Unique Experiences You Can't Miss When Visiting Albuquerque

There’s a reason why New Mexico is referred to as “the land of enchantment” and Albuquerque is without a doubt, an enchanting city. Nestled in the high desert of the state, Albuquerque offers a rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty. This mix makes for a perfect destination filled with unique experiences and a little something for everyone.

Having family in Albuquerque, I’ve been lucky enough to visit several times over the years and each time I visit, there’s always an experience that leaves a lasting impression on me. Overall, I’d consider Albuquerque to be a very underrated destination with so much to offer. Whether you’re into exploring the history of old, charming towns, seeking out amazing landscape views, or you’re a foodie looking for the best eats, this list will cover it. Keep on reading for the most unique experience to be had when visiting Albuquerque!

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Best Time of the Year for Visiting Albuquerque

Albuquerque has some pretty exceptional weather year-round. On average there are over 310 days of sunshine and you can expect a mild, dry climate. Because Albuquerque is located in the high desert region of the southwest, there’s also relatively low humidity and not much rain. However, it is important to note that low humidity and lots of sunshine mean you can get easily dehydrated! While out adventuring make sure to always have water and sunscreen handy.

This is what you can expect during the different seasons:

Fall (September to November): If I had to choose one season for visiting Albuquerque, hands down it would be fall. The leaves changing color adds a magical touch to the city and the temperature sits at a comfortable, cool 65-75 ° F. However, it does get quite chilly once the sun sets, so layers are necessary.

Winter (December to February): Winters in Albuquerque are mild. You can expect sunny days and minimal snow. There are cooler temperatures though, with daytime highs of 45- 55° F and nighttime lows averaging 25 °F.

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Spring (March to May): This is a lovely season to visit! Visiting Albuquerque in the spring means perfect temperatures ranging from 60 -70° F, beautiful flowers in bloom, and lots of fun, outdoor activities to attend.

Summer (June to August): I personally wouldn’t recommend visiting Albuquerque during the summer months. Temperatures often exceed 90 °F, but thankfully there’s not much humidity to accompany the heat. There are plenty of festivals that take place during the summer, which is fun to experience, but unless you’re a fan of the heat, I’d opt for a different time of year.

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How to Get to Albuquerque

If you’re flying to Albuquerque, you’ll be heading to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) which is the largest and busiest airport in New Mexico. Several major airlines fly out of here with nonstop flights from more than 20 US cities. As I was visiting Albuquerque from Buffalo, NY, there unfortunately weren’t any nonstop flights for me. But it’s still absolutely worth the 6-7 hour travel time in my opinion!

If you’re visiting Albuquerque from the southwest, it’s very accessible by car as it lies between two major interstates, I-25 and I-40. Here are some cities that if you live in or are visiting from, would make for an ideal road trip to Albuquerque:

Taos, New Mexico: 135 miles, 2.5 hour drive
El Paso, Texas: 275 miles, 4 hour drive
Telluride, Colorado: 320 miles, 5.5 hour drive
Flagstaff, Arizona: 325 miles, 4.5 hour drive
Phoenix, Arizona: 415 miles, 6.5 hour drive

Other Things to Know When Visiting Albuquerque

How much time do you need in Albuquerque? I’d suggest two to three days for a full Albuquerque experience without feeling rushed or like you’d be missing out on something. I include a day trip in my recommended unique experiences, so I would also keep that in mind when planning how much time you’d like to visit Albuquerque.

What’s the best way to get around when visiting Albuquerque? Renting a car is definitely the way to go. As I mentioned, during my trips to Albuquerque I was visiting family, so there was always a vehicle available and this really allowed me to have the best possible experience and see as much as I could.

What are some must-have local dishes worth trying? I personally love the food in New Mexico, as it’s very different from what I normally eat in New York! I took full advantage of all of the fun dishes, flavors, and spices. Here are some things I’d recommend trying:

Green Chili Stew: synonymous with New Mexican cuisine, it’s one of those dishes Albuquerque is known for
Sopaipillas: served at any meal of the day, these puffs of fried dough are stuffed with yummy goodness!
Biscochitos: these anise-flavored shortbread cookies, coated with cinnamon sugar are New Mexico’s official state cookie
Blue corn: cultivated by the Indigenous peoples of New Mexico, blue corn has remained an essential component of Albuquerque cuisine. You can get blue corn enchiladas, blue-corn-crusted fried chicken, or even a blue corn waffle!

Unique Experiences Worth Having in Albuquerque

Okay, what we’ve all been waiting for! These are some of the best experiences you don’t want to miss out on when visiting Albuquerque. Let’s get into it!

Ride the Tram at Sandia Peak

This first one may not be for those with a fear of heights. But I can promise it’s worth facing that fear to have this incredibly unique experience while visiting Albuquerque.

The Sandia Peak Tramway is a scenic cable car system, offering breathtaking views of Albuquerque and the surrounding Rio Grande Valley. It ascends 10,378 feet to the summit of Sandia Peak, which is the highest point in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It’s also the third-longest tramway in the world!

Some things to know before visiting the Sandia Peak Tramway:

🎟Purchase your tickets ahead of time online at https://sandiapeak.com/aerial-tram-tickets/. The cost for a round-trip tram ride ranges from $29- $34

⏰ The ride is just under 3 miles and takes about 15 minutes. There are two tram cars and they run every 15 to 30 minutes

🥶 The temperature at the peak tends to be 15 to 30°F cooler, so be prepared and bring layers

🍽 There is a restaurant at the top called Ten 3, which offers an elevated dining experience. It gets very busy so reservations are definitely recommended

Visit Old Town Albuquerque

Experiencing Old Town is a must when visiting Albuquerque. This unique neighborhood offers a glimpse into the city’s rich history and culture. Speaking of history, Old Town is actually where Albuquerque was founded. In 1709 it was a Spanish colonial settlement and served as a key trading post along the El Camino Real. The town’s adobe architecture, a reflection of the region’s indigenous Pueblo traditions, has been preserved and restored over the centuries.

