Amid undulating hills and volcanic rocks that rise and dip along New Mexico's West Mesa, nearly 15,000 ancient rock drawings serve as testament to a rich Native American and Spanish history. This 7,100-acre (2873-hectare) monument, deemed to be one of North America's most significant petroglyph sites, contains some of the nation's largest natural displays of prehistoric artwork. The drawings date back to a time when Anasazi nomadic hunters etched various drawings and messages onto the black basalt boulders of the escarpment just west of the Rio Grande. It also includes historic etchings of Spanish settlers who roamed these lands nearly 700 years ago. Together, these priceless drawings serve as indelible vestiges of cultures that once influenced and breathed life into these landscapes. Both an adventurous and education experience, visitors to the monument can take a ranger-guided tour that can last up to two hours or explore various trails on their own.
Built in 1868, Old San Ysidro Church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This old church is named after the patron saint of farmers, Saint Isidore. Take a guided tour of this church and learn about its history. This historic church offers space to host events like weddings and art shows. The church’s Rustic-style interiors exudes an old world charm.
Integration of six districts, Downtown Albuquerque covers a major commercial area of Albuquerque and boasts of umpteen attractions and historic architectures to interest any tourist. Downtown Albuquerque represents a perfect blend of business and pleasure. It is a place where you would find modern structures on one hand and historic places like Simms Building and Old Post Office on the other. Annual Carnivals and festivals are a welcome breathers in the fast-paced city life. From dining to hotels, Downtown is as good as it can get—accommodating every budget. This area of Albuquerque speaks of vibrancy, energy and of-course—great nightlife.
Route 66 was commissioned in 1926 and was finished just before World War II. Although no longer a designated highway, parts of the original route still exist, with many efforts to restore and maintain sections of this historic road carried out to preserve its heritage. A number of attractions and sites along this byway are testaments to the culture and traditions which dominate America's landscape, painting an evocative picture of its history. Explore the remnants of a number of time-honored establishments and sites spanning several states, regaling visitors with their old-world charm and historic nuances.
Sunshine Building is one of the first high-rise buildings built from reinforced concrete. Bright yellow brick veneer gave the building its name, and trademark features like complex, molded concrete corbels identify the architect, Henry C. Trost. Inside, you can ride to the upper floors one of the only attendant-operated elevators in the Southwest. The building houses a theater, which originally screened silent movies and was the most popular theater in town when it was built back in 1924. It has now been converted to a venue for live performances such as theater, dance, and concerts.
TWA Flight 260 Crash Site, on the Sandia Peak Tramway, denotes the bitter remains of the plane crash that killed thirteen people on February 19, 1955. The aircraft was a 40-passenger passenger plane belonging to the Trans World Airlines and within it were 13 civilians and crew members on board, that became victims of the crash in this hilly region. Even today, engine parts, structure debris and flight instruments of the doomed plane can be viewed at the crash site.