Albuquerque Tourist Attractions

Albuquerque Tourist Attractions

On this page is listed the sights and tourist attractions of Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Sights

1. Albuquerque Biological Park, +1 505 768-2000, which includes the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Botanic Garden, the Rio Grande Zoo, and Tingley Beach. Combo tickets for the Biological Park can be purchased, and include the price of train rides on a small narrow-gauge train running between the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens and the Zoo. The train runs Tu-Su from around 10AM-4PM at 30 minute intervals.
   • Rio Grande Zoo, 903 Tenth Street SW (just southwest of downtown). Daily, 9AM-5PM, except major holidays. This zoo has most of the "popular" species like polar bears, lions, zebras, giraffes, elephants, and gorillas in nice big exhibits with trees, grasses, water and rockwork. Some of the best exhibit areas you can't miss are the seals & sea lions, the polar bears, a huge Africa area, and the "Catwalk". Seal and sea lion feeding times are 10:30 am and 3:30 pm every day, and the polar bear feeding times are 2:30 pm every day. During the warmer months, more feeding times, activities, and shows are scheduled. A small narrow-gauge train runs through the zoo (Tu-Su 10AM-3:30PM at 20 minute intervals), with a conductor pointing out some of the animals and explaining what goes on behind-the-scenes. A separate train line runs to the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens. During the warmer months there are frequent outdoor concerts, activities, more feeding times, and other events at the Zoo. $7 adults, $3 seniors, $3 children, under age 3 free (train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo ticket).
   • Albuquerque Aquarium / Rio Grande Botanical Garden, 2601 Central Avenue NW (just east of the Rio Grande). Daily, 9AM-5PM, except major holidays. The Aquarium has freshwater species from the Rio Grande and saltwater species from the Gulf of Mexico. There are also jellyfish, seahorses, Koi fish, a Gulf shrimp fishing boat, and a creepy eel tunnel. The highlight of the aquarium is a huge shark tank with other ocean species like sea turtles and rays. Divers enter the big tank every day from 2-3PM to feed the fish. The Botanical Garden has 36 acres of gardens, with an emphasis on desert plants. Some of the highlights include a huge glass conservatory with plants from desert and Mediterranean climate zones, an indoor butterfly garden that is open in the summer, a Japanese garden, and an early 20th century farm with a farm house and a barnyard petting zoo. There's also a model "Garden" railroad, and a fantastic Children's Fantasy Garden with giant pretend vegetables, garden tools and bugs. $7 adults, $3 seniors, $3 children, under age 3 free (train rides require separate admission, unless you have a combo ticket).
2. Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE (on the grounds of the Balloon Fiesta), +1 505 768-6020. Tu-Su 9AM-5PM. Dedicated to the science and history of ballooning, with exhibits on balloons and other lighter-than-air craft, collections and memorabilia from famous balloonists, and exhibits on ballooning in Albuquerque. $4 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children, age 3 and under free (Sunday mornings free).
3. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW (just north of I-40), +1 505 843-7270. Every day 9AM-4:30PM, closed on major holidays. Operated by the 19 Indian Pueblos of New Mexico, this museum has a large collection of artifacts of the culture and history of the pueblo people. The center also has art galleries, a children's area, photo archives, restaurant and gift shop. Indian Dances are a frquent event. $6 adults, $4 children, under age 5 free.
4. National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St. SW (south of downtown), +1 505 246-2261. Tu-Su 10AM-5PM, closed major holidays. A large museum complex dedicated to Hispanic culture and art. There is also a library (closed Sunday), restaurant and gift shop, and frequent special events. $3 adults, $2 seniors, aged 16 and under free.
5. Sandia Peak Tramway, Off Tramway Blvd. on the northeast corner of the city, +1 505 856-7325. Operates every 20-30 minutes from 9AM until evening (no morning rides on off-season Tuesdays), with closures in April and October for maintenance. Runs from a lower terminus in the northeast heights to the top of 10,400-foot Sandia Peak east of the city, and is one of the longest (some sources say the longest) and most spectacular aerial tramways in the world. The first upward tram departs at 9AM (except Tuesdays in the off season), and service continues until early evening. The 15-minute ride to the top is incredible, bringing you right up to the rocky face of the Sandias. The view of the city from Sandia Peak is tremendous (especially after sunset), and there is a restaurant and a visitor center at the top. Closed for two weeks in spring and fall for "maintenance," but spring winds are so intense that you really don't want to be on an aerial tram then anyway. $17.50 round trip for adults, $15 round trip for teens and seniors, and $10 round trip for children (discounts for riders with reservations for the restaurant at the top and for skiers).
6. Unser Racing Museum, 1776 Montano Rd NW, +1 505 341-1776. Daily 10AM-4PM. Operated by the local Unser racing family, this museum is dedicated to the racing legacy of the Unsers as well as to the sport of auto racing in general. $7 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children, age 6 and under free.

