International Balloon Festival
Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque is the center of New Mexico's largest metropolitan area. Home to the University of New Mexico, Kirtland Air Force Base along with well know businesses, visitors come to Albuquerque for both business and fun. As an original stop along Route 66, Albuquerque has grown adept at entertaining and meeting the needs of travelers. The Sandia Mountains dominate the eastern skyline with the Rio Grande River running through the west of the city. Home to nearly half the population of New Mexico, Albuquerque continues to grow and expand. The city hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, among other exciting events for residents and visitors.

Music fans have options in Albuquerque during July. The 2010 Mariachi Spectacular July 7th through the 11th features workshops, competitions, concerts and a special Sunday Mass. Held at the University of New Mexico, with concerts at the Downtown Civic Plaza and Sandia Resort and Casino. Enjoy performances by students and professionals as they perform the best in Mariachi music. New this year ballet folklorico is added to the workshops and performances. Celebrate the heritage and culture of New Mexico and the Mariachi Spectacular.

The New Mexico Jazz Festival 2010 is an exciting ten day event July 13th through 25th. A collaboration of venues in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe feature the top local, regional and world class jazz artists. The land of enchantment will be just that, as you enjoy the evening performances. Albuquerque venues include the Outpost Performance Space, the Harry E Kinney Civic Plaza and Old Town. Put your favorite and delight in best of New Mexico and world Jazz.

August brings the Albuquerque Film Festival. The 2010 Festival is held August 26th through the 29th. Screenings will be held at the Kimo, Guild and Lobo along historic Route 66, among other sites. More than just film, the AFF features film technology, art, music and performance. The 2010 festival will feature distinctive filmmaker Monte Hellman with a retrospective of his works as well as interactive discussions. A ideal long weekend for film buffs to enjoy cutting edge films and filmmakers.

Albuquerque hosts New Mexico's oldest wine festival in September. The 2010 New Mexico Wine Festival is held in the historic town of Bernalillo just North of Albuquerque. In its 23rd year, the festival will be held over the Labor Day weekend September 4th through the 6th. With representation from twenty New Mexico wineries, this is a spectacular way to taste and become familiar with New Mexico's best wines. Bring the entire family, the festival has a full schedule of music, arts and crafts and summer foods that pair perfectly with the wines.

Best Western has four hotels in Albuquerque. If you arrive by air, the Best Western Airport Albuquerque Inn & Suites is an ideal location. Travelers along Interstate 40 can choose between the Best Western Rio Grande Inn or the Best Western Moriarty Heritage Inn. If you want to be in the heart of Albuquerque, the Best Western Executive Suites is a convenient location.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Northern New Mexico defines the Land of Enchantment. Santa Fe, the state capital is well known as a center for the arts. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum showcases the art of one of Santa Fe's most famous artists. Summer is the season Santa Fe celebrates Fiesta. For 298 years the city has recognized it's culture and heritage through thanksgiving, rejoicing and hospitality. Churches in Northern New Mexico will hold special masses and celebrations through the summer. Events culminate in September with an arts and crafts fair over the Labor Day Weekend, a Mariachi Extravaganza and Official Fiesta Weekend September 10th through 12th. The exciting burning of the Zozobra kicks off Fiesta weekend, followed by fireworks.

The town of Clovis and Curry County are proud to host Smoke of the Water festivities on the fourth of July. The day begins with the Smoke on the Water 5K Fun Run and Walk. Proceeds from the run benefit the evening fireworks display. The day's events are a full schedule of fun including boat races on the lake, games, live entertainment and plenty of food and drinks. Festivities take place at Green Acres Park, with the fireworks over the lake topping off the days fun. Travelers to Northeast New Mexico can enjoy quality accommodations at the Best Western Clovis Inn & Suites. With affordable rates, you can stay for a long fourth of July weekend and enjoy all the local sites.

New Mexico culture and heritage draws strong influences from it Native American population from the Pueblo and Navajo tribes. Farmington hosts two outstanding celebrations summer 2010. July 24th the 9th Annual Indian Market and Festival will be held at Berg Park. This one day celebration features Native American arts and crafts, singing and dancing. Over Labor Day Weekend the Totah Festival will be held at the Farmington Civic Center. With an inter tribal Pow Wow on both days, visitors can browse a juried art festival featuring over 100 local and regional Native American artists. There is also a rug auction of authentic Navajo rugs for collectors.

