Author: Charlotte Gill

Albuquerque is a charming and understated city where traditional south-western USA meets an underground alternative culture that’s full of rewards and surprises for those willing to scratch beyond the surface. There are strong Hispanic and Native American influences here, too, seen in the jewellery stores and the Mexican-inspired cuisine, while the annual film festival is a celebration of ideas from around the world.

Originally founded as a Spanish colonial outpost or Ranchos de Albuquerque, the Iberian heritage can still be seen in the historic Old Town. Travellers along Route 66 during much of the twentieth century led to several decades of growth and, together with the student population at the University of New Mexico, the influx has kept the city pulsing with energy; yet the compact centre with its lively nightlife have allowed it to retain a community feel and develop a distinct character of its own.

Where to stay
For spacious rooms, excellent location and range of facilities including a fitness room, the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown is highly recommended. Hotel Andaluz is a more luxurious choice and popular with business travellers; it is also dedicated to sustainability.

Where to eat
Albuquerque has an embarrassment of great restaurants; sample as many as you can in your time there. Los Cuates, El Patio and Garcia’s are great for authentic New Mexican; go to Scalo for Italian, Rancher’s Club for steak or any of the plethora of Chinese, Indian, Malay, Vietnamese and Korean restaurants.

What to see
The Albuquerque Balloon Festival in October is breathtaking if you can time your visit to coincide. Otherwise, take a trip with the ABQ Trolley Company for an 18 mile tour including the historic Old Town, University of New Mexico and Barelas, or spend a day relaxing in Betty’s Bath and Spa.

If you’ve always dreamed of playing cowboy for a day, then Amarillo is the city for you. A popular stop on the US major 1-40 route, this Texas gem retains a strong Old West flavour that’ll have you strutting down the highway like John Wayne in his heyday.

There’s more to Amarillo than it’s cattle ranches, though. The regional economic centre for the Texas Panhandle, it has a top class conference centre, two higher education facilities and a number of alternative cultural attractions. Get hands on with science at the Don Harrington Discovery Centre, while the Arts Centre has six galleries with a host of European paintings from the 17th through to the twentieth century.

Council groups have been actively promoting its cultural side since the early 1990s, sponsoring a variety of arts projects and starting various block parties throughout the downtown area. So play cowboy if you like, but take time to explore Amarillo’s more hidden charms.

Where to stay
Amarillo hotels tend to be basic but comfortable and you’ll probably have to settle for less than you might elsewhere. The Sleep Inn is a relatively new place that’s so far had an excellent response, while the Drury Inn also has a good reputation.

Where to eat
Texas Roadhouse is great for big steaks and American barbecue, while you can get good Mexican at El Tejavan. For a taste of the Mediterranean, Olive Garden and B L Bistro do Italian and Greek respectively.

What to see
For authentic Amarillo head to one of the ranches, such as Elkins or Cadillac – the latter has some great graffiti art as well. There are six art galleries at the Amarillo Museum of Art, while The Don Harrington Discovery Centre is aimed at kids but can be just as fun for playful adults.

It was Francis Scott Key who, upon witnessing the failed bombardment of Baltimore by the British in 1812, composed the poem The Star-Spangled Banner that was later to provide the lyrics for the American national anthem. Baltimore has never forgotten its role in the revolution and sites like Fort McHenry are great places to explore a bit of history and gain insight into American values.

Today it is a diverse city of contrasting neighbourhoods; visit Fells Point for heritage, take in the arts around Mount Vernon or chill in Bohemian cafes and watch the cool kids go by in the Southwest area. There can be a real small town vibe to much of Baltimore but you can still head downtown for some sophisticated city treats. It’s been called Charm City, Mobtown and the City of Firsts; there are so many faces to Baltimore that it is likely to be called many more.

Where to stay
Homewood Suites has the one of best locations, a free fitness centre and a reputation for excellent service. The Hilton Garden Inn is similarly well placed with staff that go out of their way to please and great facilities for business travellers and conferences.

Where to eat
Mount Vernon Cultural District has a host of excellent restaurants, such as Restaurante Tio Pepe. Baltimore Magazine rates the Charleston, with its varied American menu, as the top spot in Baltimore, with the seafood treats at the Black Olive a close second.

What to see
Fort McHenry is a great heritage site that has been important in the development of the US; a haunted tour of Fell’s Point provides an alternative history of Baltimore. The Walters Art Museum has some excellent collections and also attempts to make its collections as accessible as possible even to non-art lovers.