22 Best Things to Do in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Looking for things to do in Albuquerque? We’ve spent a lot of time in this city over the years. Jess used to live here, we’ve visited on multiple occasions as part of our Route 66 road trip, and we once spent five weeks exploring New Mexico with Albuquerque as our base. We’ve also been to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta many times, which alone is worth the trip.

If you’re visiting in 2026, you’ve picked a great year. This is the centennial of Route 66, and Albuquerque has the longest continuous urban stretch of the Mother Road in the country at 18 miles. There are celebrations, new art installations, and special events running throughout the year.

As you’re about to discover, there’s a lot to do here, and most of it has nothing at all to do with Breaking Bad. So here are our favorite things to do in Albuquerque.

How to Spend a Weekend in Albuquerque

If you’re short on time, here’s how I’d spend a weekend. On your first morning, ride the Sandia Peak Tramway for views across the city and the desert beyond. Come back down and spend the afternoon wandering Old Town, stopping at the Rattlesnake Museum and The Candy Lady. For dinner, head somewhere that’ll serve you proper New Mexican food with green chile on everything.

On day two, start with a breakfast burrito (Christmas style, which means both red and green chile, and is our favorite way to order one). Then visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in the morning and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History in the afternoon. End the day watching the sunset from the Apothecary Lounge rooftop bar at Hotel Parq Central, green chile margarita in hand.

If you have a third day, that’s when I’d head to either the ABQ BioPark or take a day trip to Santa Fe. But honestly, you could fill a week here without running out of things to do.

Things to Do in Albuquerque

This list isn’t in any particular order. There’s so much good stuff to do in Albuquerque whatever time of year you visit!

1. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway

Anyone who has read this blog for a while will know that when I visit a new city or town, one thing I love to do is quickly get high above it, get some gorgeous views and orient myself to my surroundings.

Well, Albuquerque certainly delivered. The Sandia Peak Tramway runs to the top of Sandia Peak and is one of the longest tramways in the world. At the top there’s an observation deck which, at 10,378 feet above sea level, gave me quite a view!

From up here we could see the entirety of Albuquerque below us, as well as quite a lot more. On a clear day the view takes in 11,000 square miles. A great way to get a feel for Albuquerque and her surrounds.

As well as the tramway and observation platform, there are hiking trails along the ridgeway, and we did a half hour version of one of these, up to Kiwanis Cabin, for even more extensive views.

We can also recommend coming up here for the sunset. It’s one of the best places in the area to watch it!

2. Go to the Balloon Fiesta & Balloon Museum

I’ve already waxed lyrical on the blog about the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Bottom line, if you have the chance, you should go.

For more compelling reasons, see my photo essay, and for all your Balloon Fiesta planning needs and details, see Jess’s extensive guide on planning a trip to the Balloon Fiesta.

Of course, the Balloon Fiesta only happens over a short period, and for the rest of the year you might think you have to miss out on ballooning goodness. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Ok, so you might not get quite the experience of watching 600 balloons float into the sky together, but the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum is the next best thing.

Filled with pretty much everything you could ever want to know about ballooning, from its early beginnings to the modern day sport, we really enjoyed our visit to the balloon museum.

A highlight for me was the balloon simulator, although I have to admit I didn’t exactly cover myself in glory, running out of fuel and crashing in short order! It turns out flying a balloon might be harder than it looks.

Another option is to actually take a flight in a balloon. These are offered year round, and can be booked in advance here.

3. Wander the Old Town

A part of Albuquerque that has to be visited is the historic Old Town. Founded in 1706, and home to the oldest building in the city (the San Felipe de Neri Church, dating from 1793), today the historic old town is a hub of shops, restaurants, and museums, housed in beautiful old adobe buildings.

There’s a lot to see and do here (over 100 shops, galleries and restaurants!), so you’ll want to allocate a good amount of time to be sure you get to see everything you want. Our advice would be not to miss the Rattlesnake Museum, the Candy Lady’s store, and the Albuquerque Photographers Gallery.

