Albuquerque

History

Albuquerque was founded in 1706 as a small Spanish settlement on the banks of the Rio Grande and was named for the Duke of Alburquerque (hence Albuquerque's nickname, "The Duke City"). In the 1880s the railroad came to town, and almost overnight a new city grew up around the train tracks a couple of miles away from the original settlement. This "New Town" became the hub of commerce for the state, and the city grew exponentially (eventually the "New Town", which today is Downtown, and the original "Old Town" settlement were joined to become part of the same city).
In the 1920s the federal government designated a series of highways that ran from Chicago to Los Angeles as Route 66, and Albuquerque was one of the towns "The Mother Road" passed through. Starting in the 1950s, Albuquerque grew exponentially given federal investment in the local military bases and a massive influx of visitors and new residents, and for the most part it hasn't slowed down. Today, Albuquerque is still the hub of commerce and transportation in the state. While Santa Fe is the state capital and the principal tourist destination of New Mexico, Albuquerque is the state's only truly urban area, with a city population of over 500,000 and a metropolitan population of nearly a million people. This is where you'll find the headquarters of the state's businesses, the University of New Mexico, and the Albuquerque International Sunport, the only major airport in the state.

Climate

Albuquerque is in the high desert and has a generally warm, dry climate with four distinct seasons. Spring is sunny and windy, although temperatures at night can be unexpectedly cool. Summers are hot (highs average 90–95°F/34°C, and temperatures near 100°F/38°C are not rare) and still mainly dry, but monsoonal conditions develop in July or August and produce furious if short-lived thunderstorms. Have rainwear available in the summer, although you won't use it most days. Fall is delightful, with comfortable temperatures and a return to generally dry conditions. Winter can be blustery, with overnight lows below freezing, but subzero temperatures are rare. One winter-weather issue for the traveler: snow, while infrequent and short-lived, does occur, and its relative rarity means that local drivers don't deal with it well. If you happen to be in town for a snowstorm, expect road chaos far out of proportion to the amount of snow that falls.

People

Albuquerque's demographics are reflective of New Mexico as a whole. While Albuquerque does have a large non-native population, the city's makeup is predominantly white and/or Hispanic, with a significant population of Native Americans. These groups are spread throughout the city, but the largest concentrations of Hispanics are found in the South Valley (along the river on the south side of town) and in the Southeast Heights near Kirtland Air Force Base. The Southeast Heights is where you'll also find a large foreign-born population, with significant groups of Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Central American, African, and Middle Eastern descent.
Albuquerque is a casual town: expect shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals to be entirely acceptable almost everywhere. It's also a very humble city, with something of a self-deprecating vibe; you may hear a local remark on how backwards and small it is compared to larger Western cities, though this frequently gets rebuked with a passion from locals who adore their home. Either way, people here tend to be extremely friendly and exhibit very little pretension.

Visitor information

• Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau

  phone: +1 505 842-9918
  address: visitor centers in Old Town at the Plaza Don Luis and in the Albuquerque International Sunport on the Baggage Claim Level

By car

Two interstate highways pass through: I-40 goes east–west and I-25 goes north–south. Where they meet is a large intersection called "The Big I". Albuquerque's Central Ave. is part of old Route 66. A minor note of caution: I-25 south of the city is a "safety corridor" in which state law mandates higher fines for traffic violations. Enforcement is spotty, but take the speed limits seriously anyway.

By plane

• Albuquerque International SunportThe major air hub for all of New Mexico. Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United serve the Sunport with limited service to their respective major hubs, but it's Southwest Airlines that operates most traffic into ABQ, with direct service to most western cities as well as some of Southwest's hubs in the Midwest and eastern United States.

One tip: If you're prone to airsickness, try to get flights into this airport that arrive either before noon or after sundown, particularly during late spring and early summer. The high elevation, hot sun, and spring winds combine to produce thermals that can make afternoon arrivals an extremely bumpy proposition. There are no major safety issues (the airport's runways are long, owing to the adjacent Air Force base, with no nearby obstacles to run into), but try telling your stomach that! The rough ride is less of a problem with outbound flights.
Incidentally, this airport has a number of attractive displays of New Mexican arts and crafts, and is a more pleasant place than most airports to kill time while waiting for a flight. The Sunport also has charging stations for electronics and free wireless internet access. The major car rental companies are nearby, with a shuttle from the airport to the large rental center. The airport is served by a number of shuttle services and by local bus #50 on the lower level at the west end of the shuttle island.

By train

Albuquerque is a layover stop along Amtrak's Southwest Chief daily train route. The depot is at the , in downtown at 320 First St SW (in the same building as the Greyhound depot). The westbound train to Los Angeles is scheduled to arrive at 3:55PM and departs at 4:45PM. The eastbound train to Chicago arrives at 11:42AM and departs at 12:10PM. The station has a small cafeteria.
A commuter rail line, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, connects Albuquerque to Santa Fe and to the smaller communities north and south along the Rio Grande, including Belen, Los Lunas, and Bernalillo. The main station is at the Alvarado Transportation Center in Downtown, which has regular bus connections along Central Avenue and to the airport. The Rail Runner runs daily, although service can be limited outside the weekday rush hour periods. Fares are based on how far you ride; a day pass will usually be in the range of $4–10. Tickets can be purchased online or from ticket agents on the train.

By bus

Albuquerque has a fine bus depot at the Alvarado Transportation Center in downtown, 320 First St SW, which is served by Greyhound , and Autobuses Americanos which provides bus service to many points in Mexico. The depot has a small cafeteria.

Albuquerque is a heavily planned city. In much of the city, the major roads are lined primarily with businesses with residential mazes on the insides. The city is divided into four quadrants, with street addresses taking the form "12345 Main St. (NE/NW/SE/SW)" in which the NE/NW/SE/SW suffix denotes the quadrant of the city containing the address. The railroad tracks, which run parallel to I-25, are the east–west dividing line, and Central Ave. is the north–south dividing line. Thus, the street address 3600 Menaul NE would be north of Central and east of the railroad tracks. This nomenclature, while useful in helping you with maps and directions, has the drawback that you can't tell whether a street runs north–south or east–west simply by looking at the address.
By and large it's difficult to get truly lost in Albuquerque, thanks in large part to the looming presence of the Sandia Mountains to the east. If you can also remember that I-25 runs north–south, I-40 runs east–west, and the Rio Grande runs along the bottom of the valley in the western part of the city, you should be able to make your way around the city without too many problems. Here are some basic terms that will come in handy when asking for directions or looking at a map:

• Central Avenue is a principal east–west artery, running roughly parallel to I-40 and through Downtown just west of I-25 and past the University of New Mexico (UNM for short) just east of I-25.
• The Heights are the eastern part of town closest to the Sandia Mountains. You may also hear reference to the Foothills, which are the most extreme eastern part of the city, right at the base of the mountains.
• Uptown is a business and shopping district in the Heights at I-40 and Louisiana Blvd.
• The North Valley and Los Ranchos de Albuquerque (which is a separate municipality from Albuquerque) encompass the area north of I-40 between I-25 and the river.
• The South Valley is the area south of Central Avenue west of I-25.
• The Westside is all the suburban neighborhoods on the western side of the river. Rio Rancho, a separate community from Albuquerque, is the metro area's largest suburb and can be considered a northern extension of the Westside. Sandwiched between Albuquerque and Rio Rancho is the village of Corrales, which sits adjacent to the river and has a more rural feel, with a single narrow roadway through town lined with picturesque adobe buildings, many of them containing locally owned shops.

By car

If you're driving, be prepared for frequent road construction. The city government web site gives information on major construction projects, but there are always minor ones going on. Several radio stations try to give traffic reports during morning and afternoon rush hours, but the service tends to come and go, and it's best to inquire locally as to which stations are offering it. KKOB-AM, 770 on the dial, seems to be fairly reliable for these reports. The interchange of I-40 and I-25 is commonly called "The Big I", and you will hear it referred to as such in traffic reports. Traffic congestion, while not nearly as horrible as some of the other cities in the Western U.S., can still get bad during the rush hour and on Saturdays. The two interstates and the river crossings usually have the worst congestion.
Many Albuquerqueans seem to consider I-40 and 25, which run through the city, to be their own personal expressways. The lack of turn signal usage is a running joke for most Albuquerque drivers, so watch for cars changing lanes without warning. However, Interstate traffic usually flows around the pace of the speed limit.
Driving while talking on your cell phone is illegal in Albuquerque unless you use a hands-free system.

