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Albuquerque, also known as ABQ, is a vibrant, sprawling city near the center of New Mexico. Cradled in the Rio Grande Valley beneath the Sandia Mountains, it is by far the largest city in the state, acting as the media, educational, and economic center of New Mexico, as well as the home of the state's only major airport, making it a common entry point into New Mexico. Despite this, Albuquerque is often overshadowed as a tourist destination by Santa Fe, 60 mi to the north.
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Includes the city's aquarium, botanical garden, zoo, and Tingley Beach (see below under Do). Combo tickets for the Biological Park can be purchased and include the price of train rides on a small narrow-gauge train running between the Aquarium/Botanic Garden and the Zoo. The train runs Tu–Su from around 10AM–4PM at 30-min intervals.
It may not be as big as your average big city zoo, but this zoo is surprisingly comprehensive for its size, with most of the popular species you can expect to find at any good zoo: polar bears, lions, zebras, tigers, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, etc. And like any good zoo, the animals are in nice, naturalistic exhibits. The highlight exhibit areas are the seals, the polar bears, a large Africa area, and a large elephant enclosure. Every day there are scheduled feedings of the seals and the polar bears; during the warmer months more feeding times, activities, and outdoor concerts are scheduled. A small narrow-gauge train runs through the zoo (Tu–Su 10AM–3:30PM at 20-min intervals), with a conductor pointing out some of the animals and explaining what goes on behind-the-scenes. A separate train line runs to the Aquarium/Botanic Garden.
Albuquerque's small but pleasant aquarium is well-curated, with exhibits designed to simulate the Rio Grande and the saltwater marshes of the Gulf of Mexico before moving on to ocean species. Among the sea creatures on display are jellyfish, seahorses, eels, and plenty of colorful reef fish, with the highlight being a huge tank at the end with sharks, sea turtles, and rays. Divers enter the big tank every day from 2–3PM to feed the fish.
Next door to the Aquarium, this expansive botanical garden is one of Albuquerque's real gems. The place is an oasis with a variety of gardens to explore, with an emphasis on high desert plants but also with many highlight exhibits that are great for children: an indoor conservatory with lush Mediterranean plants, an insectarium with plenty of creepy-crawlies, an indoor butterfly pavilion that's open in the summer, a large Japanese garden with a koi pond and a waterfall, a recreation of an early 20th-century farm with a barnyard petting zoo, a model railroad, and a fantastic children's "Fantasy Garden" made to look as if you've shrunk down to a bug's size, with giant pretend vegetables, garden tools and bugs.
Overlooking the balloon launch field is this very interesting museum dedicated to the science and history of ballooning, with exhibits on hot air balloons and other lighter-than-air craft (including a couple of historic craft occupying the expansive hall), collections and memorabilia from famous balloonists, and extensive exhibits on ballooning in Albuquerque. If you can't make it to the Balloon Fiesta, this is next best thing, and if you can make it to the Balloon Fiesta, this makes for an excellent complement to a morning spent at a mass ascension.
A tourist complex operated by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico. Though there is a museum about pueblo history and culture on-site, it's rather small and tucked away, with most of the complex given over to more lucrative ventures like an art gallery, a restaurant, and a large gift shop (a better museum experience can be found at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture up in Santa Fe). Besides the gift shop, the best reason to visit this place is the regularly scheduled Indian dances which take place in the courtyard.
A large complex of buildings dedicated to Hispanic culture, with a small but very interesting art museum with changing exhibitions of Hispanic art. There is also a library and genealogy center, restaurant, gift shop, and a regular schedule of special events and performances.
A museum devoted to things nuclear, with extensive exhibits on the history of nuclear weapons including replicas of the Little Boy and Fat Man bombs dropped in World War II as well as other weapons and displays on arms control and uses of atomic energy. Even for those who are skeptical of the merits of nuclear arms and power, a visit to this museum makes for an interesting experience; a particularly illuminating exhibit is a guestbook where visitors are invited to share their thoughts regarding the use of atomic bombs on Japan, and as one might expect, such a controversial matter invites a wide variety of strong opinions. Outside the museum is a collection of nuclear-capable aircraft standing alongside rockets, missiles, and even a cannon designed to fire nuclear bombs.
