Guidebook for Albuquerque
Food Scene
Java Joe's
906 Park Ave SWA laid back place to meet friends or read the morning paper. Good food
Restaurant and bakery, famous for its green chilie cheese bread. A must places to eat. Fresh bread sandwiches and the best pizzas in town. It still has some of its original character.
67 locals recommend
Golden Crown Panaderia
1103 Mountain Rd NWRestaurant and bakery, famous for its green chilie cheese bread. A must places to eat. Fresh bread sandwiches and the best pizzas in town. It still has some of its original character.
Located in an old adobe house. The locals eat here even when they don't have tourist friends to provide cover for them.
57 locals recommend
Church Street Cafe
2111 Church St NWLocated in an old adobe house. The locals eat here even when they don't have tourist friends to provide cover for them.
La Crepe Michel
400 San Felipe St NWA good French restaurant in an Old Town mews.
Across from UNM. One person said if you sit at the Frontier long enough you'll see everybody in town. A fast food restaurant that still uses china plates & metal flatware. See the original SW art.
148 locals recommend
Frontier
2400 Central Ave SEAcross from UNM. One person said if you sit at the Frontier long enough you'll see everybody in town. A fast food restaurant that still uses china plates & metal flatware. See the original SW art.
Practically next door, remarkably inexpensive, genuine New Mexican cuisine and clientele. We eat there regularly.
47 locals recommend
Monroe's Restaurant
1025 4th Street NorthwestPractically next door, remarkably inexpensive, genuine New Mexican cuisine and clientele. We eat there regularly.
These salads are not like the ones your mother used to make. This terrific new restaurant is a spin off of the one in Santa Fe. Check their web site for more information and menus.
103 locals recommend
Vinaigrette
1720 Central Ave SWThese salads are not like the ones your mother used to make. This terrific new restaurant is a spin off of the one in Santa Fe. Check their web site for more information and menus.
Essentials
This neighborhood market has just undergone a complete makeover and now sells wine and spirits.
61 locals recommend
Lowe's Neighborhood Market
701 11th St NWThis neighborhood market has just undergone a complete makeover and now sells wine and spirits.
A second location for what I think is the oldest and best co-op in Albuquerque.
50 locals recommend
La Montañita Co-op Food Market - Rio Grande
2400 Rio Grande Blvd NWA second location for what I think is the oldest and best co-op in Albuquerque.
Sprouts Farmers Market
5112 Lomas Blvd NENice produce, reasonably priced.
Trader Joe's
2200 Uptown Loop Rd NEChocolate and wine - need I say more!
An Old Mexico experience in New Mexico. Eat at the deli, buy groceries, enjoy.
10 locals recommend
Pro's Ranch Markets
4201 Central Ave NWAn Old Mexico experience in New Mexico. Eat at the deli, buy groceries, enjoy.
Shopping
A place to buy gifts and souvenirs NOT made in China. Operated by the Junior League for crafts people over 55. One hundred percent of the purchase price goes to the craft person/artist.
7 locals recommend
Mary Fox Park
401 13th St NWA place to buy gifts and souvenirs NOT made in China. Operated by the Junior League for crafts people over 55. One hundred percent of the purchase price goes to the craft person/artist.
The staff at St John's are the most interesting people I've ever met. And usually I "find" interesting things to buy.
St John's Thrift Shop
1406 Central Ave SWThe staff at St John's are the most interesting people I've ever met. And usually I "find" interesting things to buy.
A friendly place to walk and shop. Small stores line Central from here west to UNM.
9 locals recommend
Nob Hill Business Center
113 Carlisle Blvd SEA friendly place to walk and shop. Small stores line Central from here west to UNM.
Everything Else
Accesses to the Bosque Trail are at either end of the park.
Across the street from the south end of Kit Carson is a nice dog park.
Kit Carson Park
1744 Kit Carson Ave SWAccesses to the Bosque Trail are at either end of the park.
Across the street from the south end of Kit Carson is a nice dog park.
The visitor center was designed by architect Antoine Predock contains exhibits and a glass-walled library overlooking a wildlife pond. Two trails lead into the cottonwood forest (or Bosque).
146 locals recommend
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
2901 Candelaria Rd NWThe visitor center was designed by architect Antoine Predock contains exhibits and a glass-walled library overlooking a wildlife pond. Two trails lead into the cottonwood forest (or Bosque).
The Downtown Growers’ Market is an open-air market with music and more. Hours of operation will be 7 AM to 12 PM every Saturday May to August, and 8AM- 1PM September to November.
13 locals recommend
Robinson Park
810 Copper Ave NWThe Downtown Growers’ Market is an open-air market with music and more. Hours of operation will be 7 AM to 12 PM every Saturday May to August, and 8AM- 1PM September to November.
Sightseeing
The main campus of UNM is noted for the architectural planning and designs of John Gaw Meem as well as WPA art projects at Zimmerman Library (main campus). It's also a registered botanical park.
66 locals recommend
The University of New Mexico
The main campus of UNM is noted for the architectural planning and designs of John Gaw Meem as well as WPA art projects at Zimmerman Library (main campus). It's also a registered botanical park.
Winding drive up the east side of the Sandia Mtn. ends overlooking the city, a short hike at the crest, #1 place for viewing sunsets. Hiking trails lead off from the road, Tree Springs a favorite.
