Albuquerque is one of those cities that surprises you in the best way—small-town vibes with big-time flavor, art, history, and those famous New Mexico skies. If you’re planning a trip and want the best things to do in Albuquerque without fluff, this is your deep-dive. I’m sharing exactly what we did, what we ate, what I loved, what I wouldn’t repeat during Balloon Fiesta week, and how to string it together so your trip flows. Because you know me: I like to try a little bit of everything. FOMO is a personality trait.
Let’s set expectations: Tin Can Alley is a food hall. You’re not coming here for a life-altering entrée, you’re coming for the vibe, the freedom to wander, and the ability to keep a big group happy because everyone can pick their own thing. It’s super neat, easy, and fun for trying new bites—especially with a large party.
The ambiance is off the charts—“so New Mexico” with a modern, thoughtful twist. The patio has trees and curtains for separation, so it feels private but still connected—you’re in your own cozy corner yet part of the whole scene. The garden out back is super cool and it looks like you can book private tables.
Try a shrub (their house soda). Mine was melon with coconut and Tulsa sparkling water from the Manzano Mountains, topped with a lemon twist. Earthy—not my typical flavor profile—but fun to try.
This goes down as the best bruschetta we’ve ever had. Every bite is a surprise: little crunchy pistachio, a whisper of jalapeño heat (not too much), sweet homegrown cantaloupe, perfectly ripened tomatoes, fresh feta and pistachio cream (New Mexico is known for pistachios), saba drizzled over, plus fresh mint and herbs. Sunset here would be unreal overlooking the farm/garden.
We also ordered the chef special chips and salsa—three types: one savory, one sweet, one spicy.
Entrée: bison short rib with polenta, greens, mushrooms, parmesan, and focaccia—savory, melt-in-your-mouth beef.
Dessert: deconstructed German chocolate cake with house-made ice cream.
The staff was lovely and our server was super knowledgeable—ten out of ten.
Dining is a major highlight at Hotel Chaco. Level 5 Rooftop Restaurant & Lounge has sweeping views of the Sandia Mountains and skyline, elevated regional cuisine, craft cocktails, and a lively weekend brunch with a DJ. Equinox Café & Bar is perfect for coffee, light bites, and evening drinks, while Crafted Tasting Room focuses on New Mexico wines and spirits—ideal for a relaxed patio afternoon. Best part: they’re open late, so you can grab dinner after Balloon Fiesta or a long day.
Everything is made from scratch. The Focaccia & Butter—house-made focaccia, Échiré butter, Calabrian chili, chives, Maldon sea salt—was outstanding. Another favorite was Chips & Dip with creamy green-chile and caramelized onion dip.
Entrée pick: Butternut Squash Ravioli—green chile and ricotta-filled pasta over roasted winter squash purée with delicata squash agrodolce, brown butter, fall gremolata, and a red-chile lacquer.
Dessert: Pistachio Tres Leches—sponge cake soaked in sweet milk and topped with local pistachio.
Note: as of October 2025, their Google rating isn’t the strongest, but I was pleasantly surprised and would absolutely eat here again. Breakfast outside overlooking the city was lovely. I had the Apple Cinnamon Atole Porridge (blue corn atole, melted butter, cinnamon-poached Opal apples, apple ribbons, Chaco granola) with crispy bacon; Brad had the Green Chile Cheddar Frittata with Hatch green chile, ham, Tucumcari cheddar, Yukon Gold potatoes, lime crema, scallions, heritage greens, and lemon vinaigrette.
A gem in EDo since 2006—seasonal ingredients from New Mexico farms, an order-then-sit format, and a market for artisanal goods and house-made treats. Parking lot fills up; street parking works. Brad dropped me so I could hop in line, and it moved—about 30 minutes. Go before 9:30 a.m. or after 11 a.m. to avoid peak.
We ordered a fresh blueberry muffin, a salted caramel seasonal latte, the Croque Madame (black forest ham, tomato, whole-grain mustard, gruyère, sunny-side egg, rustic farm loaf, Grove kale salad), and the seasonal Apple Crumble French Toast with roasted apples, salted caramel, walnut crumble, cinnamon, crème fraîche, and maple syrup. Loved this breakfast.
