Albuquerque

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.

Albuquerque is in the high semi-desert [35.11N −106.64W (Elev. 4989 ft/1521 m)] 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 around 93 °F (34 °C), lows 68 °F (20 °C), and it's not unheard of for highs to climb upwards to 100 °F (38 °C) with lows of 73 °F (23 °C) or above) 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.

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.

1 Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, visitor centers in Old Town at the Plaza Don Luis and in the Albuquerque International Sunport on the Baggage Claim Level, ☏ +1 505 842-9918, toll-free: +1-800-284-2282.

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.

1 Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ IATA). The major air hub for all of New Mexico. Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United serve the Sunport with limited service from their respective major hubs, but it's Southwest Airlines that operates most traffic into ABQ, with direct service from most western cities and from 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.

Albuquerque is a layover stop along Amtrak's Southwest Chief daily train route. The station is at the 2 Alvarado Transportation Center, 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 to Belen as its southern terminus. 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.

Albuquerque has a fine bus depot at the 3 Alvarado Transportation Center in downtown, 320 First St SW, which is served by Greyhound ☏ +1 505 243-4435, and Autobuses Americanos which provides bus service to many points in Mexico. The depot has a small cafeteria.

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.

ABQ Ride, ☏ +1 505 243-RIDE (7433), is Albuquerque's public transit system. Despite some strides in ABQ Ride's development, 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 ART (formerly Rapid Ride) is an express bus service operated by ABQ Ride which runs frequently, utilizing bright red articulated buses. There are three 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.

For visitor access to the Sun Van paratransit service, call ☏ +1 505-243-7433 or pdmadrid@cabq.gov at least two business days in advance.

All travel on ABQ Ride is free.

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.

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, 1 Miller's Feed.

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 11 Old Town Plaza, which has a gazebo, historic exhibits, and is bordered on the north by the 12 San Felipe de Neri Church, 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.

13 Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, ☏ +1 505 243-7255. Tu–Su 9AM–5PM except major holidays. 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. $4, $2 seniors, $3 teens, $1 children, under age 4 free (admission free first Wednesday of the month and every Sunday 9AM–1PM). (updated Jun 2017)

14 American International Rattlesnake Museum, 202 San Felipe St (a block south of the Old Town plaza), ☏ +1 505 242-6569. Summer: M–Sa 10AM–6PM, Su 1–5PM; Sep–May: M–F 11:30AM–5:30PM, Sa 10AM–6PM, Su 1–5PM. 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. $5, $4 seniors/military/students, $3 children. (updated Jun 2017)

15 ¡Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum, 1701 Mountain Rd NW, ☏ +1 505 224-8300. M–Sa 10AM–6PM, Su noon–6PM except major holidays. 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. $8, $5 seniors/students/military, $4 children, under age 1 free. (updated Jun 2017)

University of New Mexico, between Central Ave., Girard Blvd., Lomas Blvd., and University Blvd (east of I-25).

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 18 Duck Pond, a popular relaxing spot for students where you can rest on the lawns and feed the birds.

19 Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Redondo Dr (just east of University Blvd. between Las Lomas and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave), ☏ +1 505 277-4405. Tu–Sa 10AM–4PM, closed Su M and major holidays. 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. Free. (updated Jun 2017)

20 Meteorite and Geology Museums, in Northrop Hall, on the Yale walkway just north of Central Ave, ☏ +1 505 277-4204. Geology Museum: M–F 8:30AM–noon and 1PM–4:30PM; Meteorite Museum: M–F 10AM–4PM (hours may be limited when school is not in session). 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. Free. (updated Jun 2017)

21 University Art Museum, in the Center for the Arts building, on the Cornell walkway near the bookstore, just north of Central Ave, ☏ +1 505 277-4001. Tu–F 10AM–4PM, Sa 10AM–8PM, closed Su–M. Changing exhibitions of art, with a focus on New Mexico and UNM artists. Free. (updated Jun 2017)

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.