Sandia Crest Scenic Highway
Sandia Crest Scenic HighwayWinding drive up the east side of the Sandia Mtn. ends overlooking the city, a short hike at the crest, #1 place for viewing sunsets. Hiking trails lead off from the road, Tree Springs a favorite.
Rio Grande Blvd. from Central to Alamada passes through this city within a city. It's one of the best parts of the city, most of the farms and yards are fed by river water delivered via the acequias.
14 locals recommend
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
Rio Grande Blvd. from Central to Alamada passes through this city within a city. It's one of the best parts of the city, most of the farms and yards are fed by river water delivered via the acequias.
A paved path along through the bosque (wooded area along the riverside) great for running, walking, biking.
38 locals recommend
Paseo del Bosque Trail
Paseo del Bosque TrailA paved path along through the bosque (wooded area along the riverside) great for running, walking, biking.
All-in-one: museum, store, performance center, restaurant, all dedicated to introducing you to Native American culture. Operated by the pueblo tribes of New Mexico.
158 locals recommend
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
2401 12th St NWAll-in-one: museum, store, performance center, restaurant, all dedicated to introducing you to Native American culture. Operated by the pueblo tribes of New Mexico.
An organic farm in the city, with an upscale Inn, restaurant and store - but I like the goats and the white peacock.
114 locals recommend
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm
4803 Rio Grande Blvd NWAn organic farm in the city, with an upscale Inn, restaurant and store - but I like the goats and the white peacock.
If you're driving to Santa Fe skip I-25 and take what the locals call "the back way" or North 14. The road passes through old mining towns with new artist colonies like Madrid - stop and shop.
Cedar Crest
If you're driving to Santa Fe skip I-25 and take what the locals call "the back way" or North 14. The road passes through old mining towns with new artist colonies like Madrid - stop and shop.
The main building on Rio Grande that's part of this house of dreams was designed by local architect Bart Prince. Some call this the house of snails because of its shape.
Casas de Suenos Old Town Historic Inn, Albuquerque New Mexico
310 Rio Grande Boulevard SouthwestThe main building on Rio Grande that's part of this house of dreams was designed by local architect Bart Prince. Some call this the house of snails because of its shape.
A nice day trip. The center of a volcano that sent rocks hundreds of miles the caldera was part of the Baca Ranch until purchased by "we the people". A wild fire burned the caldera in 2013.
42 locals recommend
Valles Caldera National Preserve
39201 NM-4A nice day trip. The center of a volcano that sent rocks hundreds of miles the caldera was part of the Baca Ranch until purchased by "we the people". A wild fire burned the caldera in 2013.
Home of the atomic bomb, children born here during WW II have a PO Box in Santa Fe on their birth certificate.
26 locals recommend
Los Alamos
Home of the atomic bomb, children born here during WW II have a PO Box in Santa Fe on their birth certificate.
Hiking trails, kivas, ancient homes in the rock walls.
230 locals recommend
Bandelier National Monument
15 Entrance RdHiking trails, kivas, ancient homes in the rock walls.
One of my first "haunts" in NM, drive up Friday night, roll out the sleeping bag and listen to the coyotes howl. There was a warm spring a couple of miles up the trail.
8 locals recommend
Jemez Falls
One of my first "haunts" in NM, drive up Friday night, roll out the sleeping bag and listen to the coyotes howl. There was a warm spring a couple of miles up the trail.
Tourist destination for their bath houses. The sheriff once said it's a nice place in winter, in summer it's like a granola bar - all fruit, flakes and nuts. But don't let that keep you away.
72 locals recommend
Jemez Springs
Tourist destination for their bath houses. The sheriff once said it's a nice place in winter, in summer it's like a granola bar - all fruit, flakes and nuts. But don't let that keep you away.
Once a boarding school for girls (our hairdresser and her sisters were sent here after their mother died), the Harwood is now filled with artist studios.
6 locals recommend
Harwood Art Center
1114 7th St NWOnce a boarding school for girls (our hairdresser and her sisters were sent here after their mother died), the Harwood is now filled with artist studios.
Production tour to see Eclipse 550 jets during assembly process. Advanced reservation, available weekdays 8:30 am-3:30 pm. Call 505-724-1000 or email contact@eclipse.aero
Eclipse Aerospace
3520 Spirit DriveProduction tour to see Eclipse 550 jets during assembly process. Advanced reservation, available weekdays 8:30 am-3:30 pm. Call 505-724-1000 or email contact@eclipse.aero
A Pueblo Deco picture palace, opened in 1927 was restored in the 1970s. Check the web site for a schedule of events.
47 locals recommend
KiMo Theatre
423 Central Ave NWA Pueblo Deco picture palace, opened in 1927 was restored in the 1970s. Check the web site for a schedule of events.
Entertainment & Activities
Mary Fox Park
401 13th St NWWell designed park with a play ground for young children.
In addition to the kids garden, butterfly house, heritage farm there is a small train that runs between this venue and the Zoo.
37 locals recommend
Aquarium & Botanic Garden Station
Paseo del Bosque TrailIn addition to the kids garden, butterfly house, heritage farm there is a small train that runs between this venue and the Zoo.
A really nicely designed small zoo. The Zoo is part of the ABQ BioPark, other parts being the Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach. A small train runs between these fun facilities.
263 locals recommend
ABQ BioPark
903 10th St SWA really nicely designed small zoo. The Zoo is part of the ABQ BioPark, other parts being the Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach. A small train runs between these fun facilities.