experience the southwest @ motion09. make it a vacation.

Posted on: Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
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adobe_building Planning to attend motion09? Make it a vacation! We’ll show you how to experience the southwest on a budget. Check it out…

motion09 takes place October 11-14 in Albuquerque, NM. It’s the best time of year in the southwest! ABQ is a mile-high in elevation, so you can expect cool crisp nights and mornings – that warm to afternoons in the low 70’s. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s almost guaranteed.

santa fe – the city different

No better way to experience the traditional southwest than in historic Santa Fe. When city officials called it ‘The City Different’ early last century, they got it exactly right. For rarely does a place speak to so many people on so many levels. Whether you’re an art lover, history lover, food lover, or opera lover – Santa Fe is a place you can’t resist.

New to the ABQ | Santa Fe area, is the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. We are really excited about this beautiful new train. It runs North/South down the center of ABQ, and is a great way to get around. But the best part – it’s your ticket to Santa Fe. You’ll catch the NM Rail Runner Express, just .4 of a mile from where motion09 takes place at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown ABQ. With 5-7 trains a day to Santa Fe, you have several options to choose from. The cost? Only $7 one-way or $9 for the day!

Want a motion09 day in Santa Fe? If enough people are interested, we’ll put together a group event for Saturday, October 10, 2009 in Santa Fe. We’ll even arrange for some special showings at a couple of galleries that are of special interest to animators, motion graphic and vfx artists. Sound interesting? Be sure an send us an email . . . we’ll make it happen!

abq international balloon fiesta

motion09 starts on the last day of the ABQ International Balloon Fiesta. Kodak has named this event the most photographed in the world. With over 700 hot-air balloons, it’s a sight to behold. Come a few days early and spend time at Balloon Fiesta Park, or just get up early Sunday morning before the motion09 kickoff to attend the final Mass Ascension. It’s amazing! Cost to attend the Balloon Fiesta? Just $6/person or $25 for a pack of 5 tickets!

What’s the easiest way to get to the Balloon Fiesta? Take the Rail Runner Express! They’re offering a special deal – purchase your tickets in advance, and for $10 you can ride the Rail Runner and get admission to the Balloon Fiesta! You will board the Rail Runner, just .4 of a mile from the motion09 venue. From there, you will ride the Rail Runner and exit at the Los Ranchos/Journal Center Station. Then, you will catch a shuttle that will take you directly to Balloon Fiesta Park. How easy could it get!

around ABQ and the southwest

There are numerous other attractions around ABQ – and if you have more time – throughout the state. Check out some of our suggestions on the motion09 website. Want even more information? We’ve put together a great little package showing you how you can turn your experience at motion09 into a vacation. To request this package, send us an email at ! We look forward to seeing you this fall at motion09. Make it a vacation!