By bus

ABQ Ride, +1 505 243-RIDE, is Albuquerque's public transit system. Despite some strides in the development of its public transit system, Albuquerque is still primarily a driving city, so with the exception of Central Avenue public transit is still for the most part very underdeveloped. Most of ABQ Ride's routes spur out of the Alvarado Transportation Center in Downtown at Central Avenue & First Street, which also serves as Albuquerque's Amtrak station and Greyhound depot as well as a Rail Runner station. Bus service is reduced during the weekend.
The Rapid Ride is an express bus service operated by ABQ Ride which runs frequently, utilizing bright red articulated buses. There are three Rapid Ride routes: the #766 (Red Line) and #777 (Green Line) each run very frequently and almost entirely on Central Avenue, serving attractions such as the BioPark, Old Town, Downtown, UNM, Nob Hill, the fairgrounds, and Uptown; the #766 runs between Uptown and Unser/Central on the Westside, while the #777 runs between Downtown and Tramway/Central on the eastern edge of the city. Additionally, the #790 (Blue Line) connects UNM to the Cottonwood Mall area on the Westside, but runs less frequently than the Central Avenue lines and is geared more towards commuters. Local routes that are useful for visitors include the #50, which runs Monday-Saturday between the airport and Downtown; and #40 (the "D-Ride"), a free shuttle which circulates around Downtown on the weekdays.
Standard fares for ABQ Ride routes are $1 per ride, with discounts for seniors and children available (cash only; exact change required). A day pass costs $2. A day pass is included in the price of a Rail Runner Express day pass, so visitors who ride the Rail Runner train to Albuquerque can also ride the bus for free using their train ticket.

By bike

Albuquerque is fairly bikeable, but it's a sprawling Western city and things are spread out. It's hillier than it looks; Old Town and Downtown attractions are several hundred feet lower than things in the heights on the eastern side of the city; plan accordingly. Getting around by bike can be a mixed bag in Albuquerque: street cycling can be risky as drivers may not always be aware and most major streets lack bicycle lanes (and even those that do have lanes may require uncomfortably close proximity to fast traffic). On the other hand, Albuquerque has a very proactive cycling community and a splendid paved trail network which is undergoing an expansion phase.
The crown jewel in this network is the Paseo del Bosque Trail, which runs along the east side of the Rio Grande and offers lovely riverside scenery. Another backbone to the trail network is the North Diversion Channel Trail which runs from UNM north to Balloon Fiesta Park, and while not nearly as scenic as the Bosque trail (it runs along a concrete drainage channel and past some industry) it offers the occasional grand vista of the city. Another fun ride is the paved trail along Tramway Boulevard on the eastern edge of the city, which offers excellent views of the city and access to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. You can find a complete bike map of all the trails, lanes, and recommended routes on the city's bicycling website.

By horse

A principal corridor for equestrian use is the Paseo del Bosque Trail. Trailhead parking lots are large and one, at the Los Ranchos open space in the North Valley, has a feed store, Miller's Feed.

• Albuquerque Biological Park

  phone: +1 505 768-2000
  Includes the city's aquarium, botanical garden, zoo, and Tingley Beach (see below under Do). Combo tickets for the Biological Park can be purchased and include the price of train rides on a small narrow-gauge train running between the Aquarium/Botanic Garden and the Zoo. The train runs Tu-Su from around 10AM-4PM at 30-min intervals.

• ABQ BioPark Zoo

  address: 903 Tenth St SW
  It may not be as big as your average big city zoo, but this zoo is surprisingly comprehensive for its size, with most of the popular species you can expect to find at any good zoo: polar bears, lions, zebras, tigers, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, etc. And like any good zoo, the animals are in nice, naturalistic exhibits. The highlight exhibit areas are the seals, the polar bears, a large Africa area, and a large elephant enclosure. Every day there are scheduled feedings of the seals and the polar bears; during the warmer months more feeding times, activities, and outdoor concerts are scheduled. A small narrow-gauge train runs through the zoo (Tu-Su 10AM-3:30PM at 20-min intervals), with a conductor pointing out some of the animals and explaining what goes on behind-the-scenes. A separate train line runs to the Aquarium/Botanic Garden.

• ABQ BioPark Aquarium

  address: 2601 Central Ave NW
  Albuquerque's small but pleasant aquarium is well-curated, with exhibits designed to simulate the Rio Grande and the saltwater marshes of the Gulf of Mexico before moving on to ocean species. Among the sea creatures on display are jellyfish, seahorses, eels, and plenty of colorful reef fish, with the highlight being a huge tank at the end with sharks, sea turtles, and rays. Divers enter the big tank every day from 2-3PM to feed the fish.

• ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden

  address: 2601 Central Ave NW
  Next door to the Aquarium, this expansive botanical garden is one of Albuquerque's real gems. The place is an oasis with a variety of gardens to explore, with an emphasis on high desert plants but also with many highlight exhibits that are great for children: an indoor conservatory with lush Mediterranean plants, an insectarium with plenty of creepy-crawlies, an indoor butterfly pavilion that's open in the summer, a large Japanese garden with a koi pond and a waterfall, a recreation of an early 20th-century farm with a barnyard petting zoo, a model railroad, and a fantastic children's "Fantasy Garden" made to look as if you've shrunk down to a bug's size, with giant pretend vegetables, garden tools and bugs.

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

phone: +1 505 768-6020

address: 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE

Overlooking the balloon launch field is this very interesting museum dedicated to the science and history of ballooning, with exhibits on hot air balloons and other lighter-than-air craft (including a couple of historic craft occupying the expansive hall), collections and memorabilia from famous balloonists, and extensive exhibits on ballooning in Albuquerque. If you can't make it to the Balloon Fiesta, this is next best thing, and if you can make it to the Balloon Fiesta, this makes for an excellent complement to a morning spent at a mass ascension.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

phone: +1 505 843-7270

address: 2401 12th St NW

A tourist complex operated by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico. Though there is a museum about pueblo history and culture on-site, it's rather small and tucked away, with most of the complex given over to more lucrative ventures like an art gallery, a restaurant, and a large gift shop (a better museum experience can be found at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture up in Santa Fe). Besides the gift shop, the best reason to visit this place is the regularly scheduled Indian dances which take place in the courtyard.

National Hispanic Cultural Center

phone: +1 505 246-2261

address: 1701 4th St SW

A large complex of buildings dedicated to Hispanic culture, with a small but very interesting art museum with changing exhibitions of Hispanic art. There is also a library and genealogy center, restaurant, gift shop, and a regular schedule of special events and performances.

National Museum of Nuclear Science and History

phone: +1 505 245-2137

address: 601 Eubank Blvd SE

A museum devoted to things nuclear, with extensive exhibits on the history of nuclear weapons including replicas of the Little Boy and Fat Man bombs dropped in World War II as well as other weapons and displays on arms control and uses of atomic energy. Even for those who are skeptical of the merits of nuclear arms and power, a visit to this museum makes for an interesting experience; a particularly illuminating exhibit is a guestbook where visitors are invited to share their thoughts regarding the use of atomic bombs on Japan, and as one might expect, such a controversial matter invites a wide variety of strong opinions. Outside the museum is a collection of nuclear-capable aircraft standing alongside rockets, missiles, and even a cannon designed to fire nuclear bombs.

Sandia Peak Tramway

phone: +1 505 856-7325

address: off Tramway Blvd on the NE corner of the city

Runs from a lower terminus in the northeast heights to the top of 10,400-foot (3169 m) Sandia Peak east of the city, and is one of the longest and most spectacular aerial tramways in the world. The first upward tram departs at 9AM (except Tu in the off season), and service continues until early evening. The 15-min ride to the top is incredible, bringing you right up to the rocky face of the Sandias. The view of the city from Sandia Peak is tremendous (especially after sunset), and there is a visitor center at the top. Closed for two weeks in spring and fall for "maintenance," but spring winds are so intense that you really don't want to be on an aerial tram then anyway.

Unser Racing Museum

phone: +1 505 341-1776

address: 1776 Montano Rd NW

Operated by the local Unser racing family, this museum is dedicated to the racing legacy of the Unsers and to the sport of auto racing in general.

• Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

  phone: +1 505 344-7240
  address: 2901 Candelaria Rd., NW
  Visitors can walk the paths through cottonwood forest and next to managed ponds and wetlands, or avoid the elements at the Visitor Center. Beautiful tile installments throughout the park educate visitors on local ecology and conservation efforts. Birdwatchers find this site an especially rewarding urban location.

