I've been calling this fortress The Lodge for the last seven months, blame my midwestern roots,…read moreI've stayed in my share of lodges. While this one doesn't compare to, say, the place near the Boundary Waters where the black bear ripped out our car window and climbed into the backseat to eat marshmallows, this does measure up as a remarkable human feat, what with all the branches and the wooden roping and such. Is that rebar I see in there? Something man-made helps hold this thing up. Find this on the middle path just north of the Enchanted Glass Garden, another hidden gem awaiting you on your explorations of a State Park during a pandemic.

The red arrow is in the parking lot across the road from Whole Foods. A great photo op while you…read morepick up your costume from Spirit Halloween. be nice if there was a little step so you could sit on the platform and hug the arrow. Another fun pop culture stop to mix in with your history and nature stops.

You will find this gigantic red arrow, with its tip to the ground in a busy Whole Foods Parking…read morelot. It is an Albuquerque staple and a part of the city's culture. It could maybe use a fresh coat of paint, but it is still considerably in great shape since it has been there since 1961. Back then the shopping plaza was named Indiana Plaza. The arrow stands about 20 feet tall and looks like it was shoot into the stone base on which its sits. If the arrow does not already draw enough attention, it use to have neon lighting. However, it was too expensive to maintain so they scrapped it. Another interesting note is that in 1980, some of the plaza's tenants looked to add a few parking spots, which is premium in that location, by ripping out the arrow. The arrow was given landmark status though and it remains in it location today. There is an urban legend that the arrow ended up there by Lil' Beaver, the Indian sidekick of Red Ryder, the cowboy of TV, movie and comic strip fame, using a giant bow to shoot the arrow into an awaiting patch of soft concrete. I love the story and the hype, but I seriously doubt that it is true. I was able to pull into that same parking lot, park, get out and take a closer look. It was very easy. Anyway, as with most attractions that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, such as the space ship house or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip.

Hey, we humans are a pretty diverse species, aren't we? Different colors, genders, sexual…read morepreferences, not to mention political persuasions, curiosities and turn-ons, tats and piercings, culinary interests... hey, we're all so unique, right? And we love to post those status updates letting everybody know just how special we truly are, ad nauseam. But when it comes to how we inhabit this world, I'd argue that we're all pretty damn homogenous. Albuquerque's ever-burgeoning über-suburb, Rio Rancho, is case-in-point: endless rows of neighborhoods that blend seamlessly together, no character to speak of, sprawling across the sands. Expressing our individualism in mall-selected fashion, choice of automobile, or Christmas lawn decoration, we generally prefer to hide within our swamp-cooled abodes and smoke up on Reality TV, or streaming movies, or whatever defines us. That's America, boys and girls. I Am What I Ingest. The Shoe Tree is just a telephone pole covered in shoes. That's all it is. You have to wonder how the artist pulled it off, he/she probably started at the top and worked down from there. It's in the middle of a pretty homogenous neighborhood near a country club. I didn't take pictures of the adjacent house for privacy reasons but it's totally worth a look. Know this: while you were watching the latest mini-series, somebody was outside crafting this, and the rest of the castle, which is indeed a feat. Two dogs live here, and they continually cross a bridge in the sky. If that isn't enough to pique your interest, just go home and watch whatever it is you consider "your show".

Well, I can't really say this was worth the effort to come and see…read more I searched a few sources looking for interesting things to see. I thought this was odd enough, so why not see it? This is located in a residential neighborhood. I have no idea what the rhyme or reason for this is or was. It just appears to be a utility pole with a bunch of shoes attached all over the surface. The creator of this odd art is Michael Veseart. The shoes are pretty weather worn now. If you have an appreciation for shoes on display, this might be right down your alley. There are pretty much only women's heels... in many colors. This could just be called a High Heel Tree. I guess you could spend as much time as you'd like since there is a bench there. It is facing the houses, not the Shoe Tree. We took a very quick look and left.

Wonderful. Kitschy…read more Silly. Eye-catching. Cool. A seasonal sight to see. Geographically appropriate and humorous. Large-scale. Non-denominational. I like it. It makes me smile and giggle. Brilliant.

This is and has always been one of my favorite Albuquerque things. The one year we didn't have one,…read moreI was so upset. It's unique, gorgeous, and I adore it 100%.

we had such fun playing dress up, swinging on giant swings, hanging with friends... and painting…read moreeach others boobs was the BEST!! I hope in future versions, there is a bit better lighting for the entertainers (the stilt singers were a bit lost in the darkness), a bit better layout might be good, definitely more booths would be awesome (I might even host one if I had enough notice), and more options than Skarsgard's cider, which isn't my favorite (I'm a ciderophile since I don't drink beer) would move it from good to GREAT!!! thank you all for doing something so magically delicious for us freaks.

Come one come all to the Danger Carnival! Twinkling lights at a distance will lead you to the most…read morefascinating event around, the best five (or more) of your dollars you will ever spend. I enjoyed the heck out of this event. There was just the right mix of curious booths, outsize rides, and amazing shows to make the night. Everyone was laid back, some costumed some not, and there was plenty of good cider to be had. I hope this year was a success - to improve a little for next year I suggest a few more people at the cider sales, a few more sideshows (make it easier to find out how to volunteer/set up a booth- I'd be interested), and maybe some carnival treats (we had cotton candy, and apple bobbing - how bout caramel apples or some traditional meat on a stick?) Thanks for the fascinating evening!

