if you want red or green. Red or green chile is a traditional spicy sauce. Green chile consists of roasted and skinned green peppers, not the sweet kind. Red chili comes from peppers that have been left on the vine to mellow. Most restaurant dishes include a choice of chile. If you can’t make up your mind, order “Christmas” chile, and you’ll get both.
Route 66
Cruise Central Avenue and encounter the famous Route 66. The 2,400-mile road now passes through eight states and runs from Los Angeles to Chicago. Back in the 1950s, the road only consisted of the part in Albuquerque. Then, motels lined Central Avenue, or Route 66, where they welcomed travelers. Due to an alignment adjustment, Route 66 now crosses itself. The original Route 66 (Fourth Street) and the modern Route 66 (Central Avenue) meet in downtown Albuquerque.
There are not as many hotels and motels along Central Avenue today, but finding a room for the night is easy. Albuquerque offers many hotels, and to get the best deal, you should visit in the off-season from January to April. Pleasant temperatures prevail, and you’ll experience fewer crowds.
Volcanoes and Mountains
The city sits between the Albuquerque Volcanoes on the west and the Sandia Mountains on the east. There are no eruptions to worry about, though, as the volcanoes are extinct. In the winter, ski the Sandia Mountains, and in the spring or summer, hike or mountain bike. The Sandia Peak Tramway takes you 2.7 miles up the mountain to a restaurant and viewing area. It’s also interesting to note that the name Sandia means watermelon in Spanish because locals say the mountains look like watermelons at dusk.
The First Personal Computer
Did you know that Microsoft launched in Albuquerque in 1975? The company moved to Washington in 1979 after studying the Altair 8800, the first-known personal computer, which was created by an Air Force officer stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. That computer cost around $400 and came with 256 bytes of RAM. Compare that to today’s iPhone 6, which has 8 million times the memory.
Visit for the Climate
Albuquerque’s population grew steadily in the early 1900s because of the dry climate. Hundreds of people moved to Albuquerque suffering from tuberculosis, and in 1913, almost 50 percent of the population had the disease. To entice people to relocate, the local authorities coined the slogan, “Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the sick get well and the well get prosperous.”
If you like the sunshine, Albuquerque ranks 10th on the list of sunniest cities. Plan a visit to enjoy this interesting city and the charm of the Southwest.