Old Town

Located east of Rio Grande Boulevard in between Central Avenue and Mountain Road (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 to blend 18th century architecture with narrow brick paths, adobe architecture, world famous artwork, fine jewelry, delicious food and rare specialty shops. Old Town has a central plaza with a gazebo which is bordered on the north by the 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 located within easy walking distance of the Old Town plaza. Most of them are on Mountain Road, just a few blocks northeast of the Plaza.

• 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. Loads of exhibits with Southwest art, artifacts from the history of colonial New Mexico and Albuquerque through the years (with some pretty neat items, like conquistador armor and an antique car), and an outdoor sculpture garden. The Albuquerque Museum also operates the historic home of Casa San Ysidro in nearby Corrales for tours. $4 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children, under age 3 free (admission free first Wednesday of the month and every Sunday 9AM-1PM).
• American International Rattlesnake Museum, 202 San Felipe St (a block south of the Old Town plaza), +1 505 242-6569. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1PM-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. $3.50 adults, $2.50 children.
• ¡Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum, 1701 Mountain Road NW, +1 505 224-8300. M-Sa 10AM-6PM and Su noon-6PM except major holidays. Called "one of the best science centers in the country", this museum has 250 interactive children's exhibits teaching science, technology, and art. There are some truly fantastic exhibits here, like a laminar flow fountain (with water jets you can turn on and off), an experiment bar, a high-wire bike (that will surely test your withstanding of heights), and a robotics lab. $7 adults, $5 seniors, $1 children, under age 1 free.
• National Atomic Museum, 1905 Mountain Road NW, +1 505 245-2137. Soon to be renamed the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. Every day 9AM-5PM except major holidays. A museum devoted to things nuclear, including replicas of the Little Boy and Fat Man bombs dropped on Japan, as well as other weapons, nuclear-capable aircraft and rockets, and displays on arms control and peaceful uses of atomic energy. $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children/teens, age 5 and under free.
• New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 1801 Mountain Rd. NW, +1 505 841-2800. Every day, 9AM-5PM (closed on major holidays, and non-holiday Mondays in January and September). This splendid museum has well-constructed geological and paleontological displays which illustrate a "journey through time", covering everything from the birth of the planet to the Ice Age. There's plenty of dinosaurs around, from the statues outside the main entrance, to a T. rex in the atrium, to one massive hall with several complete (and massive) dinosaur skeletons. Additionally, an entire wing of the museum is devoted to astronomical exhibits, and there's also an exhibit about the birth of the personal computer, which happened right here in Albuquerque. A planetarium and an IMAX theater are also in the building. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 children, under age 3 free (separate fee required for planetarium and IMAX theater).
• Turquoise Museum, 2107 Central Ave NW (in the strip mall on the NW corner of Central and Rio Grande), +1 505 247-8650. M-F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa 9:30AM-4PM. While the location isn't ideal (located in a strip mall near Old Town, rather than in the historic district itself), this small gift shop/museum has some interesting exhibits about turquoise and its manufacture, history, and mythology. $4 adults, $3 children.