Set in a beautifully restored lumber warehouse, it blends industrial charm with modern style and is always buzzing: wood-fired pizza, tacos, sushi, burgers, pastries, coffee, and craft cocktails, plus The Yard outdoor courtyard. I could easily come twice in one trip.
My must-stops:
For Route 66 nostalgia, this is it. On Central Avenue with shiny chrome, checkered floors, neon, and a jukebox—instant smile. The menu is comfort classics with a New Mexico twist: green-chile cheeseburgers, chicken-fried steak, thick milkshakes, and towering sundaes. Busy on weekends (part of the charm). Also a must at night for photos.
Pulling in will wow you—gorgeous grounds, a big garden that supplies the restaurant (you can tour it), livestock, and beautiful spaces to wander. We arrived early, sat by the fire pit, and enjoyed a mocktail before dinner.
Reservations are a must. Book as soon as they open (six weeks in advance). I set a calendar reminder. There’s a no-show credit card requirement—trust me, you’ll want to show up.
I love when dinner begins with an amuse bouche. We had the Bread Board, a house-made assortment served with herb manteca. Do not miss the Sweet Potato Pierogi—Holey Cow Swiss, house kimchi, caramelized onion sour cream. Pro move: cut it in half, taste the cheesy goodness, then finish with kimchi and the onion sour cream. Flavor fireworks. I break down every course and how to snag the best reservations in my Campo at Los Poblanos review.
We also shared two half salads:
And then: Crispy Pork Memela (tepary beans, cilantro, spicy pickled cabbage, basil), Carrot Cavatelli (lemon-chicken sausage, green-chile cream, charred carrots, chicken-skin breadcrumbs), and the Grilled New Mexico Beef Filet (rosemary-garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, pickled grape–peppercorn sauce). Dessert: butter pecan semifreddo—so smooth, so flavorful.
They also serve breakfast and brunch—reserve those too.
Start your Old Town Albuquerque morning at Flying Roadrunner Bakery, an absolute must-visit that perfectly captures the local charm. This spot is as warm and welcoming as the people running it—I met the owners, Shawn and Erika Farr, who were not only wonderful and helpful but clearly passionate about everything they create. The food is outstanding, and the little details make it even better: shelves lined with cute gifts like croissant mugs and candles, the smell of fresh pastries in the air, and a staff that makes you feel like family. We ordered the breakfast burrito (obviously), a cherry cruffin—a heavenly mix between a croissant and muffin—the chorizo cheese croissant, and a salted caramel latte. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and downright perfection.
This city has small-town vibes with lots to do—I love it. Start at Plaza Don Luis—super picturesque and very “Instagram girly.” Pop into House of Citrine Blue for hand-made jewelry; the owner is so sweet. Head to Oaxacan Zapotec House for handmade rugs, pottery, and more. Don’t miss San Felipe de Neri Church—wander inside and check out the souvenirs.
Stroll to Old Town Antiques for vintage finds—especially jewelry—if you’ve been eyeing a turquoise silver bracelet. Go to Above Snakes to score a cool new fit for your man: curated slow fashion and ethical goods from independent makers.
If you’re an ornament-in-every-city person, the Christmas shop has options. For food, Church Street Café doesn’t take reservations, so put your name in 30–60 minutes before you want to eat and keep shopping. It’s right behind San Felipe de Neri with cute mosaic tables and Southwestern décor.
We ordered:
Keep going to Nick Garcia’s Patio Shops for a fun flag-decked photo spot and more shopping. House of Salem for small-batch teas; Loveweld for clothes, hats, jewelry. La Choco has handmade treats—must-tries: chile, salt and lime caramel apple; goat milk caramels; salted chocolate caramel; and the peanut butter chocolate on a stick. Then into Eagle Dancer for my new turquoise ring—mission accomplished. End in the town square with live dancing and music, and browse Plaza Gifts for sauces, spices, and fun gifts.
The tram stretches 2.7 miles from the city’s northeast edge to the crest of the Sandia Mountains—longest aerial tramway in the Americas, up to 10,378 feet with sweeping views. Opened in 1966, it connects to year-round activities. It’s cold on top—bring layers. Lots of layers.
I would not do this during Balloon Fiesta. You buy a “window” time, show up, and still wait. We lined up at 5:33 pm and didn’t board until after 7:30. I planned for sunset; it was dark, windy, and cold at the top. Crammed with 20+ people—if you’re not in front, you won’t see much at night. Then another 1.5 hours to get down. The site warned 1–2 hours; I optimistically hoped for one. Wrong. Holidays and Balloon Fiesta? Skip it.