1 Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd, ☏ +1 505 897-8831. Tu–Su 9AM–5PM. 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. Free. (updated Jun 2017)

2 Petroglyph National Monument, visitor center at 6001 Unser Blvd NW, ☏ +1 505 899-0205 ext 331. Daily 8AM–5PM. 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. Free, parking at Boca Negra Canyon trailhead $1 weekdays/$2 weekends. (updated Jun 2017)

3 Rio Grande Valley State Park. A 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. Free.

4 Rio Grande Nature Center, 2901 Candelaria Rd NW, ☏ +1 505 344-7240. 10AM–5PM daily. 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. Free, parking $3. (updated Jun 2017)

5 Tingley Beach, Tingley Dr, just S of Central Ave (just east of the Rio Grande). Daily, sunrise to sunset. 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). Free (separate fee required for train rides). (updated Jun 2017)

7 Albuquerque Isotopes, at the corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and University Blvd (south of UNM), ☏ +1 505 924-2255. Season runs from April–September. The Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, play baseball in a beautiful stadium. Seats in the park are both good and cheap—$16 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 $9 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). $9–36. (updated May 2021)

8 Cliff's Amusement Park, 4800 Osuna Rd NE (at San Mateo, just south of the Osuna-San Mateo/I-25 interchange), ☏ +1 505 881-9373. Open Tu–Su May–August, plus weekends in April and September; hours vary, may be closed for weather. 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. Day pass (includes general admission and all rides) is $28, children/seniors $25 (parking is free). (updated Jun 2017)

9 New Mexico Lobos (UNM sports), Avenida Cesar Chavez / University Blvd (south of UNM), ☏ +1 505 925-5626. 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. Football tickets $20–40, $15–20 children. Basketball tickets $8–42, $4–19 children (women's game tickets are cheaper than men's). UNM students are free, guests of students can sometimes get a discount. (updated Jun 2017)

10 New Mexico United, 317 Commercial St. NE (team offices; games at Isotopes Park), ☏ +1 505 209-PLAY (7529), info@newmexicoutd.com. 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. Walk-up prices $16–42. (updated Mar 2019)

12 KiMo Theater, 423 Central Ave NW, ☏ +1 505 768-3522. 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.

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

14 Isleta Amphitheater, 5601 University Blvd SE, ☏ +1 505 452-5100. It's in south Albuquerque; this is the city's primary concert venue.

15 The Cell, 700 1st St NW, ☏ +1 505 766-9412. Home to the Fusion Theater Company, a local performance group. (updated Apr 2016)

16 Albuquerque Little Theater, 224 San Pasquale SW, ☏ +1 505 242-4750. Hosting local performances throughout the year.

17 The Box Performance Space, 100 Gold Ave SW #112, ☏ +1 505 404-1578. Featuring sketch comedy, improv, children's shows, and other works. Home to Cardboard Playhouse Productions and Blackout Theatre Company.

18 Aux Dog Theatre, 3011 Monte Vista Boulevard NE (in the Nob Hill area just north of Central), ☏ +1 505 254-7716. An intimate performance space that produces innovative plays year round.

19 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Balloon Fiesta Park (north of Alameda Blvd, 1 mile (1.6 km) west of I-25, take either Alameda Blvd or Tramway Blvd exit off I-25). $10, children ages 12 and under free (parking $15 per car). (updated Jun 2017)

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.

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

1 New Mexico State Fair: September, held at the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds (on Louisiana between Central and Lomas, east of UNM and south of Uptown), ☏ +1 505 265-EXPO (3976). Takes place annually for two weeks in September. Second only to the Balloon Fiesta, the state fair is a massive event in the Albuquerque calendar. Like any state fair, there's lots of agricultural competitions, farm animals, rodeos, carnival rides, art, music, and fried food. Unique to the New Mexico State Fair are lots of exhibits that show off the pride and character of New Mexico, such as art galleries, a performing arts center, an Indian Village (where you can watch Native American music and dance) and the Villa Hispana, where you can see regular demonstrations of local art and culture. $10 adults, $7 seniors/children, children 5 and under free.

Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow: April. A massive pow-wow — the largest in North America, in fact — which brings Native Americans and First Nations people from across the continent together for a huge celebration. There are many events, including the powwow, native music, arts, crafts, and food, and the Miss Indian World pageant. The event takes place in late April at the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds. (date needs updating)

Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque: mid-July. One of the most exciting Flamenco gatherings in the country, with artists from around the world. Held annually during the summer, usually in early June, at a number of venues. (date needs fixing)

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.

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.

Acapulco (2 locations), ☏ +1 505 268-9865. Serves excellent New Mexican cuisine from a stand.

1 , 840 San Mateo Blvd SE (near the Kirtland AFB Truman Gate). 7:30AM-7PM. (updated Jan 2023)

2 , 2617 Wyoming Blvd NE. (updated Jan 2023)

3 Church Street Cafe, 2111 Church St NW (in Old Town behind the church), ☏ +1 505 247-8522. Th–Sa 8AM–8PM, Su–W 8AM–4PM. A cozy little restaurant with good New Mexican food tucked away down a side alley of Old Town. $6–15.

4 Durans Central Pharmacy, 1815 Central Ave NW, ☏ +1 505 247-4141. M–F 9AM–6PM, Sa 9AM–2PM. An inexpensive lunch counter in the back of a pharmacy serving cheap, hearty New Mexican cuisine. $5–9.

5 Little Anita's, regional chain, original in Old Town at 2105 Mountain Rd NW, ☏ +1 505 242-3102. 7AM–9PM daily. Consistent, great quality food with great service and atmosphere. $3–7.

6 Los Cuates, regional chain, main location at 4901 Lomas NE, ☏ +1 505 268-0974. 11AM–9PM daily. A pleasant sit-down restaurant with a milder chile. $4–10.

Milly's (2 locations). Flavorful but not-too-hot chile. $3–8.

7 , 7308 Jefferson St NE, ☏ +1 505 345-9200. M–F 6:30AM–3PM, Sa-Su 7AM-7PM. (updated Jan 2023)

8 , 2100 Candelaria Road, ☏ +1 505 884-0707. M–F 6:30AM–3PM, Sa 6AM-2PM. (updated Jan 2023)

9 Papa Felipe's Mexican Restaurant, 9800 Menaul Blvd NE, ☏ +1 505 292-8877, rudy@papafelipes.com. Su-Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM. Home-cooked, authentic New Mexican cuisine since 1977. Lunch and Senior specials. Full bar and happy hour. $7.50–20.

10 Perea's, 1140 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, ☏ +1 505 293-0157. M–Sa 7AM–8PM, Su 7AM–2PM. May have the hottest green chile in town.

11 Sadie's of New Mexico, regional chain, original at 6230 4th St NW, ☏ +1 505 345-5339. M–Sa 11AM–10PM, Su 11AM–9PM. Consistent quality. Often a long wait. Hot chile. $5–9.

12 Barelas Coffee House, 1502 4th St SW, ☏ +1 505 843-7577. 6AM–3PM daily. 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! From $12 (varies on party size, and do tip well. If you come back, the servers will literally run for you!).

13 Cervantes, 5801 Gibson Blvd SE, ☏ +1 505 262-2253. M–Sa 11AM–10PM, Su 11AM–9:30PM. Excellent menu, ala carte items, full bar, World Record Margarita. Local favorite.

14 El Pinto, 10500 4th St NW, ☏ +1 505 898-1771. M–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM, Su 10:30AM–9PM (Sunday brunch 10:30AM–2PM). Lovely ambiance and a great menu. Their nachos are fantastic, and the restaurant is also the purveyor of a popular local brand of salsa.

Monroe's (2 locations). Great carne adovada Indian tacos. $4–11.