Runs from a lower terminus in the northeast heights to the top of 10,400 ft Sandia Peak east of the city, and is one of the longest and most spectacular aerial tramways in the world. The first upward tram departs at 9AM (except Tu in the off season), and service continues until early evening. The 15-min ride to the top is incredible, bringing you right up to the rocky face of the Sandias. The view of the city from Sandia Peak is tremendous (especially after sunset), and there is a visitor center at the top. Closed for two weeks in spring and fall for "maintenance," but spring winds are so intense that you really don't want to be on an aerial tram then anyway.
Operated by the local Unser racing family, this museum is dedicated to the racing legacy of the Unsers and to the sport of auto racing in general.
The Nature Center
Visitors can walk the paths through cottonwood forest and next to managed ponds and wetlands, or avoid the elements at the Visitor Center. Beautiful tile installments throughout the park educate visitors on local ecology and conservation efforts. Birdwatchers find this site an especially rewarding urban location.
Guided walking tours of Old Town start here. An excellent example of a city-specific museum, with a large permanent collection of Southwestern art, changing art exhibitions, artifacts from the history of colonial New Mexico and Albuquerque through the years (with some pretty neat items, like conquistador armor and antique cars), and an outdoor sculpture garden. The Albuquerque Museum also operates tours of the historic home of Casa San Ysidro in the nearby village of Corrales, which offers a glimpse into Spanish colonial life in the valley.
This great little museum's claim to fame is the largest collection of different species of live rattlesnakes in the world. There's lots of snakes (and various other reptiles) and snake-related memorabilia, such as artwork and films, and the gift shop is not to be missed.
A truly splendid science and children's museum, this museum has lots of interactive exhibits teaching science, technology, and art. There are some fantastic exhibits here, like a laminar flow fountain with water jets you can turn on and off, an experiment bar, a high-wire bike, and a robotics lab.
This splendid museum has well-constructed geological and paleontological displays which illustrate a "journey through time", covering everything from the birth of the planet to the Ice Age. There's plenty of dinosaurs around, from the statues outside the main entrance, to a T. rex in the atrium, to one massive hall with several complete (and massive) dinosaur skeletons. Additionally, an entire wing of the museum is devoted to astronomical exhibits, and there's also an exhibit about the birth of the personal computer, which happened right here in Albuquerque. A planetarium and a large-screen theater are also in the building.
While the location isn't ideal (in a strip mall near Old Town, rather than in the historic district), this small gift shop and museum has some interesting exhibits about turquoise and its manufacture, history, and mythology. Reservations required.
The anthropology department at UNM has been acclaimed as one of the finest in the nation, and over the years its field schools have amassed an impressive collection of artifacts. The museum has changing exhibits and two permanent exhibits; one showcasing the evolution of humans from primates, and the other focusing on the prehistoric native cultures in the American Southwest, with a reconstruction of an archaeological dig in Chaco Canyon.
In the university's geology department building are a pair of galleries with minerals, fossils, and meteorites collected by UNM faculty and students, as well as exhibits about local geology.
Changing exhibitions of art, with a focus on New Mexico and UNM artists.
The center for the city's open space program, which encompasses land from around the city to preserve for environmental and recreational use. The visitor center has exhibits on the natural and cultural resources of the area, an art gallery, a nature area, and views of the bosque and mountains.
On the west side of town, Petroglyph is a unit of the United States National Park System and preserves a significant archaeological site with an impressive number of petroglyphs. Despite their proximity to an urban center, the petroglyphs are in good condition with very little vandalism or theft. The monument has a visitor center with some interpretive exhibits and a few short trails that lead past numerous petroglyphs. Also within the monument are a series of volcanic cinder cones overlooking the city, accessible by hiking trails from Atrisco Vista Blvd along the backside of the monument.
