Discover the Allure of Albuquerque, New Mexico

From outdoor adventure to relaxed dinners under incredible sunsets, Albuquerque is a laid-back city steeped in centuries of diverse cultures.

Native American, Hispanic, and American influences have created a city that celebrates creativity in its cuisine, art, music, and architecture. Families learn about the Río Grande ecosystem at the ABQ BioPark, couples stroll the quiet alleys of Old Town, and thrill-seekers explore the wilderness playground that is the Sandía Mountains.

At 5,300 ft in elevation, Albuquerque experiences four distinct seasons, with hot summer days cooling off at night and snow blanketing the Sandías in the winter. Native American Pueblos welcome visitors to share in their feast days, and flamenco and folklorico dancing continue these powerful traditions from Spain and Mexico.

Discover Historic Old Town

Established in 1706 by Spanish colonists, Old Town is Albuquerque’s cultural and historic heart. Centuries-old adobe buildings house shops and restaurants that edge the tree-shaded plaza. Native American potters and jewelers sell their art directly to buyers under the eastside portal, and the 300-year-old San Felipe de Neri church welcomes all within its 5 ft-thick adobe walls to view its Spanish folk-art altar. Folklorico dancing, music, and other events take place on weekends throughout the year, and on Dec. 24, thousands of farolitos line the plaza and side streets.

Be Prepared to Party

Big or small, there’s usually an event or festival taking place in Albuquerque on any given weekend. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the city’s signature event, taking place annually the first full week of October. The annual Fiery Foods and BBQ Show in February sees the hottest chili products on the planet compete for honors and bragging rights.

April’s Gathering of Nations attracts hundreds of Native American dancers from tribes throughout North America for a weekend of camaraderie and competition at Expo New Mexico, the largest such gathering in the country.

Flamenco Albuquerque celebrates this art form in June, and on Labor Day weekend, the ABQ Harvest Wine Festival showcases wines from across New Mexico at Balloon Fiesta Park.

The first Sunday in November marks the annual Marigold Parade, a Day of the Dead celebration that’s one of the largest in the country. December’s River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark creates fanciful rope-light scenes throughout the gardens.

Drift Away in a Hot-Air Balloon

Visitors can experience the peaceful thrill of hot-air ballooning any time of year with several companies, including Rainbow Ryders, Inc. and World Balloon. Balloonists meet at the launch site in the pre-dawn hours as fans and flames inflate the balloon envelopes. Once ready, balloons gently lift off, offering a 360-degree view of the city, Sandia Mountains, and Río Grande. Upon landing, customers may enjoy a traditional Champagne toast to their flight. Discover why Albuquerque is called the Ballooning Capital of the World at the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Albuquerque has one of the best-preserved stretches of Route 66 in the nation. Period neon signs, diners, and motor lodges line Central Avenue that travels east to west through the city. Nob Hill, between San Mateo and Girard avenues, features retro boutiques, record shops, contemporary dining, and brewpubs, all basking in the nostalgic glow of neon celebrating the Mother Road.

Central continues west past the University of New Mexico and the Route 66 Diner, into downtown with dive bars, art galleries, and upscale dining options. The Kiva Auditorium in the Albuquerque Convention Center hosts international acts, while the historic Kimo Theatre, constructed in 1927 in Pueblo Deco style, showcases a range of live music, theater, dance, and films. The Andaluz Hotel, built by Conrad Hilton in 1939, is known for its fine dining at MáS Tapas y Vino, rooftop bar Ibiza, and New Mexico Territorial Revival architecture with original murals.

Across from the ABQ BioPark, El Vado Motel is a classic Route 66 stop that features local restaurants, a brewery, and a splash pad for kids, alongside renovated rooms for overnight guests.

Sip in the Sandias

Albuquerque may have a desert reputation, but the 37,278-acre Sandía Mountain Wilderness to the city’s east climbs to alpine elevations that showcase orchids in the summer and snow in the winter. Over 100 miles of established trails weave throughout the wilderness, etched with canyons filled with aspens. The most difficult trek is the La Luz Trail, which climbs 3,775 ft over 8 miles to the Sandía Crest at 10,678 ft.

Other trails along the mountain pass through pine forests and wildflower-studded glades, offering breathtaking views of the expansive landscape below. Hikers should carry plenty of water and snacks, prepare for cooler temperatures, and plan to return before sundown. A popular option is to hike up and take the Sandía Aerial Tram back down; verify ticketing and operations beforehand.

Take the Tram to the Top

If you prefer not to hike, the Sandia Peak Aerial Tram travels 2.7 miles and rises nearly 4,000 ft to its terminal at 10,378 ft above sea level. The 15-minute “flight” offers stunning views of the mountainous wilderness below, with occasional wildlife sightings, including bears.

From the top, visitors can appreciate the city lights of Albuquerque, often set against a spectacular sunset backdrop. Enjoy hiking trails, winter activities at Sandia Peak Ski Area, and savor dinner with a view at Ten 3 restaurant (reservations recommended).

Celebrate Albuquerque’s First People

Learn more about New Mexico’s Native American nations at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where cultures, art, traditions, and histories of each of the 19 Pueblos are shared through artifacts and interactive video kiosks. Pueblo dance demonstrations occur on weekends in the courtyard.

Enjoy lunch and dinner at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, where traditional Pueblo ingredients are featured in contemporary recipes, and browse Shumakolowa Native Arts gallery for pottery, jewelry, and other fine art created by Pueblo artisans.

