New Mexico
Your Roadmap to Visiting Albuquerque New Mexico's Colorful Culture – 303 Magazine
It can sometimes be hard to understand the culture of a city or town with tourist traps masquerading as authentic experiences. But not the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. As the state’s largest city and one of the oldest cities in the United States, Albuquerque remains authentic to its rich history, heritage and colorful culture with Native American, Hispanic and Latino cultural influences as part of everyday life. Albuquerque is full of special experiences, whether you’re exploring the culinary scene, enjoying a hot air balloon ride, cruising down Route 66, or hiking in the Sandias, there’s much to discover in this southwest city. And for Denverites, it’s easy to visit with either a 7-hour road trip or a quick 1.5-hour direct flight from Denver to Albuquerque. So, buckle up and use our roadmap for visiting Albuquerque, New Mexico and its vibrant culture.
Get your kicks on Route 66
Did you know that Albuquerque is home to the longest urban stretch of Route 66? That’s right, the iconic “Mother Road” that connected travelers from Chicago to Los Angeles across more than 2,400 miles, a large piece of it runs through the heart of Albuquerque. In 2026, Route 66 celebrates its Centennial and Albuquerque is gearing up to celebrate in a big way. A two-season-long commemoration and celebration begins this year with immersive art installations in partnership with Meow Wolf, augmented reality (A/R) experiences and a host of special events that will bring the iconic route to life.
A drive down Route 66 reveals a unique blend of the old and the new in ABQ’s popular neighborhoods such as Nob Hill, downtown, the University area and Old Town. Route 66 feels much like Colfax Ave. in Denver— a long continuous street in the central part of town that holds much of the city’s history, local restaurants and bars.
Nob Hill is where you’ll find much of ABQ’s grit and character, unpretentious watering holes and old roadside motels; revamped and ready for travelers. Check out The Imperial, a remodeled Route-66-era roadside motel built in the 60s that has held on to its retro vibes and preserved its heritage with modern details.
Come for the Route 66 Summerfest in Nob Hill (on Central Avenue), occurring twice during the Route 66 Centennial Celebrations — July 2025 and July 2026. Another fun way to experience Route 66 is with a Route 66 Speakeasy Tour with ABQ Trolley Co. See where clandestine bars thrived in the shadows along Route 66, serving up jazz music and crafty cocktails. Aboard the trolley tour of tucked-away speakeasies, you’ll sample hand-crafted cocktails and bites from Founders Speakeasy and the eclectic Z Lounge at Hotel Zazz (another retro roadside motel) where a secret handshake and a golden banana grant you access to its hip speakeasy.
Soar to new heights at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, make plans to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Taking flight every October, ABQ hosts one of the most popular events in the country for balloon enthusiasts and curious travelers. Whether you’re there to watch as hundreds of balloons ascend to new heights or take a ride yourself, the fiesta is a beloved tradition that the entire city and state get excited about. During the 9-day event, watch every morning as hundreds of balloons lift off (weather permitting) and float above the New Mexican landscape.
Part of what makes this balloon rally so special is the ability for the spectators to come out on the field in “the box” to watch as the pilot and crew get ready for lift-off. Everyone is e a part of the action, even if you aren’t lifting off with the crew. But if you’d like to take flight in a balloon, you can pay $500 to ride in one of the balloons from Rainbow Flyer—the only commercial company that operates at the event. At the balloon fiesta park, be sure to also stop in at the Albuquerque International Balloon Museum to learn more about the world’s first flying machine since the first manned flight in 1783.
Petroglyph National Monument
One of the most culturally unique sites in ABQ is the Petroglyph National Monument. Located just minutes from the main part of town, you’ll find a large concentration of 100s of petroglyphs that date as far back as 700 years. Well-marked trails through Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon and Piedras Marcades Canyon reveal scenic views and hundreds of petroglyphs carved onto volcanic surfaces by Native American and Spanish settlers. Hike to the top where you’ll find yourself in somewhat familiar territory as you approach 5,280 feet in elevation, where you’ll gain views of the Sandia Mountains and Rio Grand Valley below.
