Things to do in  Albuquerque

The narrow colonial streets of Old Town Albuquerque are filled with colorful shops, curbside craft stands, and the rich aromas of Southwest cooking. You can explore the winding alleyways, shop for souvenirs, and discover the history and culture surrounding Old Town Plaza and the city’s oldest church—18th-century San Felipe de Neri Church.

Boasting some of the “rarest and most collectible pieces of turquoise and turquoise jewelry in the world,” the Turquoise Museum offers a deep dive into New Mexico’s state gemstone in the elevated setting of an enormous castle mansion. The private museum is the only one of its kind on the subject, offering a highly personable, interactive, and well-curated experience.

The Sandia Peak Tramway whisks visitors to the top of the Sandia Mountains in just 15 minutes, scaling over 10,000 feet (3048 meters). Once aboard the tram, you’ll enjoy impressive panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests. An upscale restaurant at the top of the tramway draws visitors seeking dining with a view.

Dinosaur skeletons, a planetarium, and interactive exhibits draw visitors to the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, near Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza. Its offerings have all-ages appeal, and the museum is of particular local interest as it highlights discoveries made right in New Mexico, such as a skull of a sub-species of the Tyrannosaurus rex.

One of the most unusual attractions in Albuquerque’s Old Town, the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) has an unusual origin story. Created for the former Sagrada Art School and its students, it was designed and built in the 1970s by Sister Giotto Moots and her fellow nuns, who believed that the location was the planet’s center of creativity. Today, the church is both a tourist attraction and wedding venue.

Birdwatching opportunities and scenic hiking trails draw visitors to the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park on the Rio Grande flyway. This 38-acre (15-hectare) preserve is home to a wide range of New Mexico wildlife and 300 bird species, including roadrunners and hummingbirds. It's also home to a native plant garden, a pollinator garden, and a visitor center with exhibits on plants, animals, geology, and more.

The ABQ BioPark Zoo in Albuquerque brings visitors up close to Earth’s wildest creatures, from giraffes and polar bears to Mexican wolves, orangutans, crocodiles, and more. At 64 acres, it’s a sizable facility, and kids will especially delight in the zoo’s variety of exhibits, which include biomes from Africa, Australia, and beyond.

One of the leading museums in the American Southwest, the Albuquerque Museum has enchanted and educated visitors for almost 60 years. Housed in a pueblo-style building in Albuquerque’s Old Town, the museum is dedicated to showcasing New Mexico’s art, history, and culture. It also has a sculpture gallery, plus both temporary and permanent exhibitions.

One of Albuquerque’s most delightfully distinctive tourist attractions, the American International Rattlesnake Museum is an entertaining facility, home to one of the world’s largest collections of live rattlesnake species. As well as learning about these venomous reptiles, visitors can see tortoises, Gila monsters, insects, and more—it’s a great choice for budding herpetologists.

Situated on the Old Town Plaza, San Felipe de Neri Church is one of Albuquerque’s oldest buildings, dating back to 1793. Still a functioning Catholic church with regular mass services and holy day celebrations, the site is also home to a museum and gift shop. Stop by to see religious art and artifacts, take a breather in a peaceful atmosphere, and admire the architecture.

Though not exactly a beach by any stretch of the imagination, Tingley Beach does offer a natural getaway amidst the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque. Adjacent to the Rio Grande Bosque, there’s plenty to enjoy here: five ponds for fishing, paths for running and walking, a model boat pond, and wildlife watching.

The KiMo Theater has entertained residents for nearly a century, becoming one of Albuquerque’s most celebrated historic landmarks. Built in the distinctive Southwestern Pueblo Deco style, which fuses Native American–inspired decorations with art deco influences—complete with colorful murals, chandeliers, and buffalo skulls with glowing red eyes—it’s both an architectural gem and a popular destination for concerts, screenings, and other events.

Shady paths and a children’s playground draw visitors to Tiguex Park (Tricentennial Park) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Located a couple blocks from the Old Town Plaza, Tiguex Park is near San Felipe de Neri Church and the Albuquerque Museum. Go for a stroll in this city park to use the exercise stations, play a match at a chess table, or bring the kids for a picnic.

A public sculpture in Albuquerque, Madonna of the Trail is one of 12 identical statues erected in the 1920s. Representing the contributions of pioneer women, these sculptures were commissioned by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and are located in significant places along the Old Trails Road.

Fans of the TV series Breaking Bad will be well aware that Albuquerque served as the backdrop for the antics of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, so it’s fitting that The Breaking Bad Store ABQ is located near the city’s Old Town Plaza. The gift shop features an array of merchandise and memorabilia and is a must for any Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul affectionados.