15 , 1025 4th St. NW, ☏ +1 505 242-1111. M–Tu & Th-Sa 10AM–8PM, Su 9AM–8PM. (updated Jan 2023)

16 , 6051 Osuna Rd NE, ☏ +1 505 881-4224. M–Tu & Th-Sa 11AM–8PM, Su 9AM-8PM. (updated Jan 2023)

17 505 Central Food Hall, 505 Central Ave NW, ☏ +1 505 503-8777. 10AM-9PM. Industrial-style food court with a terrace offering pizzas, Mexican fare & cocktails, plus wine. (updated Aug 2022)

18 Banh Mi Coda, 230 Louisiana Blvd SE, ☏ +1 505 232-0085. 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.

19 Bob's Burgers, several locations around town; Central location at 4506 Central Ave SW, ☏ +1 505 831-2111. 10:30AM–9PM daily. 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 1-foot (0.30 m) long chile-cheese dog with green sauce instead of traditional red.

20 The Dog House, 1216 Central Ave SW (between downtown and Old Town), ☏ +1 505 243-1019. 10AM–10PM daily. An Albuquerque classic—greasy fast food joint, best known for their grilled foot-long hot dogs. Very recognizable place with its dog neon sign. The dining room is very small, so you may want to just eat in your car.

Federico's Mexican Food (2 locations). 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. $3–6.

21 , 1109 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, ☏ +1 505 271-6499. Daily 6ː30AM–midnight. (updated Jan 2023)

22 , 2202 Central Ave SW, ☏ +1 505 900-3750. (updated Jan 2023)

23 Frontier Restaurant, 2400 Central Ave SE (at Central & Cornell), ☏ +1 505 266-0550. 5AM–1AM daily. 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. $3–9.

24 Grandma's K&I Diner, 2500 Broadway Blvd SE, ☏ +1 505 243-1881. Daily 6AM–3PM. 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.

31 County Line BBQ, 9600 Tramway Blvd NE, ☏ +1 505 856-7477. W–F 11:30AM–2PM and 5–9PM, Sa Su 11:30AM–9PM. 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. $10–20.

32 Dion's, multiple locations; Central location at 4717 Central Ave NE, ☏ +1 505 265-6919. Su–Th, 10:30AM–10PM, F Sa 10:30AM–11PM. A popular local chain of pizzerias, serving some of the best pizza in Albuquerque. They also have sandwiches.

33 Il Vicino, multiple locations; Nob Hill location at 3403 Central Ave NE, ☏ +1 505 266-7855. Su–Th 11AM–11PM, F Sa 11AM–midnight. Fresh gourmet pizza and beer.

34 Flying Star Cafe, multiple locations; Nob Hill location at 3416 Central Ave SE, ☏ +1 505 255-6633. Su–Th 6AM–11PM, F Sa 6AM–midnight. 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. $8–20.

35 Pars Cuisine, 4320 The 25 Way, Ste 100, ☏ +1 505 345-5156. M–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM, Su 5–9PM. Persian food. Cushion seating available, bellydancing on weekend nights. Hookah available for rental. Wonderful Persian classics. $4–20.

36 Slate Street Cafe, 515 Slate NW, ☏ +1 505 243-2210. Breakfast/lunch M–F 7:30AM–3PM; brunch Sa 8AM–2PM; wine loft W–Sa 4PM–10PM; dinner Tu–Th 5PM–9PM, F Sa 5PM–10PM. American cuisine. They have a nice wine list and a wine bar loft too.

37 Taj Mahal, 1430 Carlisle Blvd NE, ☏ +1 505 255-1994. Lunch 11AM–2:30PM, dinner 5–10PM. Excellent Indian food. $3–15.

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

39 La Reforma, 8900 San Mateo Boulevard Northeast, Suite i, ☏ +1 505 717-1361. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Excellent street-style Mexican food. They also have their own craft beer and liquor. (updated Oct 2024)

40 Artichoke Cafe, 424 Central Ave SE (corner of Central and Edith), ☏ +1 505 243-0200. Lunch M–F 11AM–2:30PM; dinner Su–Th 5–9PM, F Sa 5–10PM. American cuisine and a popular restaurant in the downtown area. Great creamy artichoke soup and excellent salmon. Very pleasant ambiance. $9–30.

