21 epic things to do in Albuquerque: sunrise balloons, petroglyphs and green chile

Discover the best things to do in Albuquerque, from floating over the Rio Grande at sunrise and riding a tram to a snowy 10,378-foot summit to tracking down centuries-old petroglyphs, Pueblo culture and some of the best craft beer in the Southwest.

Before I visited ABQ, my only references to the city were from its huge annual Balloon Fiesta and Breaking Bad (not quite the impression it wants to give, I’m sure). Then the check-in staff at my first hotel low-level slammed the city as boring and insipid and I questioned whether it had been worth coming at all.

I’m here to tell you… the haters are wrong. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover or foodie, ABQ is a ridiculously underrated US city.

I spent some time here in February, on a Southwest road trip between White Sands and Taos. It was sunny but freezing (literally zero degrees Celsius some mornings), and I still crammed in a sunrise balloon flight, sunset on a snowy Sandia Peak, a petroglyph hunt on the west side of the city, a giant margarita at Sawmill Market and a crawl round some of its excellent breweries.

The city sits at more than 5,000 feet on the banks of the Rio Grande, with the Sandia Mountains rising sharply to the east and an ancient volcanic escarpment to the west. Its Pueblo, Spanish and Mexican roots run deep, and they show up everywhere: in the adobe lanes of Old Town, in the 19 Pueblos celebrated at the cultural centre and, above all, on your plate. There are plenty of unique things to do in Albuquerque for adults, too, from sparkling wine tastings to Native-owned taprooms and a dinner on an organic farm.

Get ready to explore this incredible city with the help of this practical AF guide, and don’t forget to bring your appetite for spice, ‘cos chiles are ABQ’s thing big time.

Want to take a sneak peek? Watch my video on cool things to do in Albuquerque!

The best things to do in Albuquerque

Float over the city on a sunrise balloon ride

In a city notorious for its massive International Balloon Fiesta, it’s a no-brainer to head to the skies. Although the festival takes place in October, you can hop on a hot air balloon any time of the year (weather permitting, of course), and Albuquerque’s famous “box effect” winds, which let pilots drift one way at low altitude and back the other way higher up, make it one of the best places in the world to fly.

Take it from me, there’s no better feeling than gliding above the golden city at sunrise, and it was hands down one of the highlights of my time in Albuquerque. A solid 10 out of 10. It was very different to when I went hot air ballooning over the Valley of the Kings in Luxor: here the city is just right there below you, with the silence broken only by the roar of the burner every now and then.

A balloon flight is also the best way to appreciate the bosque, the ribbon of cottonwood forest that follows the Rio Grande through the city. You’ll watch the river snake through the trees, with the Sandia Mountains glowing pink on one side and the desert stretching away on the other.

Landing is half the fun. Pilots come down wherever the wind allows, and I landed in a car park, with locals waving as the balloon drifted in (it’s crazy that this happens in the middle of a city). To top off an already luxurious experience, you end the trip by popping open a bottle of champers.

I went with Rainbow Ryders and would very much recommend them for your epic aeronautical experience. Sunrise flights run every day of the year, launching once the sun is officially up. You’ll spend 45 minutes to an hour in the air, and the whole experience, including the shuttle to the launch site and the celebratory toast, takes about three to three and a half hours. Guests meet at the company’s base just off I-25, about five minutes from Balloon Fiesta Park.

Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway to a snowy summit

You might question whether the 20-minute drive from downtown to the Sandia Peak Tramway is worth it, but I’ll answer the question for you: it very much is. I’d say definitely do this.

The tram climbs 2.7 miles up the western face of the Sandia Mountains in about 15 minutes, rising from the desert foothills to 10,378 feet. It should be on every Albuquerque itinerary: it’s just that unforgettable.

I went up this mesmerising mountain in winter, so it was bitterly cold, but even I stopped whingeing about the cold when the scale of the mountainous winter wonderland revealed itself. I tried a little hike at the top and wasn’t quite prepared: down there it’s desert, up here it’s not, and there were pockets of snow all along the trail. I stayed for sunset, and while it was freezing cold, it was epic, with the whole city spread out below as the lights came on.

