Albuquerque Skyline with the "watermelon" colored sunset

With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, New Mexico's glorious weather certainly lives up to its moniker as the "Land of Enchantment." Year-round sunshine paves a smooth ride for perennial hiking and biking, and, of course, skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Visitors may expect a dry desert landscape, but Albuquerque—the state's largest city—offers lush river valleys and piñon-covered mesas. True to its name, which means "watermelon" in Spanish, the beautiful Sandia Mountain range to the east of the city glows golden with rich cinnamon and burnt orange hues. At sunset, the kaleidoscopic colors are extraordinary.

Artists, painters, travelers and explorers have flocked to New Mexico for centuries. Don't let Albuquerque's tall buildings and sizeable airport throw you off; the New Mexican way of life moves slowly here. With three days to explore the city, you'll have time to experience the best of Albuquerque's offerings.

New Mexican cuisine is a huge draw for visitors. Dishes are a distinct marriage of Mexican, Spanish and American cultures. Many New Mexican restaurants are casual and inexpensive, with delicious and satisfying food. From enchiladas to burritos, everything is smothered in green or red chile—or both. Green chile is made from crops of green chili pods, often state-grown, and range from incredibly spicy to mild. Red chile, made from dried, mature red pods that are soaked and puréed, is generally milder than green. For the indecisive—or to sample both, the way New Mexicans do—ask for "Christmas," a combination of red and green chile. Thanks to modern transportation, fresh seafood and specialty ingredients are not hard to find in this landlocked climate. Additionally, many local farms offer incredible cheese, free-range chicken, fruit, vegetables and, not surprisingly, chili peppers.

Among the 50 states, New Mexico ranks fifth in size, which equates with long drives if you'd like to explore Albuquerque's surrounding areas. If you fly in, rent a car and ask for unlimited mileage. Then kick back, relax and let your intuition be your guide.

DAY 1

A great portion of your time will probably be spent in the Old Town area, so you might want to consider spending the night there. Among several quaint B&Bs, the historic Bottger Mansion of Old Town, built in 1910, features seven individual guest rooms with bathrooms and a two-room suite. For more modern accommodations, try the handsome Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, which offers a swimming pool, spa, salon, bar and two restaurants. The short drive east on historic Route 66 to downtown Albuquerque puts several more hotels and motels within reach. Some good choices include The Hotel Blue, a haven for rock stars in town for concerts, and the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, ideal for business travelers.

Chile Ristra in Old Town

The first stop on any trip to Albuquerque is Old Town, first settled in 1706. A square plaza that formed the heart of the original city, Old Town today is filled with locally owned shops, boutiques and restaurants. It's the perfect size to stroll and stretch travel-cramped legs. If you're looking for good turquoise or silver jewelry, this is a great place to shop. During warm weather, vendors set out blankets under the portal on the east side of the plaza, selling jewelry and souvenirs, creating a flea market-like atmosphere, complete with good-natured haggling. The best quality goods, however, are found in Old Town's galleries and retail stores. Take a brief tour of the magnificent and historic San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church on the north side of the plaza. It's a fine example of early New Mexican adobe architecture, with a courtyard in front crowned by a tall adobe steeple. For more information about Old Town, including alleged ghost sightings, check out the Old Town Visitors Center.

Old Town offers many dining options. One favorite lunch spot is La Crêpe Michel, a fine country French restaurant in a tiny historic adobe house. A more upscale choice is Seasons Rotisserie & Grill in San Felipe Plaza, one of Albuquerque's liveliest and best contemporary American restaurants. In warm weather, sit at tables set up on the sidewalk or on the spacious second-floor balcony. During the summer, Seasons has jazz upstairs; but regardless of the season, there is the view of the Sandia Mountains and the steeple of San Felipe de Neri.

Artists make handcrafted items for sale

For good New Mexican food, try Little Anita New Mexican Foods on the corner of Mountain Road and Rio Grande Boulevard. The breakfast burritos are always a hit; so are the carne adovada burritos, stuffed with tender oven-baked boneless pork marinated in red chile. Little Anita's is a good choice for breakfast because it opens at 7 a.m. and there's a take-out window for fast service.

Mountain Road is also Albuquerque's Museum Row, with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science on one side of the street and the Albuquerque Museum on the other. The Museum of Natural History highlights the changing ecology of New Mexico and has a vast display of Jurassic-age dinosaurs unearthed in the state, including the life-sized Seismosaurus, a 110-foot plant-eating dinosaur that was one of the largest creatures ever to walk the earth. A full tour of the museum will take about three hours or more if you include a movie at the DynaTheater.

The Albuquerque Museum houses several art and sculpture galleries, in addition to exhibits on the history of the city. From the days of the earliest Pueblo Indians, to the coming of the Spanish settlers, to the founding of the railroad, Albuquerque has always been a cultural crossroads. The sculpture garden is a great place to unwind. During summer weekends, the museum hosts jazz and salsa concerts outside in the amphitheater.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

Two other museums are also within walking distance on Mountain Road. The National Atomic Museum dedicates its exhibits to the uses of atomic energy and Explora offers hands-on exhibits that teach children and adults about the natural wonders of our world, from static electricity to the formation of tornados.

Downtown is a lively night spot, with clubs, restaurants, movie theaters, shops and a performing arts center within walking distance. If you're looking for a white-tablecloth dining experience, try McGrath's Restaurant, the signature restaurant in the Hyatt Regency. The menu offers game, steaks, pasta and seafood coupled with a terrific wine list. After dinner, stroll Central Avenue, the original Route 66.

Another good weekend dinner choice downtown is the Gold Street Caffè, a cozy, seasonal American bistro with great food and good desserts. It's open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The Gold Street Caffè is also a solid choice for breakfast, serving fantastic fresh baked pastries. A short drive up Central Avenue is the Artichoke Café, long considered one of Albuquerque's best restaurants. Be sure to make reservations, as it can be crowded, especially on weekends.

Wrap up the day with a drink at the Library Bar & Grill, a popular see-and-be-seen hangout in the hopping downtown area. Order a cocktail, shake it on the dance floor and perhaps make a friend or two before heading back to your hotel for some R&R in preparation of tomorrow's adventure.