You can also take a guided tour of Albuquerque’s old town if you prefer. There are a number of options, including a walking tour, a food focused tour and even a ghost tour!

4. Sample the Craft Beer

Who knew Albuquerque had such a thriving beer scene? Well, I didn’t, although Jess did. I quickly learned all about it.

You could spend a lot of time exploring the craft beer locations and sampling the beers. The scene has changed a fair bit since our first visit, but some of our highlights and recommendations include:

Marble Brewery is one of the oldest and largest craft breweries in Albuquerque, going back to 2008. They’ve won multiple awards for their beers, and their rooftop bar on top of their brewery pub is a great place to hang out and sample their brews.

La Cumbre Brewing is the place to go if you like a good IPA. Their Elevated IPA has a strong claim to being the best in New Mexico. The taproom is no-frills and unpretentious. Go for the beer, not the decor.

Tractor Brewing has multiple locations around the city and they’re good for more than just beer. Their Wells Park taproom is a nice spot to spend an evening, and they do a great job with seasonal brews.

Rio Bravo Brewing Company is a little way north of downtown, on 2nd St NW. The venue is pretty funky, with lots of big TV’s, plenty of seating around an enormous bar, plus bar games to play.

5. Eat at the Golden Crown Panaderia

We had an incredible time eating in Albuquerque. New Mexican cuisine is fantastic, so much so in fact that I wrote a rare food guide to Albuquerque just to cover it! In this post though, there were a couple of more unusual food options that I did want to mention.

First of these is the Golden Crown Panaderia. This is, as far as we could tell, the only New Mexican bakery out there, and they are remarkably good at what they do, which is creating delicious baked goods. As soon as you walk in you are treated to a complimentary biscochito (New Mexico’s state cookie!), after which you have to make a decision from a whole range of incredible goodies. Don’t miss the green chile bread!

If you have a chance, we’d also recommend having a chat with the team behind the bakery if they happen to be around. We had the luck to sit down and chat for a while about their lives, their passion for baking, and how lucky they feel to be able to have such a wonderful property and product. Not to be missed.

6. Eat a Breakfast Burrito (Christmas Style)

This might be the most important thing on this entire list. Albuquerque takes its breakfast burritos very seriously, and after eating our way through quite a few, I can confirm they have every right to.

A proper New Mexican breakfast burrito is its own thing. It’s not the same as what you’ll find in Texas or California. The key is the chile, and you’ll be asked whether you want red, green, or “Christmas” (which is both). Christmas is the correct answer, every time.

You’ll find breakfast burritos all over the city, from sit-down restaurants to drive-throughs. We’ve had ones from local restaurants that cost three times what we paid at a fast food spot, and honestly, the quality difference wasn’t always that dramatic. The chile is doing the heavy lifting here. For more food recommendations, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Albuquerque.

7. See the State Fair

A State Fair in the USA is a big deal, and while we were in Albuquerque we were lucky enough that the New Mexico State Fair was in full swing! Usually running for ten days in September, if you have the chance to attend, we’d recommend that you do so.

You’ll find everything from fairground rides through to animal displays, art exhibits and of course, plenty to spend your money on. It’s a fun atmosphere, and if you’re from overseas like me, is a cultural experience in itself!

8. Explore the ABQ BioPark

The ABQ BioPark is actually several attractions in one, including a 64-acre zoo, an aquarium, botanical gardens, and Tingley Beach. You could easily spend a full day here if you wanted to see it all.

We really enjoyed wandering the different exhibits at the zoo, and Jess obviously loved the big cats. We were impressed by how well put together all the habitats were. The botanical gardens are worth a visit too, with themed displays including a Japanese garden and a butterfly pavilion.

It’s a good way to see a large variety of wildlife in a short period of time, covering everything from apes to zebra. Just don’t do what we did, lose track of time and nearly get locked in!

