Plan Your Trip with This Complete Albuquerque, NM Travel Guide

Desert sunsets, hot air balloons, and Chile-spiced adventures—Albuquerque is ready to surprise you at every turn.

Albuquerque is a wonderful destination if you'd like to experience the unique blend of colorful hot air balloons in the sky, expansive, breathtaking desert landscapes, and a rich mixture of cultures. The city itself is situated along the banks of the Rio Grande and surrounded by the stunning Sandia Mountains, blending history, adventure, and modern-day beauty. Don't let the 300-plus-year-old fool you; it is very much a cosmopolitan city filled with unique boutiques, plenty of performance venues, and exciting nightlife.

This guide contains all the information and tips you need to plan the perfect getaway, including finding popular and unique attractions, local cuisine, and adventure.

Located at the original city founded in 1706, Old Town is a multicultural area where both Native American and Spanish cultures continue to coexist today. In addition to Old Town's multicultural influences, you will love experiencing a reemerging nostalgic feel from the days when the original Route 66 ran through downtown.

Traveling beyond downtown will offer a glimpse of the large homes and acreage, as well as lush vineyards, in both the North Valley and Corrales. Even with the rapid growth of Albuquerque, it retains strong roots in its Hispanic origins, and the spicy, bitter taste of chiles will be found on many restaurant menus.

A visit to galleries and shops will lead to an experience of Native American art.

November through September are the best months to go to Albuquerque. Autumn brings warm weather—just right for walking along the Paseo del Bosque Trail—and brings with it many celebrations (i.e., festival season).

Winter brings a lot of skiers to the area, as many people visit skiing in the Sandia Mountains, which increases hotel rates during winter. However, many tourists also ignore spring and summer, which results in many hotel deals during the spring and summer months.

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the nearest international airport and is located approximately 10–15 minutes from downtown Albuquerque. Albuquerque is located at the intersection of two major interstate highways, I-40, which connects the western part of the USA along the southern U.S., and I-25, which runs north-south through the eastern side of the Rockies.

Train service is available daily through Amtrak's Southwest Chief, which runs between Chicago, IL, and Los Angeles, CA, with an intermediate stop every day in Albuquerque. The best way to get around Albuquerque is by public transportation via bus. ABQ RIDE operates buses regularly around Albuquerque. They also provide transportation to and from Albuquerque International Sunport, which is approximately five miles south of downtown.

If you use the bus to come into downtown from the airport, go to the west side on the lower level to find the No. 50 bus. If you're going on a day trip into the mountains, it is recommended to rent a car. Rental cars are available either at the airport or downtown. Rideshare drivers, like those from Uber and Lyft, provide services in Albuquerque.

If you come to Albuquerque in early October, you'll want to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and see hundreds of bright and colorful hot air balloons being launched at dawn.

There are many opportunities to take pictures, eat food, and enjoy the festivities. Plus, you can attend Balloon Fiesta Park (where all the balloons launch), or you can follow the balloons as they fly throughout the city and watch them land.

Address:

Balloon Fiesta Park, 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

The Sandia Peak Tramway offers stunning vistas of the desert and city below. One of the longest aerial tramways in the world provides an exciting ride to lofty elevations where guests can enjoy both summer and winter activities, including hiking, skiing, and dining at Ten 3, a restaurant with breathtaking views of Albuquerque and the Sandia Mountains.

Cable cars travel almost 3 miles (approximately 15 minutes) along a suspended cable between Eastern Albuquerque and the pinnacle of Sandia Peak, which is 10,378 feet tall. Guests will experience phenomenal views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment. On a clear day, guests will see more than 11,000 square miles.

There is multiple hiking trails suited for various abilities. For example, the Peak Nature Trail is an easy 0.3 miles long, while the La Luz Trail is very challenging at 7.5 miles long.

Address:

30 Tramway Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122

Albuquerque offers a variety of spicy and strong food options. New Mexico's cuisine is a hodgepodge of Mexican, Spanish flavors, and Native American. Good examples of this are based on native foods like corn, squash, beans, and, not to mention the chiles. Chiles come in either green or red.

The High Noon Saloon & Restaurant set in Old Town is a popular New Mexican restaurant for both its steak and tequila. If you want to experience spice at its fullest potential, then participate in the National Barbecue Show & Fiery Foods in March, where over 200 booths showcase over 1,000 types of products made with chiles.

The wine aspect of Albuquerque's unique food scene is another big factor. You can find several wineries located around Corrales and Albuquerque, New Mexico (the Visitor's Bureau has a directory of wineries in the area).

Whether you want to create your own brewery tour or take part in one of the many beer-related events in Albuquerque, such as ABQ Blues & Brews, ABQ Beer Week, or the Albuquerque Hop Fest, there is something for everyone.