Visiting in the warmer months is much better for exploring the Cibola National Forest, as the trails aren’t hidden under deep snow. The South Crest Trail is open for hiking from the top of the tram, and if you want something more challenging, you can hike up or down the mountain on the La Luz Trail, which runs about 7.5 miles one way with around 3,200 feet of elevation change. Arrange to ride the tram one way and you only have to do half the work.

Alternatively, nibble on something tasty at TEN 3, the restaurant at the top, before heading down. It opens Thursday to Monday, and it’s always busy, so reserve a table in advance. If you have a dinner booking, aim to be at the tram 45 minutes to an hour before your reservation.

Play spot the petroglyph in Rinconada Canyon

Situated on the city’s West Mesa, the Petroglyph National Monument is one of the best free things to do in Albuquerque. It’s a goldmine for history: an estimated 25,000 images pecked into the dark basalt of an ancient volcanic escarpment, most of them carved by ancestral Pueblo people and some by early Spanish settlers, roughly 400 to 700 years ago. They include animals, spirals, crosses and human figures, and many still have deep meaning for the Pueblo communities today.

While the visitor centre is well worth stopping by to get some handy information, none of the petroglyph trails begins there. The trails are fairly far apart (be ready to drive), so it pays to plan ahead.

Here are the three areas you should consider:

Rinconada Canyon: If you only have time to enjoy one trail, I recommend doing this 2.2-mile trail. It was my favourite in Albuquerque, and it’s free. There are about 300 petroglyphs to discover, largely clustered on one half of the trail, so you can either do it as a loop or as an out-and-back. The ranger told me to allow about an hour and a half. Bring binoculars, as some of the carvings sit high up on the boulders, and play spot the petroglyph: try to work out what each one is before you read the signs. The car park is open from 8am to 5pm.

Boca Negra Canyon: Travel north to this small area of the park, where short paved walks lead to around 100 petroglyphs. It’s open from 8:30am to 4:30pm, with strictly enforced last entry at 4pm, and there’s a small parking fee. Pets aren’t allowed.

Piedras Marcadas Canyon: This is the furthest area from the visitor centre, and it has around 400 petroglyphs to discover on a 1.5-mile round trip below the blackened walls of the escarpment. It’s open from sunrise to sunset.

Eat and drink your way round Sawmill Market

Of all the places to visit in Albuquerque, you don’t want to miss the Sawmill Market near Old Town. This bustling food hall is the city’s culinary heart and, to be quite honest, it’s where I fell in love with ABQ.

And with 28 food and drink vendors all under one roof in an old lumber warehouse, can you blame me?

You won’t fall short of options, from pizza, burgers and hot dogs to tacos, sushi and New Mexican plates at Red & Green. Indulge in Hawaiian life with a myriad of fresh ingredients at Notorious P.O.K.E (my personal fave), or grab a coffee at Little Bear.

Replenish your taste buds with a margarita from Flora, the market’s sit-down restaurant. Mine was a cheeky one, and just look at the size of it. And if local brews are more your vibe, you’ll find plenty at Paxton’s Taproom.

Are you drooling at the sound of this, or is it just me?

Discover the 19 Pueblos at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is an absolute must when it comes to places to go in Albuquerque. This relatively small museum packs a big cultural punch, showcasing the history and lives of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, and it’s owned and run by the Pueblos themselves.

Discover everything about the Pueblo peoples through the museum’s expansive collection of jewellery, pottery, art, clothing and cultural artefacts. They even have an ever-changing array of contemporary exhibitions to keep things fresh.

During my time at the museum, there was a vibrant display of Native American skateboard art. Pretty cool, right?

Time your visit for a weekend if you can: dancers from the Pueblos and neighbouring Tribal Nations perform social dances in the courtyard every weekend, all year round, and visitors are sometimes invited to join in. While you’re here, you really should pop into the Indian Pueblo Kitchen for a taste of Native American cuisine, from homemade stews and fresh breads to dishes made with blue corn and red and green chile. You can even get in on the action and join a cooking class.

Wander the adobe lanes of Old Town

You didn’t think I forgot about all the quirky things to do in Old Town Albuquerque, did you? Well, let me put your mind at ease and take you on a journey through the narrow streets of this unique neighbourhood.

