History

Albuquerque was founded in 1706 as a small Spanish settlement on the banks of the Rio Grande and was named in honor of the Duke of Alburquerque (hence his nickname The Ducal City, The Duke City in English). Since the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s, the city has been growing around the railway tracks a couple of kilometers away from the original settlement and becoming the center of commerce of the state.

Route 66, a major road between Chicago (Illinois) and Santa Monica (California), reached Albuquerque in 1926 and the first travelers appeared in the city shortly thereafter. Soon, many motels, restaurants and gift shops were built along Fourth Street, along the urban stretch of the road. In 1937, the road was rearranged along Central Avenue. Most of the buildings of the time of Route 66 are located on Central Avenue, but there are still some on Fourth Street. From the 1950s onwards, the city grew because of federal investment in local military bases and the massive influx of visitors and new residents that have made it the center of commerce and transportation for the state.

While Santa Fe is the state capital and the main tourist destination of New Mexico, Albuquerque is the only truly urban area of the state, with a population of more than 500,000 and a metropolitan population of almost one million people. This is where the headquarters of state-owned companies, the University of New Mexico and the Sunport International Airport of Albuquerque, the only major airport in the state, are located.

On airplane

• 1 Sunport International Airport IATA: ABQ The main airbase of New Mexico. Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United serve in Sunport with limited service to their respective major centers, but it is Southwest Airlines that operates most of the traffic to Albuquerque, with direct service to most Western cities, as well as some Southwest operating centers in the Midwest and East of the United States.     (updated in oct 2018)

By train

Albuquerque is a stop along Amtrak's Southwest Chief daily train route.

By Car

Two interstate highways pass through the city, Interstate 40 runs east to west, and Interstate 25 runs north to south.

By bus

• Alvarado Transportation Center Bus Terminal, 🏠 320 First St SWThe city has a bus terminal located in the center of the city that is served by Grehound (+1 505 243 4435) and American buses that provide services to many parts of Mexico. The terminal has a small cafe.   (updated Sep 2018).

By Car

If you are driving, be prepared for frequent road construction. The city government website provides information on major construction projects, but minor projects are always underway. Several radio stations try to report traffic during rush hours in the morning and in the afternoon, but the service tends to come and go, and it's better to ask locally which stations they offer it. KKOB-AM, 770, seems to be quite reliable for these reports. The I-40 and I-25 exchange is commonly called "The Big I," and you will hear that you refer to it as such in traffic reports. Traffic congestion, though not as horrible as some of the other western US cities, can get worse on rush hour and Saturdays. The two interstate and river crossings often have the worst congestion.

Many Albuquerqueans seem to consider I-40 and I-25, which run through the city, as their own personal highways. The lack of use of directional lights is a joke for most drivers in Albuquerque, so be attentive to cars changing lanes without warning. However, interstate traffic usually flows around the speed limit pace.

Driving while talking on a cell phone is illegal in Albuquerque unless you use a hands-free system.

By bus

ABQ Ride (+1 505 243 7433) is the public transport system of Albuquerque. Despite some progress in developing its public transport system, Albuquerque remains mainly a driving city, so with the exception of Central Avenue, public transportation is mostly underdeveloped. Most ABQ Ride routes leave from the Alvarado Transportation Center in the city center between Central Avenue and First Street, which also serves as Albuquerque Amtrak Station and Greyhound Deposit, as well as Rail Runner Station. Bus service is reduced during the weekend.

The Rapid Ride is an express bus service operated by ABQ Ride that operates regularly, using bright red articulated buses. There are three Quick Travel routes: #766 (Red Line) and #777 (Green Line) each run very often and almost entirely on Central Avenue, serving attractions like BioPark, Old Town, Downtown, UNM, Nob Hill, the fairgrounds and Uptown; #766 runs between Uptown and Unser/Central at Westside, while #777 runs between Downtown and Tramway/Central on the eastern edge of the city. In addition, #790 (Blue Line) connects UNM with the Cottonwood Mall area on the west side, but runs less frequently than Central Avenue lines and is more oriented towards travelers. Local routes that are useful for visitors include #50, which runs from Monday to Saturday between the airport and the city center; and #40 (the "D-Ride"), a free shuttle service that runs through the city center on weekdays.

