Albuquerque, much better than you think

A press release I received earlier, I thought it might provide some insight into our fair city:

One of the summer’s best cities to visit offers an affordable, authentic getaway
Families can learn and discover in Albuquerque without breaking the bank

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (August 7, 2009) – Travelers seeking an affordable vacation packed with activities should consider Albuquerque for their next getaway. Others are touting how great Albuquerque is on the “best city” lists for several attributes, why not bring your family for a vacation and add Albuquerque to your “best cities to visit” list?

The city was recently named:
• 6th Best City in America for 2009 in Outside magazine
• Top 10 Best Cities to Live in 2009 in U.S. News & World Report
• 2nd Best City of 2009 in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
• One of the 10 Best Cities for Local Food in The Huffington Post
• 5th Best Big City Art Destination in American Style magazine
• 5th Fittest City in the United States by Men's Fitness magazine
• 2nd Most Affordable U.S. Destination by AAA in 2008 with daily food and lodging rates at just $179 per day

Albuquerque is an ideal family vacation destination with activities for children of all ages including a zoo, botanic gardens, aquarium, 16 museums, accessible outdoor recreation, and a variety of restaurants all under sunny, blue skies with a mild climate. Albuquerque’s distinctive blend of culture also creates an intriguing atmosphere for visitors to discover.

The city’s array of family activities is especially appropriate for those on a tight budget. Here are some sample Albuquerque itineraries for a family of four (two adults, two children) looking to spend less than $100 per day on activities:

Day One - Museums
• Explora offers hands-on science experiences for children of all ages $20
• Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum $10
• New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science $22
• Finish up the day with a free concert in Old Town Free
Daily total for a family of four: $52

Day Two - Outdoor Adventure
• Begin the day with a hike at the Petroglyph National Monument $2
• Venture into the Sandia Mountains Free
• Albuquerque Biological Park (zoo, aquarium and botanic gardens combo) $34
• Albuquerque Isotopes AAA baseball game $24
Daily total for a family of four: $60

Day Three - History & Culture
• Albuquerque Museum of Art & History $10
• Indian Pueblo Cultural Center $18
• An evening concert at the Rio Grande Zoo Music Series $20
Daily total for a family of four: $48

Interested in checking out all of Albuquerque’s incredible attractions for free? Enter a $600 sweepstakes by August 31, 2009 to win a trip for four at www.affordable.itsatrip.org.

Find out about all of Albuquerque’s rankings at http://www.itsatrip.org/albuquerque/top-rankings/.