So many cute shops, outdoor patio restaurants, hair salons, murals, all wrapped up in art deco…read morebuildings ! Def drive thru or walk thru Nob Hill. Very enjoyable area

Keep Albuquerque Quirky! This is a weird arts district for ABQ. This is where the free thinkers,…read morethe forward looking populace expresses their local flavor, their nuances of culture that makes ABQ unique. There's all kinds of great murals, public works of art, and awesome shops to check out up in here. It's right down the way on Route 66 from University of New Mexico, so it's a younger, hip crowd that goes here for local grub, shopping, and events. You're sure to find all kinds of old Route 66 memorabilia, or stuff made by local artisans. It's all small local businesses, there are no chains around here as far as I know. You're sure to find some cool foreign grub, a nice tattoo parlor, or a kitschy gift shop that focuses on Abq pride. Parking can be challenging- keep an eye out for private lots or the back streets off of Central Ave.

Twin Tricentennial Towers! This towering public work of art…read moreis on both sides of I-40 at the Rio Grande exit, on the entrance to Old Town and the Museum areas. It's a cool, welcome site when getting down to the attractions that's a nice feature. These towers feature a stylistic flame on the top, with Indian and local symbols around the tower. It's like a conservative, Indian version of Watts Tower in Compton. I'm a little surprised that a city government paid for a public work of art with crosses on it without riling up the ACLU. Albuquerque's pretty old if they're celebrating their tricentennial. The whole intersection here has been decked out in Southwestern decor- the overpasses are painted with Indian design. The sculptor was Jim Glidden, and it was installed in 2006.

Agreed, Curt, Albuquerque is pretty old. Considering New Mexico got its statehood in 1912, it's…read morerather impressive the city managed to govern independently for 200 years before The Man up and planted a flag here. Because that's all it takes, you know, to claim ownership of a place. No flags? Plant one, and the place is all yours. But we're talking about the city, here. In 2006, the city planted two bronze towers on either side of Interstate 40 at Rio Grande, adorned with symbols and images of Original Burqueños, and the towers are well worth checking out. During that same year, the city put a Tricentennial spin on all sorts of public works; the sewer cover on my street honors the celebration. To put this in more generalized terms, it's nice to live in a city that values public art -- it's actually legislated, called the Art in Public Places Act (AIPP), and here are deets: "For each appropriation exceeding one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), agencies shall allocate as a nondeductible item an amount of money equal to one percent or two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), whichever is less, of all eligible capital projects. These funds are to be expended for the acquisition and installation of works of art to be placed 'in, upon or around' the new building or the building in which the major renovation is to occur." Learn more about it here: http://nmarts.org/art-in-public-places/

At first glance, it's just a series of bright red arches along a sidewalk in Albuquerque--but walk…read moreunder them, and suddenly you're part of something sculptural, almost sacred. The repeating serpent-like shapes cast shifting shadows, and the further you go, the more it feels like a portal or procession. It's oddly immersive for a piece of public art that doesn't say much--because it doesn't have to. You feel it. The name "Kolowisi" refers to the Zuni water serpent, and once you know that, the entire piece ripples with deeper meaning. A tribute to movement, spirit, and story. Definitely worth a stop, even if it's just for a short walk that feels strangely important.

Kolowisi! This giant steel serpentine sculpture sits along…read moreLomas in Albuquerque. It straddles the sidewalk, making the pedestrian walk along inside the coils of the snake. It's reminiscent of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan water god. Kolowisi is the water sperpent god of the Zuni Indians. The god Kolowisi saved the Zuni Indians from the giant flood and led them to the top of their sacred mountain. When the Indians were on top of the mountain, the water serpent god gave them gifts of food and water and seeds. The water god lives in lakes, reservoirs, wells, puddles and any body of water. He's kind of like the Loch Ness Monster that lives in Cochiti Lake or the Rio Grande. The water snake can change forms, like water into any shape it wants to. The City of Albuquerque relies heavily upon the water spirits, so it's an appropriate sculpture. This snake is painted what I would call 'enchilada red,' it matches the red sauce that makes Albuquerque food so great. You can't miss it. The artist is Andrew Shows. The city does a grand job of keeping it in good condition, free of graffiti and grime.

We were just wandering through Albuquerque, no particular plan, when we turned the corner onto Coal…read moreAvenue and stumbled across it--Mario, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong, all pixelated and proud, stretched across the side of a building like they had punched their way straight out of 1985. At first, I thought maybe my childhood was hallucinating. But no, there was Mario mid-jump, fists in the air. Peach standing tall like the 8-bit queen she is. And Donkey Kong looming off to the side, barrels and all. The colors popped against the weathered brick, and even though you could tell the wall had seen better days, that just made it cooler--like the mural had leveled up after a few boss fights with graffiti and sun damage. Turns out it used to be a Pac-Man wall, but somebody tagged it, and the original artist came back to give it a Nintendo makeover. Respect. The vibe is pure throwback joy. Cars zipped past without noticing, but we stood there for a while, grinning like we'd just found a secret warp pipe in real life. We snapped a few pics, and some random guy yelled, "It's-a me, Mario!" from across the street. I don't know if he was drunk or just having a good time--but honestly, same. In a city full of hidden gems, this mural felt like a one-up mushroom: small, unexpected, and absolutely worth finding.

Soooo no more is Donkey Kong but Mushroom. Looks pretty new. Sucks tagging F's it all up. Like,…read morecome on, respect the art ! It's a cute surprise for the family. We pulled over & it was cool. I am soooo in love with New Mexico. We are full time RV peeps & have traveled 8 states now & New Mexico has my heart.