Located in central New Mexico, Albuquerque is the largest city in the state and the perfect location to experience the authentic Southwest.
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| Albuquerque at Dusk |
Albuquerque combines a unique blend of multi-culturalism, natural beauty, profound historic attractions, spectacular climate with four distinct seasons, museums, galleries and shopping to create a diverse and unforgettable visit for every kind of visitor.
With museums, fiestas, theatres, cuisine, music and sports, Albuquerque is a high desert city full of activities for everyone.
300 Years of History and CultureBalloons ©Ron Behrmann
The Albuquerque area has been inhabited by American Indians for hundreds of years. The present-day city was founded in 1706 when Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdez penned a letter to the Duke of Alburquerque reporting that he had founded a villa along the banks of the Rio Grande. Since then, the city—named after the duke—has grown from a tiny settlement of families to a rich, multi-cultural metropolis of more than 753,000 people. Albuquerque blends America's prehistory with its future. It has been called one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country.
Experience the city where the people and culture are interwoven into the fabric of time and history.
Welcome to our website where you will find the most complete Albuquerque travel information.
SunshineAlbuquerque has 310 days of sunshine a year! A mild climate with four distinct seasons and very low humidity help keep every season comfortable.
- Average SPRING: 70°
- Average SUMMER: 90°
- Average AUTUMN: 70°
- Average WINTER: 50°
Dining
For any palate and pocketbook, Albuquerque has an abundance of dining choices. You'll enjoy the spicy delights of traditional New Mexican cuisine, sampling ethnic dishes from around the world or dining on the sophisticated edge of culinary invention. Complement your meal with a New Mexico wine.
Shopping
Handmade Southwestern jewelry and art will provide tangible keepsakes of your unforgettable experience. Treasure hunting is an artform in Albuquerque. From small boutiques to major department stores, handmade crafts to exotic imports, you are sure to find what you're looking for.
Museums
Albuquerque has more than 16 museums with a wide variety of themes. Following is just a glimpse of our great museums.
Albuquerque Museum of Art & History
Contemporary, regional and historical art exhibitions, and sculpture garden
Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
History, science and technology of hot air ballooning
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
Dinosaurs, Extreme Screen DynaTheater, Lodestar Astronomy Center
National Atomic Museum
Nuclear science, history, weapons, and commercial uses of atomic energy
explora!
New Mexico's premier hands-on science learning center for children of all ages
Arts
Albuquerque's arts are locally supported and world-renowned. Albuquerque boasts a thriving arts scene including more than 100 galleries and studios and a diverse performing arts community. Experience all kinds of music, theatre, dance, poetry and live performances year-round.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center showcases the distinctive art, history and culture of New Mexico's 19 pueblos. The center features a museum that tells the story of the New Mexico Pueblo Indians. The Center's restaurant serves authentic Native American food. Jewelry, pottery, leather crafts and paintings are on display and available for sale. Free Native American dances and craft demonstrations are featured on weekends.
National Hispanic Cultural Center
The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to preserving the rich artistic and cultural heritage integral to the Hispanic community worldwide. The center features a visual arts museum, a performing arts center and an amphitheater, plus educational community outreach programs.
Events
Albuquerque is bursting at the seams with spectacular events year-round. Events include amateur and professional sporting events, theatre, performances, fairs and festivals. Major annual events include Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, New Mexico State Fair, wine festivals and arts & crafts fairs. Be sure to visit www.itsatrip.org for a complete, updated list of Albuquerque area events.
Attractions
Albuquerque's attractions offer intrigue and education for visitors of all ages. Attractions include nature centers, amusement parks, golf courses, scenic areas, historic sites, casinos, spas, wineries and much more.
Albuquerque Biological Park
The BioPark consists of three separate facilities: the Rio Grande Zoo is one of the leading zoos in the nation; the Albuquerque Aquarium features a 285,000-gallon shark tank, an eel cave and other aquatic displays; the Rio Grande Botanic Garden includes a 10,000 sq. ft. conservatory, formal gardens, a Children's Fantasy Garden and a Heritage Farm.
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway
The world's longest single-span aerial tramway transports visitors above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain via a 2.7 mile cable to the serenity of the mountain's 10,400 foot peak for a view that encompasses up to 15,000 square miles.
Petroglyph National Monument
The monument contains the world's largest accessible collection of prehistoric rock art. More than 17,000 ancient Indian petroglyphs are carved into the remnants of dormant volcanoes on Albuquerque's west side.
Around Town
Historic Old Town
This site of Albuquerque's founding in 1706 is noted for Pueblo-Spanish style architecture. Visitors stroll the brick paths to more than 150 stores, galleries, restaurants and seven museums.
Downtown - The District
Downtown is the center of Albuquerque's nightlife scene with a variety of restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs. Albuquerque's downtown also has unique retail shopping and galleries.
Nob Hill
Neon lights illuminate the distinctive roadside architecture of Nob Hill along Historic Route 66 (Central Ave.). Nob Hill offers local flair with boutique shopping plus eclectic dining and nightlife spots.
Outdoors
Where else can you ski and golf in the same day?
Spectacular year-round weather makes for exceptional outdoor activities. The Albuquerque area offers 14 public and private year-round golf courses and world-class ski areas are easily accessible. Whether your taste is for hiking, biking, rafting, tennis, hang gliding, mountain climbing, horseback riding, fishing or hunting, Albuquerque has the activity for you. Be sure your trip includes a hot air balloon ride over the ballooning capital of the world.
Location
The Heart of New Mexico
Albuquerque is easy to get to by plane, train or automobile. Major airlines serve Albuquerque's Sunport daily,and I-40, a transcontinental East-West highway, bisects the city. I-25 is the major North-South thoroughfare, and the two intersect in the heart of Albuquerque, in a gigantic cloverleaf affectionately known as "The Big I". The city is also host to a completely remodeled downtown train station welcoming transcontintental Amtrak trains.
Route 66, that very same of legend and song, can still be traveled today right here in Albuquerque, and still bears the quaintness of its heritage. It is now Central Avenue, Albuquerque's "Main Street", and still harbors the retro array of neon for which Route 66 is known. Route 66 runs parallel to I-40 and through the heart of several of Albuquerque's hottest neighborhoods such as Downtown, UNM/University, Nob Hill.
