Things to Do in Albuquerque: Discover Old Town and the Balloon Festival

In this article, we will tell you about Albuquerque, affectionately renamed ABQ, the capital of Bernalillo County and the largest city in New Mexico. Let’s go and discover all the secrets of this city full of surprises.

It’s an incredible experience when dreams come true. During our road trip along the West Coast, we finally had the opportunity to visit New Mexico, called the “Land of Enchantment“, and there could not be a more appropriate way to describe it. Our mind is now full of indelible memories of the wonders of this great state: a land of Native Americans and cowboys, rodeos and the Far West, adobe buildings, enchanting rock formations, mesas, chalk dunes, turquoise artifacts, ancient pueblos, Navajo, Apache and Zuni handicrafts, but also a land that is known for sun-dried chile and Route 66.

Although it is quite large, Albuquerque is not plagued by the chaos and traffic typical of other cities in the country. You can tell that it is a bustling city, but there is a sense of tranquility. Even in its lively Old Town, which is always crowded, you can feel at ease. The city presents visitors with its fascinating mix of modern, Spanish, and Native American influences.

If you are coming from the north along I-25, the skyline comes into view almost suddenly because there are few buildings downtown that can be called skyscrapers, and those that are there are not tall enough to be seen in the distance. However, if you approach the city from the south or the west, for instance, you can get a better view of the downtown area.

How to Get to Albuquerque and How to Get Around

To reach Albuquerque you can fly to its Sunport International Airport (2200 Sunport Blvd SE). Alternatively, you can travel to Denver International Airport (8500 Peña Blvd) or to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd), which are about 6.5 hours away from Albuquerque.

If you travel by plane, we recommend renting a car to be more autonomous while visiting the city and its surroundings. But there are other solutions for those who do not want to drive. You can travel by bus by using the Albuquerque Ride or ART (Albuquerque Rapid Transit) bus systems.

Map of Albuquerque and Its Attractions

Things to Do in Albuquerque’s Old Town

The most characteristic and therefore the most touristy neighborhood in Albuquerque is Old Town. It’s not very large and it develops around the Old Town Plaza. The focal point of the plaza is the gazebo, where folklore performances, such as Native American and mariachi, and other shows are performed. Most of the buildings are made of adobe and many of them have arcades that provide shade to the Native Americans selling their handicrafts, especially jewelry.

The most prominent building in the square is San Felipe de Neri Church (2005 N Plaza/Monday-Friday 9:00 am-4:30 pm). The adobe church, which has a Spanish Colonial style interior, was founded in 1706 and is run by Franciscan missionaries. The building creates a beautiful contrast of color with the blue sky. There is a cloister next to the church.

Old Town is lively, colorful, and full of visitors and locals alike. It’s pleasant to stroll around, visit shops, cafes, and museums while enjoying the live music coming from the various street corners. Along the streets that start from the square, there are nice walkways where you will see small and large bunches of chiles hanging on the sides, the protagonist of many typical dishes. If you love hot peppers, make sure you try local dishes with this ingredient in restaurants and cafés.

Go into the various shops and take home something typical, such as a dreamcatcher, Native American handicrafts, turquoise jewelry, a Stetson, or a bolo tie.

Native Americans play a fundamental and active part in the culture of this area of New Mexico. For this reason, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th St NW) was founded. Every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, you can admire their handicrafts, especially jewelry, and pottery. Admission is $10. Inside the museum, there is a restaurant with a bakery that serves typical Native American cuisine (at least that’s what they say, we didn’t try it, but the food looked appetizing) and there is also a shop where you can buy Native American handmade gifts.

To learn more about the art and history of the Southwest, we recommend the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History (2000 Mountain Rd NW), which has been in operation since 1967 and hosts exhibits, live performances in the amphitheater, a garden with sculptures, a shop, and a cafeteria. The building is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets are inexpensive and the price varies depending on age. You can also enter for free on the following days: Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, the first Wednesday of the month from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on the third Thursday of the month from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Although Old Town is not very large, it is really an authentic representation of New Mexico’s culture. The square has great energy and we would have stayed longer if we had had time. In the Old Town area, you can park along the street for free for 2 hours or in the paid parking lots.

Attractions in Albuquerque: Downtown and Other Places to Visit

Next on our itinerary was the Albuquerque BioPark (903 10th St), a beautiful complex with different attractions, including a zoo, an aquarium where you can also stay overnight, and a botanical garden with a Japanese garden, the Butterfly Pavilion, and a castle for children with a dragon. The park is open every day (except on Mondays) from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The ticket costs $14.50 for adults, $7.50 for people over 65, and $6 for children (3-12 years old). If you are a New Mexico resident, the cost is $10.