Hike Through an Ancient Art Gallery

Petroglyph National Monument protects thousands of images pecked into basalt boulders by Native Americans over 700 years ago, and remains an important site for Pueblo nations today. Across this 7,200-acre park, geometric, zoomorphic, and anthropomorphic designs emerge from the dark volcanic boulders that cover this 17-mile escarpment on Albuquerque’s Westside. Four established hiking trails lead to the works of these ancient artists, with maps available at the Information Center.

Forest Bathe in the Bosque

The Río Grande flows through Albuquerque and contains part of the largest continuous cottonwood forest in the nation. This forest, locally known as the bosque (pronounced “boss-key,” Spanish for woods), is home to migrating sandhill cranes, bald eagles, porcupines, Mexican free-tailed bats, and various other wildlife. Tranquil hiking trails wind through towering cottonwoods that turn honey-yellow in fall. The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park features observation stands overlooking wetlands filled with turtles and birds, alongside exhibits explaining the ecology of the Río Grande.

Time Travel Through Albuquerque’s Museums

Albuquerque’s museums detail the city’s rich history, from the time dinosaurs roamed the area to its role in ushering in the Atomic and Space ages. In Old Town, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science displays skeletons of Allosaurus and Stegosaurus, showcasing Albuquerque’s prehistoric past. The nearby Albuquerque Museum presents artworks by Georgia O’Keeffe and other New Mexico masters.

Get up close with rattlers at the American International Rattlesnake Museum and learn about the significance of these often-misunderstood reptiles. ¡Explora! offers hands-on exhibits exploring physics, math, and art, while the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History examines Albuquerque’s pivotal role in developing the Atomic Bomb, the Cold War, and issues surrounding atomic energy.

Make United Soccer a Goal

New Mexico United, a pro soccer club, has gained national attention for its talented players and the enthusiasm of its fans. Currently playing at Isotopes Park, home to the city’s beloved Triple-A Isotopes baseball team, New Mexico United earns a reputation for thrilling matches and a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere. A special section is reserved for devoted fans, collectively known as the Curse, who parade with costumes and drums, igniting the crowd with excitement every time United scores.

Go on Safari at the ABQ BioPark

Fantastic for both kids and adults, the Albuquerque BioPark follows the 1,885-mile journey of the Río Grande from its trout-filled headwaters in Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico. Rescued sharks, sea turtles, otters, and various other beings relying on the river and Gulf are exhibited, while visitors can dine in front of a 285,000-gallon reef aquarium at the Shark Reef Café. The botanical gardens also showcase the cultural and medicinal importance of local New Mexico plants.

The four-acre Sasebo Japanese Garden features a large koi pond and waterfall designed by Toru Tanaka, a landscape architect from Albuquerque’s sister city, Sasebo. At the ABQ BioPark Zoo, visitors can learn about elephants, giraffes, great apes, hippos, big cats, polar bears, reptiles, and penguins at this 64-acre, Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility.

Take a Spin Around Town

Mountain bikers thrive in the foothills of the Sandía Mountains, containing almost 2,600 acres of singletrack that rollercoaster through the high desert. Road cyclists can explore much of the city via Albuquerque’s 400 miles of paved trail system, including the 16-mile paved Paseo del Bosque Trail, which parallels the Río Grande. For bike rentals and themed tours that include wine tastings and taco stops, check out Routes Bicycle Tours.

Come to Albuquerque Hungry

Albuquerque is renowned for its New Mexican cuisine, with locals fiercely debating which restaurants serve the best chile. Beloved spots like El Modelo, Sadies, and Duran’s dish out classic New Mexico offerings such as chiles rellenos, stuffed sopapillas, carne adovada, and enchiladas.

However, Albuquerque is more than just New Mexican cuisine. The Sawmill Market stands out as an indoor food hall featuring vendors that offer everything from Vietnamese street food to small-batch pasta. Campo at Los Poblanos Inn utilizes ingredients from its surrounding farm, as does Farm to Table. Over at Sixty-Six Acres, located across from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, creative fusion dishes are highlighted, such as New Mexican Shrimp and Grits and Korean Fried Chicken Bowls. At Tablao Flamenco, diners marvel at the grace of flamenco dancers while savoring authentic Spanish tapas.

Unwind with Award-Winning Wine

New Mexico is the oldest wine-producing region in the U.S., with Spanish friars planting grapes for sacramental wine in the early 1600s. With a climate and elevation similar to regions in Spain and France, Albuquerque’s burgeoning wine scene has gained international acclaim. Gruet is based in Albuquerque and invites visitors to sample their Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines in their tasting room. Casa Roñdena is known for its Andalusian-spired architecture and award-winning Meritage. In Old Town, D.H. Lescombes Winery and Bistro pairs meals with its Heritage Pinot Noir and other selections. Albuquerque also boasts a vibrant microbrew scene with breweries like Marble, Boxing Bear, La Cumbre, Nexus, and Bosque receiving national and international accolades.

Explore Beyond Albuquerque

Centrally located, Albuquerque serves as an excellent base from which to explore the rest of New Mexico. Travel an hour west on I-40 to Acoma Pueblo for a guided tour of this ancient village atop a mesa, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. A half-hour east on I-40 leads to the Turquoise Trail, which journeys north on NM 14 to Santa Fe.

Along the way, you’ll find Madrid, which transitioned from a mining town to a vibrant destination filled with brightly colored art galleries, restaurants, and local shops. Farther north, Cerrillos is an Old West town featured in several films including Young Guns.

For a more direct route to Santa Fe, take I-25 to explore all that this distinct city has to offer, including Meow Wolf, an interactive art experience supported by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. South of Santa Fe, near Cochiti Pueblo, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument features otherworldly geological formations, with several trails winding through these surreal, cone-shaped formations and slot canyons.