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Albuquerque Real Estate

ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden

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ABQ-BioPark-Botanic-Garden-The-Sugar-Team-Albuquerque-Real-EstateA young couple nervously recites their wedding vows under a gorgeous arbor bathed in lavender colored wisteria flowers.  A toddler climbs over a large plastic carrot three times his size.  Two young girls pop their head into a plastic dome crawling with humongous cockroaches and other hideous, slithering insects.  Is this another playful–often creepy–Tim Burton movie?  No, rather a moment of time at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden: a delightful combination of color, exploration, tranquility and romance.

As you walk through the gate to the Botanic Garden immediately to your right you will find a series of formal walled gardens, including the Spanish-Moorish Garden, Jardin Redondo and Ceremonial Garden which collectively are referred to as “romance corner” (actually, only the writer calls it that…).  The Spanish-Moorish Garden embodies the geometric patterns of Moorish style with colorful tile work and aromatic plants.  The Jardin Redondo (or “round garden”) showcases seventy different award-winning roses, surrounding a central planter overflowing with blooming annuals.  Finally, the Ceremonial Garden embodies what we all want in a relationship: a fairy tale wedding.  The Ceremonial Garden consists of a raised stage covered with an arbor of white roses and the decorative pillars and arches are entwined with clematis, wisteria and climbing roses.  For good reason, many a successful wedding take place here.

Mediterranean-Conservatory-ABQ-BioPark-Botanical-Garden-The-Sugar-TeamAfter you have gotten your “love on” (yeah, baby!) no visit to the Botanic Garden is complete without a visit to the Conservatory.  A 10,000 square foot glass pyramid housing the Mediterranean exhibit in one wing and the Desert exhibit in the other, the Conservatory is considered the epicenter of the Garden.  The Mediterranean Conservatory displays flora native to coastal areas with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters like in the Mediterranean Sea coast, the California coast, southwestern Australia, South Africa and coastal Chile.  In this colorful wing you will find rockroses, bottlebrush trees, olive trees and mints/sages to name a few.  On the other hand (wing), the Desert Conservatory showcases desert plants that flourish and bloom year-round in hot, dry climates, including the saguaro cactus, palo verdes, yucca and everything xeric.

For the ferroequinologist (aka: nerd) there’s something for you!  The Railroad Garden consists of two 400-foot loops of G-scale brass rails on free-floating tracks.  The miniature trains shoot pass villages, fly over trestle bridges and barrel through tunnels.  There are even models of traditional New Mexican architecture like adobe train stations which is pretty darn cool!

Topiary-Dragon-Botanic-Garden-The-Sugar-TeamNot to slight the kids (or the kids-at-heart in all of us!) we have to give the Children’s Fantasy Garden its due.  Without giving too much away, this garden is an intensely creative labyrinth guarded by a fourteen-foot high topiary dragon.  The fun is in the exploration, and there is everything from a walk-through 42-foot wide pumpkin, comically large vegetables (are they “juiced”?) and REALLY BIG BUGS.

While the little ones are running around hopped up on sugar and crazy Waterfall-Sasebo-Japanese-Garden-Botanic-Garden-Albuquerque-Real-Estate-The-Sugar-Teammazes the rest of us adults can relax or even meditate while enjoying the Sasebo Japanese Garden.  This peaceful four-acre compound was crafted to honor Albuquerque’s Japanese sister city Sasebo.  It hosts a waterfall, koi pond, stone lanterns, pagoda sculptures, wooden bridges and a mix of local and Japanese plants.  There really is nothing more tranquil than meandering through the gardens and meditating.

Last but not least, the BUGarium.  This 3,500 square foot building bids BUGarium-Albuquerque-Botanic-Garden-The-Sugar-Teamhomage to the insect.  Not for the squeamish, you will have the opportunity to check out giant tarantulas, leaf cutter ants, nocturnal scorpions, naked mole rats and other amazing arthropods that are practically invisible because they camouflage themselves so well (what’s that on your shoulder?!).

But don’t take my word for how wonderful the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden is…  Check out my video of this Albuquerque treasure.  Or better yet, go there and check it out for yourself!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things…The Sound of Holiday Musica in Albuquerque.

