Historic and hip, adventurous and artsy, the neighborhood also known as Huning Highland is a treasure trove of sights, sounds and tastes. A wonderful blend of old and new housing sits astride some of the best dining in the city. Many of the old houses are on the historic register. The old Albuquerque High School, originally built in 1914, was completely converted into spacious, modern housing. Start the day with some yoga and then breakfast or brunch. The newest addition to the neighborhood, Innovate ABQ, is a public-private partnership created to foster economic development and job creation. This research incubator is bringing new vitality to the neighborhood. Plus, you’re just a quick skip across to Downtown proper. Spend some time to look around, hidden gems abound.
On the south side of Central, a walk through this historic neighborhood shows the kit houses brought to the area by train. You won’t see too much adobe here. The cottage dwellers living on these beautiful tree lined streets are walking distance from some of the best restaurants in town. A local favorite for brunch, the Grove Cafe serves up locally sourced food from growers in Albuquerque and New Mexico. Other notable local restaurants include Holy Cow for burgers and milkshakes, Farina for gourmet, thin crust pizza and wine, and Artichoke Cafe for American fare. Many more restaurants nourish Innovate ABQ, a 7-acre science tech hub. The plan includes technology offices for the local universities and science labs, a community center with state-of-the-art tools for members to design prototypes, and apartments leased to upper-level undergraduates involved in STEM programs. The campus will have smartly designed community spaces, green spaces, pedestrian walkways, public art, and retail space. It’s an exciting work in progress.
