If every airport had its own personality, the Albuquerque International Sunport would absolutely be the laid-back, art-loving local who invites you in, offers homemade salsa, and tells you about the best green chile in town. Flying in or out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of my favorite airport experiences precisely because it doesn’t feel like a typical airport—it feels like you’ve already arrived in the Southwest the moment your feet hit the terminal floor. If you’re planning to spend a few days exploring the city, check out my Spend a Week in Albuquerque itinerary for ideas on what to do once you land.
From the moment you step inside the Albuquerque International Sunport, you can tell this isn’t just another stopover. The entire space radiates New Mexico charm. Wooden ceiling beams, earthy adobe tones, and pops of turquoise and terra cotta give the airport that signature Southwestern flair you instantly recognize from the architecture across the state. It’s a place that feels lived in—cozy, authentic, and full of personality.
What I love most is how the Sunport somehow manages to feel homey instead of hectic. The main lobby looks more like a beautifully designed living room than an airport terminal, complete with local art and warm lighting that feels welcoming instead of sterile. And if you catch it at the right time, you might even hear live music echoing through the concourse—a touch that makes your layover feel more like a mini cultural moment than a travel chore. It’s the perfect introduction to the local culture—something you’ll see even more of if you visit Old Town Albuquerque or explore the city’s art and history scene.
Airport dining can be hit or miss, but this one’s a win. When hunger hits, the Sunport’s food hall brings together local New Mexican flavors with familiar comfort food.
At Indian Pueblo Kitchen, we ordered the chips and salsa—and let me tell you, the salsa packed a punch. Locals may swear it’s mild, but it definitely delivers that signature New Mexico heat (the kind that reminds you locals have a much higher spice tolerance). Their menu is full of regional favorites that give travelers a real taste of Albuquerque before even leaving the airport.
If you’re in the mood for something equally local, Flavor of New Mexico serves up regional dishes with flair, while Cheese & Coffee crafts hearty sandwiches and soups that are perfect for something lighter before a flight. Black Mesa Coffee Company is where you’ll want to go for your artisan coffee fix and fresh pastries. And of course, for those days when you just need something quick, familiar spots like Panda Express and Dunkin’ are right there too.
It’s not a huge food court, but the quality and variety stand out—and it’s surprisingly easy to find something good even when you’re short on time.
If you’re renting a car, Albuquerque keeps things refreshingly simple and smooth. After grabbing your bags, you just head outside, hop on a quick shuttle to the rental car center, and you’re set. The process is efficient and well-organized, even during busier travel times.
That said, if you’re flying in during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, plan for some extra time. The car rental lines and shuttles can back up with all the extra visitors in town, so I’d recommend budgeting at least 45 extra minutes just to be safe. And take my advice—try to arrive on an earlier flight if you can. We landed around midnight during Balloon Fiesta week, and by the time we got to the rental counter, the only vehicles left were 15-passenger vans. Not exactly what we pictured cruising around New Mexico in! Once you’ve got your car, make sure to read my Best Places to Stay for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta so you can plan where to rest up between those early-morning launches.
If airports had awards, the Albuquerque International Sunport would absolutely take home “Most Welcoming.” Between the architecture, the warmth of the staff, the live music, and the local food options, this airport manages to embody the very best of New Mexico before you’ve even left the terminal. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause mid-connection and think, “Wait, I could actually stay here a while.”
Whether you’re arriving for the Balloon Fiesta, road-tripping through Route 66, or heading out to Santa Fe or Los Poblanos, this is one airport experience that sets the tone perfectly for what’s ahead: easygoing charm, great food, and that unmistakable New Mexico soul.
If you’re heading to town for the Fiesta itself, don’t miss my Balloon Fiesta Mistakes to Avoid and Route 66 Neon Hunt in Albuquerque—both are packed with insider tips and hidden photo spots you’ll want to add to your itinerary.
Yes, it’s only July. Start planning anyway. Fall books faster than people expect, and a few of these destinations are worth getting ahead of. Here are five places worth putting on your radar right now.
Ireland: Cooler temps, moody skies, dramatic coastline fall was made for it. Tourist crowds drop, the green stays, and the whole country feels a little more like itself.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC: Fall foliage in the Smokies is the real thing. The color peaks mid-October and the views from the ridgelines are hard to argue with. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so going on a weekday makes a real difference.
New York City: Fall is NYC at its best comfortable temps, the energy of the city shifting into a new season, and every neighborhood doing something worth showing up for. It’s also just a great walking city when it’s not brutally hot.
Japan: Fall foliage season is as good as spring cherry blossoms and somehow less talked about. The colors are dramatic, the temples and gardens are stunning, and it’s worth planning around peak dates by region.
Mystic, Connecticut: Small, walkable, genuinely charming Mystic in fall feels like exactly what a New England autumn is supposed to look like. Easy to pair with a broader New England road trip if you want to extend it.
Full guides linked in bio 🍂
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
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