41 The Rancher's Club, Crowne Plaza Albuquerque, 1901 University Blvd NE, ☏ +1 505 889-8071. M 5:30–10PM, Tu–Th 11:30AM–2PM and 5:30–10PM, F 11:30AM–2PM and 5:30–10:30PM, Sa 5:30–10:30PM, Su 5:30–9PM. 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.

42 Tucanos Brazilian Grill, 110 Central Ave SW, ☏ +1 505 246-9900. M–Th 11AM–10PM, F Sa 11AM–11PM, Su 11AM–9PM. Excellent salad bar, and a variety of meats brought to your table. $12 lunch, $20 dinner per person, all you can eat.

43 Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro, 3009 Central Ave NE, ☏ +1 505 254-9462. M–Th 11AM–2:30PM and 5–10PM, F 11AM–2:30PM and 5–11PM, Sa 5–11PM, Su 11AM–2:30PM. 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. $8–27.

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

44 La Montanita Nob Hill, 3500 Central Ave SE (in the Nob Hill Marketplace at Central and Carlisle), ☏ +1 505 265-4631. M–Sa 7AM–10PM, Su 8AM–10PM. Slightly spaced out till staff.

45 La Montanita Valley, 2400 Rio Grande NW, ☏ +1 505 242-8800. M–Sa 7AM–10PM, Su 8AM–10PM.

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

46 Sprouts on Corrales, 10701 Corrales Rd NW, ☏ +1 505 890-7900. 7:30AM–10PM daily.

47 Sprouts on Lomas, 5112 Lomas Blvd NE (Lomas and San Mateo), ☏ +1 505 268-5127. 7AM–10PM daily.

48 Sprouts on Montgomery, 11205 Montgomery Blvd NE (Montgomery and Juan Tabo), ☏ +1 505 298-2447. 7AM–10PM daily.

49 Sprouts on San Mateo, 6300 San Mateo Blvd (San Mateo and Academy), ☏ +1 505 821-7000. 7AM–10PM daily.

50 Talin Market World Food Fare, 88 Louisiana Blvd SE (at the corner of Central and Louisiana), ☏ +1 505 268-0206. M–Sa 8:30AM–8PM, Su 9AM–7PM. International food marketplace.

Trader Joe's. Two locations in Albuquerque:

51 Trader Joe's Far Heights, 8929 Holly Ave NE (at the intersection of Paseo del Norte and Ventura), ☏ +1 505 796-0311. 9AM–9PM daily.

52 Trader Joe's Uptown, 2200 Uptown Loop NE (next to ABQ Uptown mall), ☏ +1 505 883-3662. 9AM–9PM daily.

Whole Foods Market. Organic food store chain with two locations in Albuquerque:

53 Whole Foods on Academy, 5815 Wyoming Blvd NE (at the intersection of Wyoming and Academy), ☏ +1 505 856-0474. 7:30AM–9PM daily.

54 Whole Foods at Indian School Plaza, 2103 Carlisle Blvd NE (at the intersection of Carlisle and Indian School), ☏ +1 505 260-1366. 7AM–10PM daily.

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

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

2 Downtown Distillery, 406 Central Ave SW, ☏ +1 505 765-1534. M–F 11AM–2AM, Sa 5PM–2AM. Long bar downstairs; pool lounge and bar upstairs. Jaeger specials, to say the least.

3 G.Toti, 125 Second Street NW (in the Hotel Andaluz), ☏ +1 505 242-9090. M–F 11AM–2AM, Sa 5PM–2AM. Rooftop bar and dining with 30's and 40's themes.

4 Launchpad, 618 Central Ave SW, ☏ +1 505 764-8887. Hours vary; check ahead for concert schedule. Well established music venue and rock bar and perhaps the best place to see live music in town.

