Albuquerque Travel guide
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
General
Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico. It is located in the center of the state, at an elevation of 1,620 meters above sea level on the banks of the "Rio Grande" river. To its east are towering mountains, the Sandia Mountains, which reach heights of over 4,000 meters. About half of New Mexico's population, approximately 850,000 people, live in Albuquerque and its suburbs. The city was founded in 1706 by Spanish settlers, but for centuries before the arrival of the first Europeans, the area was inhabited by many Native American tribes. The city served as the sheep-herding center of the West. Old Albuquerque was built in the typical Spanish architectural style: a central plaza surrounded by government buildings and a church, with residential buildings around them.
To this day, the beautiful and colorful Old Town is one of the central attractions in the city. It has over 150 shops, restaurants, and galleries. The city is considered one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in the USA, which is reflected in its diverse architecture, artworks, cultural centers, and, of course, its food.
Guided Tours in Albuquerque from GetYourGuide.com:
The main question in city restaurants is: "Green or Red?" referring to which type of chili (hot pepper) you want them to put in your food. Those who want both types together ask for a "Christmas" dish. Chili is the most characteristic food ingredient in all of New Mexico. You can see these hot peppers hanging to dry in many places.
Hot Air Balloons in Albuquerque
Albuquerque is considered the "Hot Air Balloon Capital" of the world and is famous for the International Balloon Festival:
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held there every year in the month of October, attracting many tourists to watch over 800 hot air balloons in a variety of designs and colors.
♦ Those interested in participating in the fascinating experience of a hot air balloon flight in Albuquerque can book here through the Viator website:
Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
♦ Recommended guided tours in Albuquerque from Viator:
Several famous TV series were filmed in Albuquerque, the most popular of all being: "Breaking Bad," which finished filming in 2013. To this day, many tourists visit the city following the series and take tours of its filming locations.
The city has over 150 municipal parks and is networked with hiking and biking trails.
♦ From Viator: Book a guided bicycle nature tour in Albuquerque:
Guided Bicycle Nature Tour of Albuquerque - Daily
Albuquerque is exactly halfway between Phoenix and Denver, between Los Angeles and Kansas City, and between Salt Lake City and Dallas. It is located on historic Route 66. It is worth dedicating at least two full days to the city in order to see its best.
Did you know? Bill Gates and his partner Paul Allen founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, where the company's offices were located between 1975-1979 before the company moved to its current location in Seattle.
Weather:
In Albuquerque, 310 days of the year are sunny with blue skies, making it an ideal destination for festivals, performances, and outdoor sporting events. The climate is generally dry with relative humidity of 33-56%. The temperature differences in the city between day and night are very large, as expected from a city in a desert region far from the sea. The coldest months are December and January when the average night temperature reaches -3 degrees Celsius and 9 degrees during the day. In summer, the night temperature is pleasant: 18-20 degrees, but the day is hot, about 32-33 degrees on average. On especially hot days, the temperature climbs to over 38 degrees. The most pleasant months to visit the city are the spring months: April-May and the autumn: from mid-September to October, when the night temperature is cool at 7-10 degrees, but the day is pleasant: 22-26 degrees Celsius. Rain is quite rare and falls mainly in the summer in July-August. The total annual precipitation is 23 cm. The city averages 10 cm of snow per year, only in the winter months of course, mainly in the area near the mountains in the northeast of the city.
How to get there?
Albuquerque International Sunport (Airport Code: ABQ) is located at a distance of about 110 km, about an hour's drive, southwest of Santa Fe. Flights from all over the USA from more than 20 destinations arrive at this field. There are no international airports near Albuquerque. The two closest international airports to the city are: The airport in Denver, Colorado, Denver International Airport (Airport Code: DEN), located 720 km away, about 7:30 hours northeast of Albuquerque. The airport in Phoenix Arizona, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Airport Code: PHX), is located 700 km away, about 7 hours drive southwest of Albuquerque. A trip in the state of New Mexico (which has many other attractions besides Albuquerque) integrates perfectly with a driving trip along historic Route 66 that passes through Albuquerque, as well as a visit to the neighboring states of Colorado and Arizona. A wonderful route is from Las Vegas, through the impressive national parks of Arizona (including the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest) to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
♦ Recommended Accommodations in Albuquerque
Isleta Resort & Casino A 4-star resort featuring a casino, convention center, and bowling. The resort has pools (indoor and outdoor), a spa, restaurant, and bar. Located about fifteen minutes' drive from the city center. Free internet and parking.
