The United States' longest aerial tram climbs 2.7 miles from the desert floor in the northeast corner of the city to the summit of 10,378ft Sandia Crest. It took 5000 helicopter trips to install the cable on Tower 2 (the highest tower) in the mid 1960s. Views are spectacular at any time, though sunsets are particularly brilliant.
The summit complex holds gift shops, a fine dining restaurant and sky bar. Hiking trails lead through the woods. Look out for as many as 200 bird species in the surrounding Cibola National Forest and down into a series of canyons as you climb, including Echo and Big Canyon.
If you plan on hiking down (or up), a one-way ticket costs $15. The trams may be stopped during high winds, or even en route if a particularly gusty breeze comes through. It gets crowded, so come with time to spare. There’s also a small ski area.