9. Drink Afternoon Tea

When Jess said that Albuquerque was one of her favorite places to take afternoon tea, I had to be doubtful. I mean, I’m British, so obviously somewhere in England should be near the top of the list.

But no, apparently, despite our extensive afternoon tea research across the world, including in London, Paris, San Francisco, and Vietnam, it turns out that Albuquerque is a good place to go for a truly wonderful afternoon tea experience.

The exact location is the St. James Tearoom, a luxury tea experience where for a couple of hours Jess and I were whisked away from our every day cares and into a private nook. They do themed meals that change regularly, and when we visited we had an Orient Express themed meal, accompanied of course by piles of tea.

Jess has written about our St. James tearoom experience, in a post which is jam-packed with information and photos from our trip there. If you like afternoon tea, or are just after a unique experience in Albuquerque, this is a good one to go for! Book well in advance though, as they fill up quickly.

10. Wander the Rio Grande Nature Center

If you’re into wildlife, and particularly birds, then a visit to the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park should be at the top of your list. I’m not necessarily a huge bird watcher (sorry Mum!), but even I was mesmerized by the hummingbirds that we saw at the feeder!

There are trails you can walk, right up to the edge of the Rio Grande river itself, and the center is informative, with staff on hand to give advice and tips on what you’re likely to see and where. For a bit of nature in the heart of the city, this should make your list.

If you want a longer nature walk, the Paseo del Bosque Trail also runs along the Rio Grande and stretches from the north to south edges of the metro area. It’s a popular route for running and cycling as well as walking.

11. Attend a Festival

I had no idea before I visited, but Albuquerque is a bit nuts about festivals.

On our various visits to Albuquerque, we’ve attended a whole range of festivals, including the Mountain West Brew Fest (beer and wine), the New Mexico Wine & Jazz Festival, the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival and of course, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!

Whenever you visit Albuquerque you are fairly likely to find some kind of festival going on. Check out the official city events page for information.

12. Seek Out the Public Art

Something else that surprised me about Albuquerque was quite how much public art there is on display. This ranges from giant wall murals to statues, and basically it’s hard to walk for more than five minutes in downtown Albuquerque without finding something.

In 2026, there’s even more to see thanks to the Route 66 centennial celebrations. New murals and art installations have been going up along Central Avenue as part of the city’s art-fueled celebration of the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary.

If you want to be a bit more structured in your wanderings, you can use the ABQ Public Art Map which will lead you to all the public art installations across the city.

13. Visit the Dinosaurs at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History

Turns out there is a lot to do in Albuquerque, and these were just my favorites! We did even more than fits on this list. Another highlight for us was the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, which tackles all things, well, Natural History. Which, of course, means dinosaurs.

New Mexico is actually a dinosaur treasure trove, with multiple fossil finds from all around the state. So it makes sense that the Natural History museum has some excellent dinosaur exhibits. It’s more than just dinosaurs though. We went on a journey through a volcano, experienced time travel, and learned about the cosmos.

We also enjoyed chatting to the staff, who were supremely knowledgeable as well as entertaining. One to visit.

14. Feel Cultured at The Albuquerque Museum

Near the Natural History museum is The Albuquerque Museum, which focuses on the history, art, and culture of Albuquerque. I do have to admit to not always being a museum person, but I did really enjoy both of these museums.

In particular, the sections that focused on the history of New Mexico, from its Native American roots through to the Spanish settlers, were well done. These weren’t always uplifting tales to read, but the information was well presented and I appreciated the learning opportunity!

Tip: the Albuquerque Museum offers free admission on Sunday mornings from 9am to 1pm.

15. Get Hands On at Explora!

If you like your locations of learning to be of the interactive variety, then you’re going to go mad for Explora! This is, as far as I can best describe it, an adults science adventure playground (ok, it’s great for kids too!), where you’re encouraged to do everything from fly model planes to create giant soap bubbles.