A very pleasant state park running along the banks of the Rio Grande through Albuquerque. The park encompasses almost the entirety of the bosque (cottonwood forest) in the city, which is home to much wildlife, such as geese, roadrunners, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and numerous other species. Numerous trails criss-cross the park, most notably the Paseo del Bosque paved bike/walk trail which runs the length of the park and offers a scenic walk or bike ride. The park's trails are also utilized by an active equestrian community in the area. There are also several picnic areas and wetland areas, with the two most prominent listed below.
The bosque provides a tranquil setting for this small but delightful nature center, with its wildlife pond and exhibits on the native wildlife. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy the enclosed views of the pond behind the visitor center. Two short trails head into the bosque from the visitor center.
A facility of the Albuquerque Biological Park, this park along the Rio Grande has fishing ponds for adults and children, a model boating pond, a cafe, and a gift shop where you can buy fishing licenses, fishing gear, or rent a pedal boat for a ride on the central pond. Trails lead into the bosque to the edge of the river and to a pair of restored wetland ponds. A narrow-gauge train links Tingley Beach to the Albuquerque Aquarium/Botanical Gardens and the Rio Grande Zoo (listed above under See).
The Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, play baseball in a beautiful stadium. Seats in the park are both good and cheap—$16 can get you a seat behind home plate. All the concessions and restrooms are along a big concourse behind the seats which is open to the field, so you don't miss any of the action. For $9 a ticket, you can bring a picnic blanket and find a spot in the grassy "Berm" behind right field that's perfect for kids—they can enjoy the grass and play on the playground on top of the Berm. Beware of foul balls—the park is a notorious "launching pad" for hitters that drives pitchers nuts. The park also hosts the new men's soccer team New Mexico United (below).
This is just about the only amusement park in New Mexico. Fairly small, but with a good number of rides. Thrill rides (including two roller coasters), family rides, kiddy rides, and a water play area.
UNM sports
The Lobos are big. For a deafening experience in college sports, try to catch a basketball game at "The Pit" (formally named Dreamstyle Arena), the university's semi-underground fieldhouse that has been a house of pain for visiting basketball teams for over 50 years. The women's teams have often been better than the men's in this century, and attract crowds every bit as raucous—when the teams are doing really well, games will sell out. Right across the street is Dreamstyle Stadium, home of the immensely popular Lobos football team.
Pro soccer has arrived! United began play in the second tier of US men's soccer, the USL Championship, in 2019, with home games at Isotopes Park.
Has four rinks under one roof. A great place to sharpen your figure skating or hockey skills or just skate for fun. Cheer on the Ice Wolves, an NAHL hockey team.
This historic and beautiful downtown building is a vibrant setting for the local performing arts community, and a venue for some traveling shows. The theater is gorgeous and filled with Pueblo-esque art deco ornamentation, such as beautiful murals, plaster cow skulls and wooden beams.
Hosts a schedule of live performances year-round, including Broadway musicals, live theater, dance and music.
It's in south Albuquerque; this is the city's primary concert venue.
Home to the Fusion Theater Company, a local performance group.
Hosting local performances throughout the year.
Featuring sketch comedy, improv, children's shows, and other works. Home to Cardboard Playhouse Productions and Blackout Theatre Company.
An intimate performance space that produces innovative plays year round.
The only one which operates directly from Balloon Fiesta Park during the Balloon Fiesta.
Serves excellent New Mexican cuisine from a stand.
A cozy little restaurant with good New Mexican food tucked away down a side alley of Old Town.
An inexpensive lunch counter in the back of a pharmacy serving cheap, hearty New Mexican cuisine.
Consistent, great quality food with great service and atmosphere.
A pleasant sit-down restaurant with a milder chile.
Flavorful but not-too-hot chile.
Home-cooked, authentic New Mexican cuisine since 1977. Lunch and Senior specials. Full bar and happy hour.