Albuquerque’s downtown has a classic grid street plan and here you will find offices, restaurants, and some shops. The Kimo Theatre (423 Central Ave), built in 1927, stands out because of its design, which has Art Deco, Pueblo, and Colonial Revival influences. The iconic Route 66 passes along the same street where the theater is located. For those who want to travel by bus or train, keep in mind that the Alvarado Transportation Center is located at 100 1st Street NW.

If you move further out into the city, you can enjoy beautiful nature at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park (2901 Candelaria Rd NW), where you will be surrounded by forests, meadows, farmland, and wildflowers. The area can be visited by car or you can choose to walk along two paths. The park is the habitat of migratory and resident animals, for example, beavers, coyotes, turtles, woodpeckers, blue herons, and Canada geese. Inside the visitor center, you will find all the information you need to enjoy this park from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at a cost of $3 per vehicle.

As I mentioned earlier, Route 66, now Central Avenue, passes through the commercial district of Nob Hill (not far from downtown), where there are shops, restaurants, and some signs that light up in the evening that lets visitors know that this is the Mother Road. In this neighborhood, you will find the Spaceship House (3501 Monte Vista Blvd), a really strange house inspired by a spaceship and belongs to the contemporary architect Bart Prince. Its exterior is unusual to say the least.

Petroglyph National Monument

As mentioned in the historical introduction of the city, on the outskirts of Albuquerque stands this National Monument, managed by the National Park Service, whose primary mission is to preserve some of the most important and unique historical evidence from the area’s past.

We are talking about petroglyphs, that is, engravings and drawings of various sizes that have been carved into the rock, mostly volcanic, during a historical period ranging from 700 to 400 years ago.

The main canyons where you can observe them are as follows:

• Boca Negra Canyon: Open every day from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with the last entry at 4:00 PM. Parking costs $2 on weekends and $1 on weekdays (included in the Park Pass). The 1-mile trail will allow you to observe about 100 different petroglyphs.
• Rinconada Canyon: The parking area for this zone is accessible every day from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The trail is approximately 3.5 miles long, and you should allow at least 45 minutes for a complete walk. More than 300 petroglyphs have been counted in this area.
• Piedras Marcadas Canyon: The trail, a little over 3 miles long, is accessible from sunrise to sunset. By walking it, you can observe more than 400 petroglyphs. The parking is practically integrated into the urban area of Albuquerque.

The Petroglyph National Monument also allows you to visit some ancient volcanic vents. The parking lot, from where the various trails start, is available every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Albuquerque of Breaking Bad

Did you discover Albuquerque by watching Breaking Bad? Was one of the reasons you decided to put New Mexico on your itinerary to visit Walter White‘s house? Do you want to tell your friends that you ate at Pollos Hermanos? Well, if the answer to all these questions is yes, all you have to do is read our article dedicated to Breaking Bad in Albuquerque and find out how to visit all the iconic locations featured in the series.

International Balloon Fiesta and Other Events in Albuquerque

Albuquerque’s many events draw several visitors. In March, during the Rio Grande Spring Show (Expo-300 S Pedro Dr NE), artists and artisans from all over the country exhibit their work, which includes anything ranging from leather goods to jewelry and pottery to wood. You can also attend demonstrations by “masters” while they create their works, watch live entertainment, and taste good food.

Since 1962, the New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair (2501 San Pedro Dr NE) has been held in June. During this event is an opportunity for New Mexico artisans and artists to show their work at one of the largest fairs in the nation. Creations by young talents, even those still in school are also shown. There is also no shortage of food vendors at this event.

But the most famous event is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Balloon Fiesta Park-5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE), which takes place every year for nine days in October (usually starting the second week). It is the largest hot air balloon event in the world with two types of shows. During the day, the balloons, some with bizarre shapes, hover in the sky, while in the evening the show is on the ground, in the large park when the hundreds of hot air balloons of a thousand colors create a magical display of lights that turn on and off.

When we stood on the big lawn, we felt like real ants among giants! The owners of the hot air balloons, despite being busy participating in the show, gladly chat with visitors. There are also stalls, food vendors, and the Canon stand. In fact, Canon is the sponsor of the event. At the end of the evening, a fireworks show closes the event in style.

Chinese traditions take center stage in November during the New Mexico Lantern Festival (Expo-300 S Pedro Dr NE). The event consists of an exhibition of handmade lanterns by Chinese artists that are illuminated in the evening for visitors to admire. During the day you can enjoy different kinds of food and watch shows.

Shopping in Albuquerque

For those who love shopping, we recommend three shopping malls:

• Cottonwood Mall (10000 Coors Bypass NW)
• Coronado Center (6600 Memorial Blvd NE)
• Albuquerque Uptown (2200 Louisiana Blvd NE)

Meanwhile, there is also Coors Boulevard, a classic, long street with restaurants, hotels, and stores against the backdrop of the Sandia Mountains.