Acoma Pueblo
The state of New Mexico is home to 19 Native American Pueblos, from the most famous Taos Pueblo up north to the Acoma Pueblo down south near ABQ. One of the more incredible cultural sites you’ll see near town is the Acoma Pueblo. An hour west of Albuquerque, the Acoma Pueblo, also known as Sky City, rests at the top of a mesa and is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S. Guided tours of this pueblo area are available and are the only way to see inside. Sign up for a tour of this historic pueblo and learn more about the 367-foot-tall sandstone mesa-top community.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Before you visit the Acoma Pueblo, be sure to stop in town at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Considered the gateway to New Mexico’s 19 Native American Pueblos, the center is owned and operated by the state’s Native American tribes and showcases exhibits that highlight the Native American culture and heritage. Plan your time accordingly to witness cultural dances by local Native Americans and shop local artists and crafters selling their work.
Explore the new and old in historic Old Town
At the center of it all is ABQ’s historic Old Town and Plaza Don Luis. Similar to the central plazas in Santa Fe and Taos, the Old Town Plaza dates back to the early 1700s as the town’s central square where celebrations and business took place. Today, the original town square still serves as a main gathering place for dining, entertainment and shopping.
You’ll find Old Town bustling with quiet patios, intimate pathways, gardens and low-slung balconies filled with more than 150 independent restaurants and boutique shops, plus local vendors selling authentic (be sure to ask for a certificate of authenticity) Native American jewelry, pottery, art and more.
Plaza Don Luis, nestled to the west of the historic San Felipe De Neri Church, is the hub of Old Town. Within the Plaza, you’ll find a few of the leaders in New Mexico’s burgeoning wine scene, Noisy Water Winery and Albuquerque’s own Sheehan Winery. Or stop in at the newest winery in Old Town at Viva Vino Wine Studio’s first storefront and tasting room. It’s the perfect place to sample from New Mexico’s rich wine culture that dates back 400 years and 50+ wineries.
Nearby, be sure to stop at the Lapis Room art gallery. Connected to the Noisy Water Winery, the Lapis Room is one of the most fun and funky art galleries you’ll find in town. It has all the character and cultural flavor of New Mexico without the expensive price tags.
Nearby, your culture trip isn’t complete without a visit to one of the several museums that occupy Museum Row. Explore the permanent collection of ancient Native American artifacts up to modern masters like Georgia O’Keeffe at the Albuquerque Museum. If you’re more about wildlife, stop in at the American International Rattlesnake Museum. Or venture to the Turquoise Museum where 1,000s of authentic turquoise jewelry, pottery and other art forms are tucked away in the Gertrude Zachary Castle.
Find your food favorites
It’s no secret that to appreciate the culture of a place, you have to understand its culinary culture. New Mexico is home to some of the country’s favorite regional cuisines, so it’s no surprise that food is one of the things that people remember most about visiting Albuquerque. Incorporating Mexican, Native American and Spanish flavors, New Mexican cuisine is based on Native ingredients such as corn, beans, squash and chile peppers Even beyond the borders of New Mexican food, Albuquerque features cuisine from other countries that make dining one of the best reasons for visiting Albuquerque.
Sawmill Market
The Sawmill Market, the state’s first artisanal food hall, occupies the large former warehouse of the Frank Paxton Lumber Co. Inside you’ll find a mix of Asian foods with sushi, noodle bowls and bao mi buns, Spanish tapas and paella, burgers and brats, sweets and treats, plus tacos and margaritas. And with live music in the outside courtyard, there’s no excuse not to grab a glass of wine or bottle of beer from local purveyors for a night out.
The Imperial food court
Back at The Imperial hotel, you’ll find another version of a food hall. Four independent food concepts have set up shop inside the hotel’s mini food court. A tiny row of ethnic food choices, from Latin bites at Latin Flavor ABQ to Salvadorian food from La Cocina De Maria complement any craving you have.
Dining with a view
Watch one of Albuquerque’s famous southwest sunsets and enjoy a taste of local flavors at one of the city’s rooftop hangouts. Check out rooftop views with food and cocktails at the Apothecary Rooftop Lounge at the historic Hotel Parq Central. Or local flavors from Chef Marc Quinones’s menu at Level 5 Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge located atop the boutique Hotel Chaco. And Ibiza Lounge at Hotel Andaluz.
Local favorites
For homemade New Mexican fare, try a fried bologna sandwich from My Mom’s restaurant. Another local crowd-pleaser is Mesa Provisions. Helmed by Chef Steve Riley, a 2024 James Beard finalist in the Best Chef: Southwest category, Mesa Provisions uses seasonal ingredients from New Mexico to create his ever-changing menus — for example, the Mesa Burger features Native American beef and topped with green chile. Other dining options locals couldn’t stop talking about include Happy Accident, Owl Cafe, Two Fools Tavern and M’Tucci’s.