Old Town

The Old Town is east of Rio Grande Boulevard in between Central Ave. and Mountain Rd. (west of downtown).
A nice sightseeing area, Old Town is where the city was founded in 1706 and is a place where centuries of history and modern life merge; 18th century architecture with narrow brick paths is blended with adobe architecture, and there are lots of little nooks and crannies, small restaurants, and specialty shops. At the center of the district is the pleasant , which has a gazebo, historic exhibits, and is bordered on the north by the , the oldest building in Albuquerque. In Christmas time, thousands of luminarias (paper bags filled with sand and illuminated from within by a lit candle) line the streets. Guided tours of Old Town are available from a private operator or from the Albuquerque Museum.
There are several museums within easy walking distance of the Old Town Plaza. Most of them are on Mountain Rd., just a few blocks northeast of the Plaza.

• Albuquerque Museum of Art and History

  phone: +1 505 243-7255
  address: 2000 Mountain Rd NW
  Guided walking tours of Old Town start here. An excellent example of a city-specific museum, with a large permanent collection of Southwestern art, changing art exhibitions, artifacts from the history of colonial New Mexico and Albuquerque through the years (with some pretty neat items, like conquistador armor and antique cars), and an outdoor sculpture garden. The Albuquerque Museum also operates tours of the historic home of Casa San Ysidro in the nearby village of Corrales, which offers a glimpse into Spanish colonial life in the valley.

• American International Rattlesnake Museum

  phone: +1 505 242-6569
  address: 202 San Felipe St
  This great little museum's claim to fame is the largest collection of different species of live rattlesnakes in the world. There's lots of snakes (and various other reptiles) and snake-related memorabilia, such as artwork and films, and the gift shop is not to be missed.

• ¡Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum

  phone: +1 505 224-8300
  address: 1701 Mountain Rd NW
  A truly splendid science and children's museum, this museum has lots of interactive exhibits teaching science, technology, and art. There are some fantastic exhibits here, like a laminar flow fountain with water jets you can turn on and off, an experiment bar, a high-wire bike, and a robotics lab.

• New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

  phone: +1 505 841-2800
  address: 1801 Mountain Rd NW
  This splendid museum has well-constructed geological and paleontological displays which illustrate a "journey through time", covering everything from the birth of the planet to the Ice Age. There's plenty of dinosaurs around, from the statues outside the main entrance, to a T. rex in the atrium, to one massive hall with several complete (and massive) dinosaur skeletons. Additionally, an entire wing of the museum is devoted to astronomical exhibits, and there's also an exhibit about the birth of the personal computer, which happened right here in Albuquerque. A planetarium and a large-screen theater are also in the building.

• Turquoise Museum

  phone: +1 505 247-8650
  address: 2107 Central Ave NW
  While the location isn't ideal (in a strip mall near Old Town, rather than in the historic district), this small gift shop and museum has some interesting exhibits about turquoise and its manufacture, history, and mythology. Reservations required.

University of New Mexico

University of New Mexico

By far the largest institution of higher education in the state, UNM has a significant presence in the center of the city. The main campus makes a very pleasant diversion, with its Pueblo-Revival adobe buildings and pleasant landscaping. Near the center of the campus is a , a popular relaxing spot for students where you can rest on the lawns and feed the birds.

• Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

  phone: +1 505 277-4405
  address: Redondo Dr
  The anthropology department at UNM has been acclaimed as one of the finest in the nation, and over the years its field schools have amassed an impressive collection of artifacts. The museum has changing exhibits and two permanent exhibits; one showcasing the evolution of humans from primates, and the other focusing on the prehistoric native cultures in the American Southwest, with a reconstruction of an archaeological dig in Chaco Canyon.

• Meteorite and Geology Museums

  phone: +1 505 277-4204
  address: in Northrop Hall, on the Yale walkway just north of Central Ave
  In the university's geology department building are a pair of galleries with minerals, fossils, and meteorites collected by UNM faculty and students, as well as exhibits about local geology.

• University Art Museum

  phone: +1 505 277-4001
  address: in the Center for the Arts building, on the Cornell walkway near the bookstore, just north of Central Ave
  Changing exhibitions of art, with a focus on New Mexico and UNM artists.

Itineraries

• Breaking Bad Tour — A tour of filming locations from Albuquerque's main claim to fame: the popular television series Breaking Bad, which was set and produced almost exclusively in Albuquerque. This itinerary contains most of the filming locations for the show as well as some local businesses selling show-inspired products.

Outdoors

• Open Space Visitor Center

  phone: +1 505 897-8831
  address: 6500 Coors Blvd
  The center for the city's open space program, which encompasses land from around the city to preserve for environmental and recreational use. The visitor center has exhibits on the natural and cultural resources of the area, an art gallery, a nature area, and views of the bosque and mountains.

• Petroglyph National Monument

  phone: +1 505 899-0205 ext 331
  address: visitor center at 6001 Unser Blvd NW
  On the west side of town, Petroglyph is a unit of the United States National Park System and preserves a significant archaeological site with an impressive number of petroglyphs. Despite their proximity to an urban center, the petroglyphs are in good condition with very little vandalism or theft. The monument has a visitor center with some interpretive exhibits and a few short trails that lead past numerous petroglyphs. Also within the monument are a series of volcanic cinder cones overlooking the city, accessible by hiking trails from Atrisco Vista Blvd along the backside of the monument.

• Rio Grande Valley State ParkA very pleasant state park running along the banks of the Rio Grande through Albuquerque. The park encompasses almost the entirety of the bosque (cottonwood forest) in the city, which is home to much wildlife, such as geese, roadrunners, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and numerous other species. Numerous trails criss-cross the park, most notably the Paseo del Bosque paved bike/walk trail which runs the length of the park and offers a scenic walk or bike ride. The park's trails are also utilized by an active equestrian community in the area. There are also several picnic areas and wetland areas, with the two most prominent listed below.

• Rio Grande Nature Center

  phone: +1 505 344-7240
  address: 2901 Candelaria Rd NW
  The bosque provides a tranquil setting for this small but delightful nature center, with its wildlife pond and exhibits on the native wildlife. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy the enclosed views of the pond behind the visitor center. Two short trails head into the bosque from the visitor center.

• Tingley Beach

  address: Tingley Dr, just S of Central Ave
  A facility of the Albuquerque Biological Park, this park along the Rio Grande has fishing ponds for adults and children, a model boating pond, a cafe, and a gift shop where you can buy fishing licenses, fishing gear, or rent a pedal boat for a ride on the central pond. Trails lead into the bosque to the edge of the river and to a pair of restored wetland ponds. A narrow-gauge train links Tingley Beach to the Albuquerque Aquarium/Botanical Gardens and the Rio Grande Zoo (listed above under See).

• The Sandia Mountains offer outdoors opportunities ranging from straight hiking (the La Luz trail is popular, perhaps too much so) on to serious, multi-day rock climbing. Mountain biking is also really popular, and there are great trails in the foothills as well as at a ski area on the other side of the mountains during the summer. If less athletically inclined, ride the Sandia Peak Tramway (see "See" section above) to the top. At the base of the mountains, near the tramway, you can find magnificent views of the city and mountains and access trails into the mountains, especially around the . For a map of Sandia Mountain trails, see the Cibola National Forest website. During the winter, the Sandia Peak Ski Area serves skiers and snowboarders; see Cedar Crest for details. The ski area can be reached either by taking a 45 min. drive around the mountain to the base lodge or by taking the tramway up to the top of the mountain—presuming there's enough snow at the top (skiers get a discount on tramway tickets, but you have to bring your own equipment).

Sports and amusements

• Albuquerque Isotopes

  phone: +1 505 924-2255
  address: at the corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and University Blvd
  The Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, play baseball in a beautiful stadium. Seats in the park are both good and cheap—$15 can get you a seat behind home plate. All the concessions and restrooms are along a big concourse behind the seats which is open to the field, so you don't miss any of the action. For $8 a ticket, you can bring a picnic blanket and find a spot in the grassy "Berm" behind right field that's perfect for kids—they can enjoy the grass and play on the playground on top of the Berm. Beware of foul balls—The park is a notorious "launching pad" for hitters that drives pitchers nuts. The park also hosts the new men's soccer team New Mexico United (below).

• Cliff's Amusement Park

  phone: +1 505 881-9373
  address: 4800 Osuna Rd NE
  This is just about the only amusement park in New Mexico. Fairly small, but with a good number of rides. Thrill rides (including two roller coasters), family rides, kiddy rides, and a water play area.

