You're watching the final season of Breaking Bad and you're wondering is everybody on Albuquerque on meth? If not, is Albuquerque a city worth visiting for the sober among us? You might be surprised. Albuquerque has several spots that belong on the jetset circuit. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul haven't been the only stars in town. Recent filming has attracted the likes of Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington who bragged about the charms of New Mexico on the David Letterman show.
Since the advent of Indian gaming, there are several tribal casino resorts cater to the A-list. Fifteen miles to the north, the Tamaya Resort, (Tamaya.Hyatt.com), recently hosted members of the real jet set. According to the local news, well-heeled politicos flew in for a top secret event a few weeks ago. Presumably they ate at the Corn Maiden restaurant which features food that can only be described as nouvelle tribal dining in a classic adobe setting. The golf at the Twin Warriors golf course has magnificent desert views to talk politics and other sundry business between holes.
"Closer to home, but far from ordinary" was the slogan of the Sandia Casino (sandiaresort.com) and that's certainly the case. The biggest and arguably the best casino in New Mexico is a seven story resort with thousands of slots and high stakes table games. The Bien Shur restaurant on the top floor features American cuisine with sunset views of the the resort's namesake 10,000 foot Sandia Crest. The bar on the patio also has cigars and live music. It's the closest feeling to a high end Vegas resort, but with New Mexico charm.
There are two new changes to the Albuquerque gaming scene. Seven lucky miles south of town, the former Hard Rock casino has been transformed back to the Isleta Resort (Isletaresort.com), after the Isleta. The casino has ditched the generic hard rock trinkets for tribal flourishes and is an improvement. It is a tribal resort that actually feels tribal. The resort's pool was actually featured on an episode of Breaking Bad where it was supposedly a spa. Considering the resort's rural location in a more lush setting near the Rio Grande, lush for New Mexico that is, Isleta is the more relaxing choice.
Albuquerque also has horse racing in the Fall and while the Casino at the Downs (ABQdowns.com) most certainly does not belong on the jetsetter's docket, the bar and Crown Room restaurant feature great places to watch a race or two.
For those who don't gamble, the Hotel Parq Central (Hotelpaqcentral.com) is an oasis in Albuquerque, literally a converted asylum. It features the best sunset views of Albuquerque's skyline and is the place where the stars go after filming wraps for the day. Albuquerque also has a nice funky shopping zone, the Nob Hill District (rt66central.com),. Bryan Cranston himself still owns a home there even after filming has stopped.
Albuquerque doesn't just break bad, it might actually be a good choice for a weekend away.
Have you ever seen the chimney in the High Parq parking lot? Before it was an asylum it was a railroad hospital and that was their incinerator for amputated limbs.
ReplyDelete