Travelers to Farmington have two excellent Best Western Hotels to choose from. The Best Western Inn & Suites and the Best Western Territorial Inn & Suites nearby in Bloomfield. Both Hotels are conveniently located off of highway 64 for easy access to local and regional sites. With Best Western's great rates, make sure to spend a day or two exploring four corners and other local attractions.

The Labor Day Weekend marks the 100th Anniversary of Bean Day in Northeast New Mexico. The Bean Day Centennial is held in Wagon Mound, 40 miles north of Las Vegas New Mexico. A terrific end of summer celebrating the local bean crop. The festivities run September 3rd through the 6th and include a full schedule of fun and activities for the entire family. Enjoy rodeos, dances, a parade, food, arts and crafts vendors and special mass on Sunday. You can participate in the baseball tournament and there are special kids games and races. The highlight of the event is the mouthwatering bean and barbeque lunch on Monday. The meal is prepared pit BBQ style underground. The meal is free, so don't miss this event.

The Best Western Montezuma Inn & Suites is conveniently located for travelers to Bean Day. Just 40 miles from Wagon Mound. just off I-25, enjoy the beautiful mountain backdrop as you drive through the area or relax by the pool.

White Sands National Monument

Southern New Mexico traversed by interstate 10 is set for a lot of summer tourists. Small towns like Deming, historic Mesilla and Hatch, the chile capital of the world, roll out the welcome mat to exciting and unique events and local sites. The rolling dunes of White Sands National Monument are a spectacular sight and the nearby White Sand Missile Range and Museum gives a look at the development of America's missile and space programs. Las Cruces, in the beautiful Mesilla Valley of south-central New Mexico, is one of the fastest growing cities in the US. With 350 days of sunshine, the Organ Mountains as the eastern backdrop and the Rio Grande River to the west, Las Cruces residents and visitors enjoy old west charm and hospitality.

Celebrate the fourth of July in Las Cruces at the Annual Electric Light Parade, festival and amazing fireworks display. The 2010 celebration is Saturday and Sunday July 3rd and 4th at the Hadley Complex. Marvel at floats decorated and lit with electric lights on Saturday evening. Spend Sunday enjoying music food and vendors, before the evening concert and fireworks show. A terrific weekend for a fantastic family fourth of July.

For a good old fashioned family getaway, join the communities of south-western New Mexico at the Hidalgo County Fair. August 26th through 28th at the fairgrounds in Lordsburg is the place for weekend of family summer fun. Enjoy exhibits of the best local talents, livestock and agriculture. Don't miss the parade Friday afternoon and the Junior Rodeo both Friday and Saturday. The spectacular Rodeo de Hidalgo is Saturday night followed by the big fair dance. With the concessions and carnival, the fair entertains young and old. Make sure to check into the Best Western Skies Inn in Lordsburg and make it your home away from home for the weekend.

Deming hosts the unique Great American Duck Race in Summer. The 2010 event is the 31st Annual Race with pirates as the theme. Held August the fourth weekend of August, the 26th through the 29th, this is Deming's event of the summer. Featuring a live duck races along with a full weekend of activities and fun. Carnivals, dances, a slow pitch tournament and even outhouse races, this is a full weekend of fun for everyone. The Best Western Mimbres Valley Inn in Deming is ideal for travelers. Take in a full day of fun at the Duck Races and then return to a clean quiet room for the night.

Did you know that one fresh green chile has as much vitamin C as six oranges? The small town of Hatch is famous for it's chiles and celebrates the harvest September 4th and 5th. The 2010 festival is the 38th Annual for the Hatch Chile Festival. Bring the entire family, the entrance fee is for the car load. Enjoy a parade, royalty coronation, food, arts and crafts vendors and musical entertainment. There will be a chile eating contest for the spice lovers. The Best Western Mission Inn just about 30 miles away in Las Cruces is ideal for visitors to Hatch. Begin your day with a complimentary made to order breakfast and the hotel is pet-friendly, so bring the family dog too!