During sweet summertime in Albuquerque, the temperature gets toasty, the sun shines and adventure awaits. The city abounds with activities and attractions, tempting you outside to appreciate ABQ's charm, from the rustic canyon scenery to the locals' favorite grub. We picked some of our favorite ways to experience the high-desert city in the summer that everyone can enjoy, no matter if you're a born-and-raised Albuquerquean or a travel bug new to the area.
Take the Tram 
Albuquerque is great from the ground level, but it's spectacular from the sky. Everyone can appreciate the sweet views from the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway during the summer months. Traveling just under 3 miles over the desert canyons, the ride is the longest aerial tramway in the country. It glides up the highest region of the Sandia Mountains and arrives at the observation deck on the 10,378-foot Sandia Peak. From here, you're rewarded with views spanning 11,000 square miles, from the Land of Enchantment to Rio Grande Valley. At the summit-2 miles in the sky-kick up the dirt on a mountain bike or grab some lunch at High Finance Restaurant and Tavern. In 2016, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Tram in Albuquerque and be one of the first to ride in their brand new tram cars!
Taste the Town
Turn up the heat, but we don't mean the temperature. Spicy is nice-y in ABQ, where chiles are the bread and butter of any good meal. For an authentic taste of this town, embark on a green chile cheeseburger crawl to find your favorite fiery rendition of the city's epic concoction: a burger topped with the spicy goodness.
Feel the heat at 66 Pit Stop, an unassuming, no frills joint on the side of the highway, or order the famous burger at hip and trendy Fork and Fig, known for its gourmet vibes. Keep the peppery palate pleasing rolling with stops at Bob's Burger, the 1940s-inspired El Camino Dining Room and the Owl Café, which has been serving the green chile OwlBurger since 1948. To prevent yourself from overdosing on burgers and feeling like your tongue is on fire, space out your spicy burger chow downs over the course of a few days.
Trek through History
Relish the sunshine, get a little exercise, and witness history before your eyes-all in a day's work. When you venture to the Petroglyph National Monument, you can explore one of the largest petroglyph sites on the continent. Home to more than 25,000 historic and prehistoric images, the region features a number of hiking trails with canyon carvings that date back 400 to 700 years. The designated trails in the Boca Negra area of the park provide signs with interpretations of the images. Pro tip: Bring some binoculars to get a better look. After checking out these remnants from the past, if you still have some energy, hop on the nearby Vulcan Volcano Loop and marvel at the region's largest cinder cones.
Treat Yourself
Take an urban reprieve from that New Mexico wilderness in Nob Hill. Considered the city's original "Main Street," this historical neighborhood offers plenty of air-conditioned establishments with everything from rad, vintage treasures to buzz-inducing roasted coffee. Tap into your inner art critic as you browse the crafts and installations at the countless art galleries, such as Mariposa Gallery, and then chomp into a caramel apple at the ChocolateDude. Then consider sticking around for some Zaco tacos at Zacatecas Tacas & Tequila or toasting to summertime in the city at Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro's Cellar Bar. Throughout 2016, be on the lookout for special celebrations in Nob Hill to commemorate the neighborhood's 100th anniversary.
While these activities are just a few of our top picks, there are countless reasons why a trip to Albuquerque is a must-do this summer. For more ideas, check out this blog post from our ABQ365 archive on local summer favorites in ABQ.
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