Most of the land, which is now Rio Rancho, was part and parcel of the Town of Alameda Grant. This town was established by Spanish colonists in 1710. The United States acquired it in 1848 after winning against Mexico in the Mexican-American War. In the early 20th century, there was a massive subdivision and selling of the land to investment companies such as the San Mateo Land Company. The most notable land sale, however, came in 1960 when the American Real Estate and Petroleum Corporation (AMREP) purchased over 55,000 acres of land in 1961. This marked the beginning of the modern transformation of Rio Rancho. The construction of model homes began in 1962. The years that followed attracted accelerated growth of Rio Rancho, and in 1966, the 100th family settled in. The population continued to rise steadily, hitting about 5,000 people in 1977. With an additional 35,000 acres that AMREP had purchased in 1971, the city of Rio Rancho now had a wider geographical coverage than its neighbor, Albuquerque. By the time it was being incorporated in 1981, it had recorded a population of about 10,000. A major milestone occurred when Intel Corporation set up a plant at Rio Rancho. AMREP had sold the company 160 acres of prime industrial land at a considerably discounted price. Intel is the largest producer of chips, and its impact on the city of Rio Rancho has been incredible. Hewlett Packard (HP) set up operations here in 2009, boosting job sources in Rio Rancho. Encouraging technology companies to set up here has been among the deliberate steps taken by the city to uplift its status. The city made significant transformation in the 1990s as it gained more self-sufficiency. Rio Rancho acquired the Water and Wastewater Utility and set up its school district. More businesses came in as public/private partnerships were enhanced with incentives that included industrial revenue bonds.

The city of Rio Rancho might just be shaping its future, but it certainly has a lot to offer for your enjoyment at any given time.

Hot Air Balloon at A Park Above
A Park Above is one space that offers limitless choices for outdoor activities. Riding the hot air balloons should most certainly be on top of the list.

There are lots of things here, including water splash, slides for the kids, musical instruments, and even a basketball court. This is one place of leisure that has deeply captured the imagination of locals and tourists alike.

The Acequia Winery and Vineyards
The settlers who set foot in this region, including the French, Italian, and Spaniards, left a winery culture that continues to thrive. The public can witness some of this goodness by participating in tastings at the Acequia Winery and Vineyards on various days of the week.

J&R Vintage Autos
For automobile lovers, the J&R Vintage Autos will be totally impressive. Gab and Evonna Joiner started the museum in 1995 with their own collection of vintage cars. It has now grown into one of Rio Rancho's best places to visit.