8 Things to Do in Albuquerque on Your First Visit
Albuquerque gets overlooked. People fly in, pick up a rental car and drive straight to Santa Fe without a second glance. I get it, Santa Fe is lovely. But Albuquerque is bigger, cheaper, more down to earth, and honestly a lot more fun to eat your way through.
In this guide
It has a mountain you can ride a tram up, a 300-year-old plaza, thousands of ancient rock carvings inside the city limits, and the biggest balloon festival on the planet. Here are eight things worth doing on your first visit.
1. See the Balloon Fiesta (or at least a balloon)
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs for nine days every October, starting on the first weekend of the month. Hundreds of balloons lift off together at sunrise in what’s called a mass ascension, and you can walk around the launch field while they inflate right next to you. It’s one of the most joyful things I’ve seen at any event, anywhere.
The catch is the timing. You need to be on the field before dawn, which means leaving your hotel around 4:30am. Take the park and ride bus rather than driving, because the traffic is brutal. And book your hotel months ahead, since prices triple that week.
Missed it? Balloon companies fly year-round, and the calm morning air makes Albuquerque one of the best places in the country to go up. It’s pricey, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing.
2. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway
The tram climbs about 2.7 miles from the edge of the city to the top of the Sandia Mountains, at over 10,000 feet. It’s one of the longest aerial trams in the Americas, and the ride takes around 15 minutes. At the top, you can see something like 11,000 square miles of New Mexico.
Go up an hour before sunset. The mountains glow pink in the evening, which is where the name Sandia, Spanish for watermelon, comes from. Bring a jacket. It’s often 20 degrees colder at the top than in town.
3. Wander Old Town
Old Town is where Albuquerque began, back in 1706. The plaza is surrounded by low adobe buildings, and San Felipe de Neri Church, built in 1793, still holds Mass every week. It’s one of the oldest buildings in the city.
Yes, some of the shops are touristy. But wander the small side streets and courtyards and you’ll find galleries, jewelry made by Native American artists, and quiet patios. Buy silver and turquoise from the artists themselves, not from the souvenir stores, and ask who made it.
4. Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
If you only go to one museum, make it this one. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is owned and run by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, so the history is told by the people it belongs to. The museum covers centuries of Pueblo life, art and resistance, and it’s honest about the hard parts.
On most weekends there are traditional dances in the courtyard, which are free with entry. Stay for lunch at the restaurant, too. The blue corn and the fry bread are excellent.
5. Walk among the petroglyphs
On the west side of the city, Petroglyph National Monument protects more than 20,000 images carved into black volcanic rock. Most were made by ancestral Pueblo people hundreds of years ago. Some are animals and people, some are spirals and shapes nobody fully understands.
Boca Negra Canyon is the easiest place to start, with three short trails and lots of carvings close up. Piedras Marcadas Canyon is longer and quieter. There’s little shade at either, so go in the morning and bring water. Please don’t touch the rock, since the oils on your hands damage it.
6. Eat your way down Route 66
Central Avenue is the old Route 66, and it runs right through the city. The Nob Hill neighborhood, near the University of New Mexico, is the best stretch to walk. You’ll find vintage neon signs, small shops, record stores and good restaurants.
Downtown, check out the KiMo Theatre, a wild 1927 building in a style called Pueblo Deco. And if you’re a Breaking Bad fan, you’ll notice a lot of familiar places around town. Just don’t go knocking on the doors of private homes. The neighbors are tired of it.
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7. Follow the Rio Grande
The Rio Grande runs through the middle of Albuquerque, lined by a forest of old cottonwood trees called the bosque. The Paseo del Bosque Trail follows the river for about 16 miles, and it’s flat and easy for walking or biking. In late October, the cottonwoods turn bright gold.
Right on the river is the ABQ BioPark, which includes a zoo, an aquarium and a botanic garden. You can buy a combined ticket, and a small train links them. It’s a good, low-key half day, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
8. Answer the state question
New Mexico has an official state question: “Red or green?” It’s about chile, and you’ll be asked it at almost every meal. Red is earthy and deep. Green is fresh, smoky and often hotter. If you can’t decide, say “Christmas” and you’ll get both.
Try a green chile cheeseburger, a breakfast burrito smothered in chile, and sopaipillas with honey. The food is cheap, filling and nothing like Tex-Mex. It’s the main reason I’d go back.
Where to stay
Old Town and Downtown are the easiest bases for a first trip, close to the plaza, the museums and the river. Nob Hill is better if you want restaurants and bars within walking distance. Hotels near the airport are cheaper but a bit soulless.
Getting around
You really need a car. Albuquerque is spread out, and the tram, the petroglyphs and the Pueblo center are all a drive apart. Parking is easy and usually free. Santa Fe is about an hour north if you want to add a day trip.
Common questions
Is Albuquerque worth visiting?
Yes. It’s cheaper than Santa Fe, the food is excellent, and the tram and the Balloon Fiesta are unlike anything else in the US.
How many days do I need?
Two full days covers the highlights. Add a third for a day trip to Santa Fe or the Turquoise Trail.
When is the best time to visit?
September and October bring warm days, cool nights and the Balloon Fiesta. Spring is nice too, but it can be windy.
Does the altitude affect visitors?
It can. The city sits above 5,000 feet, so drink plenty of water and take it easy on the first day.
Is Albuquerque safe for tourists?
The tourist areas are generally fine. Like any city, keep valuables out of sight in your car and stick to busy streets at night.