Hotel Parq Central Albuquerque A 4-star boutique hotel. The hotel features a jacuzzi, gym, yoga classes, and a bar. Free airport shuttle. The hotel is centrally located in the city and adjacent to a variety of quality restaurants. Free internet and parking.
Residence Inn Albuquerque North A quality suite hotel belonging to the Marriott chain, with double studio rooms and one- or two-bedroom suites with a living room suitable for 4-6 people. All suites have a fully equipped kitchen. Price includes breakfast. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and gym. Located about ten minutes' drive north of the city center. Free internet and parking.
Drury Inn & Suites Albuquerque North A hotel with a variety of rooms and suites suitable for 2-6 people. Each room has a microwave and refrigerator. Suites have an equipped kitchenette. The hotel features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, and gym. Price includes breakfast. Located about ten minutes' drive north of the city center. Free internet and parking.
recommended tours in Albuquerque and its surroundings:
A unique and expensive early morning experience (starts at 05:00 AM) is a hot air balloon flight
over the skies of Albuquerque Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise. The city is known as the "Balloon City," and flight conditions are ideal most of the year. The total duration of the experience is about 3:30 hours, but the flight itself lasts about an hour. This is an impressive scenic flight that you will remember for the rest of your life. At the end of the flight, a ceremony is held where certificates are distributed and champagne is served.
Ghost Tour in Old Town:
The Ghost Tour of Old Town - New Mexico's oldest Ghost Walk - Since 2001
A guided walking tour of Albuquerque's Old Town including folklore, legends, and ghost stories about the city's rich and fascinating 313-year past. You enter historic homes, dark alleys, and hidden cemeteries, and hear stories of wars, murders, and hangings.
Guided Bicycle Nature Tour of Albuquerque Guided Bicycle Nature Tour of Albuquerque - Daily A two-hour guided bicycle tour departing daily at 10:00 AM along the city's most beautiful landscapes. Ride the Bosque River Trail with lookout points and abundant vegetation. While riding, the guide tells about historic sites along the path.
Jeep tour by the company: New Mexico Jeep Tours . Recommended tour MOUNTAIN VISTAS TOUR - A 3-hour tour where there are good chances to observe wild horses in dramatic desert and mountain landscapes. During the tour, you pass through the Painted Desert, petrified forests, ancient structural ruins, and beautiful views.
Main Attractions in the City
Cable car to the peak of Sandia Mountain SANDIA PEAK TRAM :
An ascent by cable car, which is considered the longest in North America, to an impressive panoramic view of Albuquerque and its surroundings at an altitude of about 3,160 meters above sea level. The length of the cable car is 4.3 km and the ascent takes about 15 minutes. At the peak, there are hiking trails, a restaurant overlooking the view, and of course, a souvenir shop. In the coming years, a fast Mountain Coaster alpine slide is expected to open at the peak. The cable car is located about 8 km northeast of the city center.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
The center showcases the culture and customs of 19 different Native American tribes living in the state of New Mexico. The center features exhibits from the early settlement period of the tribes to the present day, including clothing, costumes, household items, and jewelry. Traditional dance performances are held in the center's courtyard. There is a restaurant on-site serving traditional Native American food and a shop selling handicrafts and tools by Native American artists. The museum is located in the city center.
Petroglyph National Monument Petroglyph National Monument
A nature park belonging to the National Park Service featuring ancient murals, petroglyphs drawn on rocks. The site has four hiking trails. Three of them reach good viewpoints of the murals. The easiest and most recommended trail: Boca Negra Canyon – a 1.6 km loop where over a hundred petroglyphs can be seen. Another recommended trail is PIEDRAS MARCADAS CANYON, a 2.4 km loop where over 400 murals can be seen along it. The site has a visitor center where information can be obtained on the various hiking trails, and a 22-minute film about the site is screened. The park is located about a 10-minute drive (8 km) west of the city center.