• New Mexico Lobos

  phone: +1 505 925-5626
  address: Avenida Cesar Chavez / University Blvd
  The Lobos are big. For a deafening experience in college sports, try to catch a basketball game at "The Pit" (formally named Dreamstyle Arena), the university's semi-underground fieldhouse that has been a house of pain for visiting basketball teams for over 50 years. The women's teams have often been better than the men's in this century, and attract crowds every bit as raucous - when the teams are doing really well, games will sell out. Right across the street is Dreamstyle Stadium, home of the immensely popular Lobos football team.

• New Mexico United

  phone: +1 505 209-PLAY
  address: 317 Commercial St. NE
  Pro soccer has arrived! United began play in the second tier of US men's soccer, the USL Championship, in 2019, with home games at Isotopes Park.

• Outpost Ice Arena

  phone: +1 505 856-7595
  address: 9530 Tramway Blvd NE
  Has four rinks under one roof. A great place to sharpen your figure skating or hockey skills or just skate for fun.

Performing arts

• KiMo Theater

  phone: +1 505 768-3522
  address: 423 Central Ave NW
  This historic and beautiful downtown building is a vibrant setting for the local performing arts community, and a venue for some traveling shows. The theater is gorgeous and filled with Pueblo-esque art deco ornamentation, such as beautiful murals, plaster cow skulls and wooden beams.

• Popejoy Hall

  phone: +1 505 277-3824
  address: in the Center for the Arts building on the UNM campus
  Hosts a schedule of live performances year-round, including Broadway musicals, live theater, dance and music.

• Isleta Amphitheater

  phone: +1 505 452-5100
  address: 5601 University Blvd SE
  It's in south Albuquerque; this is the city's primary concert venue.

• The Cell

  phone: +1 505 766-9412
  address: 700 1st St NW
  Home to the Fusion Theater Company, a local performance group.

• Albuquerque Little Theater

  phone: +1 505 242-4750
  address: 224 San Pasquale SW
  Hosting local performances throughout the year.

• The Box Performance Space

  phone: +1 505 404-1578
  address: 100 Gold Ave SW #112
  Featuring sketch comedy, improv, children's shows, and other works. Home to Cardboard Playhouse Productions and Blackout Theatre Company.

• Aux Dog Theatre

  phone: +1 505 254-7716
  address: 3011 Monte Vista Boulevard NE
  An intimate performance space that produces innovative plays year round.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Fiesta is the world's largest ballooning event and one of the most photographed events in the world. A cultural landmark for Albuquerque (and indeed, all of New Mexico), this festival gives you a first-hand look at the world of ballooning. For nine days in October, you can walk out onto a large field where balloonists from around the world set up, inflate, launch, and possibly land their balloons. Mass ascensions of balloons with hundreds of different colors and shapes create an often stunning and magnificent sight. It's one of the most heavily attended festivals in the entire U.S.
Balloons fly best in cooler conditions, so many of the events take place early in the morning. Traffic is pretty bad around the festival; expect a long, long line of cars (you may want to seriously consider taking park-and-ride to beat the traffic). Get your hotel reservations far in advance, because everyone fills up around this time of year.
If the event is rained or snowed out, there are no refunds on prices. Most years the weather works in favor of the balloonists, so this shouldn't be a problem, though.
The event begins on the first Saturday of October and ends with a farewell mass ascension on the Sunday of the following weekend, with numerous events in-between, such as concerts and balloon races. Here are a few of the highlights of the fiesta:

• Dawn Patrol. Every day there's a Dawn Patrol at around 6AM, where a few balloons take off before the sun rises. These balloons test the conditions before other balloons take off.
• Mass Ascension. On weekend days at about 7AM the Mass Ascension occurs, which is the lift off of all the balloons participating in the fiesta, usually in two waves. Not to be missed.
• Balloon Glow. On weekend evenings (except for the final day of the event) a Balloon Glow takes place, when the balloons don't lift off the ground, but are illuminated by the light of their propane burners going off.
• Morning Glow. The same as the balloon glow but early in the morning (may not always occur).
• Special Shapes Rodeo. Happens at 7AM on the Thursday and Friday of the event, which is a Mass Ascension for all the "special shape" balloons. There are also Balloon Glows called Glowdeos (a portmanteau of "glow" and "rodeo") for the special shape balloons. The special shapes are the balloons in forms other than the standard balloon shape, and are very popular with kids; expect to see animals, cartoon characters, clowns, and many other colorful creations. Returning favorites include a milk cow, a wagon coach, and a trio of bees.

And if you want to do more than watch the balloons, there are several local companies which provide balloon rides year-round:

• Rainbow Ryders

  phone: +1 505 823-1111
  The only one which operates directly from Balloon Fiesta Park during the Balloon Fiesta

• Private Balloon Flights

  phone: +1 505 550-2677

• Skyspan Adventures

  phone: +1 505 250-2300

Other annual events

Besides the Balloon Fiesta, there are numerous festivals and celebrations on a yearly basis. Here are some of the major ones:

• • • • • Around Christmas time, thousands of luminarias (a paper bag half-filled with sand with a lit candle placed inside) line the streets of Old Town. If you come to the city during this time of year you are also likely to see electric luminarias (a string of lights designed to resemble authentic luminarias) lining the roofs of many buildings in the city. You may also see luminaria displays in some of the city's residential neighborhoods, on the UNM campus, and on many an individual's front yard, but Old Town provides the most accessible and dramatic display.
        
        

Upon first glance, it might seem like your only place to shop are the miles and miles of strip malls that line the major arterials. While that's not entirely the case, everything is really spread out, with the exception of the concentrated Old Town-Downtown-Nob Hill area along Central Ave. So while you can find just about anything you're looking for, you will probably have to drive a ways to get it.
Here are some good places around town to shop:

• Old Town

  address: at Central & Rio Grande
  If you're looking for all the "New Mexican" shops, this is probably the next best thing to Santa Fe. Granted, some of it is tacky souvenir stuff, but there are also plenty of quality gift shops with authentic Native American and Southwestern art. You can also find plenty of antiques, art galleries, jewelry, pottery, weavings, clothing stores, and other specialty shops.

• Albuquerque Photographer's Gallery

  phone: +1 505 244-9195
  address: 303 Romero St NW, STE N208 (upstairs)
  A juried photography co-op of award-winning photographers, representing a wide variety of styles and techniques.

• Amapola Gallery

  phone: +1 505 242-4311
  address: 205 Romero St NW
  Co-op of 40 contemporary artists selling a wide variety of southwestern arts and crafts.

• The Candy Lady

  phone: +1 505 243-6239
  address: 524 Romero St. NW
  A popular candy shop with lots of homemade fudge, chocolates, caramels, and other sweets, though it has also gained notice for providing the blue-colored hard candy that served as the meth prop in the locally-set Breaking Bad television series. You can buy a bag of a faithful recreation of the prop, which is now one of the shop's most popular products.

• Mama's Minerals

  phone: +1 505 266-8443
  address: 800 20th St NW
  A wonderful store with an extensive collection of minerals, geologic specimens, gems, beads, supplies for the geologist, information about local geology, and more. Anyone even slightly interested in geology could spend a lot of time here.

• Old Town Emporium

  phone: +1 505 842-8102
  address: 204 San Felipe NW
  A very large gift shop with all the typical tourist kitsch, which certainly has its charm.

• R.C. Gorman/Nizhoni Gallery

  phone: +1 505 843-7666
  address: 323 Romero St NW
  Featuring works by several popular artists, including noted local painter R.C. Gorman.

• Tanner Chaney Gallery

  phone: +1 505 247-2242
  address: 323 Romero St NW
  A long-standing business selling native arts and crafts.

Downtown

address: particularly along Central and Gold Aves. (one block S of Central)

While downtown has plenty of bars and restaurants, the shopping scene is a bit lacking. However, there are a few interesting places:

• The Man's Hat Shop

  phone: +1 505 247-9605
  address: 511 Central Ave NW
  Has a huge selection of Western hats.

• Patrician Design

  phone: +1 505 242-7646
  address: 216 Gold Ave SW
  A retail boutique with art, jewelry, and some nifty around-the-home accessories.

• Skip Maisel’s Indian Jewelry

  phone: +1 505 242-6526
  address: 510 Central Ave SW
  Indian jewelry, arts, and crafts in a lovely building dating back to the heyday of Route 66.

• Sumner & Dene

  phone: +1 505 842-1400
  address: 517 Central Ave NW
  Fine art, jewelry, and furnishings.

