Raynolds Addition - Albuquerque, NM

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and construction of Route 66 played an important role in the development of Raynolds Addition. In the early 1700s, settlers chose the area partly because of its proximity to the river. An influx of rail traffic and Dust Bowl refugees infused the area's population in the first part of the 20th century. After World War II, Kirtland Air Force Base in southeast Albuquerque served as a center for research and technology. The creation of Sandia National Labs cemented the area's role as a contributor to national defense.

Downtown Albuquerque has a number of museums exploring the people and history of the Rio Grande Valley. The Albuquerque Museum showcases artifacts dating back to pre-Columbian history and into the modern age, as well as Hispanic sculpture and art. The Kino Theatre has film festivals and theater performances for residents and has gained recognition as one of the city's most well-known landmarks.

As one would expect in a city as diverse as Albuquerque, dining options vary in Raynolds Addition with a concentration of restaurants and bars located along Route 66 and the surrounding blocks. An upscale breakfast awaits at Gold Street Caffe near the center of Raynolds Addition. Its spunky menu ranges from simple and inexpensive breakfast burritos to the gold hash plate with sirloin and bacon served with a house-made green chile-cheese biscuit. Expect to pay around $15 for breakfast and juice.

Lindy's Diner calls to mind the diners that once lined Route 66. The walls brim with vintage road signs and advertisements. Even the prices recall earlier times, and you can order a filling breakfast for as little as $5.

The freshest fish in the desert end up at Sushi King, where many selections reflect the original Southwest style. The New Mexico roll overflows with deep-fried green chile, avocado and cucumber, and the happy roll brims with three shrimp stuffed with cream sauce. Dinner and drinks for yourself and a friend run around $60.

Downtown bars in Raynolds Addition attract evening revelers from all over Albuquerque. One hot night spot, Launchpad, has a never-ending lineup of up-and-coming bands from all over the country. Locals catch intimate performances in the low-ceilinged bar of Burt's Tiki Lounge, where Wednesday's hip hop nights remain one of the most popular midweek promotions in town.

A quick drive east on Route 66 takes you to the Cinemark Century 14 movie theater, where the lobby cafe serves food made to order. Locals can catch a late-night movie with traditional theater concessions, drinks, pizza and hot dogs.

Drivers can easily navigate the uncongested interstates and ample parking in Albuquerque. Interstate access from Raynolds Addition sits just two blocks east, and Uber chauffeurs service the area for those who don't feel like driving. Most cab services in Albuquerque congregate near bars downtown around closing time. Otherwise, call in advance to schedule a ride to and from other parts of the city.

Inexpensive public transit in Albuquerque covers most parts of the city and costs just $2. This small area stays one of the most walkable in town, and cyclists find Albuquerque an exceptional city for traveling by bike. The relatively flat terrain and network of trails and dedicated bike lanes make it one of the most useful and extensive in the country.

Raynolds Addition sits near a number of free parks and the shady trails and nature center of the Rio Grande. Nearby Tingley Field hosts acres of playable grass fields. Kids under 12 can fish at Tingley Beach, actually a pond, just a few blocks west. Cyclists stay happy along 400 miles of paths and trails throughout the city, and the Sandia Mountains just east of Albuquerque afford opportunities to participate in mountain sports.

At $737, the median rent for a one-bedroom residence in Raynolds Addition hovers above the average for Albuquerque. The area enjoys semi-luxury apartments and townhouses with mountain and desert views along the length of the city.

A filling meal averages around $10, slightly above average for the city. The number of bars pushes the price of beer down to an average of $5, lower than what you find in many other parts of Albuquerque. Residents also take advantage of gas prices around 9 percent less than the national average. A one-way ticket on public transit to anywhere in town costs $2.

The variety and quality of shopping options in Raynolds Addition stems from its location in the center of Albuquerque's busy downtown district. This includes the Man's Hat Shop, a distinguished haberdashery dealing only in the finest straw, fur and felt hats from Stetson, Resistol and other premier names. The expert staff specialize in proper fit and offer free steam fitting for life on hats purchased at the store.

Not your typical army surplus store, Gizmo carries all kinds of equipment and gear for camping and outdoor pursuits. In addition to tennis shows and discounted everyday items, it sells high-tech toys like paintball guns and radios.

Skip Maisel's Indian Jewelry and Crafts always has Indian pottery and crafts on hand. Its iconic neon sign acts as a beacon for shoppers seeking the store's massive selection of American Indian pottery and artwork.

Locals grab groceries and items for the home at Lowe's Super Save located just northwest of Raynolds Addition, or they head east on Route 66 to La Montañita Co-op for shelves of fresh, local produce and other organic specialties. Whole Foods lies a few miles northeast of the area, and the Downtown Growers Market at Robinson Park in the heart of Raynolds Addition has farm-to-table produce on Saturday mornings.