Duke City Center Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque started out as a military outpost and farming community. When the railroad came to Albuquerque in 1880, the rail company bypassed the central plaza and built its depot about two miles east in what became known as New Albuquerque. Downtown Albuquerque experienced a major cultural shift when the city destroyed buildings in the 1960s and 1970s. Fortunately, residents fought for the renovation of the city's historic buildings, revitalizing the Downtown neighborhood.

Downtown Albuquerque now has an exciting arts scene and plenty of cultural institutions. The neighborhood serves as home to the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railroad Historical Society, Wheels Museum and the Holocaust & Intolerance Museum of New Mexico. The neighborhood also has 516 Arts, a museum-style art gallery. Residents enjoy activities such as the annual Luminaria Festival, Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in nearby Balloon Fiesta Park.

Many local chefs prepare dishes featuring Mexican, Spanish, and Native American ingredients, but Downtown Albuquerque also has sushi restaurants, brick-oven pizza joints and steakhouses. Be prepared to let your server know if you prefer your dish covered with red chile or green chile sauce. If you want a combination of both, ask for "Christmas." Central Avenue serves as the home of many Downtown Albuquerque restaurants, but Silver Avenue and Gold Avenue also have several eateries.

Stop by Cecilia's Cafe for New Mexican cuisine made with Spanish and Native American ingredients. Cecilia's serves a particularly spicy red chile sauce, so don't be afraid to ask for green sauce if you can't handle the heat. The restaurant has enchiladas, rellenos, tacos, burritos and other favorites. Pair your favorite entrée with pinto beans, Spanish rice or your favorite side dish.

The Grove Cafe and Market features dishes made with fresh, carefully sourced ingredients. For breakfast, try a breakfast burrito, smoked salmon or poached eggs. The lunch menu includes house-made soups, fresh salads and sandwiches made with gourmet cheeses. If you have the pleasure of visiting during Sunday brunch, try the cranberry-orange French toast served with crushed pistachios and vanilla creme fraiche.

Mas - Tapas Y Vino, located in Hotel Andaluz, features dishes made with high-quality imported spices and fresh local ingredients. For breakfast, try the quinoa oatmeal with fresh berries and local honey, or dive into a plate of huevos rancheros prepared just the way you like them. Lunch options include grilled artichokes with goat cheese and mint, spiced almonds, flatbread sandwiches and fried shrimp with smoked paprika. The delectable dinner tapas feature meats, fish and vegetables. Try the roasted duck breast, grilled asparagus wrapped in smoked salmon or Spanish blood sausage.

Downtown Albuquerque has a very lively entertainment scene. Locals head to Amped Performance Center to check out local artists performing acoustic sets, metal and rap. Sunshine Theater hosts local acts as well as national touring groups such as the Stone Temple Pilots, Modest Mouse, Deftones and The Strokes. Launchpad Bar has everything from burlesque shows to local acts, while Sister Bar focuses on booking national touring groups.

Many residents drive their cars from Downtown Albuquerque to other points in the city, but public transportation is also a popular option. Commuters have access to Amtrak, Greyhound, New Mexico Rail Runner and Rapid Ride bus service to Old Town and the University of New Mexico. In the Downtown neighborhood, you should be able to hail a cab within a minute or two at most times of the day. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft operate within the city limits, but some officials believe these services are operating in violation of state law, so it might be easier to hail a cab or ask a friend for a ride. It costs just $2 per hour to park at any of the city's public parking facilities, but metered parking is also available. I-40 sits right at the northern edge of the neighborhood, giving residents convenient access to Arizona, Texas and other New Mexico cities. If driving or taking public transportation is not for you, take heart. Downtown Albuquerque has a very high walkability score and more than 400 miles of paths and trails for cyclists, making walking and cycling very safe.

Martineztown-Santa Barbara Park has soccer and kickball fields, a baseball diamond and plenty of room for walking and jogging. The park appeals mostly to older children, but there are bucket swings for toddlers. For dog lovers, Coronado Dog Park is the place to be on the weekends. The park has a fenced-in area to keep dogs safe, making it the perfect place for pups to socialize. Robinson Park in nearby South Valley features events such as the Solar Fiesta, Local Harvest Downtown Growers Market and We Art the People Community Art Festival each year.

Downtown Albuquerque has a slightly higher cost of living than the city average with an average rent of $595 per month for a one-bedroom residence. Downtown Albuquerque's gas price of $2.24 per gallon sits at 12% lower than the national average, making commuting less expensive than in other cities. If you take public transportation, it costs just $1 each way to take the bus to other parts of Albuquerque. Children nine and younger ride for free, while disabled riders and senior citizens enjoy reduced public transportation fares. A half-liter bottle of domestic beer costs $2.25, but craft beers from local breweries cost slightly more.

The Downtown Albuquerque neighborhood has a mix of specialty shops and boutiques featuring jewelry, clothing and home decor items made by local artists. Some local favorites include The Octopus and the Fox (a vintage children's clothing store), and Skip Maisel's Indian Jewelry and Palms Trading Company. Many local boutiques sit on Central Avenue and Lomas Boulevard. If you are in the mood to visit a high-end retailer at a shopping mall, stop by Coronado Center or ABQ Uptown. Coronado Center has Macy's, Express, Sears, and Godiva Chocolatier while ABQ Uptown has Apple, L'Occinate, Bebe, and Anthropologie.

Downtown Albuquerque does not have any grocery stores within its limits, but several stores are just a few minutes away. Shop at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods for your favorite organic items. Nearby Sprouts Farmer's Market has a wide selection of wine and beer in addition to fresh produce and items sold by local vendors.