Or head to the Barelas Neighborhood for authentic New Mexican cuisine. As the oldest neighborhood in ABQ, dating back to the 1600s, the Barelas is a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood located along historic Route 66 where colorful remnants of the past are displayed at almost every corner along with modern murals. The Barelas Coffee House is the place where locals and tourists (if they know where to go) gather for breakfast and lunch. Classic breakfast burritos served with either red or green chili, or “Christmas style” with both is a classic choice. But you can’t go wrong with anything at this family-owned cafe.
Ride the longest aerial tramway in North America
Situated in the Rio Grande Valley, the Sandia Mountains dominate the skyline surrounding ABQ along with its highest point, the Sandia Crest, reaching 10,378 feet in elevation. Becaues of its location, ABQ benefits from warmer lower elevation weather, coupled with snow-packed mountains in winter that are accessible with a 30-minute drive or tram ride.
While you can drive to the summit of the Sandia Crest or a scenic hike, some opt to ride the longest aerial tramway in North America—the Sandia Peak Tramway. A 10-minute tram ride to the top of Sandia Peak offers beautiful mountain vista views from either side and several hiking trails that make it easy to get out and explore the lone mountain.
Discover more things to do when visiting Albuquerque, New Mexico and start planning your trip today.
*all images by Jessica Hughes.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Emergency crews are responding to a tank battery fire in the area of Frying Pan Road and Anthony Road in southern Lea County.
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New Mexico
Think New Mexico Hosts Four 2026 Summer Leadership Interns To Assist In Researching And Developing Policy Proposals – Los Alamos Daily Post
Gathered for a luncheon Tuesday at La Plazuela at La Fonda Tuesday in Santa Fe, front row from left, Think New Mexico 2026 Summer Leadership Intern Viviana Ornelas, Board President Roberta Ramo and Intern Marly Fisher. Back row from left, Think New Mexico Field Director Noah Apodaca, Intern Ian Hernandez, Think New Mexico Board Secretary Liddie Martinez, Intern Awlen Salazar and Healthcare Reform Director Lauren Leland. Courtesy/TNM
Gathered Tuesday at La Plazuela at La Fonda in Santa Fe, front row from left, Think New Mexico 2026 Summer Leadership Intern Viviana Ornelas, Board President Roberta Ramo and Intern Marly Fisher. Back row from left, Think New Mexico Intern Ian Hernandez, Think New Mexico Board Secretary Liddie Martinez and Intern Awlen Salazar. Courtesy/TNM
Think New Mexico News:
Each summer Think New Mexico offers four paid Leadership Internship positions to college or graduate students. Interns have the opportunity to meet with Think New Mexico board members and leaders in state government, as well as to assist Think New Mexico’s staff in researching and developing policy proposals.
The 2026 Summer Leadership Interns include:
Marly Fisher grew up in Albuquerque and graduated from Albuquerque Academy in 2023. As a senior in high school, she and three peers spearheaded a successful effort to pass a bill implementing period products in New Mexico’s public schools. She has since interned for Representatives Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez. Fisher is a senior in the dual degree program between Sciences Po Paris and Columbia, majoring in Political Philosophy and History, and serving as Senior Editor of the Columbia Political Review. She is passionate about improving education in New Mexico.
Ian Hernandez was born and raised in Santa Fe and graduated in the top 1% of his class from the MASTERS Program Early College Charter School. He was a 2023 recipient of the Davis New Mexico Scholarship, which allowed him to attend and graduate from the University of Denver this past June. Hernandez earned his B.A. in Socio-Legal Studies and History and hopes to begin law school in the fall of 2027. As an undergraduate, He interned with U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO). He also worked as a teen journalist for the Santa Fe New Mexican, and as a teacher and tutor for Breakthrough Santa Fe. Hernandez hopes to use his education and life experiences to improve the lives of as many people living in New Mexico and the American Southwest as possible.
