Arroyo del Oso Golf Course: Golf With a Scenic View in Albuquerque

On paper, the appeal of Arroyo del Oso Golf Course is more or less straightforward: Equipped with a pro shop, restaurant, and driving range, this is a 27-hole, par 72 course (par 73 for women) featuring a trio of water obstacles and multiple sand traps. The public course debuted in 1965 and, 16 years later, was named one of the country's top 50 municipal golf courses by Golf Digest.

If you take one step onto the course itself, however, you're likely to notice what makes Arroyo del Oso special: its topography. The arroyo for which the scenic course is named plays an important part in the greens' design: Duffers criss-cross the arroyo three times during most games and, if they should pause to take in the view, they'd notice that the course follows the natural contours of Bear Canyon Arroyo's sloping terrain, which is speckled with Ponderosa pines.

Arroyo del Oso Golf Course
7001 Osuna Road NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 884-7505
www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/recreation/golf/arroyo-del-oso-golf-course

Beeps: Where to Shop for the Person Who Has Everything

Beeps is where Albuquerque residents shop when they don't know what it is they're looking for. That's because this Nob Hill gift boutique is known for stocking quirky items that can appeal to a broad range of recipients — even if that recipient is a cat in the market for an inflatable unicorn horn.

Gag gifts represent a good chunk of Beeps's inventory, that's true, but there's more in store here than novelties. You're likely to encounter locally-made, hand-crafted jewelry on the displays, as well as hand-crocheted hats and retro-inspired toys for little ones. Pens and stationery sets are as pretty as they are practical, while cheekily titled parenting books give new moms and dads a chuckle. If you need wrapping paper and a card to complete your gift, Beeps has you covered there, too.

Beeps is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Look for it in the Nob Hill Business Center.

Beeps
Nob Hill Business Center
3500 Central Ave. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 262-1900
www.yelp.com/biz/beeps-albuquerque

Get a Jump On Things at Cool Springz Trampoline Park

There are few kids who would turn down a chance to go to Cool Springz Trampoline Park. And why would they? This family-owned trampoline park, the largest of its kind in New Mexico, promises ample opportunity for fun across its 18,000 square feet.

Five thousand of those square feet are devoted entirely to trampoline surface, which stretches from wall to wall — sometimes even up the wall, so visitors can perform flying slam dunks on Cool Springz's multiple basketball hoops. Elsewhere in the climate-controlled facility, amateur stuntmen and women can practice flips and twists into a pit filled with soft bricks of blue foam, while pint-sized visitors can safely get in on the fun in an area reserved for smaller children.

Cool Springz Trampoline Park is open daily. Entry fees are based on height, and kids 2 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.

Cool Springz Trampoline Park
4320 Yale Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 345-5867
coolspringz.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cool-springz-trampoline-park-albuquerque

Sip a Foamy Latte at Espresso Fino in Albuquerque

The alluring aroma of hand-crafted coffee, tea, and fresh pastries welcomes you to Espresso Fino in downtown Albuquerque. This comfortable, friendly coffee house boasts an upbeat vibe and indoor and outdoor seating.

The cafe offers a large beverage menu with a variety of drinks but the owner, Greg, and his family will gladly customize any drink to your liking. Coffee drinks run the gamut from cappuccinos and lattes to frozen coffee and, of course, espresso. Pastries are brought in daily from top bakeries in the area, including scones from Scones Gone Wild, and sweets change on a daily basis depending upon what's available.

Espresso Fino is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends. Bring your laptop to catch up on some emails over the free Wi-Fi!

Espresso Fino
222 Gold Avenue Southwest
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(575) 779-6078
www.facebook.com/espressofinoabq
www.yelp.com/biz/espresso-fino-albuquerque

IV the Bath: From Body Scrubs to Bath Bombs

A unique bath shop in Old Town Albuquerque, named after a loved one lost in the war, IV the Bath specializes in handmade and artisan bath and body products, candles, and other items with your cleanliness and relaxation in mind.

Upon entering the quaint and inviting shop, you are immediately engulfed in a multitude of fresh scents that fill the air and lure you into another realm. The tables and shelves are loaded with a variety of goods—each more interesting and distinctive than the next. The shop sells a variety of bath products, many of which are locally sourced, including bath bombs, bath salts, body butters, lotions, and scrubs for all skin types. Candles come in an abundance of fragrances from mellow or sweet to exciting and intense. The friendly and helpful staff will not rush you, so take your time and explore the shop to find something that you really love.

