FREE association with “Albuquerque” used to yield “Bugs Bunny” and “that airport you go through to get to Santa Fe.” But New Mexico’s biggest city has come into its own in recent years. Thanks to tax breaks and great scenery, the TV and film industry is booming: Joss Whedon’s mega-budget “Avengers” wrapped here this summer, and next year, “Breaking Bad” starts shooting its fifth season with Albuquerque as a backdrop. For visitors, the sprawl can seem daunting, but it is tempered by new bike paths. On the main drag, Central Avenue, neon signs from Route 66’s heyday glow over revitalized, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. And along the banks of the Rio Grande, lush farmland provides a quiet oasis, not to mention heirloom beans, corn and more to feed the city’s vibrant organic movement.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/travel/36-hours-in-albuquerque.html