Things to Do in North Valley

Dotted with 12 stations, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express’s 100 miles of track stretches between Belen and Santa Fe. Passengers can bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks aboard as they roll to hub-like stations, which provide easy access to Santa Fe Plaza, Bio Park, and bustling Santa Fe neighborhoods such as Nob Hill, Uptown, and Old Town. On Saturdays, artists from the University of New Mexico Theater Department spice up 506 and 509 train rides with classic Shakespeare performances that feature the ghost of Hamlet’s father wearing a conductor’s cap.

For nearly 30 years, Sluggers has given countless children and adults an arena in which to practice the universal pastime of hitting a ball with a stick. After fastening a complimentary helmet and selecting a bat, players step into outdoor cages where they can hone their skills on pitches of various speeds. Players can purchase gear onsite or borrow a bat from the center's stash of rental equipment, negating the need to whittle down a bat from one of their bedposts.

With a dramatic backdrop of the Sandia Mountains, Romero's Thunder Inc. treats its customers to sweeping views as they saunter along winding trails or gallop around the well-kept ring during lessons. Whether educating students on the history of horseback riding or teaching visitors how to connect with equine partners, the staff cultivates a laid-back, familial atmosphere, holding seasonal events such as Easter-egg hunts complete with art projects for participants and horses with opposable thumbs.:

Designed as an oasis of family fun, Putt-Putt Golf and Games entertains all ages with three 18-hole Putt-Putt Golf Courses, more than 50 arcade and prize-redemption games, and a snack bar packed with pizza and soda. On the outdoor courses, kids putt past giant tortoises and colorful mushrooms as adults hone their short games. Additionally, a game room rings with the bells and whistles of Fruit Ninja, Monster Drop, Deal or No Deal, Big Bass Wheel, Skee-Ball, and more, and a snack bar filled with treats makes the center a memorable birthday-party location or presidential-inauguration site.

A project of Feel Good Festivals, the New Mexico Cup celebrates the area's fine wines and craft beers while also supporting a worthy cause. This year's beneficiary is Tricklock Company, a theater organization dedicated to examining the human experience through poetic theater and absurdism. Festival-goers first sample adult beverages from regional wineries and craft breweries, then cast their vote for the tastiest pours. Professional and celebrity judges also weigh in on their favorites. The Albuquerque Convention Center echoes with the sounds of live music, the names of raffle winners, and the excited shouts of anyone who didn’t realize Prohibition ended 80 years ago.

Not Made in China Pottery Studio's seasoned potters mold minds with instructive, hands-on pottery classes. Stocked with all necessary clay, wheels, and tools to transform amorphous blobs into useful shapes—such as a jellyfish cage—the studio offers a host of practical classes. In approximately 2–2.5 hours, instructors help students develop techniques for creating one-of-a-kind bowls, sake pitchers, vases, and teacups during Tea for Two, The Sushi Date, or Ghost-inspired classes.