Favorite view in Albuquerque proper? (Rio Rancho, Los Lunas: houses, neighborhood, school)

[violent cello]

So we all know the view from the top of the Sandias and the view from the Petroglyphs are beautiful, but they are places you have to go out of your way to visit in order to see a beautiful vista. So what's your favorite view from within Albuquerque itself, in your day-to-day life in town? A park that you think is beautiful perhaps? A street that gives a great view west? A restaurant that has great scenery?

Here are some views I really like:
1. The neighborhood west of UNM towards downtown - some great glimpses of the mesa from there.
2. The Carlisle/Lead intersection in Nob Hill - a great view north and also a great view of the Sandias.
3. I like going north on the Freeway when the Sandias are covered in snow.

[berncohomes]

The view from by patio of the Four Hills and then nothing but open space to the hill near Los Lunas.

The drive down stagecoach road after leaving home and the view of the Sandia's, especially after it has snowed.

The drive back down the same road in the evening when I can see the lights of the city, or in the day when I can watch the aircraft come in for landing at the airport.

I'm also fortunate enough to view views from a lot of houses with my job, there was one last month in Enchanted hills where you could see the complete mountain range from the backyard. Spectacular!

[Merlander]

Our favorite was the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, at the base of the Sandias. It's about 2 min. above Tramway by car. At dusk, the combo of the sunset, and the city lights sprawled out below, is breathtaking. We esp. liked it because it was only an 8 min. drive from our house.

[mortimer]

I like the idea of a list of a few or several.
I don't have a favorite or if I did, I would switch it
around and have a different favorate another week.

( no numbers )

-o- Like Tim, anywhere in and around Ellena Gallegos
-o- Johnson Field at UNM in the early evening just before
..... sunset or early morning
-o- Central Avenue at the Rio Grande crossing looking South-East
..... at the view of the Manzanos framed by the bosqe trees
..... (the river takes a turn here, so the bridge isn't exactly East-West)
-o- View of the Rio Grande Valley just before sunset from Nine Mile Hill
-o- Old(er) buildings at UNM under the mature Cottonwoods and/or Piñon trees.
-o- All the views from the N. Diversion Channel as it bends East - N. of Indian School
..... ( benches are conveniently provided )
-o- View of Four Hills as you drive down Juan Tabo S. of Montgomery Blvd.
-o- Driving either uphill or downhill on Tramway from I-25 to the Tram turn-off
-o- Driving either North or South on Tramway from I-40 to the Tram turn-off
-o- Anywhere along Rio Grande Blvd / any direction / any time of day
..... ( same with Isleta Blvd and 4th St N of Alameda )
-o- All the old buildings on Mountain Road between Edith and Old Town
-o- Looking East down Central from Nob Hill toward the tall buildings at San Mateo
-o- Anywhere around the perimeter of Albuquerque Academy (Wyoming, Academy, Harper)

[violent cello]

Johnson Field is a great one! I used to run there in the early mornings and it was such a great view.

[Merlander]

Originally Posted by mortimer

...driving either uphill or downhill on Tramway from I-25 to the Tram turn-off

I have to agree with this one - we always took the Tramway route when heading north on I-25. Come to think of it, I love the whole drive north on Tramway, starting @ I-40 all the way to I-25.

[lobo]

1) Along the bosque behind the houses in River's Edge in Rio Rancho. This time of year you get the river, all of the green along both sides of the river, and a spectacular view of the mountains. We're going to have a family photo taken from that spot.

2) Driving up Paseo del Norte as you get closer to the mountains. The mountain views are fantastic. If you do the drive near sunset on days when the clouds are just right, the mountains are the beautiful watermelon color they were named after.

3) Driving east on I-40 into Albuquerque at night. As you come over 9 mile hill you can see all of the lights of the city just pop out of the dark desert sky. Makes ya say "wow!"

[SkidMark]

Coming into ABQ from the west is my favorite.

[GOPATTA2D]

Skyline Drive in the evening used to be great. Have not been that way in a while.