The City of Rio Rancho is the fastest-growing city in New Mexico. Incorporated in 1981, the city has a 2009 population of more than 80,000 and is the third largest city in the State. The City of Rio Rancho is located in Central New Mexico between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Rio Rancho is a great place for your base when touring Sandoval County and Central New Mexico!
Gab & Evonna Joiner, native New Mexicans, have called Rio Rancho home for the past 18 years. After Gab bought his first antique car in 1959, a 1926 Model T Ford coupe, which he later traded for a ‘28 Chevrolet, he also bought a 1918 Model T Ford that had been made into a pickup from a touring car the same year in Raton. Gab’s passion for vintage and antique automobiles has grow ever since and has resulted in a collection of more than 70 cars and trucks. These vehicles range in age from circa 1907-1966. Some are fully restored, while others retain their original paint, upholstery and motor grease. Step through the entrance to the main showroom and you will be swept away to a time when cars came with tool kits and people on cross-country drives wore goggles and brought along their mechanics. The museum also serves as a way station for the Great Race, a coast-to-coast event exclusively for vintage autos.
Day-tripping or a vacation of its own, Rio Rancho is one of the up-and-coming destinations in New Mexico. Located across the Rio Grande from Albuquerque, this fast-growing town has much to offer the visitor, whether it be a day trip or longer.
Scenic Byways, world-class museums, archaeological ruins, and national parks all await in Rio Rancho. From the ancient Anasazi Indians, dating back 12,000 years to Spanish explorers of the late 1500s, the area is history-rich. Petroglyph National Monument weaves pictorial stories of these ancient peoples and Hispanic explorer Coronado left his mark at nearby Coronado State Monument.
Modern high-tech attractions mix together with the area’s history, providing a multi-cultural tapestry of experiences and explorations. Unique events like Rio Rancho’s fun and tasty Pork-N-Brew BBQ State Championship tempt the tastebuds of locals and visitors alike. Rio Rancho’s high-desert, delectable climate and breathtaking vistas and explorations surrounding every turn make it a destination in its own right. Affordable lodging, great dining and shopping opportunities all add up to a ‘view- worthy’ visit to Rio Rancho!
Less than an hour from Albuquerque’s international airport and the allure of Santa Fe beats the heart of New Mexico. Can you hear it? Cool mountain forests. Hot springs. Lush riverbanks. High desert vistas. Can you see it? Spicy chile and exquisite wine. Can you taste it? Sandoval County is a land of contrast steeped in history. From pueblo Indians to Spanish explorers to Mexican traders, these diverse cultures continue to enrich this land and all its visitors. Can you feel it? From bustling Rio Rancho and Bernalillo to the serenity of Jemez Springs and wide-open wilderness, Sandoval County has plenty to offer.
For more information, visit:
Sandoval County Visitor Center
264 Camino del Pueblo
Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004
505-867-TOUR (8687) / 800-252-0191
We were recently contacted by a Travel Guide NEW MEXICO reader and watcher looking for suggestions about non-skiing activities in Angel Fire, New Mexico. We have a few recommendations and wanted to share them with everyone:
We recommend a stop at the Angel Fire Convention and Visitors Bureau, on the far end of Main Street — they have lots of information and can help you with reservations and ideas for additional non-skiing opportunities.
A few last thoughts … make sure you treat yourselves to dinner at the Roasted Clove, which is near the Resort at Angel Fire. It is one of the finest restaurants we’ve eaten in while touring the state. Everything from incredible burgers to great steaks and sea food. You won’t go wrong. I think Monday night is their special burger night. Well worth checking out.
We also recommend that you get into your car at dusk or just around dawn and drive up the mountain. The roads are paved and clear of snow (99% of the time). If you want to see Elk you’re almost a shoe-in for great pictures. Lots of “critters” around and on the mountain.
We represent the finest hotels, motels and resorts in the state of New Mexico. Founded in 1934, the New Mexico Lodging Association (NMLA) is New Mexico’s trade association representing the lodging industry.
NMLA represents some 300 individual hotels, motels, resorts and bed & breakfast inns, comprising of over 29,000 transient rooms or approximately 64% of the total room inventory in New Mexico. It’s leadership typifies the hotelier of the 21st century, experienced in all aspects of managing a hotel and dedicated to serving the needs of both the leisure and business traveler.
Combine the vision of an award-winning developer of active adult communities with the prestige of the Village of Los Lunas. The result is Jubilee Los Lunas, the largest active adult community in New Mexico’s history!
Jenamar communities is proud to present Jubilee Los Lunas, which promises to be the preeminent residential choice for New Mexico’s active adults. The community features a selection of single family homes, specifically designed to enhance the incredible high-desert property within the Huning Ranch master planned development.
Surrounding these stunning homes are miles of walking trails and open space that winds through El Cerro de Los Lunas, the mountain which serves as the community’s striking backdrop.
I have to admit … I’ve lived here permanently eight years and had never gone to Elephant Butte. Fishing has never been at the top of my priority list but that all changed with the introduction to Frank Vilorio, ace fishing guide and someone you would want to share a brew with after a great day on the water.
Frank has been a guide on Elephant Butte Lake for years and he knows every nook and cranny of the lake. I found this out right away when he put down the anchor in a little cove and said it was time to catch the bait we would use that day. Catch bait? Now there’s something I hadn’t heard of before … I thought you bought the bait in a store! Nope, Frank says you have to use live fish to catch fish. He was right!
Off we went and before long we were hauling in White Bass and looking for the elusive big Striper Bass. Jordan and Heather from Wyoming were along with us and Jordan showed us the “biggest” fish in the lake … about three inches long. But the second bite was one much bigger and the kind that would fit nicely into a campfire cook stove. We, of course, caught and released.
We were all enjoying the pristine New Mexico day – lots of sunshine and beautiful surroundings – when Heather snagged a Striper! This one was at least 15 pounds and gave Heather a nice fight before landing this “baby” in the boat. After everyone got to take a look this great fish was also returned to its native habitat.
Frank had us on the lake for about six hours and we could have stayed longer had we not had more filming to do for Travel Guide New Mexico. But he was quick to invite us back and we’ll take him up on that offer.
If you want to see some of the trophy fish that Frank has engineered for his charter participants check out his website and www.stripersnewmexico.com. Now these are some fish!
Thanks, Frank, for a great day at Elephant Butte. To see more click on our Elephant Butte video. And remember … Elephant Butte is New Mexico’s largest lake. In addition to fishing the boating and camping are terrific! Enjoy …
Pick your adventure in and around Taos, a small town that offers a respected artistic community, many treasures of history and access to worlds of sporting thrills. Get a real taste of frontier history at the Kit Carson Home and Museum, the notorious Governor Bent Home, or the Blumenschein Home & Museum. Take in the artistic side of the area at the Fechin Institute or the Harwood Museum of Art. Taos also puts you within reach of spectacular skiing at Taos Ski Valley or Wheeler Peak, or whitewater rafting at Taos Box on the Rio Grande. Visit Rancho de Taos for historic churches, or Taos Pueblo to see an ancient American Indian community.
Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. We welcome you to visit our village when you travel to northern New Mexico.
Taos Pueblo is open daily Monday – Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm and Sunday 8:30am-4:30pm. Guided tours are available.
You are currently browsing the archives for the New Mexico Destinations category.
