7 Things To Do In Rio Rancho, New Mexico

things to do in rio rancho
Haley
Haley 
Published
| 5 min read

Explore the history and beautiful nature of New Mexico when visiting Rio Rancho! From awesome, all-inclusive parks to nature trails to museums, Rio Rancho takes family fun to a new level. If you have plans to visit this exciting city, take along this list of the best things to do so you can be sure to see a bit of everything great here!

1. A Park Above

Such an Awesome park in Rio Rancho!

Posted by John Pricer on Wednesday, 14 June 2017

Enjoy a day at the park without limitations at A Park Above. Named the “Best City Park” by Albuquerque The Magazine, A Park Above draws in hundreds of visitors each year, with fun activities everyone can enjoy. A Park Above truly is above, designed for any person and any ability level. So you won’t have to worry if your child can keep up!

With wheelchair accessible restrooms, musical instruments, a basketball court, water splash area, labyrinth, special equipment, wheelchair swings, and features like hills, tunnels, and slides, your child will love an afternoon at A Park Above. Before you visit, be sure to check out the park’s website for specially scheduled events, like movies, plays, and education programs for more family fun.

A Park Above

Address: 2441 Westside Ct SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Website: A Park Above

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2. J&R Vintage Autos

1922-Jewett
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Andacar used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Since 1995, Gab and Evonna Joiner have displayed their life’s work at J&R Vintage Autos. If you love cars, vintage memorabilia, or just love museums, you will love J&R Vintage Autos. Originally just a place to keep their collection of restored vintage cars, Gab and Evonna’s collection has grown to include around 70 cars on display. Ranging from a 1912 Buick to a 1969 Mercury Cougar, you’re sure to find a favorite in the vast collection.

Alongside the display cars, you will find auto-related memorabilia and even some cars that are for sale. While Gab and Evonna’s museum is already impressive, during your visit you might see Gab in his restoration shop, tinkering away on a “new” old car. Before you go, be sure to check out the bookstore with motor-related books, die-cast toys, and porcelain signs, all which reflect the evolution of cars and our speedways.

J&R Vintage Autos

Address: 3650A NM-528, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

Website: J&R Vintage Autos

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3. Pure Radiance Skin

Massage therapy
Source: Pixabay

Relax during your Rio Rancho vacation at Pure Radiance Skin Care Spa. Offering everything from beauty treatments to intense massage therapy, you’ll fully enjoy the vacation you deserve when you visit Pure Radiance Skin. Ranging from 20-minute treatments to two hours, you can choose how long to relax at the spa and what kind of treatment you want.

Whether you want a face massage, full-body massage, or want to look into permanent makeup, Pure Radiance Skin Care Spa will have you feeling like a fresher you, in no time.

Pure Radiance Skin

Address: 4611 Greene Ave NW #304, Albuquerque, NM 87114

Website: Pure Radiance Skin

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4. Painted Soul Pottery

Posted by Painted Soul Pottery and Art Studio on Thursday, 25 May 2017

Get in touch with your creative side at Painted Soul Pottery. Painted Soul Pottery provides a place for everyone to learn, participate, and express themselves with a variety of art techniques. Start by choosing a piece from a large selection of ceramics. The possibilities are almost endless with figurines, money banks, bowls, mugs, plates, platters, and more, for you to create a lasting and usable work of art.

But the possibilities don’t end there. Carrying over 120 paints and glazes, at Painted Soul Pottery you can decide exactly how to decorate your work of art with a one-of-a-kind design. When you’re done painting your pottery, Painted Soul Pottery will glaze and fire your piece, and it will be ready in about 10 days. Thanks to the paint’s non-toxic nature, you don’t have to worry about the kids when at Painted Soul Pottery, and after the firing process, all your art will be food safe. If you’re not going to be in Rio Rancho long enough to fire your art, a variety of acrylic paints and stains are available, so your pottery pieces can be taken home the same day.

Painted Soul Pottery

Address: 4300 Ridgecrest Dr SE k, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

Website: Painted Soul Pottery

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5. Paseo del Bosque Trail

Today we are going to talk about the Paseo del Bosque Trail located in New Mexico! This multi-purpose trail is...

Posted by Madrax Bike Racks on Wednesday, 9 March 2016

During your vacation, explore the Land of Enchantment on the Paseo del Bosque Trail. Out in the wilderness, you will see the trail’s namesake, the Bosque underbrush that lines Rio Rancho’s wilderness. Watch for native birds and mammals and enjoy the cool breeze coming off the Rio Grande.

Perfect for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, and more, the Paseo del Bosque Trail allows you to explore New Mexico at your own pace. And the best part is, you can bring your dog!

Paseo del Bosque Trail

Address: 1451 Alameda Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114

Website: Paseo del Bosque Trail

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6. Acequia Winery and Vineyards

Acequia vineyard
Source: Pixabay

Continuing a tradition that goes back to the French, Italian, and Spanish settlers of New Mexico, Acequia grows some of the best grapes and makes some of the best wines in the Rio Grande Valley. Pronounced “AH-SAY-KE-AH,” (Spanish for irrigation canal) Acequia welcomes the public for tastings Wednesday through Sunday—you might even find your new favorite type of wine here!

At Acequia, the wine tasting room is always warm and inviting, with the policy to not only provide a tasty beverage, but educate visitors about the grape growing process and production. Today, Acequia has 3,000 vines planted in the Corrales area, supplying most of the grapes for the vineyard. With both public and private wine tasting options, you can customize your Acequia experience during your vacation. Along with the wine, be sure to try one of the monthly specials prepared specifically to complement Acequia wine.

Acequia Winery and Vineyards

Address: 240 Reclining Acres Rd, Corrales, NM 87048

Website: Acequia Winery and Vineyards

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7. Coronado Historic Site

Reconstructed ruins, Coronado State Monument
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Skarz used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Explore the historic site where Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, his soldiers and his allies entered the Rio Grande Valley. Previously known as the Kuaua Pueblo, Coronado and his men relied on the native people in this tribe and 11 others to survive during their search for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. Of course, he never found the treasure, instead “discovering” a dozen villages inhabited by native farmers. Named the Tiwa people for their language, without the people’s help (willing or unwilling), Coronado and his men very likely would have starved to death.

However, due to conflict with Coronado and subsequent settlers, the native people abandoned the site, and now the descendants of the people of Kuaua live in the surviving Tiwa speaking villages of Taos, Picuris, Sandia, and Isleta. Today, you can see the remains of the Kuaua Pueblo, a square kiva in the south plaza of the community that contained many layers of mural paintings. 14 examples of original art are on display in the Visitor’s Center and the painted kiva was reconstructed with one of the murals recreated for visitors’ enjoyment. During your visit to the Coronado Historic Site, you can also enjoy ramada-covered picnic tables, magnificent Rio Grande and Sandia Mountain views, and of course, the history and beauty of Northern New Mexico.

Coronado Historic Site

Address: 485 Kuaua Rd, Bernalillo, NM 87004

Website: Coronado Historic Site

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Love Rio Rancho!

Whether you’re traveling with the family and need a kid-friendly adventure or want to relax at the spa, Rio Rancho has got you covered. Perfect for a day trip from Albuquerque or Santa Fe or for an extended adventure, Rio Rancho is the perfect town for experiencing the Land of Enchantment, up close.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Haley has been writing stories since she was five, but did not decide to be a full-time writer until her college years. She studied English and Biology at Eastern New Mexico University and has...Read more

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