We visited when they were having an adults evening, which basically meant they had wine and beer as well as a number of demonstrations, and other activities including a disco. There’s nothing quite like having a beer, listening to some music, and trying to create the biggest soap bubble you can.

16. Learn about Native American Culture at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

There are 19 Pueblos in New Mexico. If you’re not sure what that means, well, a pueblo is basically a Native American community which has its own culture, tradition and art, and it’s usually based around a specific location.

Some of these pueblos are open for visiting, including the Taos Pueblo and the Acoma Sky City Pueblo, two experiences we also recommend.

However, if you’re in Albuquerque, you can get a great introduction to the Pueblo cultures (and food!) by visiting the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Here there’s an excellent exhibit on the history of the Pueblo people, from their early beginnings and culture, through to their encounters, subjugation, revolutions and somewhat uneasy co-habitation with European settlers.

The site is also home to a restaurant, the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, and I’m going to spoil things a bit here: you need to visit for breakfast. The blue corn pancakes are unbelievably good.

17. Watch a Sunset on a Rooftop Bar

While Sandia Peak is a great place to watch the sunset from, it’s notably lacking in having a wide-ranging selection of cocktails. It’s also a bit of a trek from downtown. For these reasons, we can recommend heading to the Apothecary Lounge at the Hotel Parq Central.

Originally built in 1926 as a hospital for Santa Fe Railroad employees, the building is now a boutique hotel on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lounge has taken on some of the themes of the building’s past for its furnishings and beverages. Most impressive though is the view. Albuquerque is not a city with a lot of high buildings, so even being a few floors above ground results in a panoramic viewpoint.

This is a great place to watch the sunset, and we’d recommend trying the green chile margarita for something a little different!

18. Reminisce about a Route 66 Adventure

In 2015, Jess and I drove the entirety of Route 66, which just happens to pass right through downtown Albuquerque. In fact, because Route 66 changed route a few times over its lifetime, Albuquerque happens to be the only place where you can stand on the intersection of Route 66 and Route 66, which is pretty cool!

2026 is a particularly exciting year for Route 66, as it’s the centennial. Albuquerque has the longest continuous urban stretch of Route 66 in the country at 18 miles, and the city is going all-out with celebrations, including new murals and art installations along Central Avenue, special events, and a Route 66 Summerfest in the Nob Hill neighborhood. Check Visit Albuquerque for the latest events calendar. Jess also has a detailed guide to finding historic Route 66 in Albuquerque.

There are a number of Route 66 attractions in Albuquerque, the majority of the food variety. One of our highlights was the Dog House Drive In, a hotdog spot which has been serving up staples like hot dogs smothered in chili for over sixty years. See more of our Route 66 experiences in New Mexico right here.

19. Eat at the Food Trucks

Food trucks have become a big deal across the US (and the world!), and Albuquerque is no exception to this rule. A good place to start is the Civic Plaza on a Tuesday, where some of the city’s best food trucks congregate to offer you a range of delicious lunchtime dining options.

You’ll find everything from BBQ to frozen yogurt, and you can eat by the fountain, or in the shade. Something for everyone, and at a great price too!

20. Drink Pinon Coffee

Locally roasted in Albuquerque, Pinon coffee is a New Mexico classic. It’s a bit of an acquired taste, because it’s flavored with the Pinon Nut, an edible pine nut which has been a part of the staple diet in this part of the world for a very long time.

It adds a distinct flavor to the coffee which can be a bit of an acquired taste, but I loved it, and it’s something I miss about Albuquerque and New Mexico!

21. Eat Something with Green Chile

New Mexico has what could best be described as an obsession with the chile, so much so that it is the state vegetable! It comes in a variety of styles, with the most common being the red or green chile sauce that you can add to pretty much everything you eat in New Mexico.

In the fall season, the green chiles are roasted, and the streets come alive with the smell of delicious roasting chiles.

