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Whether you like to spice it up or enjoy the classics, these top five visitor spots are sure to hit the spot: 

Cazuela’s Mexican Grill & Brewery – Enjoy micro-brewed beer, flavorful steaks cooked just the way you like them, seafood and traditional Mexican food at Cazuela’s—all of which are homemade and cooked to order.  

El Bruno’s Restaurante y Cantina – A local gem, created by two locals, El Bruno’s offers the unique charm of Los Ranchos combined with family recipes perfected through generations. Sip a margarita and enjoy the distinct flavors of New Mexico.   

Indigo Crow Café – Voted New Mexico’s best for Outdoor Dining, Neighborhood Gem, and Contemporary American on OpenTable, Indigo Crow Café in Placitas offers a daily changing menu, as well as wine pairing dinners, happy hours, and brunch options—all made fresh with local ingredients and artful touches. 

Joe’s Pasta House – Authentic and delicious, Joe’s Pasta House serves up freshly made Italian dishes inspired by Joe’s grandmother’s own recipes. Stop in and try the flavors of Italy—along with a few New Mexican twists—in Rio Rancho. 

Range Café – A favorite among visitors and locals alike, the Range Café features an array of vibrant local flavors, crafted into mouthwatering dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A staple in the area since 1992, The Range offers live music, extraordinary takes on classic favorites, and locally inspired cocktails. 

For those on the go, delicious flavors are available fast from a variety of local favorites like Blake’s Lotaburger, Burrito Express or Dion’s Pizza. 

To plan your culinary adventure, visit https://seesandoval.org/places-to-eat/

The post Take the Sandoval County Culinary Tour and Experience Local Flavors at these Top Five Visitor Favorite Restaurants appeared first on Sandoval Tourism.

Running August 2–6, the Sandoval County Fair will feature livestock exhibits, dancing, rodeo events, Pow Wows, vendor booths, and the iconic fair parade. In addition to beloved fair favorites, this year’s fair brings two all-new events—the First Annual Chili Cookoff and the First Annual Watermelon Eating Contest—both taking place on Saturday, August 5, alongside the annual parade.

A celebration of local agriculture, this year’s fair will focus on the theme of “Celebrating the Bounty of our Country.”  Visitors can explore and learn about local agricultural traditions through visiting livestock barns, watching livestock shows, or heading to the rodeo. Rodeos will take place nightly Thursday–Saturday, followed by a dance each evening. A youth rodeo will take place on Sunday, August 6 at 11am.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://sandovalcountyfair.org.

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Start your Sandoval brewery adventure at one of the following stops: 

Grab a pizza, calzone or grinder paired with a hand-crafted ale at Rio Rancho’s neighborhood brewpub—Turtle Mountain Brewing Co. 

With a lively atmosphere and historical decor, Silva’s Saloon serves up cold beer in a friendly environment. 

Enjoy spacious patio seating, karaoke, weekly specials, and delicious food at The Local Brewhouse. 

Serving craft beer, local wine, New Mexican dishes, local flair, and tasty sandwiches and burgers, the Turquoise Desert Tap Room is a must for all beer lovers. 

Set in scenic Placitas, Ex Novo Brewing Company offers a taproom, beer garden and food truck. 

Enjoy artisan pizza and craft beer after a visit to Jemez springs at the Jemez Mountain Brewhouse. 

Refuel after a hike with healthy, natural foods—including salads, pizzas and desserts—as well as local beer and wine at Kaktus Brewing Company.

Enjoy spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains, along with floral arrangements and fountains on the Cazuelas Mexian Grill & Brewery patio. Watch your favorite sporting event on one of three largescreen TVs, while you sip margaritas, beer, and wine. 

Sip award-winning, New Mexico True certified brews at Bosque Brewing North.

Drink like a local and enjoy a relaxed environment serving beer, cider, wine and spirits at Brewlab 101. 

Learn more about our local breweries at https://seesandoval.org/breweries-wineries/?. 

The post Calling all Beer Lovers: Enjoy the Craft Brews of Sandoval County appeared first on Sandoval Tourism.

Valles Caldera National Preserve, located in Sandoval County, is one of the nation’s newest International Dark Sky Parks. The super volcano with expansive views is the perfect place to observe the night sky. From the preserve, you can view the Milky Way, constellations, planets, and meteor showers—all without light pollution. 

For those who prefer an in-town night sky experience, head up to Placitas. The environmentally-conscious community is small and surrounded by desert, making it a great location to view the night sky unobstructed by light pollution. 

To have the best night sky experience, follow these tips: 

• Get cozy – Since stargazing takes some time, be sure to bring blankets or reclining chairs to stay comfy while you’re looking up for long periods. 
• Bring a star map or download an app – Knowing what you’re looking at is half the fun, so consider an app or a map to help you find constellations and stars. 
• Limit your light – Whether you’re using your phone or a flashlight, any time of white light will limit your views of the night sky. Consider a red-light flashlight that can help your eyes better adjust in the darkness. 
• Come prepared – Research ahead of time to know the area you’re exploring, and be sure to pack any snacks, water, and necessary items to enjoy the entire experience. 

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