5 Library Bar & Grill, 312 Central Ave SW, ☏ +1 505 242-2992. M–Sa 11AM–2AM, Su noon–midnight. School girl dress bartenders serve bikers by day and club goers by night.

6 Marble Brewery, 111 Marble St NW, ☏ +1 505 243-2739. M–Sa 1PM–midnight, Su 1–10:30PM. Fine local micro brewery in Albuquerque's industrial heart. Limited food selection, but in a taproom -- that's the point.

7 Copper Lounge, 1504 Central Ave SE, ☏ +1 505 242-7490. M–Sa 11AM–2AM. Dark dive bar, but extremely friendly patrons. Best beer special in town—$2.50 drafts on Wednesday nights.

8 Gecko's Bar & Tapas, 3500 Central Ave SE, ☏ +1 505 262-1848. M–Sa 11:30AM–2AM, Su 11AM–midnight. Great atmosphere and an excellent patio for people watching. The tapas are great bar food.

9 Two Fools Tavern, 3211 Central Ave NE, ☏ +1 505 265-7447. M–Sa 11AM–2AM, Su 11AM–midnight. Irish beers and music abound. Good beer and wine. $3.75 bottled beer, $5–16 wines, scotches, whiskeys.

10 Billy's Long Bar, 4800 San Mateo Blvd NE, ☏ +1 505 889-0573. M–Sa 11AM–2AM, Su noon–midnight. Wide variety of beers on tap.

11 Canteen Brewhouse, 2381 Aztec Rd NE, ☏ +1 505 881-2737. Su–Th noon–10PM, F Sa noon–midnight. A long-standing microbrewery with a loyal following. Small food selection.

12 Horse & Angel Tavern, 5809 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, ☏ +1 505 299-0225. Daily 11AM–1:30PM. 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.

13 La Cumbre, 3313 Girard NE, ☏ +1 505 872-0225. Daily noon-closing time. A microbrewery opened by a former brewer from Chama River Brewing Co.

14 Nexus Brewery, 4730 Pan American Fwy East, Suite D, ☏ +1 505 242-4100. Su–W 1PM–10PM, Th–Sa 1PM–midnight. A new microbrewery.

15 Stone Face Package Liquors, 8201 San Pedro Dr NE (near Paseo del Norte), ☏ +1 505 822-8855. M–Sa 11AM–2AM, Su 11AM–midnight. Blue collar and all the character you could even hope for. Live music, outdoor volleyball, and great beer specials.

16 Cazuela's Mexican Grill & Brewery, 4501 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, ☏ +1 505 994-9364. M–Th 9AM–10PM, F Sa 7AM–10PM, Su 8AM–9PM. Freshly brewed beers.

17 Turtle Mountain Brewing Company, 905 36th St SE, Rio Rancho, ☏ +1 505 994-9497. M–Th 11AM–9PM, F Sa 11AM–10PM, Su noon–9PM. Fresh beer and greasy pizza. $3.75 bottled beer.

1 Sandia Peak Inn – Albuquerque, 4614 Central Ave SW, ☏ +1 505-569-0645. Festive appearance, with an indoor pool and free breakfast. $65 (Dec 2021).

2 Quality Inn & Suites, 6100 Iliff Rd NW, ☏ +1 505-836-8600. Indoor hot tub and pool, complimentary breakfast. $62 (Dec 2021).

3 Rodeway Inn Airport, 2300 International Ave SE (off Yale N of the airport), ☏ +1 505 244-3325, fax: +1 505 244-3312, hotelhelp@choicehotels.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Probably the cheapest of the several cookie-cutter hotels near the Albuquerque airport. $60–70.

4 Suburban Extended Stay, 2401 Wellesley Dr, ☏ +1 505 883-8888, fax: +1 505 883-2830, hotelhelp@choicehotels.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. In a business district near the midtown area of Albuquerque. $60–70.

5 Econo Lodge Old Town, 2321 Central Ave NW, ☏ +1 505-243-8475. The indoor pool and hot tub are pretty petite, but better than nothing. $50 (Dec 2021).