Walking around Old Town today gives you a little glimpse back in time, strolling through the Plaza, surrounded by historic buildings and taking in the lively atmosphere. There are plenty of colorful art galleries, antique stores, and local boutiques to visit as well as fantastic restaurants to try. Here are some things you don’t want to miss when exploring Old Town Albuquerque:

✧ Visit San Felipe de Neri Church– this stunning adobe structure was built in 1744 and is one of the oldest continuously active churches in the United States! It has intricate carvings, vibrant murals, and a serene atmosphere. This is a must-visit for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts and if you have the time, you can even attend a traditional Mass

✧ Walk around Old Town Plaza– this charming central square is the focal point of Old Town and where all of the action happens. Here you’ll be able to admire the stunning architecture, discover a variety of art galleries featuring works by local artists, and I can guarantee you’ll find some cute shops to stumble into.

✧ Do a wine tasting at Noisy Water Winery– this adorable winery is a popular stop in Old Town, known for its high-quality wines and welcoming atmosphere. Noisy Water Winery offers a varietal selection of wines, including both classic and experimental blends. You’re welcome to enjoy a glass of something or sample a variety with a wine tasting.

Eat at Sawmill Market

For a unique and unforgettable foodie experience while visiting Albuquerque, head to Sawmill Market. Back in the 1950s, this building housed a successful, family-owned lumber company. It went through a big restoration in 2019 and has been transformed into a 34,000-square-foot food hall. There’s plenty of outdoor space, and a community gathering hall, showcasing the beauty of New Mexico through food, diversity, and art.

The market houses 27 individual local merchants, including a brewpub, a cocktail & wine bar, and any cuisine type you could think of. Regardless of what you’re craving, there will be a food stall for you! Here are some suggestions:

🍹Drinks: West Cocktail & Wine Bar
🍕Pizza: Hawt Pizza Co.
🍣Sushi: Hiro Sushi
🥙Mediterranean: Meso Grill
🌮Mexican: Flora
🧁Dessert: XO Waffle

After you make the very difficult decision of narrowing down what to eat, I suggest heading out to THE YARD, which is an outdoor dining space at the center of Sawmill Market. There’s plenty of seating here and a fun, vibrant energy.

Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

This is a quintessential experience when visiting Albuquerque. You may be familiar with the world-famous International Balloon Festival, which takes place in Albuquerque each year in early October. It’s a very magical time to visit and a super cool thing to witness! Hundreds of colorful hot air balloons fill the sky, and it’s definitely a sight to behold. However, visiting during the festival means battling the crowds. Accommodation prices go up, restaurants are booked solid, and the town is overrun with tourists.

If that doesn’t sound like your kind of party, don’t fret! You can visit Albuquerque at any other time and still get to experience a hot air balloon ride. Here’s everything you need to know:

Ride with Rainbow Ryders: Voted America’s # 1 balloon ride company, Rainbow Ryders has been around for over four decades. We had such a great experience with this company and I couldn’t recommend it more

Flight Time: It’s an early morning with a start time of 6:30 am but it’s worth the wake-up call! Especially when you see the sunrise in such a cool setting

Flight duration: The ride is anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour with the entire experience (from beginning to end) being around 2.5 hours

Weather issues: Flights take place weather permitting, which means if you happen to book on a windy day, your flight may get canceled. However, they’re very good about getting you rescheduled quickly for a safer date

What to wear: It definitely gets colder the higher up you are! We went in October and wore multiple layers along with a hat and gloves

Take a Day Trip to Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a charming city just a short drive from Albuquerque. It makes for a perfect day trip idea and is also a great way to explore the rich culture of the Southwest. You can get to Santa Fe by car, taking the I-25 South and then merging onto US-84 East. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. Here are some things you should consider doing while you’re there:

Check out the Art Scene: Santa Fe is known for its unique blend of cultures and artistic expression. You’ll find numerous galleries, museums, and art studios here including the famous Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which houses a significant collection of her work

Explore the Historic Plaza: this isn’t only the heart and soul of the city but it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walk around the Historic Plaza offers a captivating journey through time and culture. As you wander, you’ll be surrounded by stunning adobe buildings, numerous galleries, adorable shops, and amazing restaurants

Marvel at the Miraculous Staircase at Loretto Chapel: The Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe is a very popular tourist destination, but for good reason. This is how the story goes: The staircase was built in 1873 at the request of the Sisters of Loretto, who had struggled to find a carpenter. Legend has it that a mysterious carpenter appeared out of nowhere, and offered to build the staircase for them. He completed the task in just a few days, refusing payment and disappearing without a trace.

The remarkable feature of the staircase is that it has no visible support for its center post. The spiral staircase winds up two stories without any central support column. This unusual design has led to many speculations Some believe that it is a testament to divine intervention, while others attribute it to clever engineering. Either way, it’s a very cool thing to see with your own eyes

Enjoy Your Time Visiting Albuquerque

Albuquerque truly is a special place and a very underrated city. I hope this list has given you some insight into how to spend your time there and has gotten you excited about visiting Albuquerque someday soon. Please leave any comments or questions below and happy travels!