• 2 Time Couture

  phone: +1 505 242-3600
  address: 600 Central Ave SE
  An upscale designer consignment boutique offering top quality clothing, accessories and handbags.

Nob Hill

address: along Central Avenue from Girard Boulevard to Washington Street

A trendy district known for its neon reminiscent of the Route 66 days, Nob Hill is easily one of the best places in the city to window shop. The Nob Hill Business Center, at Central & Carlisle, has some great little shops as well as the La Montanita Food Co-Op (see Grocery stores under "Eat" below).

• The Herb Store

  phone: +1 505 255-8878
  address: 107 Carlisle Blvd SE
  Stock up on all your herb supplies and herbal remedies here.

• Masks Y Mas

  phone: +1 505 256-4183
  address: 3106 Central Ave SE
  An art gallery and store cram packed with Day of the Dead folk art.

• Objects of Desire

  phone: +1 505 232-3088
  address: 3225 Central Ave NE
  Fine furnishings and accessories.

Coronado Mall

address: Menaul and Louisiana

A typical indoor suburban mall, anchored by Macy's, JCPenney, Mervyn's and Sears. Most of the major 'big box' retailers are also in the general area, in both directions along I-40.

ABQ Uptown

address: Indian School and Louisiana

An outdoor mall with more high-end retail stores, such as Apple Computer, Talbots, Pottery Barn, and Williams-Sonoma.

Cottonwood Mall

phone: +1 505 899-7467

address: Coors Blvd & Coors Bypass, on the west side of Albuquerque

A typical indoor mall, the surrounding area contains most typical 'big box' retailers.

Outside these areas, there are also some specific businesses around town that are worth your time:

• Active Imagination

  phone: +1 505 299-2019
  address: 11200 Montgomery Blvd NE
  Formerly Wargames West on Central, this store has a long history in Albuquerque. Features cards, board games, role-playing games and a gambit of miniature table-top games. Open boardgame night is Thursday, but you're bound to find people gaming any night of the week.

• Bien Mur Indian Market Center

  phone: +1 505 821-5400
  address: 100 Bien Mur Dr NE
  Owned by the Sandia Pueblo, this huge market has loads of Native American jewelry, pottery, rugs, paintings and folk art. Most of the stuff here comes directly from the artist to the market.

• Gertrude ZacharyA locally-owned jewelry chain in Albuquerque with plenty of antiques and Southwestern jewelry. There are three locations around the city:

• Gertrude Zachary Jewelry Showroom

  phone: +1 505 247-4442
  address: 1501 Lomas NW

• Gertrude Zachary Antiques Showroom

  phone: +1 505 244-1320
  address: 416 Second St SW

• Gertrude Zachary Nob Hill

  phone: +1 505 766-4700
  address: 3300 Central Ave SE

Jackalope

phone: +1 505 349-0955

address: 6400 San Mateo Blvd NE

A local chain of stores (there is also a location in Santa Fe) that sells folk art, pottery, rugs, and furniture from around the world. There is really a lot of fantastic stuff here, and a lot to browse through.

Page One Bookstore

phone: +1 505 294-2026

address: 11018 Montgomery NE

The largest independent bookstore in the city.

Dining out in Albuquerque tends to be relatively inexpensive and very casual. Many places offer outdoor seating. Iced tea is the beverage of choice.

New Mexican dining

New Mexican cuisine is unique. Be ready for the question "Red or green?" or in Spanish "¿Rojo o verde?" which refers to the chile based sauce included in or used to smother various menu items. There are constant arguments as to which is hotter, the ripe and often dried red chile, or the immature green chile; however, spiciness depends much more on the strain of pepper and how the chile is prepared rather than the color, and varies greatly by restaurant, so inquire and experiment. Many meals will include sopaipillas, the characteristic New Mexican fry bread, as a side. The characteristic desserts are flan, a type of custard, or Natillas, closer in texture to pudding.

Budget

• Acapulco

  phone: +1 505 268-9865
  address: 840 San Mateo Blvd SE (alternate location at 2617 Wyoming Blvd NE)
  Serves excellent New Mexican cuisine from a stand.

• Church Street Cafe

  phone: +1 505 247-8522
  address: 2111 Church St NW
  A cozy little restaurant with good New Mexican food tucked away down a side alley of Old Town.

• Durans Central Pharmacy

  phone: +1 505 247-4141
  address: 1815 Central Ave NW
  An inexpensive lunch counter in the back of a pharmacy serving cheap, hearty New Mexican cuisine.

• Little Anita's

  phone: +1 505 242-3102
  address: regional chain, original in Old Town at 2105 Mountain Rd NW
  Consistent, great quality food with great service and atmosphere.

• Los Cuates

  phone: +1 505 268-0974
  address: regional chain, main location at 4901 Lomas NE
  A pleasant sit-down restaurant with a milder chile.

• Milly's

  phone: +1 505 345-9200
  address: 7308 Jefferson St NE (alternate location at 2100 Candelaria Road)
  Flavorful but not-too-hot chile.

• Ortega's Mexican Restaurant

  phone: +1 505 298-0223
  address: 3617 Wyoming Blvd NE
  Whole grains, low fat.

• Papa Felipe's Mexican Restaurant

  phone: +1 505 292-8877
  address: 9800 Menaul Blvd NE
  Home-cooked, authentic New Mexican cuisine since 1977. Lunch and Senior specials. Full bar and happy hour.

• Perea's

  phone: +1 505 293-0157
  address: 1140 Juan Tabo Blvd NE
  May have the hottest green chile in town.

• Sadie's of New Mexico

  phone: +1 505 345-5339
  address: regional chain, original at 6230 4th St NW
  Consistent quality. Often a long wait. Hot chile.

Mid-range

• Barelas Coffee House

  phone: +1 505 843-7577
  address: 1502 4th St SW
  This place, for those who know how to find it (it is tucked in a corner) is a local favorite, serving menudo, chile, and a wide range of other both Mexican and New Mexican foods. They are also locally known for their tea, a blend of chamomile teas, always served hot and fresh. Also, as you are about to pay, make sure and check out the candy table right in front of the cash registers, as you might just spot an old favorite such as Sugar Daddys and Nik-L-Nips!

• Cervantes

  phone: +1 505 262-2253
  address: 5801 Gibson Blvd SE
  Excellent menu, ala carte items, full bar, World Record Margarita. Local favorite.

• El Pinto

  phone: +1 505 898-1771
  address: 10500 4th St NW
  Lovely ambiance and a great menu. Their nachos are fantastic, and the restaurant is also the purveyor of a popular local brand of salsa.

• Garduño's of Mexico

  phone: +1 505 880-0055
  address: 2100 Louisiana Blvd NE (alternate location at Cottonwood Mall)
  Consistent, good quality food with some Mexican and Arizonan influence to go with the New Mexican standards.

• Monroe's

  phone: +1 505 242-1111
  address: 1520 Lomas NW (alternate location at 6051 Osuna NE)
  Great carne adovada Indian tacos.

Non-New Mexican dining

Budget

• Banh Mi Coda

  phone: +1 505 232-0085
  address: 230 Louisiana Blvd SE
  Excellent Vietnamese sandwiches. Get the #6, grilled pork on a French style baguette with French-inspired style mayo (aioli), cucumber, cilantro, strips of pickled carrots, and slices of jalapeños. Bakery also carries various Vietnamese desserts, steamed sweet/glutinous rice with mung beans, and Vietnamese steamed pork sausages.

• Bob's Burgers

  phone: +1 505 831-2111
  address: several locations around town; Central location at 4506 Central Ave SW
  A home-grown chain of burger stands with a New Mexican flair. The ones west of the river are owned by Bob, the ones east of the river by his son-in-law Clifford. Bob makes some of the hottest green chile sauce in the state; Clifford flat out tries to kill you. A "chile-head"'s paradise. Try a foot-long chile-cheese dog with green sauce instead of traditional red.

• The Dog House

  phone: +1 505 243-1019
  address: 1216 Central Ave SW

• Federico's Mexican Food

  phone: +1 505 255-1094
  address: several locations around town; Zuni location at 5555 Zuni SE
  The place is a little bare-bones, but the food is excellent (and shows the difference between "Mexican" and "New Mexican" cuisine), not to mention cheap. Get a horchata as your drink.

• Frontier Restaurant

  phone: +1 505 266-0550
  address: 2400 Central Ave SE
  One of the most popular restaurants in Albuquerque; a big hangout for the college students at UNM. Good American and New Mexican food, the breakfast burrito here is one of the best in Albuquerque. The atmosphere is casual, and it's a great place to people-watch and witness a good cross-section of the city's population. If you can't make it to the Frontier, you can go to one of the several Golden Pride chain places around Albuquerque, which is owned by the same family and serves much of the same food.