Old Town is where the city began in 1706: a cluster of adobe buildings around a leafy plaza, now filled with little shops, galleries and restaurants. When I visited in February it was very, very quiet, which made it all the more charming. It’s really cute, and you can easily lose a couple of hours poking around its courtyards and hidden patios.

Learn about the city’s origins on Old Town Plaza, then look for the tiny Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a quiet adobe shrine tucked away just off the main square. I stopped for fantastic coffee at Blackbird Coffee House on San Felipe Street, and in the evening, Antiquity Restaurant is a cosy Old Town favourite for steaks and seafood (reservations are required).

Raise a glass in the city’s craft breweries

There are plenty of fantastic things to do at night in Albuquerque, but nothing comes close to a little bar-hopping round the best breweries in town. The city has around 30 of them, so picking your ideal brewery isn’t easy.

To help you out, here are the top joints to visit:

Bow & Arrow Brewing Co: Spend time at this fantastic Native woman-owned taproom on McKnight Avenue, just north of downtown. Founded by Shyla Sheppard and Missy Begay in 2016, it was New Mexico’s first Native woman-owned brewery, it brews with local, Southwestern ingredients, and it was a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Bar. It’s pretty bang beer, too.

La Cumbre Brewing Co: This Girard Boulevard taproom has been pouring since 2010, and its Elevated IPA is a Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner. There’s a second taproom on Coors Boulevard on the West Side, and both open from noon.

Bosque Brewing Co: I also called in at Bosque, but it closed all its taprooms in December 2025. Its beer is now brewed by Marble Brewery, so you’ll still find it around town.

Book a farm-to-table feast at Campo at Los Poblanos

If you’re planning a romantic evening in Albuquerque, you must book a table at Campo at Los Poblanos. It’s a fine dining masterpiece set on a historic inn and organic farm in Los Ranchos, north of the city centre.

Get ready for a fusion of contemporary Southwestern flair and Mexican bite. The kitchen calls its cooking “Rio Grande Valley cuisine”: the menu changes with the daily harvest from the farm, and it celebrates Indigenous, American and Mexican flavours. The Michelin Guide included Campo as a recommended restaurant in its first Southwest selection in September 2026.

You can also expect new flavours no matter when you go, as they change the menu seasonally. I don’t think I’ll ever have a better braised lamb birria and tortilla again.

Its unassuming timber interior and moody lighting make this a dining experience you’ll always remember. Dinner is served daily from 5pm and brunch from Thursday to Sunday, and advance reservations are strongly encouraged, so you may as well book your table at Campo now.

Sip sparkling wine at Gruet Winery

Many people will take a day trip from Albuquerque for a wine-tasting experience. But why not stay in town and sample some of the best wine in New Mexico at the Gruet Winery tasting room?

Gruet was founded by a family from Champagne, and they may specialise in Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines, but that’s not all they offer. Head winemaker Carrie Gurule, the first woman to hold the role at Gruet, oversees everything from the house sparklers to still Pinot Noir and limited-production vintages.

While their vineyards are further south in New Mexico, you don’t need to venture beyond Albuquerque to taste them. Head to the tasting room on the Pan American Freeway, then sit back and enjoy a flight (from $20) or the caviar and sparkling wine pairing ($85). It’s open daily from 11am, until 7pm Sunday to Wednesday and 9pm Thursday to Saturday, and walk-ins are welcome.

Spot cranes and herons at the Rio Grande Nature Center

Find plenty of outdoorsy things to do in Albuquerque at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, a pocket of wild riverside in the city’s North Valley. You can expect walking and biking trails here, but there are also a few hidden gems.

The park sits on the Rio Grande flyway, so it’s a bird lover’s haven all year round. Wildlife viewing blinds look out over a large pond, and in winter the bosque fills with sandhill cranes, ducks and geese. Around 1.2 miles of trails wind through the park, and from here you can join the Aldo Leopold Trail and the city’s riverside paths, which meander alongside the Rio Grande through the cottonwoods.

The park is open from 8am to 5pm and the volunteer-run visitor centre from 9am to 4pm. Need I say more?

Hunt down the city’s public art

You’re not short of things to do in ABQ, but my favourite way to explore the city is by hunting out all its public art.

