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Rio Rancho is New Mexico's third-largest city, home to about 105,000 people on the high desert mesa northwest of Albuquerque, with wide views of the Sandia Mountains across the Rio Grande Valley. It was founded in the 1960s as a planned retirement and vacation community and has since grown into a busy family city, home to a major Intel plant.
Rio Rancho has a young, suburban feel, with big parks such as Haynes Park and the Rio Rancho Sports Complex, the modern Loma Colorado and Esther Bone libraries, and a branch campus of the University of New Mexico. The Rio Rancho Events Center hosts concerts, hockey and rodeos.
The historic village of Corrales, with its adobe church, farms and galleries, sits just below the mesa, and Petroglyph National Monument and Old Town Albuquerque are a short drive south. Every October, hot-air balloons from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta often drift over the city at sunrise.
Rio Rancho Events Center, formerly the Santa Ana Star Center, is the city's main arena, hosting concerts, ice shows, rodeos, high school championships and minor league sports. It seats several thousand people. Check the event calendar before you go, and arrive early to park on big event nights.
J&R Vintage Auto Museum on Highway 528 shows a large collection of restored classic cars, from early 1900s models to mid-century American cars, along with old gas pumps and signs. Many cars are also for sale. It suits car lovers of all ages, and an hour is usually enough to see everything.
Haynes Park is one of Rio Rancho's main city parks, with sports fields, a playground, walking paths, a skate area and shaded picnic spots. It is a good place for families to spend an afternoon. Visit in the morning or evening in summer, as there is little shade and the desert sun is strong.
Cabezon Park in the Cabezon neighborhood has open lawns, a playground, sports courts and walking paths next to the Cabezon Community Center, which has an outdoor pool in summer. It is a local family spot. Check the city recreation site for pool hours and seasonal activities before you go.
Rio Rancho Sports Complex is a large set of baseball, softball and soccer fields that hosts youth tournaments throughout the year. Spectators can watch games for free on most days. Bring chairs, sunscreen and water, since tournament weekends can be busy and the fields have limited shade.
Rio Rancho Aquatic Center is an indoor pool complex with a lap pool, leisure pool, water slide and lazy river, open all year. It offers swim lessons and open swim times for families. Check open swim hours on the city website before going, since lanes are often reserved for classes and teams.
Loma Colorado Public Library is Rio Rancho's main library, a modern building near City Hall with a children's area, study rooms, exhibits and regular events. Large windows look out toward the Sandia Mountains. It is free to visit, and the surrounding civic center area has walking paths.
Esther Bone Memorial Library is the city's original public library, named after a local library founder, with books, children's programs and community spaces. It is smaller and quieter than the main library. Drop in for story time or to use the free Wi-Fi and reading areas on a hot afternoon.
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