Things to do in Albuquerque.
Nine places, in the order most visitors ask about them, each with where it is so you can pair it with the right area.
Sandia Peak Tramway
An aerial tram that climbs from the foothills to the crest of the Sandia Mountains. Go late in the day and ride down after the sun sets over the city.
Old Town
The plaza Albuquerque grew from, with the San Felipe de Neri church, adobe storefronts, galleries, and shade under the cottonwoods.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Hundreds of hot-air balloons lifting off at dawn on the north edge of the city. The biggest week of the year for the city’s hotels.
The list, one to nine.
Where each one is, and the area to pair it with.
- 01Northeast foothills, pair with Uptown
Sandia Peak Tramway
The tram to the crest. Sunset rides are the ones people talk about.
- 02Beside Downtown
Old Town
The plaza, the church, the galleries, and the shade.
- 03North side, October
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Dawn ascensions at Balloon Fiesta Park. Book the room months ahead.
- 04Route 66, east of the university
Nob Hill and Central Avenue
Neon signs, small shops, and restaurants along the historic Route 66 stretch.
- 05On the river, west of Downtown
ABQ BioPark
A zoo, an aquarium, and a botanic garden under one name, laid out along the Rio Grande.
- 06West Side
Petroglyph National Monument
Volcanic rock along the West Mesa, carved with images by Native peoples and Spanish settlers centuries ago. Bring water and go early.
- 0712th Street, north of Downtown
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Owned by New Mexico’s Pueblos, with exhibits on Pueblo history and art and a restaurant built around Pueblo dishes.
- 08Along the river
The Rio Grande bosque
Cottonwood forest trails along the river, flat and shaded, good for a morning walk or a bike ride before the day heats up.
- 09Old Town
The museums by the plaza
The Albuquerque Museum, for art and city history, and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, both a short walk from the Old Town plaza.
How to fit it into a day.
Old Town, the BioPark, and the Old Town museums sit close together on the west side of Downtown and make one easy day on foot and a short drive. The tram and the foothills are on the far east side of the city, so pair them with Uptown or Nob Hill. The petroglyphs are across the river on the West Mesa and are best first thing in the morning, before the sun is on the rock.
The Balloon Fiesta is its own trip. Mass ascensions start at dawn, traffic to the park starts before that, and most of the city’s rooms are spoken for well ahead of the week.
Questions about the city.
When is the Balloon Fiesta?
Every October, for a little over a week, at Balloon Fiesta Park on the north side of Albuquerque. Check the event’s own site for the current year’s dates.
Is Albuquerque walkable?
In pockets. Old Town, Downtown, and Nob Hill each walk well on their own. Getting between them, or out to the tram and the petroglyphs, takes a car or the bus.
How high is the city?
About a mile above sea level, and the Sandia crest at the top of the tram is higher still. Take the first day easy and drink water.
Is Santa Fe a day trip?
Yes. It is about an hour north by car on I-25, or a ride on the Rail Runner train from Downtown.