Albuquerque Information

 

For more information, visit the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is the largest hot air balloon festival in the world.
This week-long event runs from October 2-10, 2010, right after the Labs21 2010 Annual Conference wrapped up. Partial image of hot air balloons


 

 

 

 


Transportation

To and From the Airport

The Albuquerque International Sunport Airport is located approximately five miles from the conference site, the Albuquerque Convention Center, and the conference host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque. There are several ways to travel to and from the airport.

  • Public Transit
    • Rail Service

      The New Mexico Rail Runner Express travels from Albuquerque's International Sunport Airport (Station name: Bernalillo County/International Sunport) to Downtown Albuquerque. A one-way trip is $1 and takes approximately 10 minutes. A bus (107 KB, 1 pp, PDF) transports travelers the short distance between the airport and the Bernalillo County/International Sunport Rail Runner station, and the Downtown Albuquerque stop is just a few blocks from the Albuquerque Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Albuquerque. Visit the New Mexico Rail Runner Express website for the schedule and more information.

    • Bus Service
      The free #350 Downtown - Sunport Nonstop Express Bus departs from the lower level at the west end of the bus shuttle island at the airport and goes to the transportation center just a few blocks from the Albuquerque Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Albuquerque. Look for the Bus Stop Signs at the airport, and check the schedule (57 KB, 1 PP, PDF) to find the bus departure closest to your flight's arrival. Note: The #350 runs on weekdays only.
  • Taxi Service
    • A taxi from the airport to the Albuquerque Convention Center is generally less than $20.
  • Airport Shuttle

    Sunport Shuttle
    (505) 883-4966

    Visit the Sunport Shuttle Counter, open 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. and located on the ground level inside the terminal across from baggage claim #3, to make your reservation. Walk-up reservations are welcome. Shuttle service is $11 for a one-way trip to downtown.

  • Limousine Service
  • By Car

    To travel by car from the airport to the conference host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, located directly across the street from the Albuquerque Convention Center, follow these directions:

    1. Head east on Sunport Boulevard SE for 1.6 miles.

    2. Merge onto I-25 North via the ramp to I-40/Downtown & Santa Fe. Travel 2.7 miles.

    3. Take exit 225 toward Candelaria Road/Lomas Boulevard/Menaul Boulevard. Travel 0.4 miles.

    4. Merge onto Oak Street NE. Travel 0.1 miles.

    5. Turn left at Lomas Boulevard NE. Travel 0.8 miles.

    6. Turn left at 3rd Street NW. Travel 0.3 miles.

    7. Arrive at the Hyatt Regency, 330 Tijeras NW.

    • Car Rental
      There are a number of car rental service providers in close proximity to the airport. A free shuttle runs every five minutes from the commercial lane located outside the first level of the airport terminal building to Sunport Car Rental Center, with rental customer service counters and ready/return lots.
    • Parking
      The Albuquerque Convention Center is connected to 1,500 convenient parking spaces. Parking is available at the Albuquerque Convention Center Garage (Martin Luther King Boulevard and Broadway), with overflow parking available at the Civic Plaza garage (Marquette and 3rd Street). Event parking in these garages is $6.00 per vehicle, without in-and-out privileges.

      Additionally, there are numerous other public parking garages and parking lots available throughout downtown Albuquerque close to the Albuquerque Convention Center. Parking fees vary. Please refer to the posted parking fees at each garage or lot.


Around Town

Go green while in Albuquerque, and plan to walk or take public transit as much as possible.

  • Walking
    Downtown Albuquerque is very walkable. Use the most efficient form of transportation you have and get some exercise by walking to your destinations! Detailed maps of and information on downtown and other Albuquerque neighborhoods are available on the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau website to help you navigate.
  • Public Transportation
    The ABQ Ride bus system, which includes the Rapid Ride and downtown's D-Ride buses, offers convenient routes to shops, restaurants, attractions, and more via rapid transit and local service.
  • Taxi
    See above for taxi companies.

Restaurants

Activities

Come explore the
many ways to get around Albuquerque!
Picture of hot air balloons

Hot Air Balloons
Photo Credit: Raymond Watt

Picture of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express train

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express
Photo Credit: www.kipmalone.com
Picture of the Sandia Peak Tramway on a clear day

The Sandia Peak Tramway, the world's longest passenger aerial tramway
Photo Credit: Jay Blackwood

Albuquerque Meet-and-Greet for Friends of Labs21

Tuesday, September 28
11 a.m. to noon
Pecos Room (second floor) of the Albuquerque Convention Center

Friends, family, and significant others of our Labs21 Annual Conference attendees are invited to attend this informal welcome for non-conference attendees. A representative from the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau will provide an overview of all there is to see and do in Albuquerque; how to get around; and where to find food, shopping, and other local points of interest.

Don't want to sightsee by yourself? You're probably not alone! Use this reception to connect with other non-attendees and hit the town with those who share your interests.

Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® begins right after the close of the conference.

Old Town

Stroll through the historic adobe buildings of Old Town Albuquerque, founded in 1706.

State Fair

Come early and catch the last day of the New Mexico State Fair, September 26, 2010, at the State Fair Grounds in Albuquerque.

Sandia Tramway

Take the nearly 3-mile Sandia Peak Tramway up to 10,378 feet for spectacular views.

BODIES...The Exhibition

View this exhibition of preserved human bodies and organs on display in the Northwest Exhibit Hall of the Albuquerque Convention Center, in the building across the street from the Labs21 Annual Conference.

Santa Fe

Visit nearby Santa Fe via the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.

Petroglyphs

The Petroglyph National Monument, located on the westside of Albuquerque, contains an estimated 20,000 carved images, the majority of which were carved between 300 and 700 years ago.

Biological Park

Visit the Albuquerque Biological Park for a combined zoo, botanic garden, aquarium, and natural area experience. The Park is only about a mile from the Albuquerque Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Albuquerque.

Route 66

Walk down part of legendary Route 66 - it is now Central Avenue, in downtown Albuquerque.

Trinity Site: Location of the World's First Atomic Bomb Explosion

The site of the world's first atomic bomb explosion, south of Albuquerque in the White Sands Missile Range, will be open to visitors the Saturday after the conference.

Maps

Get your bearings and find fun activities with these Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau maps:

  • Interactive Map: Filter what shows up by what you are looking for, such as dining or shopping, and the neighborhood you want to explore.
  • Printable Map (2 pp, 1.9 MB): Take this one with you as you explore Albuquerque's neighborhoods.

Post-Conference Sightseeing Tours

The post-conference sightseeing tours have closed. If you'd like to find out what was offered, check out the links below:

Destination Southwest handled all of the registration and logistics for these tours on behalf of I2SL. Visit Destination Southwest's website to learn more about this company.