IV the Bath
328 San Felipe Street Northwest
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 842-5449
www.facebook.com/IVtheBath
www.yelp.com/biz/iv-the-bath-albuquerque-2

Shop Gifts Made by Local Artisans at The Octopus and the Fox

An eclectic inventory of clothing, handcrafted gifts, and housewares decorates the walls at The Octopus and the Fox in Albuquerque. This funky boutique sells vintage products and handcrafted works from more than 50 local artisans and designers throughout New Mexico.

The friendly staff will gladly help guide you toward the perfect gift. Featured artists include 2 Day Circus, Bobbi Marbles, Cinthia Singleton, David Chamberlain, Jericha Brown, and shop owners Belita Orner and Jessi MB Campbell. Be sure to check in often, as new merchandise is always being added to the inventory. In addition, the boutique hosts special events throughout the year such as anniversary sales, art fairs, and more.

The Octopus and the Fox is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, so stop by on your way home from work or on your day off.

The Octopus and the Fox
514 Central Avenue SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 203-2659
theoctopusandthefox.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-octopus-and-the-fox-albuquerque

Cottonwood Mall: Shop, Dine and Catch a Flick at This Large Mall

If you’re an avid shopper in the Albuquerque area, Cottonwood Mall is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon. This spacious, light-filled mall features open hallways that can accommodate even the largest weekend shopping crowds, and it’s filled with stores for just about any shopper’s interest.

Clothing retailers like American Eagle Outfitters and Express are situated between large department stores like Dillards, J.C. Penney and Sears. Bath and Body Works, Shoe Department, the As Seen On TV store and other specialty stores sell just about all of the home goods and clothing accessories that you can imagine, while eateries like Johnny Rockets and T.G.I. Friday’s will satisfy any food craving. Cottonwood Mall also offers ample parking, a large movie theater and small play areas for the little ones to make your visit to the mall as fun and convenient as possible.

Cottonwood Mall
10000 Coors Boulevard Bypass NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505) 897-6571
www.cottonwoodmall.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cottonwood-mall-albuquerque

International Balloon Museum: Learn About the History of Hot Air Ballooning

After your first visit, Albuquerque’s International Balloon Museum will quickly top the list of most unique museums you’ve ever toured. This fascinating museum is dedicated to the history of hot air ballooning, and you’ll be amazed at just how rich with history this topic is. Every part of the building is architecturally beautiful and intricately decorated with colorful dioramas lining the floors, giant balloons suspended from the glass ceilings, and a majestic, curved entryway at the museum’s front. Hands-on exhibits enable visitors to get up close and personal with a real hot air balloon, and although the museum is fairly small, there are so many other exhibits that it will take a good three hours to experience them all.

The International Balloon Museum is also the site of much of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, one of the city’s most popular annual events. For a full event schedule, visit the museum’s website.

International Balloon Museum
9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE
Albuquerque, NM 87198
(505) 880-0500
www.balloonmuseum.com
www.yelp.com/biz/anderson-abruzzo-albuquerque-international-balloon-museum-albuquerque

Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl: Bowl, Dine and Dance in Albuquerque

“One of the best kept bowling alleys in town,” a Yelp reviewer raves about Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl. Indeed, most Yelp reviewers have positive things to say about this 32-lane alley in Albuquerque.

Your experience at Holiday Bowl will depend on what day you visit. There is open bowling all day, every day, while Karaoke Night takes place on Thursday evenings (be prepared for crowds and college students!). Make a reservation to secure a lane for the alley's popular black light bowling experience, Galactic Bowl, which is held on weekend evenings. After hitting down a few pins, refuel at the 300 Club Grill, the alley's on-site restaurant, then sip a martini at Vodka Venue, Holiday Bowl's full service bar specializing in vodka cocktails.

Holiday Bowl is open 9 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl
7515 Lomas Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 268-3308
holidaybowlabq.com
yelp.com/biz/gary-skidmores-holiday-bowl-albuquerque

The Yarn Store: Get Crafty at This Knitting Supply Shop

The Yarn Store at Nob Hill is a crafter’s paradise, offering shelves filled with colorful yarns in all sizes and styles. No matter what type of craft or knitting project that you want to start, this beloved shop offers whatever you need to get started. The Yarn Store’s entire yarn inventory is organized by weight, which makes it quick and convenient to choose the perfect style for your project.

The helpful and knowledgeable staff is always on hand to offer some advice about choosing the perfect yarn, and they’ll even lend a hand with a knitting project if you get stuck on a particularly tricky point. Best of all, the shop also offers comfortable tables and cozy nooks where visitors can attend a knitting class or simply bring their own projects to work on with fellow knitters.

For a schedule of knitting classes, visit The Yarn Store’s website.

The Yarn Store
120 Amherst Drive NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 717-1535
www.theyarnstoreatnobhill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-yarn-store-at-nob-hill-albuquerque

Pin It on Pinterest