I have to admit that I took many trips to Albuquerque to see family in my childhood, but I never really explored the city or the surrounding area until recently. Not only did I find some unique activities and places to see, but I’m ready to go back and continue to discover its history and character.

Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, is a 6 1/2 hour drive from Denver or an easy 1 1/2 hour direct flight. Depending on what you want to see and do here, it could be a weekend or a whole week of culture, food and more.

Of the top five cities from which visitors come to visit Albuquerque, Denver is third (ahead of Phoenix and Dallas), according to Visit Albuquerque.

Here are a few things I experienced during my trip that I believe can only be found in and around Albuquerque.

1. Albuquerque is home to what is estimated to be the largest collection of petroglyphs in the country at Petroglyph National Monument, with perhaps as many as 25,000 petroglyphs here. Petroglyphs are rock carvings made when someone chiseled into the rock surface and were probably made between 1300 and the late 1680s by the ancestors of the Pueblo people.

Interpretive signs offer insight into what the various designs might have meant, such as representing a tribe or clan—or one of my favorites showing a macaw parrot is said to represent “the complexity and development of Pueblo culture through trade and communication of ideas. with Mesoamerican cultures”. When visiting here, it’s essential to know that there are a few distinct places to drive between to hike to see the cliffs.

Advice: This 17 mile stretch is completely exposed, so if it’s sunny you’ll be warm and need water and a hat, but if it’s cold you’ll need a warm coat (and also water and a hat ).

2. While no one gets a college degree in a weekend visit, the University of New Mexico is the only place in the United States where you can flamenco dance. Visitors can see a flamenco dance performance – Tablao Flamenco is one example – and also sign up to take a flamenco dance lesson.

The National Institute of Flamenco is based here and runs summer camps and an annual Flamenco Festival in June. The institute partners with UNM’s Department of Theater and Dance to offer the only accredited dance program in the country with a flamenco concentration.

Although I had no expectations before watching a flamenco show, I was deeply moved by this style of dance that has its roots in Spain. Talking to one of the dancers after the emotional performance, I learned that it’s “like jazz,” as she described it, that offers a unique experience every time.

Advice: Combine flamenco with petroglyphs when there’s a show in the park.

3. New Mexico is one of two states with an official state cookie, and here it is the biscochito (or bizcochito, pronounced BIZ-co-cheeto). This shortbread-style cookie dusted with cinnamon is a local favorite that’s worth a try. At Golden Crown Panaderia, they also make a blue cornmeal version that is delicious. This family-run bakery thinks beyond the traditional, with a green chile loaf and a 24-hour vending machine where you can pick up some cookies whenever you want—the only automated teller machine, or “Cookie ATM,” for a cookie in the state.

Advice: Order a dozen of these because you’re sure to eat more.

4. The largest concave fresco in the US can be found at the Welcome Center of the National Hispanic Cultural Center and Torréon. Inside this tower there are benches for visitors to sit and look up and around at this 4,000 square meter painting, “Mundos de Mestizaje” by artist Frederico Vigil. It is literally dizzying! Guided tours of this painting are available showing people, food, buildings, animals and more representations to tell this immense story. You can sign up for a tour in advance on the center’s website.

Advice: Plan your visit around one of the many events taking place at the center such as dance performances, poetry readings, live music and more. La Fonda del Bosque is the hotel’s restaurant for weekday lunch or Friday night dinner.

5. If you’re staying at Hotel Albuquerque or Hotel Chaco near Sawmill Square, you’re within easy walking distance of many museums and the city’s Old Town, but it’s worth renting a car for a day trip to Acoma Pueblo and take a tour. Sky City. The drive there takes about an hour, then the guided tour takes another 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Acoma Pueblo claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America, dating back to 1150 AD. You start your experience at the Haak’u Museum and Sky City Cultural Center, which is worth your time to explore, and also shop and dine in the Y. ‘aak’a Café, and then pay a fee to attend on tour. The bus will take visitors to the top of the 370-foot mesa, where you will then be driven around the village and take in the gorgeous views. One of the interesting things we learned on our tour is that this is a matriarchal society.

Advice: Bring cash to buy some locally made items near the end of the tour.

6. At the Albuquerque Museum there are several galleries worth exploring, but one of them is simply called “Only in Albuquerque” and is a history of the city. Take a few minutes to step inside and learn about the Duke of Albuquerque, Route 66 and more.

Advice: Stop by the gift shop where you can purchase many locally made items, including Kei & Molly Textiles, such as kitchenware.

7. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a nonprofit organization created by the state’s 19 pueblos. Pueblo is a term used to describe a tribe or village of a tribe and is also used by some people in place of “reservation”. Each pueblo is a sovereign nation. Modern tours can include casinos, hotels, and other businesses, as well as tours of historic buildings. If you can’t make it to any of the state’s pueblos during your time in Albuquerque, stop downtown to see a live dance performance, view (and maybe buy) jewelry or pottery, explore the art on display, or dine at Indian Pueblo Cuisine.

Advice: Schedule your time here to include a meal and watch a dance.

Each of these places and activities can be experienced at any time of the year, but some also include annual events, so check the calendar to include – or avoid – these holidays as well. If you want to visit museums, keep in mind that a lot of places in Albuquerque are closed on Mondays.

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