Albuquerque, NM

Isotope Ballpark is home to the Albuquerque Isotopes, a minor-league baseball team and Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The sports team's name is apropos, since New Mexico is well-known for its nuclear technology, which might explain the yellow, orange and red alien mascot named Orbit that's always cheering the team on.

Address: 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez, SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 - MAP
Phone: (505) 924-2255
Web: www.web.minorleaguebaseball.com

Catch a Star at the University of New Mexico, home to the NCAA Division I varsity sports teams known as the Lobos, who compete in the Mountain West Conference. You can watch both men and women athletic teams excel in basketball, golf, tennis, skiing, cross country, soccer and other sports.

Address: 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 - MAP
Phone: (505) 277-0111
Web: www.golobos.com

Hike among ancient ruins at the Petroglyph National Monuments in Albuquerque. The 17 miles of trails are home to thousands of treasured lava rocks etched with images of people and animals hand carved by the Pueblos. Hikers also enjoy seeing abundant native wildlife and plants. Remember it's a National Park so collecting anything is a no, no!

Address: 6001 Unser Boulevard, NW, Albuquerque, NM 87103 - MAP
Phone: (505) 899-0205
Web: www.nps.gov

Bike past exotic animals on the Paseo del Bosque Bike Trail in Albuquerque; the 16-mile paved pedestrian trail is littered with bikers and joggers looking at camels, lamas, ostriches, roadrunners, ducks and geese along the way. The popular recreation route also leads to Tingley Beach and the Rio Grande Nature Center.

Address: Paseo del Bosque Trail - MAP
Phone: (505) 452-5200
Web: www.cabq.gov

Plunge into gallons of fun at Cliff's Amusement Park! Splash through wet and wild water coasters like the Big Flush that sends you hurling through the air out of dark winding pipelines. Be sure to check out the park's other thrill rides like the Cliff Hanger wooden roller coaster.

Address: 4800 Osuna Road, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 - MAP
Phone: (505) 881-9373
Web: www.cliffs.net

Slip and slide indoors at the Radisson Hotel & Water Park! Family fun abounds through miles of water recreation, rides, slides and attractions. You can ride the surf machine, hide under waterfalls and hang out at the snack bar. And best of all, you don't have to wear any sun screen!

Address: 2500 Carlisle Boulevard, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 - MAP
Phone: (505) 888-3311
Web: www.waterparknewmexico.com

Up, Up & Away on a hot air balloon ride from Rainbow Ryders in Albuquerque. Packages offer one hour flights with a traditional champagne ceremony, flight certificate and balloon pin and launch every morning at sunrise, year round weather permitting and sunset during the winter.

Address: 5601 Eagle Rock Avenue, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 - MAP
Phone: (505) 823-1111
Web: www.rainbowryders.com

Stand 10,378 feet in the air with an 11,000-square-mile panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley when you take a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway to the top of the Sandia Peak in the Cibola National Forest. If you get a little light-headed you can always take a seat at one of the mountain top restaurants.

Address: 10 Tramway Loop, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 - MAP
Phone: (505) 242-9133
Web: www.sandiapeak.com

Start your engine at the Hinkle Family Fun Center. Sit behind the wheel of a powerful Grand Prix-style racing go-kart and put the pedal to the metal as you spin around the winding track, hugging curves, racing up hills and flying under bridges. Check out the other thrills and recreation like paintball and lazer tag!

Address: 12931 Indian School Road, NE, Albuquerque 87112 - MAP
Phone: (505) 299-3100
Web: www.hinklefamilyfuncenter.com

Skidmore's Holiday Bowl puts a new spin on glow in the dark bowling! They took glow in the dark bowling and added thumping music, dizzying light effects and crazy fog. If your bowling experience makes you thirsty, check out the HB Extreme Vodka Venue inside the 300 Club Grill. Head out for some fun at this bowling alley and let's see how many strikes you can get.

Address: 7515 Lomas Boulevard, NE, Albuquerque 87110 - MAP
Phone: (505) 268-3308
Web: www.holidaybowlabq.com

Play and eat at Slate Street Billiards. Sink the eight ball at one of the 15 Brunswick Gold Championship pool tables or hit the bullseye at one of the 10 "no bounce" dart boards while you listen to live music. Join your friends here for a night of billiards, ice cold beers and burgers!

Address: 2003 Southern Boulevard, SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 - MAP
Phone: (505) 994-0363
Web: www.slatestreetbilliards.com

Bring your fishing poles to Tingley Beach from dawn to dusk. The Catch and Release Pond is ideal for fly fisherman and the youngest anglers drop a line at the Children's Pond. The ponds are swimming with stocked trout and catfish. Remember, anyone 12 or older needs to have a fishing license!

Address: 1800 Tingley Drive, Albuquerque, NM 87102 - MAP
Phone: (505) 768-2000
Web: www.cabq.gov