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Tumbleweed snowman.  Bizcochitos.  Ordering your enchiladas “Christmas.”  These are some albuquerque-real-estateof the fascinating things you will find in New Mexico during the holidays, and specifically in Albuquerque.  There are many truly joyful events that happen throughout our wonderful city during the month of December that you absolutely will not find anywhere else. 

Kicking off the holiday season in Albuquerque’s cultural epicenter Nob Hill, the Shop and Stroll closes the streets to vehicles in this fabulous neighborhood, giving patrons the opportunity to walk the streets and shop locally until late.  During the Shop and Stroll shoppers enjoy the opportunity to ride in pedicabs, take in street performers, enjoy the excellent cuisine in Nob Hill’s restaurants and of course, shop!  This year is extra-special because Nob Hill is abuzz, celebrating its one hundredth year anniversary.

While New York City has its Rockefeller Center and the Lighting of The Tree, so does albuquerque-real-estateAlbuquerque, but in Old Town.  Old Town is more steeped in history than 100 Rockefeller Center, as it dates back to 1706 when founded by the Spanish.  Even today Old Town keeps its Spanish roots, preserving a central plaza and gazebo—Mariachis included of course!—, surrounded by historic golden-colored adobe buildings and the San Felipe de Neri Church.  Just one day after the Shop and Stroll the mayor lights the tree in Old Town and wishes peace and joy on all observing Burqueños. 

The third day of celebrations brings us back to Nob Hill to witness the Twinkle Light Parade, The Sugar Team’s all-time favorite.  This year there are 96 participants floating down the street with the one requirement that every entrant—whether it be a clown, bicycle or low-rider—be bedazzled with twinkle lights.  The culmination of live music, red and green flashing lights and overall kitschiness provides a scintillating experience for the senses.

However, the Twinkle Light Parade really doesn’t own the market on quirkiness in ‘Burque.  Just the second year running, the Rail Yards in Albuquerque’s Barelas neighborhood hosts their Rail Yards Holiday Market.  Located in the historic Blacksmith Shop which was completed in 1917, it has often been the backdrop for many Hollywood productions.  Albuquerque is pushing to convert this locale into a public market similar to what is found in cities like Barcelona and Los Angeles.  It is a great place to purchase local crafts, homemade chow and unusual souvenirs.

On Christmas Eve there is a gorgeous tradition that takes place yearly here in Albuqerque and albuquerque-real-estatedates back more than 300 years: Luminarias.  Luminarias are brown paper sacks filled with sand and a votive candle.  Historically, nuevomexicanos lit the candles on December 24th to welcome the Christ child into the world.  Today Albuquerque’s older neighborhoods like Old Town, North Valley, South Valley and Country Club place these ethereal decorations to adorn their walkways, churches and homes.  I promise you, you don’t have to be religious to appreciate this beautiful detail.

Last but not least, we have the River of Lights.  The River of Lights is an exhibit of visual light sculptures throughout the ABQ BioPark Botanical Garden running from the end of November albuquerque-real-estatethrough the beginning of January.  Although many other cities host a similar event, Albuquerque’s has been running strong for 19 years and simply is the best.  Where else can you find gorgeous light representations of a barrel of 14 monkeys, a butterfly bush, eight dragonflies, three cow skulls and a hot air balloon?  The River of Lights is the perfect holiday conclusion following the excess of egg nog, spicy tamales and ugly Christmas sweaters.  And it really is a pleasure to meander along the illuminated botanical garden paths, delightfully discovering what new “creature” has been rendered in lights.

So there you have it…Albuquerque during the holidays.  From the unique shopping opportunities of Nob Hill’s Shop and Stroll, historic Old Town’s Lighting of the Tree, the scintillating Twinkle Light Parade, quirky Holiday Market at the Rail Yards, ethereal Luminarias, to the River of Lights, Albuquerque has something for everyone at this time of year.  And that is why The Sugar Team is so proud to call “The Duke City” home.  Call us today (505) 850-9977 if you would like to work with a Realtor® that loves Albuquerque as much as we do!