The standard rates for ABQ Ride routes are $1 per trip, with discounts for senior citizens and children available (cash only; exact change is required). A one-day pass costs $2. A one-day pass is included in the price of a one-day pass from Rail Runner Express, so visitors traveling on the Rail Runner to Albuquerque train can also travel on the free bus using their train ticket.

• 1 Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum , 🏠 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE (on the Balloon Fiesta Fiesta land), ☎ 505+5068 020 🕓 Open Tuesday to 9:00 to 17:00 hours. it is a museum dedicated to the history, science and art of all kinds of balloon flights, you can enjoy exhibitions in balloons, collections and memorabilia. Located on the site of the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, the largest annual balloon party in the world. If you can't go to the Globo Festival, this is the best, and if you can go to the Globo Party, this is an excellent complement to a mass promotion morning. The ticket is $4 for an adult, $2 for an elderly person, $1 for children and free entry for children under 3 years old. Entry is free on Sunday mornings..   (updated in nov 2018)
• 2 Indian People Cultural Center 🏠 2401 12th St NW (North Interstate 40), 0 50 + 1 5843 7270 🕓 Open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, closed on public holidays.   (updated in nov 2018)
• 3 Hispano National Cultural Center, 1701 4th St SW, ☎・・1 505 246 261 261, opened Tuesday to 10:00 to 17:00, closed on public holidays. A large complex of buildings dedicated to Hispanic culture, with a small but very interesting art museum with changing Hispanic art exhibitions. There is also a library and genealogy center, a restaurant, a gift shop and regular schedule of special events and shows. $6, free entry for children under 16.     (updated in nov 2018)
• 4 National Museum of Science and Nuclear History 🏠 601 Eubank Blvd SE (in Blvd, near Kirtland Air Force), 0☎ Southern Base 545 2137 🕓 Open from 9:00 to 17:00, closed on public holidays.     (updated in nov 2018)
• Albuquerque Biological Park (in English: Albuquerque Biological Park), ☎ +1 505 768 2000 (updated in nov 2018)

• 5 Albuquerque Aquarium (in English: ABQ BioPark Aquarium), 🏠 2601 Central Ave NW (updated Nov 2018)
• 6 Rio Grande Botanical Garden (in English: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden), 🏠 2601 Central Ave NW (updated Nov 2018)
• 7 Rio Grande Zoo (in English: ABQ BioPark Zoo), 🏠 903 Tenth St SW (updated Nov 2018)

• 8 Sandia Peak Tramway , ☎ +1 505 856 732557325 (updated Nov 2018)

• 9 Unser Racing 🏠 1776 Montano Rd NW, ☎🕓.・. this museum is dedicated to the legacy of the Unser racing and automobile sport in general. (updated in nov 2018)

• 1 National Petroglyphs Monument (in English: Petroglyph National Monument), 🏠 visitor center in 6001 Unser Blvd NW, ☎. +1 505 899 02051111:ext30🕓7 Diary0 100 hours. on the western side of the city, Petroglyph is a monument to the United States National Park System and maintains an important archeological site with an impressive number of petroglyphs. Despite their proximity to an urban center, petroglyphs are in good condition with very little vandalism or theft. The monument features a visitors' center with some interpretative exhibitions and some short paths leading to numerous petroglyphs. Also within the monument is a series of volcanic ash cones with city views, accessible by trails from Atrisco Vista Blvd. along the back of the monument.     (updated in nov 2018)

Performing arts

• 2 KiMo Theater , 🏠 423 Central Ave NW, ☎・+1 505 768 3522    
• 3 Popejoy Hall , 🏠 in Center of Arts building at UNM campus, ☎+1 505 277 3824 
• 4 Isleta Amphitheater, 🏠 5601 University Blvd SE, ・・・+1 505452 5000 Albuquerque's southern location; this is the city's main concert venue. 
• 5 The Cell , 🏠 700 1st St NW, ・+1 505 766 9412 Fusion Theater Company home, a local performance group (updated Apr 2016)
• 6 Albuquerque 🏠 224 San Pasquale SW, ・☎+1 505 242 450 4750 Local spectacles all year round 
• 7 The Box Performance Space , 100 Gold Ave SW 112, 🏠・1 505 404 1578 
• 8 Aux Dog Theater, 3011 Monte Vista Boulevard NE (in the Nob Hill area just north of Central), 0554 7716 

Annual Events

2007 International Albuquerque Balloon Festival

• The 9th Albuquerque International Balloon Festival (in Balloon Fiesta Park, north of Alameda Blvd, 1.6km west of Interstate 25; the ticket is $10, it's free for children under 12, the parking fee is $15 per car) is the largest balloon event in the world and one of the most photographed. It is a cultural landmark for the city and the state. For nine days, you can walk to a large field where globists from all over the world install, inflate, launch and possibly land their balloons. Massive balloon elevations in hundreds of different colors and shapes create an often impressive and magnificent view. It is one of the most popular festivals in the United States.

