Welcome to the best things to do in Albuquerque, New Mexico!
Growing up with family in New Mexico, I’ve visited Albuquerque many, many times.
To this day, there’s nothing like watching a sunset light up the Sandia Mountains every shade of pink.
On today’s post, I’ve put together all the best things to do in Albuquerque from an (almost) local’s perspective. 😉
Let’s dive in.
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Albuquerque Essentials
Top Experiences & Tours In Albuquerque
Where To Stay In Albuquerque
Budget-friendly
Mid-range
Luxury
Short on time? I recommend booking an Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise!
1. Explore Old Town
Old Town Plaza is the historic heart of Albuquerque.
It’s where the town was first settled in the early 1700’s.
Visiting this charming neighborhood is one of the best things to do in Albuquerque.
You’ll definitely feel like you’ve taken a step back in time as you stroll through its narrow streets, lined with Pueblo-Spanish architecture.
Built in 1793, the San Felipe de Neri Church stands here as the oldest building in the city.
Its surrounding adobe buildings now house charming restaurants, art galleries, and shops.
I recommend grabbing coffee at Blackbird Coffee House or a bite to eat at Church Street Cafe.
Then, spend the morning browsing all the local shops.
Iconic to present-day Albuquerque, Breaking Bad fans will enjoy a stop at The Candy Lady, a local candy store.
This candy store supplied all of the “blue meth” for the show, which is actually blue rock candy.
If you’re a fan, no trip to Albuquerque is complete without picking up a dime bag of blue rock candy, and some Breaking Bad souvenirs.
After a morning of exploring, head to the nearby Sawmill Market, an awesome dining hall with local restaurants.
2. Experience the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Every year in October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta takes place.
Known as the most photographed event in the world, people travel from all over to fly balloons or just spectate.
The brisk fall mornings of the Rio Grande Valley create a stunning backdrop for the hundreds of colorful balloons.
Watching them take off and dot the sky is said to be an amazing sight.
If you’re not visiting in October, I recommend taking a hot air balloon ride over the Rio Grande Valley.
The views are unbeatable!
3. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway
Rising above the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque, the Sandia Peak Tramway is a scenic tram ride that transports you to the serenity of the Sandia Mountains.
The ride is about a 3-mile long, 15 minute journey to the top.
Along the way, you’re rewarded with stunning views of the city, the mountains, and the sprawling Rio Grande Valley.
Eventually, you reach the 10,378-foot Sandia Peak.
Once at the top, you’ll definitely want to eat at the TEN 3 restaurant.
They serve delicious food with views from 10,300 feet above sea level.
There’s also an observation deck at the peak, so you can take in the dramatic views from every angle.
I highly recommend exploring the beautiful hiking trails while you’re up here.
You can spend as long as you want at the top before you catch the tram back down.
Pro tip: Expect it to be about 15-30 degrees cooler up here than in Albuquerque. So be prepared with at least a light jacket, even in the summer.
4. Explore Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm
One of the most magnificent historic properties in the Southwest, Los Poblanos is home to an organic farm, a field-to-fork restaurant, a boutique inn, and artisan retail.
This charming inn and farm is the epitome of understated luxury.
It’s only 10-15 minutes away from Albuquerque, and boasts 25 acres of lavender fields, enormous cottonwood trees, and lush gardens.
The onsite restaurant Campo serves deliciously fresh food and drinks.
I highly recommend stopping by, at least to enjoy a meal and browse the local wares at the Farm Shop.
While there, you have to pick up some signature products from Los Poblanos’ lavender collection.
What started as amenities for the inn years ago, has now grown into a best-selling collection of hair and body care, fragrances, and aromatherapy.
In fact, you’re bound to see Los Poblanos products being sold all over New Mexico!
Click here to check availability at Los Poblanos.
Related: 20 Best Things To Do In New Mexico
5. Visit Petroglyph National Monument
Just 15 minutes west of Albuquerque lies one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America.
Petroglyph National Monument holds over 20,000 images etched into stone, dating back 400-700 years.
This is a great place to take a quick hike, or bring kids because the trails are fairly flat and easy.
The trails are very sandy though, so make sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little dirt on.
Another plus, this park is totally free!
6. Visit Breaking Bad locations
One of Albuquerque’s most recent claims to fame is being the setting of the hit show Breaking Bad.
Many of the show’s filming locations are sprinkled throughout the city.
If you want to visit the sites with all the planning taken care of, I recommend a tour like Breaking Bad RV Tours.
This tour will shuttle you to the different spots, and fill you in on interesting facts about the show.
They even drive you around in a replica Breaking Bad RV!
However, if you want to visit the locations on your own (and for free), you totally can.
Here are some of the highlights.
Walter White’s House
308 Negra Arroyo Lane
One of the most iconic places in the show is Walter White’s house.
Unfortunately, the present-day owner doesn’t love visitors.
I can’t say I totally blame her, because people have been crowding her house for years now, and not everyone has been respectful.
Many people have even thrown pizzas on her roof!
So, she’s constructed a huge fence around the property, full of signs warding people off.
