7 reasons you - yes, you! - should be hyped for Word Cup in Albuquerque

In the interest of full transparency, I'll say: When I reach out to players in the community and encourage them to come to Albuquerque for this summer's Word Cup, I'm not exactly met with universal enthusiasm.

There are complaints about Albuquerque at times. I hear that it's too remote, or too hard to get to; I hear the trip will be expensive. I get a lot of the same questions over and over. What stuff will I do there? What food will I eat? How will I get around town?

All of the above are valid. But here's what I've learned over the last few months: There's a lot more to Albuquerque than meets the eye.

The skepticism out there is understandable. Since, again, we're doing full transparency today, I'll say that I was skeptical myself when I first got word of the host city. But, the more I talk about Albuquerque with people who know Albuquerque, the more cool stuff I hear. I'm discovering a little more each day about how Albuquerque is one of America's best kept secrets.

Here, as I see it, are seven reasons you should be hyped for this year's Word Cup host city:

1. It's a cool college town.

One of the best things about Albuquerque is you've got the University of New Mexico right there - it's a big school with an enrollment of almost 30,000, and that means all the bells and whistles that come with being in the heart of a college town. You've got nice, walkable neighborhoods, pretty scenery, a vibrant bar and restaurant scene, and culture all around you. What's not to like?

2. New Mexico's cuisine is one of a kind.

At the center of it all is the New Mexico-style chile (note the spelling!) pepper, which is found in everything from soups to stews to classic Tex-Mex favorites. Albuquerque is home to some legendary eateries, and they serve unique dishes that you won't find anywhere else in the world. (You can even get pizza with a green chile crust!)

3. There's a rich Native American culture.

There's perhaps no better place than Albuquerque to explore the history of natives on American soil. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is right downtown, and it's dedicated to the preservation of native culture, history, and art. There are a wide range of other museums, nature trails, and more sources of cultural learning as well.

4. You can take a balloon tour!

Random but true: Albuquerque is one of the best cities in America for hot air balloon rides. There are a handful of balloon tour companies that can take you on a guided airborne trip around the city - give it a try, and you'll enjoy incredible views of canyons, forests, and mountains, including the iconic Sandia Peak.

5. Yes, you can see where they filmed "Breaking Bad."

For all the BB superfans out there, there are all sorts of sightseeing expeditions you can do in Albuquerque. The show was made there in real life, and many of the most memorable sets are still intact, from Walter White's house to the "superlab" to Los Pollos Hermanos. (Although in the real world, it's actually a fast food joint called Twisters.) You can even take an RV tour of the city and hit all these sites in one go. If you still can't get enough Heisenberg, all these years later, this is one trip you can't miss.

6. You can take in an Isotopes game, too.

Speaking of TV series that are true to life: If you're a "Simpsons" fanatic, you might recall a storyline from way back in season 12, in which Springfield's local minor league baseball team picks up and moves to the Land of Enchantment, becoming the Albuquerque Isotopes. Well, guess what? The 'Topes are a real team in ABQ today, and they even have a couple of home games on the Friday and Saturday when we'll all be in Albuquerque for Word Cup. You can check 'em out!

7. There's a town full of Scrabblers there!

Let's be real here - at the end of the day, the #1 reason that pretty much all of us go to major events like Word Cup is to be amongst a horde of our Scrabble friends and enjoy a vacation for a week. This summer's Word Cup is absolutely no exception. As of this writing, we're looking at exactly 150 entrants for Albuquerque, and counting - so if you make the trip, you'll have the chance to hang with 150 of your closest friends. Who can say no to that?

I know I sure can't. And I bet you can't, either.

So make your plans now to attend the 2024 Word Cup.