Albuquerque Biological Park Albuquerque Biological Park
A large biological park featuring a zoo, aquarium, botanical gardens, and fishing ponds adjacent to the Rio Grande river at a site called "Tingley Beach." In addition to fishing (free but requires purchasing a license from the State of New Mexico), there are hiking trails, boating, and wildlife observation. The zoo has 250 species of exotic and local animals. The aquarium, with one-million-liter saltwater tanks, includes marine animals from the Gulf of Mexico, coral reefs, touch pools, and more. The botanical gardens, covering 36 acres, also include 930-square-meter greenhouses with areas of desert and Mediterranean vegetation. A small train connects the different areas of the park.
Cliff's Amusement Park Cliff's Amusement Park
An established family amusement park with 50 amusement and water rides. The park is located within the city and is the only amusement park in the entire state of New Mexico. The park has an area called "Kiddieland" especially suitable for young children, as well as plenty of skill games.
Museums
Albuquerque has a wide variety of museums including classic museums like the Museum of Natural History, History Museum, and Art Museum. But it also has special and cool museums. Especially recommended are:
Albuquerque Balloon Museum Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum A museum entirely dedicated to the world of hot air balloons: the history, science, and art related to all types of balloons worldwide. The museum also features a hot air balloon flight simulator and a 4D cinema with films about balloons. The museum, which opened in 2005, is located adjacent to the site of Albuquerque's annual International Balloon Fiesta.
Rattlesnake Museum American International Rattlesnake Museum
A unique museum entirely dedicated to snakes, with an emphasis on rattlesnakes. The museum has the world's largest collection of live rattlesnakes alongside rare species of lizards. The museum also has an extensive collection of snake-themed artwork as well as various studies and findings. The museum is located in Albuquerque's Old Town.
Video about Rattlesnakes at the Museum:
Car Racing Museum: Unser Racing Museum This is a non-profit institution celebrating the racing achievements of the New Mexico native family over several generations. The museum is designed like a steering wheel and presents permanent exhibits and racing vehicles used by the family alongside rotating exhibits on modern race cars from different regions and periods. This is an interactive museum which also includes a racing car simulator.
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History National Museum of Nuclear Science & History A museum dealing with the history of the atom, from its discovery, through the production of atomic weapons, to non-military uses of atomic energy such as nuclear medicine. Exhibits include an atomic bomber and other aircraft.
Visiting one of the ranches in the Albuquerque area where you can ride horses and tour: especially recommended: Running Horse Ranch and Bosque Circle Ranch both at a distance of (about 20 minutes, 13 km northwest of the city center).
Shopping in Albuquerque:
The most recommended shopping streets in the city are mainly in Old Town and the Nob Hill neighborhood. The largest shopping center in the city: Cottonwood Mall with branches of 3 large department store chains: Dillard's, Sears, J.C. Penney.
Additionally, 135 stores including: Forever 21, The Disney Store, and Old Navy, several restaurants (mainly fast food chains), and cinemas.
Another smaller and upscale shopping center is ABQ Uptown featuring, among others, GAP, APPLE, The North Face, and Michael Kors stores alongside several restaurants.
Trips in the state of New Mexico within up to a two-hour drive from Albuquerque:
Visitors to Albuquerque are strongly recommended to dedicate several days to trips in other destinations in New Mexico. The best nearby destinations are: Santa Fe, the capital city of New Mexico, is located one hour's drive (100 km) from Albuquerque. It is the first city in the USA declared by UNESCO as a "Creative City" UNESCO Creative City – thanks to the combination of the special design of its houses, its unique handicrafts, and the vast art based on folklore. More than ten percent of the city's residents work in art, and it has hundreds of galleries, art shops, and art markets. The city is also known for the large and colorful art festivals held there every year.
Acoma Pueblo Acoma Pueblo Native American tribe located about 1:10 hours drive (100 km) west of Albuquerque. This is one of the most authentic places to see Native Americans living in a tribe and not as a "show for tourists." Fascinating guided tours are held once an hour between 8:30-15:30 departing from the tribe's visitor center.
Taos Pueblo Taos Pueblo one of the most famous tribes in New Mexico, considered the oldest Native American settlement in the USA. Some of the adobe houses there are over 1,000 years old. The site features buildings up to five stories high made of straw and mud bricks reinforced with wood. Over 150 people live today in the tribe's ancient center, without electricity or running water, and another 2,000 nearby in more modern buildings. The site has been declared a National Historic Landmark and also a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can visit the site independently (except during special tribal events). The tribe is located about 2:30 hours (220 km) from Albuquerque.