My next-time plan: book the 3–5 pm window and reserve TEN 3 for 4:30 pm. Earlier reservations are more likely to get a window seat for sunset. Do not do this on holidays or Fiesta.
Bonus: on the drive, take Tramway Road to look for a herd of bison—very cool.
A beautiful viewpoint of the Rio Grande and the cityscape. Go at night to see the city lit up. There’s a lock fence if you want to add your initials. Lovely after-dinner walk and a gorgeous sunrise spot too.
Start at the Visitor Center—there’s a lovely overlook right after it. Daytime is nice, but for neon, start after dark. From the Visitor Center, pull out before 98th Street to walk and get pictures; across the street, Little Caesars gives the opposite angle. Hungry? There’s a food-truck park on Volcano Road.
Some signs weren’t lit for us, but you might get lucky. For kitsch with a bite, Dog House has a classic neon sign, root beer floats, and hot dogs/burgers—also featured in Breaking Bad. Nob Hill sparkles at night with string lights.
Follow this west-to-east photo route along Central Ave:
This feels like pure New Mexico. The smell of freshly roasted Hatch chiles hits you as soon as you pull up—I was literally coughing and it was worth it. Family-run, friendly, and serious about their chile: fresh and roasted green/red chiles, dried pods, chile powders, sauces, and gorgeous ristras to take home. During chile-roasting season, the roasters go nonstop and the whole place smells amazing.
Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives—you know I’m a Guy Fieri fan—this family-owned Old Town bakery is cozy and eclectic with local art and the smell of fresh dough. Famous for green-chile bread (I brought a loaf home for grilled-cheese dreams), wood-fired pizzas, empanadas, and New Mexico’s state cookie, biscochitos. My favorite empanada flavor was apple. Right next door, walk to NM Tea Co. for a fun tea to take home.
Their frescas are super good, and they serve Salvadoran food. Get the cucumber lime fresca with a Tajín rim.
The famous UFO Spaceship House is a real home in a residential neighborhood near Sandia Heights on the northeast side—10004 Cielo Azul Pl NE, just off Tramway Blvd. No tours and no official parking—be respectful and snap a photo from the street. Best light is mid-morning or late afternoon when the metallic exterior glows. It’s weird and wonderful—very Albuquerque.
El Vado has live entertainment in its open-air Plaza/courtyard, with regional artisans and performances throughout the year. Most seasons feature Friday Night Live around 6:00 p.m. and frequent Saturday evening sets (often around 6:30 p.m.), plus rotating courtyard happenings. Always check their current schedule and socials before you go. (El Vado Motel)
What are the absolute best things to do in Albuquerque if I only have one night?
Sawmill Market for a casual food-crawl, 66 Diner milkshake run and neon photos, and West Bluff Park for the lights over the Rio Grande.
Best morning?
The Grove Café for breakfast, stroll Old Town, then swing by Chile Konnection for roasted chile and a ristra.
What’s a smart “first-timer” combo?
Breakfast at Roadrunner Bakery, Old Town loop, Golden Crown Panadería + NM Tea Co., Sawmill Market, and the Route 66 neon route after dark.
Where should I stay?
Hotel Chaco is a stellar home base near Sawmill Market and Old Town; link to my Best Places to Stay for the Balloon Fiesta post for options by neighborhood.
Is the Sandia Peak Tramway worth it?
Yes—but avoid holidays and Balloon Fiesta due to long waits. Trust me, it’s one of the 5 Mistakes to Avoid at the Balloon Fiesta. If you chose to go at a time other than balloon fiesta then book the 3–5 pm window, reserve TEN 3 at 4:30 pm, and watch sunset from the restaurant.
If you’re here for Balloon Fiesta, build your days around early mornings and naps, then lean into Sawmill Market, Hotel Chaco’s Level 5, or the Route 66 neon route at night. On non-Fiesta trips, add the Sandia Tramway with that TEN 3 dinner plan and watch the sunset the easy way. Either way, this list covers the best things to do in Albuquerque—food, photo ops, and those only-here moments you’ll still be talking about when you get home.
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My Foodie’s Guide to Albuquerque is up now — all my favorite spots in one place. 🌶️
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