Are you thinking about visiting Albuquerque, New Mexico? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Albuquerque worth visiting?
This town is a good place to visit for two to four days. During our first trip to Albuquerque in 2009, we fell in love with its unique architecture and under-rated reputation. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in BuzzFeed's Most Under-rated Travel Destinations For 2023. 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.
Albuquerque, NM
Reasons to Visit Albuquerque
Historical Sights
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.
Museums
The old town has a lot of history including the San Felipe de Neri Church. Also worth visiting is the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Unser Racing Museum, and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.
Food
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.
Shopping
The city's old town has many cultural artisan shops where you can buy local items. It's a fun and unique shopping experience, and though it sometimes feels a bit touristy, there are many local shops that offer an authentic experience.
Nightlife
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.
Hiking
The desert landscape is varied and beautiful. Popular trails in the area include Tree Spring Trail, Birdhouse Ridge, and West Ridge.
Authenticity
Albuquerque has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Things to Consider Before Visiting Albuquerque
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Albuquerque might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Albuquerque here or see if Albuquerque is expensive here.
Related
What is Albuquerque most famous for?
Albuquerque is most famous for its adobe architecture, artisan shops, fascinating cultural venues, and surrounding desert landscapes. People visit this impressive town for its great historical sights. It is also known for its great museums, food, and shopping. And many visitors also come to this town for its nightlife and hiking. It is often described as outdoorsy, desert, historic, traditional, cosmopolitan, and cultural.
What is the most famous sight in Albuquerque?
The most popular sight in Albuquerque is The Old Town. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Albuquerque on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Old Town and other attractions here.
How touristy is Albuquerque? Is it a popular town to visit?
Albuquerque is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- ABQ Beer Tour: A Curated Craft Beer Experience in the Land of Enchantment: $105
- 6pm PRIVATE GHOST TOUR of Old Town - 90 Minutes: $135
- Mezcla de Culturas Walking Tour of ABQ's Historic Old Town and Sawmill District: $82
- 4pm - 75 Minute Private Ghost Tour Up To 5 People For All Ages in New Mexico: $108
- Duke City Pedaler: Beverage Tour to Old Town/Sawmill Albuquerque : $35
- Albuquerque Snowshoe Experience: $135
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Albuquerque by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Intriguing Heritage of Albuquerque - Walking Tour: $59
How long should I spend in Albuquerque?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Albuquerque is two to four days. Since Albuquerque has a variety of activities such as historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Albuquerque? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Albuquerque?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.