Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Albuquerque?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Albuquerque?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Albuquerque. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great charming old town and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the shopping, hiking, and quaint atmosphere by staying for a weekend.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Albuquerque?

Many visitors spend two to four days in Albuquerque during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The town offers the chance to browse around the old town, spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and find the best deals at the shops.

Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico. It's surrounded by desert and has a unique adobe Old Town that dates back to 1706 when it was established as a Spanish colony. There are many adobe buildings and unique artisan craft shops. The city also has the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center which is educational and interesting.

Do you have one or two days to visit Albuquerque? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Albuquerque?

Albuquerque, a small town offering numerous sights and attractions, is fairy popular with visitors. One day is probably not enough time here even though it's not the largest of cities. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Albuquerque such as the historic old town, the famous sights and museums, the food, and shopping. To thoroughly enjoy all that the town has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule two to four days to fully experience the outdoorsy town. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Albuquerque

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. There is a wonderful old town where the city's first neighborhood was established. It dates back to the early 1700's and has its roots in Spanish colonial history. The area has many adobe houses, great local restaurants, and artisan shops.

A few tour suggestions include:

PRIVATE History, Legends and Lore Guided Old Town Stroll - 10am or 2pm ($40)
12pm - Public High Noon History, Legends & Lore Tour - Guided Old Town Stroll ($35)
The Ghost Tour of Old Town - New Mexico's oldest Ghost Walk - Since 2001 ($35)

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city's local cuisine combines Native American and Spanish flavors to make a variety of unique specialties. You should try the green chili stew, breakfast burrito, sopaipillas, and blue corn pancakes.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Albuquerque?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Albuquerque. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great charming old town and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the shopping, hiking, and quaint atmosphere by staying for a weekend.

Albuquerque, NM

How to spend 2 days in Albuquerque

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Albuquerque, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.

Don't miss the Old Town during your trip to Albuquerque, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

This town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Head downtown and to the Nob Hill neighborhood for wine bars, breweries, and billiard halls. These areas have the best nightlife scene and they're also compact enough to explore on foot.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Albuquerque, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.