May have the hottest green chile in town.
Consistent quality. Often a long wait. Hot chile.
This place, for those who know how to find it (it is tucked in a corner) is a local favorite, serving menudo, chile, and a wide range of other both Mexican and New Mexican foods. They are also locally known for their tea, a blend of chamomile teas, always served hot and fresh. Also, as you are about to pay, make sure and check out the candy table right in front of the cash registers, as you might just spot an old favorite such as Sugar Daddys and Nik-L-Nips!
Excellent menu, ala carte items, full bar, World Record Margarita. Local favorite.
Lovely ambiance and a great menu. Their nachos are fantastic, and the restaurant is also the purveyor of a popular local brand of salsa.
Great carne adovada Indian tacos.
Industrial-style food court with a terrace offering pizzas, Mexican fare & cocktails, plus wine.
Excellent Vietnamese sandwiches. Get the #6, grilled pork on a French style baguette with French-inspired style mayo (aioli), cucumber, cilantro, strips of pickled carrots, and slices of jalapeños. Bakery also carries various Vietnamese desserts, steamed sweet/glutinous rice with mung beans, and Vietnamese steamed pork sausages.
A home-grown chain of burger stands with a New Mexican flair. The ones west of the river are owned by Bob, the ones east of the river by his son-in-law Clifford. Bob makes some of the hottest green chile sauce in the state; Clifford flat out tries to kill you. A "chile-head"'s paradise. Try a 1 ft long chile-cheese dog with green sauce instead of traditional red.
The place is a little bare-bones, but the food is excellent (and shows the difference between "Mexican" and "New Mexican" cuisine), not to mention cheap. Get a horchata as your drink.
One of the most popular restaurants in Albuquerque; a big hangout for the college students at UNM. Good American and New Mexican food, the breakfast burrito here is one of the best in Albuquerque. The atmosphere is casual, and it's a great place to people-watch and witness a good cross-section of the city's population. If you can't make it to the Frontier, you can go to one of the several Golden Pride chain places around Albuquerque, which is owned by the same family and serves much of the same food.
Enjoy some authentic Albuquerque cuisine, restaurant is best known for serving a fry covered, football sized burrito called the Travis. They can be ordered in eighths, quarters, halves or whole; consumption of an entire travis is sometimes used as a fraternity hazing. The breakfast skillet meals are wonderful.
A small Mexican/New Mexican greasy hole-in-the-wall joint with lousy service, but delicious burritos.
Pho: Vietnamese noodle soup. Also grilled pork, chicken, or beef noodle bowl and rice plates. Great friendly service. Don't miss the Vietnamese cold coffee with condensed milk.
Casual, relaxed, and wonderful self-serve BBQ. Don't miss the beef brisket!
Some of the best pizza in Albuquerque. The atmosphere is wonderful, with statues, murals, plants, and televisions everywhere. There is a sports bar in here, but the place is still very kid-friendly.
A Route 66-themed restaurant serving classic American dishes. Big portions, great atmosphere.
Spectacular views of the city from the picture windows in the main dining area. For weekend dining, be prepared to wait a bit. Good Texas-style BBQ, relaxed atmosphere and large portions for your dollar.
A popular local chain of pizzerias, serving some of the best pizza in Albuquerque. They also have sandwiches.
Fresh gourmet pizza and beer.
A local space age-themed chain with a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, entrees, New Mexican food, and superb desserts. Rated 'Best Bakery' in Albuquerque. Daily and weekly specials. Free wi-fi and comfy seating areas. Vast selection of magazines. Flying Star also operates the local Satellite Coffee chain, which has a great coffee selection and some of the same pastries you'll find at the Flying Star.
Persian food. Cushion seating available, bellydancing on weekend nights. Hookah available for rental. Wonderful Persian classics.
American cuisine. They have a nice wine list and a wine bar loft too.
Excellent Indian food.
A Thai restaurant with a loyal local following, and for good reason. Friendly owners and relaxed atmosphere.
