As you can imagine from its name, the High Line used to be an elevated rail line dating back to the 1920’s. At the end of the 1990’s, the park’s destiny seemed doomed, but the local community stood up for transformation of this unused zone into a public park. I think it should be a great inspiration for other cities in the world. It’s almost magical how all the trees and plants in the park can cut the noise of the city and provide such a peaceful place for people.

The High Line Park is almost 2.5 km long. There are several points where you can access and exit the park but if you go back to where you started, it will be at least a 5km walk.

The High Line Park is operated and maintained by Friends of the High Line, that is a non-profit organization. lIf you would like to support them, you can make donations or adopt a plant.

View from the High Line

High Line

Art in the High Line Park

View from the High Line Park

Madrid used to be a coal mining city in the second half of 1800’s. At one point, the coal business was so big that the population of Madrid was more than Albuquerque, the biggest city of New Mexico. Every Christmas, the families of the miners used to decorate the town to make it sparkle like a diamond. As rumour has it, pilots used to change their route at night to show the lights of Madrid to their passengers. In memory of those old happy days, new residents of the town still organize a  “Christmas Parade” every year.

As the use of natural gas became popular, the coal mines were closed in 1954 and the locals started to quit Madrid one by one and left almost all their belongings behind. This is actually why it is called a ghost town. I was very surprised when I learned that for once the whole town was for sale.

Madrid owes its rebirth to the artists who moved there in the 1970’s. Today it has a population of around 400 people but it gets really crowded with the visitors, especially in summer. We visited Madrid in June while travelling from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. We were there in the afternoon and it was so crowded we almost couldn’t find an empty spot for our car. I must also say that it was very hot and that makes it very hard to visit.

Most of the old houses are now painted in vibrant colors and used as art galleries or gift shops. We saw some ghost houses outside Madrid but contrary to its fame as a ghost town, it is a very colorful and lively place. It is also probably the best stop in the Turquoise Trail to eat and rest.

I should also say a few words about the altitude sickness. Since we live in Istanbul, we’re used to sea level altitude, whereas Madrid’s altitude is about 1.8m. We had been advised to drink lots of water, not to stay long under the sun and not to drink too much alcohol. We had a few headaches and felt tired but that was it. So you don’t have to worry about the altitude sickness.

Main Concourse is the main hall of the terminal with a very high ceiling and a big clock right  in the middle of it. You will be under the charm of this magnificent hall the moment you step inside. Get ready to see a crazy flow of people with those going to the platforms, buying tickets and taking pictures. According to a survey made by Travel Leisure magazine in 2012, Grand Central Terminal is the 6^th most visited touristic place in the world. It shouldn’t have been a surprise since on average the terminal welcomes 21,600,000 visitors per year.

There is a shopping area and a food court on the lower level of the terminal. My favourite shop is PIQ where you can find designer toys such as Sonny Angels and Kid Robot.

The Grand Central Terminal is open between 5:30 am and 2 pm

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42nd Street and Park Avenue

Midtown Manhattan

Nob Hill, where the New Mexico University is located, is the modern part of the city with nice restaurants, coffee shops and movie theatres. The famous 66 Diner(1405 Central Ave NE) is also in this neighbourhood. As you can imagine, there is nothing really original or interesting to discover in this part of the city. So let’s focus on the old town.

As in the other cities in New Mexico, in the centre of Albuquerque’s old town, there is a square surrounded by adobe buildings similar to Spanish ex colonies. These squares are called “plaza”. It’s easy to visit the town by making the plaza your starting point.

When the Spanish arrived in New Mexico in the1500s, they also brought their religion with them and they kind of forced the locals to accept their religion. One of the first buildings made by the Spanish in Albuquerque was a chapel, which was destroyed and a new church, San Felipe de Neri Church was built on the same location in 1793. This is the oldest building in town.

San Felipe de Neri Church

It’s not hard to feel the influence of the Hispanic culture with all the small and colourful details that you notice while wandering around the old city. There is something waiting for you to make you smile one each corner, especially if you like taking photographs. I remember feeling like I was  in a movie, with the locals wearing their cowboy hats, a band playing Mexican music in the park near the Plaza, shops owned by Native Americans and other things that really make the whole New Mexico trip a great adventure.

There are lots of nice shops in Patio Marketwhere you can buy nice souvenirs.

Velvet Coffee House(206 1/2 San Felipe NW, Suite 8) is a good choice to have an iced tea or coffee.

If you like t-shirts as much as I do, I recommend you to check out the Guerrilla Graphix(223 Sierra Drive SE), where I bought three or four t-shirts for myself.

Back Street Grill(1919 Old Town Rd NW) is a nice spot to have a nice dinner accompanied by local beer or wine. If you order Backstreet Nachos With Guacamole, the waitress prepares the guacamole at your table in front of your eyes. Keep that in mind if you are curios about how to make a nice guacamole.

We stayed at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Townand I can say that it is the most convenient and comfortable hotel to visit the old town. It’s walking distance from the Old Town and we felt safe even when we walked back to the hotel at night. I don’t want to ruin any surprises but just know that the breakfast is beyond imagination. Don’t expect a regular continental breakfast.

Albuquerque is also known for its International Balloon Fiesta that happens each year during the month of October. This is one of the most photographed events in the world. You can also take a balloon ride all year around with one of the balloon ride companies.

If you are planning a trip to New Mexico, don’t forget to read the post about “Santa Fe”.