Other Places of Interest in/around Albuquerque

1. Albuquerque Isotopes, at the corner of Avenida Cesar Chavez and University Boulevard (south of UNM), +1 505 924-2255. The Isotopes, Triple-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, play baseball in a beautiful stadium. Seats in the park are both good and cheap—$11 can get you a seat behind home plate ($13 if you buy your ticket on gameday). All the concessions and restrooms are located along a big concourse behind the seats which is open to the field, so you don't miss any of the action. For $6 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. $6-$24.
2. 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 weekends April-September, hours vary by month. This is just about the only amusement park in New Mexico. Fairly small, but with a good amount of rides. Thrill rides (including two roller coasters), family rides, kiddy rides, and a water play area. Ride pass (includes general admission and all rides) is $24 for over 48" tall, $20 for under 48" tall, $17.45 for age 2 and under (Parking is free).
3. 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.
4. Outpost Ice Arena, 9530 Tramway Blvd NE, 505-856-7595. Located near the base of the Sandia Peak Tram. Has four rinks under one roof. A great place to sharpen your figure skating or hockey skills or just skate for fun.
5. Petroglyph National Monument, visitor center at 6001 Unser Blvd, NW, +1 505 899-0205 ext. 331. On the west side of town, Petroglyph is a unit of the United States National Parks system, and preserves a significant archaeological site with an impressive number of petroglyphs. Despite their proximity to an urban center and the fact that the monument is of recent origin, the petroglyphs are in good condition with very little vandalism or theft. There are interpretive exhibits and a few short trails. Day use only; $3 fee (Park Pass applies).
6. 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. There are also several picnic areas and wetland areas. Free.
   • Rio Grande Nature Center, 2901 Candelaria Road NW, +1 505 344-7240. Every day, 10AM-5PM. The bosque provides a tranquil setting for this small visitor center, with its nature pond and exhibits on the native wildlife. Two short trails head into the bosque from the visitor center. $1 adults, $0.50 children.
7. The Sandia Mountains offer outdoors opportunities ranging from straight hiking (the La Luz trail is popular, perhaps too much so) on to serious, multi-day rock climbing. Mountain biking is also really popular, and there are great trails in the foothills as well as at the ski area on the other side of the mountains during the summer. If less athletically inclined, ride the tram to the top. At the base of the mountains, near the tramway, is the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, which offers magnificent views of the mountains as you enjoy your meal and provides access to some of the trails of the Sandia Mountains. For a map of Sandia Mountain trails, see the Cibola National Forest website.
   • During the winter, you can ski or snowboard at Sandia Peak, +1 505 242-9052. The ski season is typically mid-December to mid-March, depending on the seasonal amount of snowfall. There are 30 trails with four chairlifts and two surface lifts, and a terrain park. Most of the facilities are at the bottom of the slope (which is accessible by road), including a cafeteria, ski school, the equipment rental shop, and a sports shop. At the top of the hill is access to the Sandia Peak Tramway (see "See" section above) and the High Finance Restaurant (see "Eat" below). The peak can be reached either by taking a 45 minute drive around the mountain to the base lodge or by taking the tramway up to the top of the mountain -- presuming there's enough snow at the top (Skiers get a discount on tramway tickets, but you have to bring your own equipment. There are a few equipment rental places in Albuquerque). $43 adult full-day lift tickets, $32 children full-day lift tickets (half-day and Beginner Lift Only tickets are also available).
8. Santa Ana Star Center, just off of Unser in neighboring Rio Rancho, +1 505 891-7300. It is home to the New Mexico Scorpions ice hockey team. There are also concerts, conventions and other events. Scorpions tickets $15-$40.
9. Tingley Beach, Tingley Drive, just south of Central Avenue (just east of the Rio Grande). Daily, sunrise to sunset. A facility of the Albuquerque Biological Park. This park, located 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. A train station for the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens - Zoo train is located here. Free (separate fee required for train rides).
10. UNM sports (the Lobos), Avenida Cesar Chavez / University Boulevard (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," the university's semi-underground fieldhouse that has been a house of pain for visiting basketball teams for years. The women's teams have been doing better than the men's lately, and attract crowds every bit as raucous. Right across the street is University Stadium, home of the immensely popular Lobos football team. Football tickets $14-$27 adults, $8-$17 children. Basketball tickets $8-$22 adults, $4-$8 children (women's game tickets are cheaper than men's). UNM Students are free, guests of students can get sometimes a discount.

Performance Venues in Albuquerque

1. 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.
2. KiMo Theater, 423 Central Ave NW, +1 505 768-3522. This historic and beautiful downtown building is a vibrant setting for the local preforming arts community, as well as a venue for some traveling shows.
3. Journal Pavillion, 5601 University Boulevard SE, +1 505 452-5100. Located in south Albuquerque, this is the city's primary concert venue.
4. The Cell, 700 1st St. NW, +1 505 766-9412. Home to the Fusion Theater Company, a local performance group.
6. , 224 San Pasquale SW, +1 505 242-4750. Hosting local performances throughout the year.

Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque

At Balloon Fiesta Park, located north of Alameda Boulevard, one mile west of I-25 (take either Alameda Boulevard or Tramway Boulevard exit off I-25). $6 adults, children ages 12 and under free (parking is $10 per car). The Fiesta is the world's largest ballooning event, largest annual international event in North American, 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 may 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 United States.

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 or the Rail Runner commuter train to beat the traffic). Get your hotel reservations far in advance, because everyone fills up around this time of year.

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• The 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. Returning favorites include a milk cow, a wagon coach, and twin bees balloons.

And if you want to do more than watch the balloons, there are several local companies which provide balloon rides year-round: Rainbow Ryders, +1 505 823-1111 is the only one which operates directly from Balloon Fiesta Park during the Balloon Fiesta, but there's also Above and Beyond Affordable Balloon Rides, +1 505 293-0000, Above It All Balloon Rides, +1 505 861-3386, Aliens Aloft, +1 505 864-8871, Beautiful Balloons Co., +1 800 367-6625, Private Balloon Flights, +1 505 550-2677, and Skyspan Adventures, +1 505 250-2300. Other annual events

Fairs & Fiestas in Albuquerque

Besides the Balloon Fiesta, there are numerous festivals and celebrations which take place in Albuquerque on an yearly basis. Here are some of the major ones:

• New Mexico State Fair, +1 505 265-EXPO. The state fair takes place annually for two weeks in September. Like any state fair, there's lots of competitions, farm animals, rodeos, carnival rides, art, music, food, etc. There are also some interesting exhibits as well, showing off the pride and character of New Mexico, such as the Indian Village, the Villa Hispana, and much more. The state fair is held at Expo New Mexico (on Louisiana between Central and Lomas, east of UNM and south of Uptown). $9 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children, children 2 & under free.
• The Native American Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow is an event bringing Native Americans from across the country together. There are many events, including the powwow, native music, arts, crafts, and food, and Miss Indian World. The event takes place in late April at the University of New Mexico Arena ("The Pit").
• New Mexico Arts & Crafts Fair takes place in June at the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds.
• 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 a individual's front yard, but Old Town provides the most accessible and dramatic display.

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