As you might expect, there are numerous outdoor recreational opportunities in or near the area -- golf, hiking, camping, mountain biking, fishing and hunting. What you might not expect are ancient Indian historical sites, several museums, including one devoted race to cars; a hot air balloon festival; concerts; special events; theatre; shopping and restaurants; and a slew of children's activities. A better place for family vacation would be hard to find anywhere.

Megan Mayo of the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau said, "October is a gorgeous time to be in Albuquerque. The weather is usually very, very mild -- warm afternoons with lots of sunshine and cool evenings.

"Albuquerque is a great place for outdoor recreation," Mayo added. "We have everything from mountain biking and hiking to road bike trails throughout the city, and we have the Sandia Mountains on the eastern border of the city." For those interested in indoor recreation, "Nob Hill has several pubs and bars," Mayo said. "It's a little more of a trendy, eclectic area. The other area for dining and nightlife is the Old Town area. Old Town is where the city was founded, so it's a little more of a historic area. A lot of great shopping and galleries. Great New Mexico food."

A few of Albuquerque's many highlights include:

• Stocked rainbows and wild brown trout can be found in many of the small rivers in the Jemez Mountains, just northwest of Albuquerque. Try the Rio San Antonio, the Rio Cebolla, or the Rio Guadalupe. For regulations and license information, contact the New Mexico Game and Fish Department.

• Petroglyph National Monument is just a short drive from downtown Albuquerque. Photo by Petroglyph National Monument

  New Mexico was inhabited by some of the earliest North American residents. They left thousands of examples of rock art in what is now Petroglyph National Monument, minutes outside the city. More exhibits and information on historic peoples can be found at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, at 2401 12th Street NW.

• Did you know New Mexico had a seacoast? Okay, it was 75 million years ago when inland seas covered most of the state. But at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, you can see fossils of marine life of the period, plus numerous exhibits of dinosaur skeletons that will give you a more personal version of "Jurassic Park." The museum is located at 1801 Mountain Rd. NW in Albuquerque.

• From October 6-15, just about anytime you happen to look upward, you may see hundreds of hot air balloons taking part in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This is the "largest ballooning event on earth," according to the fiesta's website, with up to 900 balloons taking off from Balloon Fiesta Park's 78-acre launch field. Your kids will love it, and so will you.

• The Go! Downtown Arts Festival, September 28 - October 1, showcases the finest from emerging and established artists in a variety of media. The festivities include food from many local dining spots and live music from local performers.

• The Unser Racing Museum showcases the famous automotive racing family, with several exhibits of race cars. One Unser link to law enforcement: In the early 1900s, the Colorado City Police hired two Unser brothers to teach them how to ride motorcycles.

• Especially for the kids: The Santa Fe Children's Museum is devoted to "discovering the joys of learning, play and community." If you never really thought that education can be fun, you need to visit this place.

We have not mentioned hunting opportunities, since the extra time and gear needed to compete in a national shooting championship and take a hunting trip might be a bit daunting. But if you've dreamed of elk, antelope or mule deer, New Mexico is very well-known for all three. Opportunities for other big game and western game birds are plentiful as well, and there are many local guides and outfitters. Contact New Mexico Game and Fish for more information.

Outdoor recreation opportunities near Albuquerque are practically limitless -- hiking, camping, fishing and mountain biking are some of the most popular activities. Photo by Ron Behrmann