My favorite way to eat chile has to be on top of a cheeseburger in the form of the famous Green Chile Cheeseburger! You’ll find plenty of places serving these up all around Albuquerque and New Mexico (there’s even a Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail) so make sure you try it somehow.

We have a guide to the best restaurants in Albuquerque, many of which feature fantastic authentic New Mexican cuisine, so check that out if you need some inspiration!

22. Visit the Petroglyphs

Just to the west of the city you’ll find the Petroglyph National Monument. This is a National Monument, and is the location of one of the largest petroglyph sites in the USA.

What is a petroglyph you ask? Well, it’s basically rock art. The designs all over the rocks here are around 400 to 700 years old, and were created by both Spanish settlers and the Native American people of the area.

There are a number of trails at the National Monument, three of which offer good opportunities to see the petroglyphs up close.

Boca Negra Canyon is probably the most popular, as there’s a large expanse of petroglyphs that are accessible from a flat trail, as well as a short and steep hike up to an overlook with an excellent view across the city.

There is also a visitor center, where you can learn more about the petroglyphs and get information on the trails. However there aren’t any petroglyphs at the visitor center. You have to drive to one of the trail areas, which are Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon and Piedras Marcadas Canyon.

More Things to Do in Albuquerque

Those are our top picks, but there’s plenty more to see and do in Albuquerque. Here are a few more highlights.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has information on all kinds of things related to nuclear science, including nuclear energy, nuclear weapons, the cold war and even nuclear medicine. There’s also an excellent outdoor exhibit which includes a number of rockets, aircraft and other military hardware. Those familiar with military history will know that the development of the atom bomb in World War 2 took place in nearby Los Alamos.

And yes, for the Breaking Bad fans: Albuquerque was the filming location for the whole series, and there are guided tours that’ll take you past filming locations from Walter White’s house to Los Pollos Hermanos. I have to admit we haven’t done one ourselves, but we’ve heard good things.

Map of Things to Do in Albuquerque

To help you visualize where all the above are, and to help with your route planning, we’ve put together a map of all the above attractions. You can also see these on Google Maps here.

Where to Stay in Albuquerque

There’s no shortage of places to stay in Albuquerque, so for most of the year you shouldn’t have any problem finding somewhere to suit your budget. The exception is if you visit during the Balloon Fiesta, when accommodation becomes much more expensive and harder to find. For tips on that, check out Jess’s comprehensive guide to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

Our go-to for booking accommodation is Booking.com. Here are a couple of options we can recommend:

• El Vado Motel – a fully restored Route 66 era motel offering lovely accommodation in classic surroundings. There are also a range of food options on site, provided by local food businesses. A great choice in the centennial year.
• Hotel Parq Central – a modern 4-star hotel in a historic 1926 building. This is where we had our sunset drinks at the Apothecary Lounge, and it’s a lovely property.

You can see the full listings for Albuquerque on Booking.com here.

If you’re driving Route 66, Jess has a guide to historic Route 66 motels and hotels that includes options in Albuquerque and along the whole route.

How to Get Around Albuquerque

You have a number of options for getting around Albuquerque. Our recommended way is to drive yourself. The attractions can be a bit spread out, and I have to admit, cities in the US tend to be biased somewhat towards people who drive!

If you need a rental car, we recommend using Discover Cars to compare prices across rental companies. They search all the major brands and often find better deals than booking direct, particularly for longer rentals.

Of course, there’s a bus service in Albuquerque, which you can use to get around the city. You can find details on pricing, tickets and timetables on the official website.

Day Trips from Albuquerque

As you can see, there’s no shortage of things to do in Albuquerque. But if you do want to head out of the city and explore the surrounds, there are a number of options for day trips from the city. Here are some of our favorites.