Viviana Ornelas is a Santa Fe native who graduated as Valedictorian of her Capital High School class. She received Davis and LANL scholarships to study at the University of Chicago, where she is earning a B.A. in Psychology and Public Policy with a minor in Education and Society. In high school, Viviana led a chapter of the New Mexico Dream Team. As an undergraduate student, she has worked as a research assistant in Dr. Levine’s Cognitive Development Lab where she helped conduct studies to understand the relationship between solving math word problems and spatial skills. Ornelas has also worked as a tutor for the Neighborhood Schools Program in Chicago and a teacher for Breakthrough Santa Fe. She hopes to return to New Mexico to pursue a career in education policy.
Awlen Salazar is a graduate of New Mexico State University (NMSU), where he earned a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Public Administration & Policy and Public Law. He is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of New Mexico. Throughout his time at NMSU, Salazar was a part of the Associated Students of NMSU, where he held roles in the legislative and executive branches as public relations officer and as one of three standing committee chairs for the Senate. At the start of his senior year, Salazar re-chartered the NMSU College Democrats after the club’s two-year hiatus, and he served as President of the club until his graduation in May 2026. Since then, he continues to be involved in the Young Democrats of New Mexico, where he now serves as National Committee Representative. Off campus, Salazar worked closely with nonprofit sector leaders throughout Doña Ana County. In the summer of 2025, he interned for the Doña Ana County Resilience Leaders, where he helped advocate for policies to mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) and expand access to affordable housing. Salazar also worked with NM Comunidades en Accion y De Fé (NM CAFé) as Social Media Associate.
Think New Mexico is New Mexico’s think tank – a results-oriented think tank whose mission is to improve the lives of all New Mexicans, especially those who lack a strong voice in the political process. It fulfills this mission by educating the public, the media, and policymakers about some of the most serious challenges facing New Mexico and by developing and advocating for enduring, effective, evidence-based solutions.
Its approach is to perform and publish sound, nonpartisan, independent research. Unlike many think tanks, Think New Mexico does not subscribe to any particular ideology. Instead, because New Mexico is at or near the bottom of so many national rankings, its focus is on promoting workable solutions that will lift all New Mexicans up.
Consistent with its nonpartisan approach, Think New Mexico’s board is composed of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. They are statesmen and stateswomen, who have no agenda other than to see New Mexico succeed. They are also the brain trust of this think tank.
Think New Mexico began its operations Jan. 1, 1999. It is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In order to maintain its independence, Think New Mexico does not accept state government funding. However, contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations are encouraged, appreciated, and tax-deductible.
As an independent, statewide, results-oriented think tank, Think New Mexico measures its success based on changes in law or policy that it helps to achieve.
Think New Mexico’s results include:
- Making full-day kindergarten accessible to every child in New Mexico;
- Repealing the state’s regressive tax on food and successfully defeating efforts to reimpose it;
- Creating a Strategic Water Reserve to protect and restore New Mexico’s rivers;
- Establishing New Mexico’s first state-supported Individual Development Accounts to alleviate the state’s persistent poverty;
- Redirecting millions of dollars a year out of the state lottery’s excessive operating costs and into college scholarships
- Reforming title insurance to reduce closing costs for homebuyers and homeowners who refinance their mortgages
- Winning passage of three constitutional amendments to professionalize and streamline New Mexico’s Public Regulation Commission
- Modernizing the state’s regulation of taxis, limos, shuttles, and moving companies
- Creating a one-stop online portal to facilitate business fees and filings
- Establishing a user-friendly health care transparency website where New Mexicans can find the cost and quality of common medical procedures at any hospital in the state
- Enacting the New Mexico Work and Save Act to make voluntary state-sponsored Individual Retirement Accounts accessible to New Mexicans who lack access to retirement savings through their jobs;
- Making the state’s infrastructure spending transparent by revealing the legislative sponsors of every capital project;
- Ending predatory lending by reducing the maximum annual interest rate on small loans from 175% to 36%;
- Repealing the tax on Social Security for middle and lower-income New Mexicans with incomes under $100,000 as individuals or $150,000 as married couples;
- Enhancing the training and transparency of local school boards;
- Leading a campaign to make financial literacy a high school graduation requirement, now in place in 46 districts reaching nearly 48% of New Mexico students; and
- Establishing a $2 billion permanent trust fund for Medicaid.
Think New Mexico is headquarters in the historic Greer House at 505 Don Gaspar in Santa Fe, at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Don Gaspar, directly across the street from the state Capitol. To learn more, visit thinknewmexico.org.
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