Things to do in Albuquerque
Spring and fall bring mild high-desert days, clear skies, and comfortable hiking; early October is Balloon Fiesta season when the sky fills with hundreds of balloons. Summers are hot but dry with afternoon monsoon storms, and winters are cold with snow on the Sandia Crest.
Best months: April, May, September, October
What is worth your time in Albuquerque
Sandia CrestDo not miss
From the 10,678-foot summit a railed overlook takes in a hundred-mile panorama across Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley.
Viewpoint · 1.8 hr4.8
ABQ BioPark Botanic GardenDo not miss
Themed gardens along the Rio Grande include a glass conservatory, Japanese garden, and a giant model railroad among the blooms.
Park · 2.3 hr4.7
Albuquerque MuseumDo not miss
A polished museum of Southwestern art and four centuries of city history, with a sculpture garden in Old Town.
Museum · 2 hr4.7
Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon MuseumDo not miss
Hangar-sized galleries celebrate the history and science of ballooning, from gas balloons to the record-setting flights of local pioneers.
Museum · 1.9 hr4.7
KiMo TheatreDo not miss
A dazzling 1927 Pueblo Deco landmark on Route 66, decorated with cow-skull chandeliers, murals, and tiled facades.
Architecture · 53 min4.7
Sandia Peak TramwayDo not miss
The longest aerial tram in North America climbs from the desert to a 10,378-foot crest with sweeping views over the city and beyond.
Activity · 2.3 hr4.7
Albuquerque International Balloon FiestaDo not miss
The world's largest hot air balloon festival fills the dawn sky with hundreds of balloons in a mass ascension each October.
Activity · 4 hr4.6
Indian Pueblo Cultural CenterDo not miss
Owned by New Mexico's 19 pueblos, it tells their story through art, history galleries, and weekend dance performances.
Cultural Experience · 2.3 hr4.6
Petroglyph National MonumentDo not miss
Volcanic escarpment trails reveal thousands of ancient images carved by Ancestral Puebloans and early Spanish settlers.
Nature · 2.3 hr4.6
Old Town AlbuquerqueDo not miss
The adobe heart of the city founded in 1706, with a shaded plaza, galleries, shops, and New Mexican restaurants around historic streets.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr
Elena Gallegos Open Space
Sandia foothills trails through pinon and juniper deliver close-up mountain views and some of the city's best sunset light.
Park · 1.8 hr4.8
Explora Science Center and Children's Museum
More than 250 hands-on exhibits invite kids and adults to build, experiment, and play across two interactive floors.
Museum · 2 hr4.8
National Museum of Nuclear Science and History
The nation's atomic history museum spans the Manhattan Project to the nuclear age, with a Heritage Park of aircraft and missiles.
Museum · 2 hr4.8
Open Space Visitor Center
Galleries, bird-viewing windows, and bosque trails overlook farm fields and the Rio Grande on the city's west side.
Nature · 1.3 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Albuquerque sits at a mile high in dry desert air, so drink plenty of water, use sun protection, and ease into strenuous hikes.
- When ordering New Mexican food you will be asked red or green chile; say Christmas to get both.
- Afternoon monsoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, so plan outdoor activities and the tramway for the morning.
- Many of the best sights, from the Sandia Crest to the Turquoise Trail and pueblos, need a car, so renting one is worthwhile.
- Respect pueblo etiquette on visits like Acoma: follow guides, ask before photographing people, and check whether photo permits are required.