1. If You Don’t Know What A Lobo Is, You’re Not From Here
Burqueños go loco over the University of New Mexico Lobos—or what timberwolves are known as in the Southwest.
2. Live Music Is Best Played Outdoors
When the headliners come to town, they often swing by Isleta Amphitheatre for some fun in the sun.
3. Have You Ever Seen A Night Sky Like This?
Even with everything going on, Burqueños still never forget to look up and admire just how beautiful their home is.
4. Sopapillas Are The Best Dessert Ever
If you haven’t had a sopapilla, you need to go to ABQ immediately. These fried pastry pieces of heaven don’t need a whole lot of extra nonsense on them, but some honey will never be a bad idea.
5. Sorry, Halloween. Dia De Los Muertos Is The Big Thing In ABQ
With Burque’s strong Mexican cultural influence, October 31 through November 2 isn’t for traditional American Halloween, it’s Dia De Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.
6. Hope You Like Your Food With A Little New Mexico Heat
New Mexican local cuisine is all about the green chile—even ’Burque McDonald’s hamburgers are topped with this favorite.
7. The Sky Is Going To Get Really Crowded Come October
Tourists come from all over the world to see the hundreds of hot air balloons take flight in the crisp October sky during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
8. Get The Name Right, Or You’ll Be Labeled A Tourist
Albuquerque is sometimes called ABQ, but some locals know that if you call it that or the 505, you’re probably new in town. Better to stick to “Burque.”
9. Throw Away Your Umbrella Now
It never rains in Albuquerque, which means you never have to carry around that cumbersome rain jacket and umbrella just in case.
10. UNM Students Could Eat On The Frontier Forever
Right across from the University of New Mexico is the Mexican diner Frontier, and you’re going to need to bring your appetite because the breakfast burritos and green chile stew are mouth-watering.
11. Everybody And Their Grandma Has A Zia Tattoo
The Zia Sun Symbol passed down from the Zia people not only adorns the New Mexico state flag, but it’s a source of pride and honor to Burqueños about their homeland.
12. Check Out The Biceps On Those Burqueños
Men’s Fitness once named Albuquerque the fittest city in the entire country, and Burqueños like to live up to the honor by biking, hiking, and rock climbing as often as they can.
13. You Don’t Have To Be Bill Nye To Love The Explora Science Center
Grown-ups will particularly enjoy its adults night where they have free reign over all of the hands-on exhibits.
14. Launchpad Has Nothing To Do With Helicopters
The Launchpad is one of the Burque’s favorite concert venues, with headliners like indie rock musicians Jenny Lewis and Ryan Adams, metal band Crowbar, and hip hop and rap artists like Common.
15. Yes, There Will Be Lots Of Celebrity Name-Dropping
You can’t even count all the famous people from Albuquerque, but just to name a few: Neil Patrick Harris, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Demi Lovato, Mike Judge, and Marc Maron.
16. You Might Get The Feeling You’re In Jurassic Park Here
An absolute must-see in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science is the permanent exhibit A Journey Through Time, where you can literally walk through the birth of time to the Ice Age, with some dinosaurs in between.
17. Superheroes Roam In ABQ
Hollywood loves Albuquerque. The majority of one of the biggest movies of all time, “The Avengers,” was filmed in the city, along with “Little Miss Sunshine,” “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” and many others.
18. No, You Haven’t Gone Back In Time
Old Town Albuquerque pays homage to its founders the Spanish, who settled the area back in the very early 1700s. Many of the old Pueblo-style homes have transformed into restaurants and boutiques, but kept the original charm.
19. This Name Sounds Familiar For A Reason
The Albuquerque Isotopes were named as an allusion to an episode of “The Simpsons.” And while not everyone was happy for the name change, they still love their home team.
20. The Whole Family Will Want To Go To Cliff’s
In the fall, the whole family can hit up Cliff’s Amusement Park for thrill rides and some slower, family-friendly adventures. But in the hot summer months, you can cool off in the water park.
21. The Sol Is Shining Bright In Albuquerque
Though they’re the new boys in town, the Albuquerque Sol soccer (or futbol) team is already making a name for itself. Sol’s fan club the Sandianistas attend every game.
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you have to explain to out-of-towners about Albuquerque in the comments below! 