Like many American cities, Albuquerque has a thriving street art scene, and you’ll find many of its most striking murals downtown and in the Wells Park area just north of it.

Admire Mauricio Ramirez’s The Kiss, two pixelated figures locked in an embrace, and the ultra-colourful work by Cloudface on the Copper Building. Look out for Jodie Herrera’s portraits, which pop up at several spots around downtown, and remember to see the culmination of several artists in the alley behind the El Rey Theater.

Enjoy brunch at the Grove Cafe & Market

Now, into the realm of the lesser-known. Enjoy brunch at the Grove Cafe & Market, an Albuquerque institution on Central Avenue in the EDo (East Downtown) neighbourhood, with a relaxed vibe and down-to-earth, seasonal food.

Breakfast is served all day: think pancakes, egg dishes, house granola and plenty of gluten-free options. If it’s something more local you seek, look out for Mexican-inspired dishes like chilaquiles on the menu.

The food sounds divine, right? Wait until you sip on a house cappuccino, a fresh juice or a mimosa. It doesn’t get much better than this. Breaking Bad fans may recognise it, too: it appeared in three episodes of the final season.

Step into the city’s story at the Albuquerque Museum

On the edge of Old Town, the Albuquerque Museum is the best place to get to grips with the region’s history and art. Its collection runs to around 10,000 artworks and 35,000 historical objects, from Spanish colonial armour and religious art to New Mexican painting and photography.

Outside, La Jornada, a large bronze group by Reynaldo “Sonny” Rivera and Betty Sabo, depicts Spanish settlers on the 1598 expedition into New Mexico. Its central figure of the conquistador Juan de Oñate, notorious for the 1599 Acoma Massacre, was removed by the city in 2020 after protests, and the debate over how the region remembers its colonial past continues. Seeing the sculpture and the empty space at its heart is a powerful reminder of how contested that history is.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm at 2000 Mountain Road NW, and it’s easy to combine with Old Town and Sawmill Market.

Explore the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

It’s interesting for some and not so much for others, but whatever the case, popping into the Nuclear Museum is worth a thought.

America has a complex history with nuclear science, and New Mexico sits at the heart of it: think of the atomic bomb tested at Trinity and the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. This Smithsonian Affiliate tells the story from the atomic pioneers through the Second World War and the Cold War to nuclear power and medicine, with a gallery on Atomic Age pop culture and hands-on science for children.

Outside, the nine-acre Heritage Park is packed with aircraft, rockets and missiles, including a B-29, a B-52 and the sail of a nuclear submarine. The museum is open daily from 8am to 5pm on Eubank Boulevard SE, and adult tickets cost $24.

Ride the Paseo del Bosque Trail

You could call the 16-mile Paseo del Bosque Trail Albuquerque’s green corridor. This paved, mostly flat path follows the Rio Grande through the bosque from Alameda Boulevard in the north to Rio Bravo Boulevard in the south, and cars only cross it on bridges overhead.

You’ll ride past some lovely spots along the river, such as the Rio Grande Nature Center and the ABQ BioPark, with a rest stop at Tingley Beach. Look out for sandhill cranes, herons and even bald eagles in winter. As it’s a relatively long trail, you can stop off at certain points and rejoin after a snack at a local cafe. Go early in the morning at weekends, when it gets busy.

Visit the San Felipe de Neri Church

Old Town has many hidden gems within its colourful streets, and the most famous is this church on the north side of the plaza. The parish was founded in 1706, and the present adobe church went up in 1793 after the original collapsed, making it one of the oldest buildings in Albuquerque. Its twin bell towers were added around 1861, and inside you’ll find carved corbels, wooden vigas and a pressed tin ceiling from 1916.

It’s still a working parish church, so be respectful during services. Its small museum displays religious art and artefacts, such as the original Cristo from the Good Friday ritual of El Descendimiento.

Note: It’s a good idea to check ahead before you visit the museum, as it relies on volunteer docents and isn’t always open.

Time your trip for the Balloon Fiesta

If you can only visit once, make it October. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, with hundreds of balloons rising together from the 360-acre Balloon Fiesta Park in the north of the city at dawn. The mass ascensions are the big draw, alongside the “balloon glow” evenings, when the tethered balloons light up after dark.