When we visited, she even started filming us, even though we were at a respectful distance and weren’t bothering her at all lol.
Still, if you’re a big fan of the show, it’s worth checking out!
Jesse’s House
322 16th St SW
The house that Jesse lived in, and eventually came to own, was a prominent location in the show.
Today, this two-story Spanish Colonial revival house remains a private residence.
Although, you can still visit and admire its beauty from the outside.
The Grove Cafe & Market
600 Central Ave SE STE A
The Grove is the cafe where Lydia often met Walter, and famously ordered chamomile tea with stevia.
In real life, The Grove is renowned for their fantastic breakfast, lunch, and baked goods.
Hinkle Family Fun Center
12931 Indian School Rd NE
This is the laser tag business that Saul tried to convince Walter and Skyler to invest in to launder their money.
“Scientists love lasers!”
Although Hinkle’s is known for its Breaking Bad appearance, it’s really a fun place to visit in its own right.
It’s the perfect place to have a family or date night with some nostalgic laser tag, go karting, and arcade games.
I’ve been a few times with my family as an adult, and we’ve made some pretty funny memories.
Twister’s (Los Pollos Hermanos)
4275 Isleta Blvd SW
Los Pollos Hermanos may be fictional, but its real life location actually exists.
Named Twister’s in real life, this restaurant was depicted as the flagship Los Pollos Hermanos throughout the show.
They’ve totally embraced their Breaking Bad reputation, and decked out the inside with Breaking Bad memorabilia.
Although they don’t serve fried chicken, they’re well-known for their breakfast burritos and burgers.
7. Explore Nob Hill
Nob Hill is a buzzing neighborhood on Albuquerque’s Central Avenue.
It’s home to a fun and eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and retro-looking buildings.
This neighborhood was a part of the iconic Route 66, and the area has really retained that vintage aesthetic.
While you’re here, stroll down Nob Hill Main Street and browse the local shops for souvenirs and gifts.
Also take in all the vibrant street art, like the “Greetings From Burque” mural.
8. Visit a museum
If you’re looking for something to do indoors in Albuquerque, head to one of the city’s best museums.
Kids will love all of the interactive, science-based exhibits at Explora.
I went so many times as a kid, and always had a ton of fun.
To learn more about the culture of New Mexico’s first people, head to Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
Every weekend, Pueblo members of different tribes dance in the outdoor plaza.
The Turquoise Museum takes a deep dive into New Mexico’s state gem, and its importance in many cultures.
The museum is even housed in the beautiful, castle-like mansion of the late jewelry designer Gertrude Zachary.
Located in Old Town, the Rattlesnake Museum is one of the quirkiest and best things to do in Albuquerque.
This museum is dedicated to teaching people about the often misunderstood animals, and showcasing native species.
9. Try New Mexican chile
You’ll notice that much of New Mexican culture revolves around its chile.
It IS known as the “Chile Capital of the World,” after all.
In fact, New Mexico is the only state with an official state question: “Red or green?”
This is a question you’ll hear in every restaurant, because they’re asking if you want your food topped with red, or green chile.
(Fun fact, you can answer “Christmas” if you want both. 😊)
And pretty much everything comes with green chile! Pizza, burgers, stew… you name it!
Some of the most beloved places in Albuquerque to try authentic New Mexican food are Cocina Azul, El Patio de Albuquerque, and El Pinto.
10. Take a day trip
If you have some extra time in your Albuquerque itinerary, I highly recommend venturing out a little further.
Some of New Mexico’s best sights are just a quick trip away.
Santa Fe
One of the best day trips from Albuquerque is Santa Fe.
It’s just an hour north of Albuquerque, and has some amazing things to do.
Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the US, renowned for its vibrant art scene, dining, history, and outdoors.
Compared to Albuquerque’s more urban vibe, Santa Fe has a much more intimate feel.
One of the best things to do here is explore Santa Fe Plaza, which houses some of the city’s best restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.
After that, head to Canyon Road, a picturesque, half-mile street lined with beautiful art galleries and shops.
Make sure to set aside a couple hours to explore Meow Wolf, a trippy, immersive art experience.
I think this place is worth the drive to Santa Fe alone!
To round out the perfect day in Santa Fe, grab dinner at one of the many fantastic restaurants here.
Some of my personal favorites are La Choza, Cafe Pasqual’s, and Coyote Cafe & Cantina.
Read more: The Ultimate Santa Fe Travel Guide (Where To Stay + Eat)
Tent Rocks
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, or Tent Rocks, is a unique geological area that’s a 50 minute drive from downtown Albuquerque.
It’s roughly halfway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, so you could combine this with a trip to Santa Fe while you’re there.
Or, you could make this a half-day trip on its own from Albuquerque.
The site is named for its striated cone-shaped rock formations, called hoodoos.
Tent Rocks is a really fun place to hike, and take in the funky formations and slot canyons.
If you want to see some of the Southwest’s most unique scenery, within an easy half-day trip from Albuquerque, this is the place for you.
(Unfortunately, the area is currently closed due to COVID.)
Read more: 15 Best Things To Do In Santa Fe
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