• Grandma's K&I Diner

  phone: +1 505 243-1881
  address: 2500 Broadway Blvd SE
  Enjoy some authentic Albuquerque cuisine, restaurant is best known for serving a fry covered, football sized burrito called the Travis. They can be ordered in eighths, quarters, halves or whole; consumption of an entire travis is sometimes used as a fraternity hazing. The breakfast skillet meals are wonderful.

• Pericos

  phone: +1 505 247-2503
  address: 109 Yale Blvd SE
  A small Mexican/New Mexican greasy hole-in-the-wall joint with lousy service, but delicious burritos.

• Pho #1

  phone: +1 505 268-0488
  address: 414 San Pedro Dr SE
  Pho: Vietnamese noodle soup. Also grilled pork / chicken / beef noodle bowl and rice plates. Great friendly service. Don't miss the Vietnamese cold coffee with condensed milk.

• Que Huong

  phone: +1 505 262-0575
  address: 7010 Central Ave SE
  Bright, clean Vietnamese restaurant serving a range of Southeast Asian specialties for very good prices.

• Rudy's Country Store and BBQ

  phone: +1 505 884-4000
  address: 2321 Carlisle NE (alternate location at 10136 Coors NW)
  Casual, relaxed, and wonderful self-serve BBQ. Don't miss the beef brisket!

• Saggio's Pizza

  phone: +1 505 255-5454
  address: 107 Cornell Dr SE
  Some of the best pizza in Albuquerque. The atmosphere is wonderful, with statues, murals, plants, and televisions everywhere. There is a sports bar in here, but the place is still very kid-friendly.

• 66 Diner

  phone: +1 505 247-1421
  address: 1405 Central Ave NE
  A Route 66 themed restaurant serving classic American dishes. Big portions, great atmosphere.

Mid-range

• County Line BBQ

  phone: +1 505 856-7477
  address: 9600 Tramway Blvd NE
  Spectacular views of the city from the picture windows in the main dining area. For weekend dining, be prepared to wait a bit. Good Texas-style BBQ, relaxed atmosphere and large portions for your dollar.

• Dion's

  phone: +1 505 265-6919
  address: multiple locations; Central location at 4717 Central Ave NE
  A popular local chain of pizzerias, serving some of the best pizza in Albuquerque. They also have sandwiches.

• Il Vicino

  phone: +1 505 266-7855
  address: multiple locations; Nob Hill location at 3403 Central Ave NE
  Fresh gourmet pizza and beer.

• Flying Star Cafe

  phone: +1 505 255-6633
  address: multiple locations; Nob Hill location at 3416 Central Ave SE
  A local space age-themed chain with a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, entrees, New Mexican food, and superb desserts. Rated 'Best Bakery' in Albuquerque. Daily and weekly specials. Free wi-fi and comfy seating areas. Vast selection of magazines. Flying Star also operates the local Satellite Coffee chain, which has a great coffee selection and some of the same pastries you'll find at the Flying Star.

• Pars Cuisine

  phone: +1 505 345-5156
  address: 4320 The 25 Way, Ste 100
  Persian food. Cushion seating available, bellydancing on weekend nights. Hookah available for rental. Wonderful Persian classics.

• Namaste Cuisine of India and Nepal

  phone: +1 505-266-6900
  address: 110 Yale Blvd SE
  An excellent Indian and Nepalese restaurant with a lovely atmosphere and delicious food.

• Slate Street Cafe

  phone: +1 505 243-2210
  address: 515 Slate NW
  American cuisine. They have a nice wine list and a wine bar loft too.

• Taj Mahal

  phone: +1 505 255-1994
  address: 1430 Carlisle Blvd NE
  Excellent Indian food.

• Thai Tip

  phone: +1 505 323-7447
  address: 1512 Wyoming NE
  A Thai restaurant with a loyal local following, and for good reason. Friendly owners and relaxed atmosphere.

Splurge

• Artichoke Cafe

  phone: +1 505 243-0200
  address: 424 Central Ave SE
  American cuisine and a popular restaurant in the downtown area. Great creamy artichoke soup and excellent salmon. Very pleasant ambiance.

• The Rancher's Club

  phone: +1 505 889-8071
  address: Crowne Plaza Albuquerque, 1901 University Blvd NE
  One of the finest restaurants in Albuquerque, and the winner of multiple awards. American cuisine, serving prime aged beef, seafood and poultry grilled over aromatic woods.

• Terra American Bistro

  phone: +1 505 792-1700
  address: 1119 Alameda Blvd NE
  A very nice restaurant to have a romantic dinner or to bring friends and have a wine tasting from a very intense wine menu. Terra makes everything in house from scratch - no store bought sauces, soups, dressings, etc.

• Tucanos Brazilian Grill

  phone: +1 505 246-9900
  address: 110 Central Ave SW
  Excellent salad bar, and a variety of meats brought to your table.

• Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro

  phone: +1 505 254-9462
  address: 3009 Central Ave NE
  In Nob Hill. Zinc is pleasant and well-appointed inside. American cuisine, with a touch of French; excellent appetizers. Don't miss the wine bar and jazz in the basement. Reservations advised.

Grocery stores

• La Montanita Natural Foods Co-OpA local community-owned co-op offering organic food with two locations in Albuquerque:

• La Montanita Nob Hill

  phone: +1 505 265-4631
  address: 3500 Central Ave SE
  Slightly spaced out till staff.

• La Montanita Valley

  phone: +1 505 242-8800
  address: 2400 Rio Grande NW

Los Altos Ranch Market

phone: +1 505 831-8739

address: 4201 Central Ave NW

A California-based grocery chain geared toward the Hispanic crowd.

SproutsLocal organic food store chain with 4 locations in Albuquerque. Good place, even have diet Indian tonic if you like a gin and tonic.

• Sprouts on Corrales

  phone: +1 505 890-7900
  address: 10701 Corrales Rd NW

• Sprouts on Lomas

  phone: +1 505 268-5127
  address: 5112 Lomas Blvd NE

• Sprouts on Montgomery

  phone: +1 505 298-2447
  address: 11205 Montgomery Blvd NE

• Sprouts on San Mateo

  phone: +1 505 821-7000
  address: 6300 San Mateo Blvd

Talin Market World Food Fare

phone: +1 505 268-0206

address: 88 Louisiana Blvd SE

International food marketplace.

Trader Joe'sTwo locations in Albuquerque:

• Trader Joe's Far Heights

  phone: +1 505 796-0311
  address: 8929 Holly Ave NE

• Trader Joe's Uptown

  phone: +1 505 883-3662
  address: 2200 Uptown Loop NE

Whole Foods MarketOrganic food store chain with two locations in Albuquerque:

• Whole Foods on Academy

  phone: +1 505 856-0474
  address: 5815 Wyoming Blvd NE

• Whole Foods at Indian School Plaza

  phone: +1 505 260-1366
  address: 2103 Carlisle Blvd NE

For your more typical chain groceries, Albertsons and Smith's each have several stores in the city.

Downtown

• Anodyne

  phone: +1 505 244-1820
  address: 409 Central Ave NW
  Downtown hipster bar. 100 different icy beers, pool tables galore and a killer jukebox.

• Burt's Tiki Lounge

  phone: +1 505 243-2878
  address: 313 Gold Ave SW
  Eclectic doesn't even begin to describe Burt's. Popular nights: Monday, Geeks Who Drink pub trivia $2 drafts; Thursday, $.75 Pabst's Blue Ribbon 'til midnight.

• Chama River Microbar

  phone: +1 505 842-8329
  address: 106 2nd St SW
  No food (other than bags of potato chips), only really good beer from one of the finer microbreweries in the region. Outstanding featured seasonal beers rotate in and out, house beers include a really tasty IPA.

• Downtown Distillery

  phone: +1 505 765-1534
  address: 406 Central Ave SW
  Long bar downstairs; pool lounge and bar upstairs. Jaeger specials, to say the least.

• Ibiza

  phone: +1 505 242-9090
  address: 125 Second Street NW
  Rooftop bar and dining with nightly themes.

• Launchpad

  phone: +1 505 764-8887
  address: 618 Central Ave SW
  Well established music venue and rock bar and perhaps the best place to see live music in town.

• Library Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 505 242-2992
  address: 312 Central Ave SW
  School girl dress bartenders serve bikers by day and club goers by night.