In addition, we recommend Cracker Barrel (I-40 & Coors Blvd). You will notice many vintage items on the walls, on the shelves, and all over the restaurant. It is fun to look at all of the objects while waiting for your food!

Best Places to Eat in Albuquerque

A trip is not complete without trying some local cuisine. We would like to recommend some restaurants here in Albuquerque. For a casual, cowboy-style atmosphere, we suggest Outback Steakhouse (1022 Coors Blvd NW). Although it is mainly known for its meat, the menu includes fish and pasta. Since 1973, the Cervantes Restaurant & Lounge (5801 Gibson Blvd SE) proudly claims to serve fresh, natural New Mexico food, great fajitas, and chili sauce in a casual atmosphere. Here vegetarians and celiacs alike can enjoy a great meal.

Church Street Café (2111 Church St NW), built in the 18th century with local materials is characteristic of New Mexico. The menu offers local dishes, soups, salads, first courses, desserts. The restaurant is open for breakfast and has a patio.

Another yet completely different alternative is the Owl Cafe (800 Eubank Blvd). In fact, it has the silhouette of an owl, so it’s hard to imagine it being called anything else! Here you can enjoy burgers, spicy dishes, pancakes, and homemade desserts while being immersed in the 50s and listening to the best songs of that period on a jukebox.

Where to Stay in Albuquerque

In Albuquerque, there is a wide selection of accommodations with a variety of architectural styles. We recommend the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town (800 Rio Grande Blvd NW), a luxurious hotel with both historic charm and contemporary comfort. The rooms and suites have typical Southwestern furniture, free wi-fi, and views of the mountains and plateau. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, an outdoor swimming pool, free parking, a fitness center, two dance halls, and flamenco shows from Thursday to Sunday.

Established in 1989, the Bottger Mansion Of Old Town (110 San Felipe St NW) is a B&B located on a property dating back to 1912. The building has seven rooms overlooking Route 66 or the Sandia Mountains and they are equipped with wi-fi, free drinks, and snacks. In downtown Albuquerque, there is the Andaluz Hotel (125 2nd St NW). The design of this hotel is inspired by the architecture of the Spanish region of Andalusia. The rooms and suites are spacious. The award-winning hotel is pet-friendly and has several restaurants.

The decor and design of the Courtyard by Marriott (5151 Journal Center Blvd NE) reflect the culture of the Native Americans of Albuquerque. Rooms have balconies and free wi-fi. The hotel has an indoor pool, a fitness center, several restaurants, and a lovely garden with a fountain. Another good, reasonably priced hotel is the Econo Lodge Old Town (2321 Central Ave NW.). It is a stone’s throw from Old Town and also not far from I-40. Breakfast and wi-fi are included in the price, and there is an indoor pool and the property is pet-friendly. Some rooms have a microwave, a refrigerator, and a sitting area.

Day Trips from Albuquerque

Here are two excursions that are about an hour from Albuquerque.

Santa Fe

The first option is to visit Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, which is definitely worth it due to the conspicuous presence of adobe buildings in its lively downtown area and in other parts of the city. The beautiful Old Town Plaza and the Palace of the Governors are two must-see attractions.

Native American artisans sell their handicrafts under the portico of the Palace of Governors. Nearby you can visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (131 Cathedral Pl) and the Loretto Chapel (207 Old Santa Fe Trail) famous for its miraculous staircase that was built without nails or reinforcements, and lastly the long Canyon Drive with many artisan workshops. It’s worth it to stop for a meal or a simple dessert at the delicious La Plazuela Restaurant, a casual-chic restaurant at the famous La Fonda Hotel (100 E San Francisco St). Its stained glass windows, fountain, and beautiful garden create a pleasant environment.

Acoma Pueblo

The second option is located west of Albuquerque along the I-40 and you must make a turn on Route 23. You will arrive at Acoma Pueblo, also called Sky City, a spectacular village on a mesa 364 ft high inhabited by the Acoma tribe since 1100. The houses on three floors are made of adobe and are connected by external ladders. You can only visit the town on a guided tour, however, you can freely enter the cultural center and museum, projection room, gift shop, and cafeteria. Besides providing tours of their town and selling handicrafts, the Acoma (as well as many other tribes) have opened a hotel with a casino a few miles away.

Usually, New Mexico is not among the top tourist destinations in the United States, but it should be. We too had made the mistake of overlooking New Mexico, but only now we are beginning to discover it after traveling to so many places. Now we are eager to explore this state more. However, it is a very large area and our 7-day trip did not allow us to see all the gems in New Mexico.