6 Best Western Rio Grande Inn, 1015 Rio Grande Blvd (north of Old Town at the intersection of I-40/Rio Grande), ☏ +1 505 843-9500, fax: +1 505 843-9238, reservations@riograndeinn.com. Basic chain motel which has the advantage of being right near Old Town. $90–120.

7 Bottger Mansion of Old Town, 110 San Felipe St NW (S of the Plaza), ☏ +1 505 243-3639, info@bottger.com. Check-in: 3–6PM, check-out: 11AM. 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. $115–179.

8 Courtyard Albuquerque, 5151 Journal Center Blvd NE (North I-25/Jefferson area), ☏ +1 505 823-1919, fax: +1 505 823-1918. Chain motel in the North I-25 area. $140.

9 Courtyard Albuquerque Airport, 1920 Yale Blvd, ☏ +1 505 843-6600. In the airport area. Well lit work desks and complimentary high-speed internet.

10 Doubletree Hotel Albuquerque, 201 Marquette Ave NW, ☏ +1 505 247-3344, fax: +1 505 247-7025. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A luxury downtown highrise hotel with many amenities, not to mention the only place directly connected to the Albuquerque Convention Center. $150–200.

11 Embassy Suites Albuquerque, 1000 Woodward Pl NE (just off the intersection of I-25/Lomas near downtown), ☏ +1 505 245-7100, fax: +1 505 247-1083. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Great hotel overlooking downtown. $120–170.

12 Hawthorn Suites Albuquerque Airport, 1511 Gibson Blvd SE (just off I-25 near the airport), ☏ +1-505-814-5851. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Good airport hotel.

13 Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Uptown, 6510 Americas Pkwy NE (just off I-40/Louisiana in Uptown area), ☏ +1 505 944-0300. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Highrise hotel in the Uptown area. $145–165.

14 Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW (just north of Old Town), ☏ +1 505 843-6300, fax: +1 505 842-8426. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A luxury hotel near Old Town approaching "splurge" territory. On-site restaurant, business center, outdoor swimming pool & Jacuzzi, fitness center, and elegant event space. $140–200.

15 Hyatt Place Albuquerque Airport, 1400 Sunport Pl SE (just off I-25 near the airport), ☏ +1 505 242-9300, fax: +1 505 242-0998, gm.albuquerque.airport@amerisuites.com. Great airport hotel. $140.

16 Hyatt Place Albuquerque Uptown, 6901 Arvada Ave NE (in the Uptown area near Louisiana/I-40), ☏ +1 505 872-9000, fax: +1 505 872-3829, shehnaz.mehta@hyattselect.com. Nice chain motel in the Uptown area, across the street from the ABQ Uptown mall. $140.

22 Albuquerque Marriott, 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE (in the Uptown area, at Louisiana/I-40), ☏ +1 505 881-6800, fax: +1 505 888-2982. Highrise hotel in the Uptown shopping area off I-40. $180–200.

23 Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North, 5151 San Francisco Road NE (North I-25/Jefferson area), ☏ +1 505 821-3333, fax: +1 505 828-0230, abqmc@jqh.com. Large hotel in "Aztec pyramid" shaped building. $180–250.

24 Hotel Andaluz, 125 Second Street NW (at Copper), ☏ +1 505 242-9090. 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. $165–275.

25 Hotel Parq Central, 806 Central Avenue SE (just west of I-25), ☏ +1 505 242-0040, info@hotelparqcentral.com. 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. $150–300.

26 Los Poblanos Inn, 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW (In the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque (7 miles [11 km] from downtown Albuquerque)), ☏ +1 505 344-9297, fax: +1 505 342-1302, ambassador@lospoblanos.com. The inn and 25 acres (10 ha) grounds are beautiful, set near the Rio Grande bosque with conference and meeting facilities available. $150–315.

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.

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.

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.

3 Mexico, 1610 4th St NW, ☏ +1 505 247-2147, fax: +1 505 842-9490.