48 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2022 Media Guide WHILE YOU’RE IN ALBUQUERQUE PERFORMING ARTS Albuquerque is home to a thriving performing arts scene, with several venues offering tickets ranging from $10-$15. Albuquerque’s flourishing arts community offers the chance to catch amazing live theater, dance, music, poetry and other performing arts at one of Albuquerque’s many venues. OUTDOOR RECREATION With 310+ days of sunshine per year and an average altitude around 5,500 feet, Albuquerque and its neighboring two-mile-high Sandia Mountains provide excellent terrain for hiking and biking in the summer, and skiing or snowboarding in the winter. The city’s location in a high desert rift valley also lends itself to hot air ballooning, cycling, affordable golfing, rock climbing, bouldering, geocaching, bird watching, fishing, rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, llama trekking, horseback riding and much more throughout the year. VisitABQ.org/outdoors   CULINARY New Mexican food is truly unique. The star ingredient is the chile pep - per—our state vegetable. Harvested in the late summer while still green, the long, narrow peppers are served freshly roasted and peeled, or frozen for use throughout the year. Most often you’ll find green chile made into a spicy sauce that’s ladled over enchiladas, burritos and stuffed sopapillas. Red chile peppers, left on the plants to ripen to a deep garnet color, are strung into ristras to dry. These dried red chile peppers are rehydrated and pureed into a velvety smooth sauce that adorns huevos rancheros, tamales and enchiladas—served stacked, not rolled. Our state question is “red or green?” If you want both, answer “Christmas” to order like a local. Aside from traditional New Mexican food, the city’s culinary scene is a cultural melting pot with Italian, French, Brazilian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Latin, Southern soul food and more. A blend of upscale establishments and casual comfort food is sprinkled throughout the city, allowing for a scene that’s always deliciously accessible. VisitABQ.org/cuisine WINE & BEER New Mexico is the oldest wine-growing region in the country, and area wineries offer tastings and tours. The city is also home to an ever-growing number of local microbreweries and taprooms, and the nation’s first officially designated Brewery District. VisitABQ.org/wine-beer MAJOR ATTRACTIONS ABQ BioPark The ABQ BioPark is an award-winning environmental museum comprising four facilities: Aquarium, Botanic Garden, Zoo and Tingley Beach. The Aquarium houses a new River Otter exhibit; a new Butterflies and Bees exhibit recently opened at the Botanic Garden; and the Zoo is now home to the new Penguin Chill exhibit. http://www.cabq.gov/biopark; (505) 768-2000 [CONTINUED]