• Santa Fe. Just an hour’s drive, or 90 minutes by direct train, the town of Santa Fe is well worth a visit. It’s home to lovely old buildings, a thriving artistic community, and plenty of places to dine. While you’re there, don’t miss Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return, an immersive art experience that’s pretty much unlike anything else we’ve ever been to. You walk, climb and crawl through over 70 rooms of interactive art installations. It’s bizarre, wonderful, and completely unforgettable. See our guide to things to do in Santa Fe for more inspiration.
• Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Around 50 minutes drive north of Albuquerque, this national monument features a scenic trail offering everything from slot canyons to fantastic vistas. Important: You now need to book in advance. Entry requires both a BLM ticket reservation through Recreation.gov and a Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Access Pass (bought separately through the Pueblo’s website). The monument is open Thursday through Monday only, with entry between 8am and 1pm. Don’t just show up or you’ll be turned away.
• The Turquoise Trail. This driving route links Albuquerque with Santa Fe, following a 50 mile scenic national byway. It passes through some lovely old mining towns and villages, and there are a number of attractions along the route, from a singing road to historical attractions and craft stores.
• Acoma Pueblo. One of the oldest inhabited places in North America, this pueblo is found atop a large rock mesa and is home to the Acoma Pueblo tribe.

Further Reading

Here are some resources to help you plan your trip to Albuquerque:

• Our guide to the best restaurants in Albuquerque, which covers everything from food trucks to fine dining, as well as some of the best spots for excellent New Mexican cuisine
• If you’re visiting for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, check out our detailed guide to visiting Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta, as well as our photo essay from the Balloon Fiesta
• While you’re in the area, you might want to visit Santa Fe, in which case check out our guide to things to do in Santa Fe
• For more on Route 66, which passes through Albuquerque, see our guide to planning a Route 66 trip, as well as our detailed Route 66 itinerary
• The official Visit Albuquerque website, which has information on what’s going on year round
• The New Mexico Nomad travel blog, a fantastic resource for all things New Mexico
• This guide to 30 Walking Trails in Albuquerque

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Albuquerque

Is Albuquerque worth visiting?

Yes, and I’d argue it’s one of the most underrated cities in the US. It’s not on most tourists’ radar the way Santa Fe is, but it has just as much to offer, and in some ways more. The food scene alone (particularly the New Mexican cuisine and the breakfast burritos) is worth the trip, the Balloon Fiesta is unlike anything else in the world, and there’s a depth of Native American and Spanish colonial history here that you won’t find in many other American cities.

It’s also very affordable compared to most US travel destinations, particularly for accommodation and dining.

How many days do you need in Albuquerque?

You could see the highlights in a weekend, but three to four days gives you enough time to explore properly without rushing. That lets you do the main attractions, eat your way through the city, take a day trip to Santa Fe or Tent Rocks, and still have time to just wander. We spent five weeks in New Mexico with Albuquerque as our base, so there’s no shortage of things to fill your time if you have it.

What food is Albuquerque known for?

New Mexican cuisine is the star, and it’s different from both Mexican and Tex-Mex food. Green and red chile sauces are on everything, and you’ll be asked “red, green, or Christmas?” (Christmas means both) at pretty much every restaurant. The green chile cheeseburger is a local institution, breakfast burritos are taken very seriously, and you should try blue corn dishes whenever you see them on a menu. For specific restaurant recommendations, see our guide to the best restaurants in Albuquerque.

What is the best time to visit Albuquerque?

Fall is the sweet spot. The weather is comfortable, the green chiles are being roasted on every street corner, and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta takes place in October. Spring is also lovely with mild temperatures and clear skies. Summer can be hot (it is the desert, after all), and winters are mild by northern standards but can get chilly, particularly at altitude. If you visit in 2026, any time of year has the added bonus of the Route 66 centennial celebrations running throughout the city.

Is Albuquerque safe for tourists?

The tourist areas (Old Town, museums, the tramway, BioPark) are generally fine. Like any city, it pays to be aware of your surroundings, and there are areas that are better avoided after dark. We’ve visited multiple times and never had any issues in the areas most visitors would spend their time.