Replay: The Land of Hot Air Balloons, Heritage Grains, and 300 Days of Sunshine

Albuquerque isn't just a stopover—it's a destination where ancient land meets modern vision. On this replay episode of Unpacked, join host Aislyn Greene as she discovers why this Southwestern city has become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, food innovators, and cultural preservation. From sunrise balloon rides to Indigenous-led breweries, explore the Albuquerque that's rooted in 10-million-year-old landscapes and 700 years of Pueblo heritage.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Albuquerque preserved one-quarter of its land as open space—and what that means for visitors today
• The Indigenous entrepreneurs and chefs reclaiming food sovereignty through heritage grains, native ingredients, and innovative brewing
• Why New Mexico's oldest wine region is finally getting the recognition it deserves
• The best ways to experience Albuquerque's outdoor spaces, from the Sandia Peak Tramway to the new downtown Rail Trail

Meet this week’s guests

• Sarah Sheasley, director of marketing for ⁠Los Poblanos⁠
• ⁠Elaine Briseño⁠, journalist and historian 
• Terry Brunner, the Director of the city of Albuquerque’s ⁠Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency⁠
• ⁠Justin de la Rosa⁠, a local food writer and director of outlets for the Sawmill Market
• ⁠Dylan Storment⁠, director of wine and spirits at Los Poblanos
• Missy Begay, cofounder of ⁠Bow & Arrow Brewing⁠ 
• Bill Stimmel, the entrepreneurial director at ⁠Indian Pueblo Cultural Center⁠
• Murray Conrad, hot air balloon pilot and owner of ⁠World Balloon⁠

My Albuquerque itinerary

Where I ate, stayed, and played.

Hotels

• Book a stay at ⁠Los Poblanos⁠
• Book a stay at ⁠Hotel Chaco⁠

Restaurants

• ⁠El Patio⁠
• ⁠Mesa Provisions⁠
• ⁠Coda Bakery⁠
• Campo at ⁠Los Poblanos⁠
• Level 5 at ⁠Hotel Chaco⁠
• ⁠Farm & Table⁠
• ⁠Bow & Arrow Brewing⁠
•  ⁠Old Town Farm⁠

Activities

• Take a bike and taco tour with ⁠Routes⁠
• Tour the ⁠Indian Pueblo Cultural Center⁠
• Visit the ⁠Paseo del Bosque⁠
• Take a tram up ⁠Sandia Peak⁠
• Fly with ⁠World Balloon⁠
• If you want to hear more of the flamenco episode you hear at the top of the episode, see a show at ⁠Tablao Flamenco⁠

Explore more places to stay and savor with Afar's New Mexico travel guide.

Stay Connected

• Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. 
• Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

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