The 2027 Fiesta starts on 2 October. Hotels book up months ahead and prices rise sharply, so plan early, and use the official park and ride rather than driving to the field.

At any other time of year, head to the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum on the edge of Balloon Fiesta Park. It covers the history of ballooning and the Fiesta, from wartime balloons and airships to record-breaking flights, and its balcony looks out over the launch field to the mountains. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.

Track down the Breaking Bad filming locations

Albuquerque has made peace with its starring role in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and tracking down the filming locations is one of the more unique things to do in the city. Bronze statues of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, unveiled in 2022, stand at the Albuquerque Convention Center downtown.

The most famous stops include the Dog House drive-in on Central Avenue, with its neon sign, and Twisters on Isleta Boulevard in the South Valley, which played Los Pollos Hermanos and still has the logo inside. Walter White’s house, on Piermont Drive in the northeast of the city, is a private home: the owners have put up a six-foot fence, so take your photos from across the street and don’t, whatever you do, throw a pizza on the roof.

See the zoo, aquarium and gardens at the ABQ BioPark

The ABQ BioPark is four attractions in one on the banks of the Rio Grande: a zoo, an aquarium, a botanic garden and Tingley Beach, a set of fishing ponds and paths beside the river. It’s a good shout for families, and the gardens are lovely in spring.

The zoo, aquarium and botanic garden open from 9am to 5pm, and they close on Mondays from mid-November to mid-February. A combined ticket for all three costs $29 for non-residents ($18 for New Mexico residents). Buy online in advance, as daily tickets are limited, and use the shuttle between the zoo and the aquarium and garden. In December, the River of Lights turns the botanic garden into a huge light show.

Order your chile “Christmas” at Frontier

You can’t leave without trying New Mexico’s chile, and the question you’ll be asked everywhere is “red or green?”. The answer, if you can’t decide, is “Christmas”: both.

A good place to start is Frontier, a huge counter-service diner opposite the University of New Mexico that has been feeding the city since 1971. Order at the register, wait for your number and tuck into a breakfast burrito smothered in chile or its famous sweet rolls. It earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in the first Southwest guide in September 2026, and it’s open from 5am to midnight every day.

Cruise Route 66 along Central Avenue

Central Avenue is Albuquerque’s stretch of Route 66, and it’s one of the longest urban sections of the Mother Road anywhere. 2026 marks the route’s centennial, and a drive or stroll along it is the best way to see the city’s vintage neon motel signs and diners.

Downtown, don’t miss the KiMo Theatre, a 1927 picture palace built in the Pueblo Deco style that’s still used for films, concerts and shows. Further east, Nob Hill is the city’s liveliest neighbourhood for independent shops, bars and restaurants, set along the old highway near the university.

Know before you go: altitude, chile and timing

• How long to spend: I recommend you spend at least three days in Albuquerque to experience everything it offers. Add a day or two for day trips from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, Acoma Pueblo or the old mining town of Madrid.
• When to go: September to November grants you the best weather and plenty of festivals, with the Balloon Fiesta in early October. Spring is lovely too, but windy. I visited in February: crisp, sunny and freezing at night, with snow on Sandia Peak but very few crowds.
• Altitude and sun: the city sits above 5,000 feet, so drink plenty of water, especially if you’re doing a lot of outdoor activities. The sun can be intense even in winter, so bring sunscreen and a hat.
• Chile: if you’re a fan of spicy food, you’re in luck! Green and red chile are on just about every menu in town. Be sure to try it, but be warned: it can be quite spicy.
• Getting around: you’ll need a car for the petroglyphs, the tram and Los Poblanos, though Old Town, Sawmill Market and downtown are close enough to explore on foot.
• Where to stay: base yourself near Old Town to walk to the sights. My pick is Hotel Chaco, next to Sawmill Market, or Los Poblanos for a farm-style splurge. More in my guide to where to stay in Albuquerque.

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Read next

• One day in Albuquerque: the perfect itinerary
• Where to stay in Albuquerque
• Brilliant day trips from Albuquerque
• Stunning hikes in New Mexico
• Unmissable things to do in New Mexico
• A guide to visiting White Sands National Park
• Brilliant things to do in Santa Fe
• Incredible New Mexico landmarks

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