Address:

High Noon Restaurant & Saloon: 425 San Felipe St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center preserves the cultures of Indigenous people and was established by the Pueblos of New Mexico. Located just two miles northeast of Old Town, it is an educational site of Pueblo history and art and hosts events like lectures and entertainment.

Dine at the Indian Pueblo Kitchen for its traditional fare. Hours of operation are from 9:00 AM through 4:00 PM.

Address:

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: 2401 12th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Indian Pueblo Kitchen: 2401 12th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

The extensive 400+ mile network of paved and unpaved hiking and biking trails provides beautiful views of nature while offering a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, from easier hiking options along the Bosque Trail to more difficult treks in the Sandia Mountains

Just minutes outside downtown Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument offers visitors access to thousands of rock carvings (petroglyphs) created by Native Americans and early Spanish settlers. At Petroglyph National Monument, visitors will enjoy numerous trail options ranging from easy to moderate and the opportunity to learn about early human history through rock art.

The Petroglyph Viewing Trail in the Piedras Marcadas Canyon is an easy-to-moderate 1.8-mile round-trip hike where visitors can enjoy up to 400 petroglyphs of the earliest recorded people in the area.

Address:

6001 Unser Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120

Another great day trip from Albuquerque is Santa Fe, New Mexico, located about an hour northeast of Albuquerque. Known for its characteristic Pueblo architecture, the city features some of the best art and food in the world.

The Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway is a historic highway that connects Santa Fe with Albuquerque and includes eclectic mining towns like Cerrillos and Madrid, as well as unique shops and art studios. Most people recognize this route from the movie Wild Hogs.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is located a little over an hour from Albuquerque. It features an array of cone-shaped rock formations, slot canyons, and beautiful vistas. This makes it one of the most requested hiking and photography locations in New Mexico.

Address:

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072

El Malpais National Monument is located less than an hour and a half away from Albuquerque on Interstate 40, heading west. The area encompasses over 350,000 acres, making it one of the largest and most diverse volcanic features in the continental United States. The lava flows that cover this area are between 3,000 and 700,000 years old and create a jumbled, black rocky terrain that looks almost alien.

In addition, the sandstone cliffs on the eastern side of the monument rise sharply and provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape, as well as protection for ancient cultures that once lived there.

Address:

1900 E. Santa Fe Ave., Grants, NM 87020

The ABQ BioPark is located along the Rio Grande, just southeast of Old Town. The BioPark contains four attractions—a zoo, an aquarium, a botanic garden, and Tingley Beach—all of which are top-rated by visitors. The aquarium is a favorite among kids because of its 285,000-gallon shark tank.

Additionally, with over 250 species at the zoo (including snow leopards, kangaroos, and polar bears), it's sure to keep kids occupied. If animals aren't your thing, head to the botanic garden, 32 acres filled with tropical plants, well-maintained landscapes, and peaceful walking paths. You may even want to fish at Tingley Beach if you visit in the summertime.

To save money on your visits, purchase a package deal that includes entrance to all three attractions and shuttle rides between them. You can only buy this combo ticket Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Address:

2601 Central Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Opened in 1969, this unique museum tracks nuclear developments from their early pioneers through today's latest developments, including nuclear power and medicine. In addition to housing the most comprehensive visual history of nuclear science and nuclear weapons, the museum takes visitors back in time to examine the circumstances leading up to the decision to use the first atomic bomb and to explore the bomb's effects on today's culture.

In 2019, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History formed a partnership with the Atomic Heritage Foundation that provided the museum with a collection of oral histories recorded by participants in the Manhattan Project.

Outside, visitors can see a 9-acre Heritage Park, which contains an extensive collection of aircraft and missiles that were once rare but are now of historical importance, including a B-29 Superfortress similar to the aircraft that carried the Fat Man bomb.

Address:

601 Eubank Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123

San Felipe de Neri Church, located on the northern side of Old Town Plaza, was built in 1706 as the first Roman Catholic church in Albuquerque. The church stands because of a rebuild in 1793 (one year after the original structure collapsed) and has had several additions, including a rectory, convent, and school, over the years.

On-site is a museum displaying religious artwork and artifacts that were once hung around the church. The church provides visitors with a tranquil environment and is in excellent condition. Each day from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, people can come to tour the church.

Address:

2005 N Plaza St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Located near the Albuquerque Museum, across from Old Town, this museum tells the story of billions of years' worth of natural history. One highlight of this museum is the exhibit on the Jurassic period, which features a life-sized reconstruction of actual dinosaur bones.

"The Hall of Stars" at this site will help you understand the night sky by providing a tapestry that has UV-sensitive thread. The museum has several temporary exhibitions, as well as a planetarium and a 3D movie theater. You can visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science from Wednesday through Monday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Address:

1801 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Book your stay at Sandia Peak Inn in Albuquerque and enjoy a comfortable Route 66 stay near Old Town, ABQ BioPark, local dining, and Sandia Mountain attractions.