Excellent street-style Mexican food. They also have their own craft beer and liquor.
American cuisine and a popular restaurant in the downtown area. Great creamy artichoke soup and excellent salmon. Very pleasant ambiance.
One of the finest restaurants in Albuquerque, and the winner of multiple awards. American cuisine, serving prime aged beef, seafood and poultry grilled over aromatic woods.
Excellent salad bar, and a variety of meats brought to your table.
In Nob Hill. Zinc is pleasant and well-appointed inside. American cuisine, with a touch of French; excellent appetizers. Don't miss the wine bar and jazz in the basement. Reservations advised.
A local community-owned co-op offering organic food with two locations in Albuquerque:
Slightly spaced out till staff.
Local organic food store chain with 4 locations in Albuquerque. Good place, even have diet Indian tonic if you like a gin and tonic.
International food marketplace.
Two locations in Albuquerque:
Organic food store chain with two locations in Albuquerque:
Downtown hipster bar. 100 different icy beers, pool tables galore and a killer jukebox.
Long bar downstairs; pool lounge and bar upstairs. Jaeger specials, to say the least.
Rooftop bar and dining with 30's and 40's themes.
Well established music venue and rock bar and perhaps the best place to see live music in town.
School girl dress bartenders serve bikers by day and club goers by night.
Fine local micro brewery in Albuquerque's industrial heart. Limited food selection, but in a taproom -- that's the point.
Dark dive bar, but extremely friendly patrons. Best beer special in town—$2.50 drafts on Wednesday nights.
Great atmosphere and an excellent patio for people watching. The tapas are great bar food.
Irish beers and music abound. Good beer and wine.
Wide variety of beers on tap.
A long-standing microbrewery with a loyal following. Small food selection.
Very large selection of domestic and imported beers on tap, good food with an excellent human resources department (mostly very attractive UNM girls). Laid back, but not too laid back.
A microbrewery opened by a former brewer from Chama River Brewing Co.
A new microbrewery.
Blue collar and all the character you could even hope for. Live music, outdoor volleyball, and great beer specials.
Freshly brewed beers.
Fresh beer and greasy pizza.
Festive appearance, with an indoor pool and free breakfast.
Indoor hot tub and pool, complimentary breakfast.
Probably the cheapest of the several cookie-cutter hotels near the Albuquerque airport.
In a business district near the midtown area of Albuquerque.
The indoor pool and hot tub are pretty petite, but better than nothing.
Basic chain motel which has the advantage of being right near Old Town.
This historic house, now a bed-and-breakfast, is shaded by massive 100-yr old trees and is just steps away from the Old Town plaza.
Chain motel in the North I-25 area.
In the airport area. Well lit work desks and complimentary high-speed internet.
A luxury downtown highrise hotel with many amenities, not to mention the only place directly connected to the Albuquerque Convention Center.
Great hotel overlooking downtown.
Good airport hotel.
Highrise hotel in the Uptown area.
A luxury hotel near Old Town approaching "splurge" territory. On-site restaurant, business center, outdoor swimming pool & Jacuzzi, fitness center, and elegant event space.
Great airport hotel.
Nice chain motel in the Uptown area, across the street from the ABQ Uptown mall.
Large hotel right in downtown Albuquerque, in the smaller of the two tallest highrises with the pyramid roof.
A cozy bed & breakfast near Downtown in a lovely old Victorian house. Pet-friendly.
Near downtown and the airport. Complimentary breakfast buffet and high-speed internet.
The closest hotel to the airport, no more than 2 min. away by shuttle, which runs on the half hour. However, a management transfer has left the hotel in shambles. Poor value for the money spent—give it a miss and go with other nearby airport hotels instead. Reasonable restaurant (Rojo's Grill) on the premises.
Highrise hotel in the Uptown shopping area off I-40.
Large hotel in "Aztec pyramid" shaped building.
