Albuquerque Attractions & Activities - Things To Do in Albuquerque
Historic Old Town Albuquerque Shopping, Museums, Dining
Amazing Albuquerque
Attractions and Activities
From the spiritual to the historic to the just-plain-stunning, Albuquerque attractions will amaze and educate, entertain and surprise you. There are plenty of fun things to do in Albuquerque, so plan time for both city-oriented activities and day trips outside of town.Historic Old Town Plaza
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town is located in Albuquerque's historic Old Town Plaza. A treasured historical and cultural gem, Old Town Plaza is home to the San Felipe de Neri church—the spiritual heart of Albuquerque for over 300 years. On summer afternoons, take in a concert under the gazebo, or wander hidden alleys and plazas. Unique galleries and shops, and old-world charm distinguish the plaza as a one-of-a-kind destination for shopping, dining and strolling. Seven amazing museums are also located in old town including the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, Explora Science Center, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science and others.www.AlbuquerqueOldTown.com
Albuquerque Trolley Tours
Albuquerque Trolley Tours An Albuquerque Trolley Tour is a 66-minute, 18-mile city tour—history, culture and entertainment all on board a completely custom, stucco-covered (what else?) open-air trolley. Tours leave from Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town and there are special hotel packages avaialble to experience "The Best First Thing To Do in Albuquerque."www.abqtrolley.com
National Hispanic Cultural Center
New Mexico’s newest museum and an architectural masterpiece, the National Hispanic Cultural Center is the center of Spanish, Mexican, Chicano and Hispanic heritage in New Mexico. It features visual arts, dance, music and other performances.www.nhccnm.org
Artist Demonstration Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Pueblo Indian culture, history and art, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is your gateway to the 19 pueblos of New Mexico.www.IndianPueblo.org
Albuquerque Museum of Art & History
In the heart of historic Old Town and just across the street from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, the museum features world class art exhibits and a comprehensive look at New Mexico from the earliest settlers to today.www.cabq.gov/museum
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Learn the fascinating story of New Mexico's natural history (Dinosaurs! Volcanoes! Beaches!) and technology (Microsoft, anyone?). This year-round favorite features interactive exhibits and stunning displays provide an entertaining and enriching experience for the whole family.www.NMnaturalhistory.org
Albuquerque Zoo and Biological Park
Fun for the entire family, a mini-train and a walking/biking path connects the award-winning Rio Grande Zoo, the Albuquerque Aquarium, Tingley Beach and the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens. Be sure to dedicate a whole day to exploring the park.www.cabq.gov/biopark
Sandia Peak Tramway Travel to the top of Sandia Mountain
Petroglyph National Monument
Native Americans have lived in this valley far longer than Europeans have populated our country's coasts, and their culture and art remains a strong element of Albuquerque's heritage. Petroglyph National Monument displays 17,000 Indian petroglyphs; it is the world's largest accessible collection of prehistoric rock art.www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm
Albuquerque International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Museum
Most Albuquerque mornings you can look up and see the brilliant colors of balloons against the blue sky. Albuquerque is known as the ballooning capital of the world and many of ballooning’s historic pioneers have made their homes here for the perfect flying conditions. Learn about them, and ballooning’s history, at the museum, and don’t miss the October Balloon Fiesta.www.balloonfiesta.com
www.balloonmuseum.com
Sandia Peak Aerial TramWay
The world's longest single span tram takes you from Sandia Mountains' base to its peak. That is a 2.7 mile continuous tram ride -- the world's longest. Sandia Peak sits at 10,400 feet above sea level and provides a birds-eye view of Albuquerque. There’s even a restaurant at the top.www.sandiapeak.com
Day trip to Acoma and Laguna Pueblos
New Mexico is home to 19 Native American Pueblos, many of which are a quick and scenic drive from Albuquerque. Acoma Pueblo is an ancient and continuously inhabited community perched on top of a mesa 65 miles west of Albuquerque. Native Acoma guides walk visitors through the history and lore of this fascinating community. The Acoma Visitor’s Center includes a mini-museum that explores the history and culture of the Pueblo people in the area. On the way to Acoma, stop at Laguna Pueblo, alive with culture and tradition, and home to many well known Native American artists and craftspeople.Acoma Pueblo: www.acomaskycity.org
Laguna Pueblo: www.indianpueblo.org/19pueblos/laguna.html
Neon Signs on Route 66 Travel through history
DAY TRIP TO JEMEZ PUEBLO
The Pueblo of Jemez is a located just 50 minutes northwest of Albuquerque along a very scenic drive. It is one of the 19 Native American pueblos located in New Mexico. Jemez Pueblo's visitor center is open to the public with local art, crafts and great food for sale. Some of the Pueblo's traditional events and Feast Days are also open to the public - call to find out. Hiking through the beautiful terrain of the Jemez Mountains, and a sulfur-spring waterfall make for a full day trip to the area.www.jemezpueblo.com
NEW MEXICO RAIL RUNNER (DAY TRIP TO SANTA FE )
Before the doors close, New Mexico's commuter rail warns travelers with a “meep-meep,” mimicking the cartoon roadrunner. The Railrunner, named after New Mexico’s state bird and sporting a stylized Rail Runner likeness on its sleek exterior, is a fast double-decker train that makes visiting Santa Fe easy and affordable. Tickets are $8 one-way and the views are worth the round trip. The Railrunner stops near downtown Santa Fe where shuttles take visitors to the historic plaza.www.nmrailrunner.com
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
Albuquerque is a balloonist’s paradise, and many believe Albuquerque is best viewed from above, as the sun rises over the Sandia Mountains. Check it out yourself, and tell us if you think that's true...www.rainbowryders.com
TRAVEL ON HISTORIC ROUTE 66
Looking for some historic architectural kicks? Route 66, the “Mother Road,” runs right through the heart of the city and many of the buildings that line its path date back to the Mother Road's heyday in the 1930s and 40s. Check out downtown’s Sunshine Building (built in 1923-24), the First National Bank Building (1922), the Rosenwald Building (1910), the KiMo Theater (1927), Maisel's (circa 1940), and then head east to the funky motor hotels of the 1950s (many have been repurposed).www.theroadwanderer.net/66NMex/albuq.htm
CLIFF'S AMUSEMENT PARK
Cliff's Amusement Park has long been a local favorite, home to some of the wildest thrill, family and water rides this city has ever seen, including the Galaxi, the SideWinder and the Sea Dragon! Not to be missed is New Mexico's only super-coaster, The New Mexico Rattler! Voted one of the Top 25 Wooden Coasters in the world, the Rattler's high-speed thrills and excitement sink its fangs into daring guests. Kiddieland makes sure that even the tiniest tykes will have fun.www.cliffs.net
MADRID & SCENIC BYWAYS
Mining has long been part of New Mexico history and there’s no better place to feel like a mining pioneer (or a revitalized ghost town afficionado) than the historic town of Madrid. About 45 minutes up scenic “North 14” the old buildings and historic sites still stand. Some now house galleries, shops and bistros.www.visitmadridnm.com
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY
Science is in our blood. As home to one of the nation’s largest national laboratories, Albuquerque is proud of its innovative heritage. Explore the nation's only congressionally chartered museum of nuclear science and history, established in 1969 as an intriguing place to learn the story of the Atomic Age, from early research of nuclear development through today's peaceful uses of nuclear technology.www.nuclearmuseum.org