ALBUQUERQUE, NM – In the new Disney Touchstone Pictures comedy Wild Hogs, starring John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy, four middle-aged wannabe bikers take a road trip from Ohio to the West Coast spending time in New Mexico. The movie was almost entirely filmed in New Mexico and although the state’s diverse landscape filled in for other parts of the country, much of the movie is set in the state. 
 
The majority of the film is shot in the colorful former mining town of Madrid, New Mexico. After the town’s mine closed in the 1800s, it became somewhat of a ghost town until the 1970s when artists began to settle in the charming village. Today, it is a thriving artists’ colony complete with shops, galleries, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. Madrid is located on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, approximately 50 miles northeast of Albuquerque amongst the Sandia Mountains. The open roads, breathtaking vistas, magnificent mountain views, and parking and picnic spots along the way have made this a popular scenic route for tourists, motorcyclists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
 
Madrid is one of many reasons to visit the Albuquerque area. The “Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World” offers something for everyone. For outdoor enthusiasts, the high desert climate, more than 310 days of sunshine annually, and spectacular scenery make Albuquerque a dream come true.  Within an hour’s drive of the city are the Sandia, Jemez and Manzano Mountains as well as the Turquoise Trail. Hikers, skiers, mountain bikers and motorcyclists delight in the outdoor opportunities afforded by the varied terrain. Elevations ranging from 5,000 feet to over 12,000 feet offer majestic mountain vistas, bright blue skies, towering ponderosa pines and crystal-clear streams. The vivid colors, wildlife, climate and scenery of the high desert region offer a sharp contrast to the common perceptions of the Southwestern landscape.
 
To experience the naturalistic splendor and the open roads of the West as seen in Wild Hogs, Albuquerque serves as an excellent starting point. Visitors will find a variety of options for lodging, dining, shopping and attractions in the metropolitan area. Outdoor outfitters providing equipment, supplies and tours will maximize enjoyment of the scenic wilderness, which is easily accessible from the city. To learn more about visiting Albuquerque, go to www.itsatrip.org.