The closest thing Albuquerque has to a grand old hotel, this downtown spot is a historic and lavishly-decorated hotel, with Moroccan and Spanish-inspired architecture throughout, very elegant ballrooms, and some luxuriously appointed rooms. A Mediterranean restaurant and a rooftop lounge are also on the premises.
A boutique hotel in the downtown area, in a lovely old building with gardens and a rooftop bar with excellent views. The accommodations themselves are wonderful, with high ceilings, large windows, and nice furnishings.
The inn and 25 acre grounds are beautiful, set near the Rio Grande bosque with conference and meeting facilities available.
If you're looking for all the "New Mexican" shops, this is probably the next best thing to Santa Fe. Granted, some of it is tacky souvenir stuff, but there are also plenty of quality gift shops with authentic Native American and Southwestern art. You can also find plenty of antiques, art galleries, jewelry, pottery, weavings, clothing stores, and other specialty shops.
A juried photography co-op of award-winning photographers, representing a wide variety of styles and techniques.
Co-op of 40 contemporary artists selling a wide variety of southwestern arts and crafts.
A popular candy shop with lots of homemade fudge, chocolates, caramels, and other sweets, though it has also gained notice for providing the blue-colored hard candy that served as the meth prop in the locally-set Breaking Bad television series. You can buy a bag of a faithful recreation of the prop, which is now one of the shop's most popular products.
A wonderful store with an extensive collection of minerals, geologic specimens, gems, beads, supplies for the geologist, information about local geology, and more. Anyone even slightly interested in geology could spend a lot of time here.
A very large gift shop with all the typical tourist kitsch, which certainly has its charm.
A long-standing business selling native arts and crafts.
While downtown has plenty of bars and restaurants, the shopping scene is a bit lacking. However, there are a few interesting places:
Has a huge selection of Western hats.
A retail boutique with art, jewelry, and some nifty around-the-home accessories.
A trendy district known for its neon reminiscent of the Route 66 days, Nob Hill is easily one of the best places in the city to window shop. The Nob Hill Business Center, at Central & Carlisle, has some great little shops as well as the La Montanita Food Co-Op (see Grocery stores under "Eat" below).
Stock up on all your herb supplies and herbal remedies here.
An art gallery and store cram packed with Day of the Dead folk art.
A typical indoor suburban mall, anchored by Macy's, JCPenney, Mervyn's and Sears. Most of the major 'big box' retailers are also in the general area, in both directions along I-40.
An outdoor mall with more high-end retail stores, such as Apple Computer, Talbots, Pottery Barn, and Williams-Sonoma.
A typical indoor mall, the surrounding area contains most typical 'big box' retailers.
Owned by the Sandia Pueblo, this huge market has loads of Native American jewelry, pottery, rugs, paintings and folk art. Most of the stuff here comes directly from the artist to the market.
A locally-owned jewelry chain in Albuquerque with plenty of antiques and Southwestern jewelry.
A local chain of stores (there is also a location in Santa Fe) that sells folk art, pottery, rugs, and furniture from around the world. There is really a lot of fantastic stuff here, and a lot to browse through.
By plane
One tip: If you're prone to airsickness, try to get flights into this airport that arrive either before noon or after sundown, particularly during late spring and early summer.
By train
Albuquerque is a layover stop along Amtrak's Southwest Chief daily train route.
By bus
Albuquerque has a fine bus depot at the Alvarado Transportation Center in downtown, 320 First St SW, which is served by Greyhound +1 505 243-4435, and Autobuses Americanos which provides bus service…
By car
If you're driving, be prepared for frequent road construction. The city government web site gives information on major construction projects, but there are always minor ones going on.
By bus
ABQ Ride, +1 505 243-RIDE, is Albuquerque's public transit system.
By bike
Albuquerque is fairly bikeable, but it's a sprawling Western city and things are spread out.
By horse
A principal corridor for equestrian use is the Paseo del Bosque Trail. Trailhead parking lots are large and one, at the Los Ranchos open space in the North Valley, has a feed store, Miller's Feed.
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Albuquerque · International · ABQ
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