An Albuquerque vacation allows you to experience the authentic Southwest. One of the oldest cities in the U.S., Albuquerque boasts a variety of attractions and a unique multicultural heritage and history where Native American, Hispanic & Latino, Anglo and other cultural influences are a part of everyday life.
You’ll always feel you’re someplace special when you’re eating at one of our traditional New Mexican restaurants, shopping at one of our many shops and galleries, or enjoying our world-class visual and performing arts.
Nowhere is the confluence of past and present more dramatic than in Albuquerque, where the modern city skyline is set against a backdrop of the ancient Sandia Mountains and an endless, timeless blue sky.
When visiting Albuquerque, you’ll find its spectacular weather — 310 days of sunshine – perfect for outdoor activities, including biking, skiing and playing on some of the country’s best golf courses. The unique weather features also make Albuquerque the hot air ballooning capital of the world.
Balloons dot our clear blue skies almost every morning, revealing a myriad of colors year-round. While visiting Albuquerque at night, you’ll notice the city is bathed in the glow of neon signs, relics of Albuquerque’s place on historic Route 66.
Locals and visitors kick up their heels in our bustling downtown entertainment district, go out for a night of entertainment by one of our international theater and dance companies, or visit one of the many casinos surrounding the metropolitan area.
Albuquerque Must-Sees
Hot-air ballooning began here more than a century ago, and now more than 600 balloonists arrive each October for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Learn more about ballooning’s history, sport, art and science at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.
Tour historic Old Town, the city’s heart since its birth in 1706. Take in the adobe architecture while you visit shops, museums and restaurants.
Soar 2.7 miles across the Sandia Peak aerial tramway for stunning views of the surrounding mountains and canyons. The trip is especially breathtaking at sunset.
At Petroglyph National Monument, see some 24,000 carved images made by early Pueblo people and Spanish settlers. The 17-mile area also includes volcanoes and archeological sites.
Stop by the ABQ BioPark, a one-stop destination that includes a zoo, an aquarium, a botanic garden and Tingley Beach. The park, which offers education about conservation and sustainability, hosts concerts, lectures and other events.