Whenever we’re in New Mexico, we love to stop by Albuquerque. The city is the perfect spot to enjoy the fall – without piling on sweaters and coats! We sat down with Albuquerque FastPark & Relax manager Mark Briganti to talk about his favorite fall events. 

We know the International Balloon Festival is one of the biggest events in the city. What is your favorite part of the festival?
My favorite part of Balloon Fiesta is the Glow events that are held in the evenings. Hundreds of balloons are on the ground and are lighting up all at once. It’s so colorful and a great experience that’s quintessential Albuquerque. 
 
Bacon-lovers unite! We hear there is a Bacon Fest in Albuquerque this month. What is this festival like? Do you have a favorite bacon meal?
Since this is my first year in Albuquerque, I haven’t gone to this one yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. It’s held at the Balloon Museum, which is another great attraction that celebrates ballooning year-round. I love bacon as a side with a stack of pancakes, or on top of a cheeseburger! 
 
After binge-watching all of the episodes on Netflix, we’re planning to go to the Breaking Bad Fan Fest next month! After all, the show with a cult-like following was filmed here. Are you ready for these fans to take over your city? Are you a fan yourself?
Yes and yes! I just finished it a couple of months ago. It was fun to see all the sites around town that were showcased on the show, and I’ve been to several. It’s an exciting aspect of our tourism industry here. Visitors can do a self-guided tour of Breaking Bad sites, or there are several options for touring the sites through a tour company – via trolley, bicycle, limo or replica RV like the one shown on the show!
 
While we’re in town for all of these fun events, where should we eat?
You should definitely try some of our amazing New Mexican food, which features red and green chiles. I really like breakfast burritos from a local chain called Blake’s Lotaburger and for lunch and dinner, I’m a fan of Sadie’s of New Mexico and El Pinto. If you want to try both red and green chiles on your dish, tell the server you want “Christmas.” 
 
What’s your favorite fall activity?
I like everything about this time of year in Albuquerque – it’s probably my favorite season. I really like all the chile roasters that are set up all over town and recommend you grab some chiles to take home and cook on your own. The fresh roasted ones are delicious and are only available in the fall. 
 
Anything else we missed?
I think one of the best ways to see fall colors is to take a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway. It’s also a nice way to see the city from a different perspective. I’d also recommend that outdoor lovers take a bike ride along the beautiful Bosque Trail, which runs along the Rio Grande and has lots of cottonwood trees, which are golden at this time of year.