Dimes
A small restaurant in Lower East Side, perfect for breakfast and light snacks. A good idea before heading off to Metrograph to watch a movie or to the Tenement Museum to look around, four blocks north to the restaurant. (On Canal Street, between Orchard and Ludlow)

Egg Restaurant
For a nice breakfast or lunch in (North) Wiiliamsburg, Egg Restaurant is not to be missed. They serve breakfast all day. If you are interested in food recipes, you can also buy their book “Breakfast: Recipes to Wake Up For” on their web site. (On N 3rd, between Wyhte and Berry)

Fabiane’s
One of the first restaurants opened in Willamsburg. Always the first choice for a quick but delicious lunch or tea and desert break. (On the corner of N 5th and Bedford)

Freemans

Freemans
Freemans is a lovely rustic american restaurant hidden in a quiet cul-de-sac. The interior design of the restaurant was designed by one of the partners, Taavo Somer. If you’re interested in interior design, check-out his book “Freemans: Food and Drink, Interiors, Grooming, Style” on the restaurant’s web site. (On Rivington Street at the end of  Freeman Alley. Between Bowery and Chrystie)

Garfunkel’s
Garfunkel’s is known as a “speakeasy” bar because of illicit banking business of Garfunkel and Tauster in the 1920’s.  The entrance is through the back door in The Burgary. Afternoon tea is served between 12 pm and 5 pm. Booking in advance is recommended for the afternoon tea. (On Clinton Street, between Stanton and Rivington)  

Jack’s Wife Freda

Jack’s Wife Freda
Great place for delicious food and cheerful staff. Booking in advance is highly recommended especially for weekend brunches. (224 Lafayette Street, between Spring and Kenmore Street – 50 Carmine Street, between Bleeker and Bedford Street)

Juliette
Juliette is a French restaurant that I really like. Food is always delicious and you can enjoy its rooftop terrace in good weather. You may also want to check-out the nice boutiques on Mini Mall and Bedford street just across the street. (on N 5th, between Berry and Bedford)

Le Coucou

Le Coucou
Le Coucou is the right address if you’re looking for a fancy restaurant in Soho. It’s a little pricy but worth it. Booking in advance is recommended both for lunch and dinner. (On Lafayette Street, between Howard and Canal) 

Marlow & Sons
Marlow&Sons is an American restaurant in (South) Willamsburg with a daily menu. (On Broadway-Brooklyn, between Berry and Wythe) 

Santina

Santina
A lovely spacious restaurant in Chelsea. Food, presentation, ambiance and anything else you expect from a nice restaurant is here. (Under the Gansevoort entrance of the High Line, in the corner of Washington and Gansevoort) 

Sessanta
Lovely italian restaurant in Sixty Soho Hotel. It has a nice openair lounge area when the sun is out. It’s a good place to spend your evening after a day looking around Soho.  (On Thompson Street, between Broome and Spring)  

The Grey Dog
If you’re looking for a delicious, value for money place, look no further. (Branches in Union Sq, Nolita and West Village) 

Veselka
Veselka is a Ukranian restaurant in East Village open since 1954. Big portions for reasonable prices and open 24h/day. (on the corner of 2nd Avenue and E 9th Street)

12 Chairs
12 Chairs is a European and Middle East restaurant with one branch in Soho and another one in Williamsburg. (Soho-On MacDougal Street, South Williamsburg-between Houston and Prince)

The cities in New Mexico have often been under the influence of the Hispanic culture and one of the signs of this influence is the squares called plaza that you will find in almost every city centre.  Santa Fes plaza was built around a large park, surrounded by nice restaurants and shops.

Some of the cathedrals and chapels in Santa Fe are not like any other churches you may have seen in your life. One of them is the St Francis Cathedral located in a small square near the Plaza. The first adobe cathedral was built in 1610, a bigger church was then built twenty years after that and was destroyed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 in order to erase the Spanish marks. The actual cathedral was built in 1887. You should pass by the St Francis Cathedral at night, as the night lighting is very impressive.

Another must see in Santa Fe is the Loretto Chapel, famous with its 360 degree spiral wood staircase. How the staircase was built without any visible support is still a mystery. According to the legend, St Joseph has made it in answer to the sisters’ prayers to find a solution to access the choir. 

And the last one is the San Miguel Chapel, which is the oldest church in the United States with one of the oldest wood alter in New Mexico. 

St Francis Cathedral

Loretto Chapel

In addition to the historical places to visit, Santa Fe is known for the Santa Fe Opera House. The Opera House has a very modern architecture and is literally located in the middle of the desert. Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance to enjoy the breathtaking sunset along with the opera.

Since I started to write about the modern parts of the city, it is time to talk about Meow Wolf. Meow Wolf is an art complex transformed from an old bowling saloon. The House of Eternal Return, the first permanent exhibition was opened in 2016. This is a good example for the new non-linear storytelling technique, which makes the visitors explore the story by themselves.

Where to eat and stay?

The oldest and still the most popular restaurant of Santa Fe is The Plaza Cafe Downtown, open since 1905. They serve New Mexico classics such as burrito, enchiladas and taco as well as pasta, burgers and salads. For a nice afternoon tea with a delicious pastry or sandwich, I recommend The Tea House (821 Canyon Road). Inn on the Alameda, which is in a convenient location to visit the historical plaza and the Canyon Road where all the art galleries are located is a very nice hotel with reasonable prices.