Things to Do in Albuquerque
The state's largest city, with a historic plaza, a mountain tram and balloons in the sky.
See top-rated activities »About Albuquerque
Albuquerque spreads across the Rio Grande valley between the Sandia Mountains to the east and a line of dormant volcanoes to the west. It was founded in 1706 as a Spanish farming settlement, and the original plaza survives as Old Town, where San Felipe de Neri Church faces a square ringed by adobe shops and restaurants. Old Town is compact and best explored on foot; the city's art and natural history museums and the ABQ BioPark aquarium and gardens are a few minutes away.
For an introduction to the pueblos, go to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, owned by the nineteen pueblos of New Mexico. Its museum tells their history in their own voices, and dancers perform in the courtyard on many weekends. On the city's west side, Petroglyph National Monument protects thousands of images carved into dark volcanic boulders, with short trails at Boca Negra Canyon and longer ones at Piedras Marcadas and Rinconada.
The Sandia Peak Tramway lifts riders nearly three miles up the face of the Sandias to a ridge above 10,000 feet, with views that can stretch more than a hundred miles on a clear day. It closes for scheduled maintenance for a week or two at a time, including early November 2026, so check before you go. The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, near the airport, covers the Manhattan Project and the atomic age, a story closely tied to New Mexico.
Albuquerque is also the hot-air balloon capital of the country. The calm morning winds that form a loop over the valley, known locally as the Albuquerque Box, make it possible for pilots to fly and land close to where they started. Commercial balloon rides operate year-round at sunrise, weather permitting, and in early October the Balloon Fiesta fills the sky with hundreds of balloons. Fans of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul can also tour the many filming locations around the city.
Don’t Miss
The original 1706 plaza, San Felipe de Neri Church and blocks of adobe shops and restaurants.
Owned by New Mexico's nineteen pueblos, with a museum, art, weekend dances and a restaurant.
A long aerial tram ride to the crest of the Sandia Mountains; check for maintenance closures before you go.
Thousands of images carved into volcanic rock, with easy trails at Boca Negra Canyon.
A city-run zoo, aquarium, botanic garden and beach area along the river.
Exhibits on the Manhattan Project and the atomic age, with aircraft and rockets outside.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Albuquerque
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 31, 2026. Best in New Mexico may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Albuquerque — FAQ
How much does a balloon ride in Albuquerque take?
Plan on about three to four hours from meeting time, with roughly an hour in the air. Flights leave around sunrise, when winds are calmest, and are canceled if the weather is not safe.
Is the Sandia Peak Tramway open all year?
It runs most of the year but closes for scheduled maintenance periods, including early November 2026. Check the tramway site for current dates and bring a jacket; it is much colder at the top.
How far is Albuquerque from Santa Fe?
About an hour by car on I-25. The Rail Runner commuter train also links the two cities on a slower schedule.
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