• Lotus

  phone: +1 505 243-0955
  address: 211 Gold Ave SW
  Themed nightclub. One of the few 18+ clubs in town. Thursday nights are Goth/Industrial/Electronic all other nights are House/Hip-hop/R&B.

• Marble Brewery

  phone: +1 505 243-2739
  address: 111 Marble St NW
  Fine local micro brewery in Albuquerque's industrial heart. Limited food selection, but in a taproom -- that's the point.

Nob Hill & UNM

• Copper Lounge

  phone: +1 505 242-7490
  address: 1504 Central Ave SE
  Dark dive bar, but extremely friendly patrons. Best beer special in town -- $2.50 drafts on Wednesday nights.

• Gecko's Bar & Tapas

  phone: +1 505 262-1848
  address: 3500 Central Ave SE
  Great atmosphere and an excellent patio for people watching. The tapas are great bar food.

• Imbibe

  phone: +1 505 255-4200
  address: 3103 Central Ave NE
  Cigar bar (although the noisy music is incongruous with relaxing over a cigar) with Vegas styling. Rooftop bar and patio. Strict dress code.

• Kelly's Brewery

  phone: +1 505 262-2379
  address: 3222 Central Ave SE
  A Route 66-era gas station and garage-turned-restaurant, with lots of vintage decorations. Wide variety of beers brewed on site. Good food, friendly wait staff (mostly hot young ladies), and an extensive outdoor patio for people watching.

• Monte Vista Fire Station

  phone: +1 505 255-2424
  address: 3205 Central Ave NE
  Housed above the Gruet Steakhouse, Monte Vista Fire Station roosts in a converted Depression Era fire house. Atmosphere lacking; bit empty.

• Nob Hill Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 505 266-6872
  address: 3128 Central Ave SE
  Urban-chic bar in the heart of the Nob Hill District. Cocktails good, food not bad.

• O'Neill's Pub

  phone: +1 505 255-6782
  address: 4310 Central Ave SE
  Great food, casual atmosphere, and a fantastic patio facing old Route 66.

• Two Fools Tavern

  phone: +1 505 265-7447
  address: 3211 Central Ave NE
  Irish beers and music abound. $3.75 bottled beer, $5-16 wines, scotches, whiskeys. Good beer and wine.

North I-25 Corridor & Heights

• The Barley Room

  phone: +1 505 332-0800
  address: 5200 Eubank NE
  Wide selection of domestic and imported beers. Good food and nice atmosphere. Live music almost every weekend. Being in the far Northeast Heights and right next door to a mortgage company, it tends to attract an older, classier crowd.

• Billy's Long Bar

  phone: +1 505 889-0573
  address: 4800 San Mateo Blvd NE
  Wide variety of beers on tap.

• Canteen Brewhouse

  phone: +1 505 881-2737
  address: 2381 Aztec Rd NE
  A long-standing microbrewery with a loyal following. Small food selection.

• Chama River Brewing Company

  phone: +1 505 342-1800
  address: 4931 Pan American NE
  Fantastic local micro brewery which also offers a solid dining experience. $3.75 pint.

• Horse & Angel Tavern

  phone: +1 505 299-0225
  address: 5809 Juan Tabo Blvd NE
  Very large selection of domestic and imported beers on tap, good food with an excellent human resources department (mostly very attractive UNM girls). Laid back, but not too laid back.

• La Cumbre

  phone: +1 505 872-0225
  address: 3313 Girard NE
  A new microbrewery opened by a former brewer from Chama River Brewing Co.

• Nexus Brewery

  phone: +1 505 242-4100
  address: 4730 Pan American Fwy East, Suite D
  A new microbrewery.

• Stone Face Package Liquors

  phone: +1 505 822-8855
  address: 8201 San Pedro Dr NE
  Blue collar and all the character you could even hope for. Live music, outdoor volleyball, and great beer specials.

Westside

• Cazuela's Mexican Grill & Brewery

  phone: +1 505 994-9364
  address: 4501 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho
  Freshly brewed beers.

• Turtle Mountain Brewing Company

  phone: +1 505 994-9497
  address: 905 36th St SE, Rio Rancho
  Fresh beer and greasy pizza. $3.75 bottled beer.

If you want a nicer—and pricier—hotel, then head east on I-40 to "uptown" (in the northeast side of the city, which is at higher elevation than "downtown" close to the river) or north on I-25. If you don't mind less free stuff, Central Ave. (old Route 66) is cheaper. However, there are some real dives along Central Avenue, many with unsavory reputations and occasional police raids. Hotels around the airport are generally vanilla-flavored, business-traveler places, but at least are somewhat less expensive than airport hotels in many cities. There are a few nice highrise hotels in the Downtown/Old Town area. Lodging Per Diem is $75.
Albuquerque is experiencing a massive wave of hotel building, mainly in the "Mid-range" class. This apparently is driven in part by the infamous lodging shortages during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October. The result is that during other parts of the year, affordable hotels shouldn't be too hard to find. Even with the growth in the hotel market, lodging can be tight for the Fiesta, so if you're coming then, reserve well in advance—months rather than days.
For some free lodgings try looking for cafes where bands are playing (normally on the weekends) and ask among the punk kids and see if they'll help. Even they, however, may not have much space during the Balloon Fiesta.

Budget

• Crossland Economy Studios

  phone: +1 505 343-1100
  address: 5020 Ellison St NE
  Tiny rooms, but clean and inexpensive.

• Days Inn Midtown Albuquerque

  phone: +1-505-273-8187
  address: 2120 Menaul Blvd NE
  Shuttle service to and from airport and convention center from 7AM-11PM daily.

• Hiway House Motel

  phone: +1 505 268-3971
  address: 3200 Central Ave SE
  What it lacks in appearance and amenities it makes up for with location. Right in the middle of the Nob Hill area, next door to Kelly's Brewery, in walking distance to restaurants, pubs, shops, and UNM.

• Microtel West Albuquerque

  phone: +1 505 836-1686
  address: 9910 Avalon Rd NW
  Basic chain motel on the edge of town. Stay if you're just passing through on I-40 or heading out of town the next day, but not if you're going to be exploring Albuquerque.

• Route 66 International Hostel

  phone: +1 505 247-1813
  address: 1012 Central Ave SW
  Only hostel in town - it's a cozy little place with friendly staff and a nice patio. Centrally located, within walking distance of Downtown and fairly close to Old Town.

• Sleep Inn Airport

  phone: +1 505 244-3325
  address: 2300 International Ave SE
  Probably the cheapest of the several cookie-cutter hotels near the Albuquerque airport.

• Suburban Extended Stay

  phone: +1 505 883-8888
  address: 2401 Wellesley Dr
  In a business district near the midtown area of Albuquerque.

Mid-range

• Adobe Nido Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +1 505 344-1310
  address: 1124 Major Ave NW
  A comfortable and relaxing Southwest style adobe inn with jetted tubs in all rooms and an outdoor Finnish sauna. Healthy full breakfast every morning.

• Best Western Rio Grande Inn

  phone: +1 505 843-9500
  address: 1015 Rio Grande Blvd
  Basic chain motel which has the advantage of being right near Old Town.

• Bottger Mansion of Old Town

  phone: +1 505 243-3639
  address: 110 San Felipe St NW
  This historic house, now a bed-and-breakfast, is shaded by massive 100-yr old trees and is just steps away from the Old Town plaza.

• Courtyard Albuquerque

  phone: +1 505 823-1919
  address: 5151 Journal Center Blvd NE
  Chain motel in the North I-25 area.

• Courtyard Albuquerque Airport

  phone: +1 505 843-6600
  address: 1920 Yale Blvd
  In the airport area. Well lit work desks and complimentary high-speed internet.

• Doubletree Hotel Albuquerque

  phone: +1 505 247-3344
  address: 201 Marquette Ave NW
  A luxury downtown highrise hotel with many amenities, not to mention the only place directly connected to the Albuquerque Convention Center.

• Embassy Suites Albuquerque

  phone: +1 505 245-7100
  address: 1000 Woodward Pl NE
  Great hotel overlooking downtown.

• Hawthorn Suites Albuquerque Airport

  phone: +1-505-814-5851
  address: 1511 Gibson Blvd SE
  Good airport hotel.

• Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Uptown

  phone: +1 505 944-0300
  address: 6510 Americas Pkwy NE
  Highrise hotel in the Uptown area.

• Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town

  phone: +1 505 843-6300
  address: 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW
  A luxury hotel near Old Town approaching "splurge" territory. On-site restaurant, business center, outdoor swimming pool & Jacuzzi, fitness center, and elegant event space.

• Hyatt Place Albuquerque Airport

  phone: +1 505 242-9300
  address: 1400 Sunport Pl SE
  Great airport hotel.

• Hyatt Place Albuquerque Uptown

  phone: +1 505 872-9000
  address: 6901 Arvada Ave NE
  Nice chain motel in the Uptown area, across the street from the ABQ Uptown mall.

• Hyatt Regency Albuquerque

  address: 330 Tijeras Ave NW
  Large hotel right in downtown Albuquerque, in the smaller of the two tallest highrises with the pyramid roof.

• Mauger Estate Bed & Breakfast

  address: 701 Roma Ave NW
  A cozy bed & breakfast near Downtown in a lovely old Victorian house. Pet-friendly.

• Residence Inn Albuquerque

  phone: +1 505 881-2661
  address: 3300 Prospect Avenue NE
  Near downtown and the Airport. Complimentary breakfast buffet and high-speed internet.

• Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel

  phone: +1 505 843-7000
  address: 2910 Yale Blvd SE
  The closest hotel to the airport, no more than 2 min. away by shuttle, which runs on the half hour. However, a management transfer has left the hotel in shambles. Poor value for the money spent - give it a miss and go with other nearby airport hotels instead. Reasonable restaurant (Rojo's Grill) on the premises.

• Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown

  phone: +1 505 881-0000
  address: 2600 Louisiana Blvd NE

Splurge

• Albuquerque Marriott

  phone: +1 505 881-6800
  address: 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE
  Highrise hotel in the Uptown shopping area off I-40.

• Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North

  phone: +1 505 821-3333
  address: 5151 San Francisco Road NE
  Large hotel in "Aztec pyramid" shaped building.

• Hotel Andaluz

  phone: +1 505 242-9090
  address: 125 Second Street NW
  The closest thing Albuquerque has to a grand old hotel, this downtown spot is a historic and lavishly-decorated hotel, with Moroccan and Spanish-inspired architecture throughout, very elegant ballrooms, and some luxuriously appointed rooms. A Mediterranean restaurant and a rooftop lounge are also on the premises.

• Hotel Parq Central

  phone: +1 505 242-0040
  address: 806 Central Avenue SE
  A boutique hotel in the downtown area, in a lovely old building with gardens and a rooftop bar with excellent views. The accommodations themselves are wonderful, with high ceilings, large windows, and nice furnishings.

• Los Poblanos Inn

  phone: +1 505 344-9297
  address: 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW
  In the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque (7 mi/11 km from downtown Albuquerque), the inn and 25 acre grounds are beautiful, set near the Rio Grande bosque with conference and meeting facilities available.

Albuquerque has an average crime rate compared to some other American cities, but most of it is property crime of more concern to residents than to visitors.
Central Avenue is home to some of Albuquerque's main attractions, but portions of it can be somewhat dangerous after dark. The section from the train tracks (eastern edge of downtown) to University Blvd. can be a little scary in the evening. Even in Downtown, while Central Avenue is passable, smaller nearby streets such as Copper Street can be scary after dark. The Nob Hill/UNM district (between University and Carlisle) is perfectly safe at night, but Central gets progressively seedier east of Carlisle, and can get quite scary around the Fairgrounds. Consider the bus or a cab through these areas after the sun goes down.
Due to its size and mild climate, the streets of Albuquerque are considered home to many people. While not typically a danger, do expect to meet up with beggars and vagrants, particularly around UNM.
If you're going to be engaging in outdoor recreation (even as laid-back as watching an Isotopes day game), slather on the sun screen. The elevation of the city is 5000 ft or higher, and there is usually not much cloud cover, so one can get a bad sunburn in surprisingly short order.
Also, New Mexico is very arid. That, and its high altitude results in very low humidity in both summer and winter, which can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water. A common complaint among visitors from lower altitudes is a persistent headache, which is often mistaken for altitude sickness, but is really a common symptom of dehydration. Consider carrying a water bottle and drinking frequently throughout the day if you don't already.
Be forewarned about New Mexican cuisine; if you're not used to green chile, go easy at first. Many first-timers have tried to eat the hottest chile they could find, only to discover six hours later that it was MUCH hotter than they remembered. Be prepared.

The area code for the city is 505.
Every branch of the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System provides free wifi; they also have computers available but these require that you purchase an internet access card for $3. The is Downtown at 501 Copper NW, +1 505 768-5141. There are also a number of free Wi-Fi hot spots provided by the city, mainly around Civic Plaza in Downtown, the Sunport, and the Old Town Plaza. Also, it is free to connect to the guest wifi on the UNM campus. Generally, there aren't very many wireless cafes in the city, but there is a good concentration around the UNM/Nob Hill area. The local Flying Star Cafe and Satellite Coffee locations offer free wireless internet to customers.

Newspapers

• The Albuquerque Journal ($0.50 daily, $1.50 Sundays) is the state's largest newspaper and talks about issues in the metro area, the state, and the world.
• The Alibi (free Wednesday mornings) is a free weekly that discusses issues in the metro area and runs some columns, but is more focused on the arts scene and has some great movie and restaurant reviews. They also run a number of "best of..." lists, notably the yearly "Best of Burque" awards. Great event listings.
• The Daily Lobo (free daily) is a daily news service (Monday through Fridays in the school year) produced by UNM students. The online version is updated daily, but the printed version is only distributed on Mondays and Thursdays.

Magazines and TV

• Albuquerque The Magazine is the city's largest magazine, and talks about current events within the city.
• New Mexico True Television (free online) is a travel show produced in and set around New Mexico, Albuquerque is featured in several episodes.

Smoking

New Mexico has a statewide ban on smoking in places of business. This includes bars and restaurants. The only exceptions are casinos and cigar bars. In addition Albuquerque has banned smoking on all public property except the golf courses.

Consulates

• Mexico

  phone: +1 505 247-2147
  address: 1610 4th St NW

North of Albuquerque:

• Santa Fe, one of the world's great travel destinations, is about 60 mi (97 km) to the north. The direct route is via I-25, but if you have time and the weather forecast is good, consider taking instead the "Turquoise Trail" (NM SR 14) on the east side of the Sandia Mountains. If you'd rather not drive, you can also take the Rail Runner commuter train straight into the heart of the city.
• If taking the Turquoise Trail, stop at Madrid, an artist community along the way. There's a small selection of galleries, a glass blower and decent tavern for lunch. Another attraction on the route is the Tinkertown Museum near Cedar Crest, which contains a large collection of wood carvings and Americana.
• Bernalillo is 15 mi (24 km) north on I-25 and is connected via the Rail Runner commuter train. The Coronado State Monument is a notable attraction, as well as the Santa Ana Pueblo's casino and golf course, which are right next to Bernalillo.
• There are several Native American pueblos between Albuquerque and Santa Fe just off I-25. Some of them offers attractions and a chance to explore the area. If you have a few hours to kill, consider a detour to Cochiti Pueblo and the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. This little known monument, open for day use ($5/vehicle), contains some gorgeous natural scenery and geologic formations, such as a narrow slot canyon you can hike through. To get there, get off at the Santo Domingo Pueblo exit (Exit 259) and follow the signs up SR 22 and onto a gravel road to the monument.
• The pretty Jemez Mountains offer pleasant hiking and fishing in the summer and can be good for skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, although snowpack varies greatly from year to year and may be insufficient for winter sports. Take I-25 north to Bernalillo, then US 550 to San Ysidro, where NM 4 (502 on some maps) takes off through the astonishing red rock of San Diego Canyon and into the Jemez.
• Los Alamos and Bandelier National Monument are also to the north, and about as distant from Albuquerque via the Jemez route as via the Santa Fe route.
• Beyond Santa Fe lies the beauty and cultural color of north central New Mexico -- Taos, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, etc.

South of Albuquerque:

• Isleta Pueblo, off of I-25 just south of the city, is a small Native American village with the St. Augustine Church, a large white mission and one of the oldest in the nation. Take the Isleta Pueblo exit (NM 314) and drive south until you reach the village.
• Belen is about 30 mi (48 km) south and makes a good day trip.
• Mountainair, about a 90-min. drive southeast, is the home of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, a superb collection of pueblo and Spanish mission ruins.
• If traveling south during the winter, be sure to stop at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, south of Socorro and covered in that community's article...and while you are down there, consider visiting the Very Large Array, one of the worlds biggest radio telescope arrays.