Balloons fly better in cooler conditions, so many of the events take place early in the morning. Traffic is pretty bad around the festival; expect a long line of cars (you may want to seriously consider taking parking to avoid traffic). Get your hotel reservations well in advance, because all rooms are filled at this time of the year. In case of rain or snow, there is no refund of prices. Most years time works in favor of balloons, so this shouldn't be a problem.

The event begins on the first Saturday of October and ends with an ascent to the farewell mass on Sunday the following weekend, with numerous intermediate events, such as concerts and balloon races. Here are some of the highlights of the party:

• Dawn Patrol
• Mass Ascension
• Balloon Glow
• Morning Glow
• Special Shapes Rodeo

And if you want to do more than observe balloons, there are several local companies offering balloon rides all year round:

• Private Balloon Flights , ☎ +1 505 550 2677 (updated Nov 2018)
• Rainbow Ryders ☎+1 505 823 11111111111,111111.The only one who works directly from the Balloon Fiesta Park.
• Skyspan Adventures, ☎ +1 505 250 2300 (updated Nov 2018)

In addition to the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, there are many festivals and annual celebrations.

• Around Christmas, thousands of luminaries (a paper bag filled with sand with a lit candle placed inside) line up on the streets of the old town. If you come to the city during this time of year, you will also likely see electric luminaries (a series of lights designed to look like authentic luminaries) on the roofs of many buildings in the city. You can also see luminary exhibitions in some of the city's residential neighborhoods, on the UNM campus, and in the front yard of many people, but the Old Town offers the most accessible and dramatic exhibition.
• Alburquerque International Flamenco Festival (updated in nov 2018)
• Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow (updated in nov 2018)
• New Mexico Arts & Crafts Fair (updated in nov 2018)
• 10 New Mexico State Fair (updated in nov 2018)

At first glance, it might seem that their only place to buy is the miles and miles of malls lined on major avenues. While this is not entirely true, everything is scattered, with the exception of the Old Town-Downtown-Nob Hill concentrator area along Central Ave. So while you can find almost anything you're looking for, you probably have to drive to get it.

Cheap

• 1 Federico's Mexican Food , 🏠 They have several establishments around the city, located in Zuni at 5555 Zuni SE, ☎ +1 505 25-105-1094 Zuni, 505 25-1094🕓4 Open 24. The price hovers between $3 to $6USD. 
• 2 Frontier Restaurant , 🏠 2400 Central Ave SE (at Central & Cornell), . ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ The price hovers between $3 to $9 USD. 
• 3 Grandma's K&I Diner , 2500 🏠 Broadway Blvd SE, +1 505 243-1818,8, opened daily from 6:00 to 15:00. 
• 4 Rudy's Country Store and BBQ , 🏠2321 Carlisle NE (alternate location at 10136 NW Coors), ☎ +1 505 884-400 daily00 daily0 daily00 daily:00 to 22:00 AM-10PM. The price hovers between $3 to $6USD. 
• 5 Saggio's Pizza , 107 🏠 Cornell Dr. SE (at Central & Cornell, across the street from Frontier Restaurant), 107...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 

The 66 Diner

• Diner 66 , 1405 🏠 Central Ave NE (between I-25 and University Blvd.), ・・・+1 505247-12214🕓M-F 11AM Sa 8AM-11PM Su 8AM-10PM. A Route 66 themed restaurant serves classic American dishes. Large portions, good atmosphere. The price hovers between $5 to $9 USD. 

Moderate

• 7 County Line BBQ , 🏠 9600 Tramway Blvd NE, ☎ +1 505 856-7477Spectacular views of the city from the windows of the main dining room. For dinner during the weekend, be prepared to wait a little. Good Texas-style barbecue and a relaxed atmosphere. The price hovers between $10 and $20. 
• 8 Dion's , 🏠 multiple locations; location at Central Ave NE, 4717, Central Ave NE, ☎1 505 265-6991991🕓, Sunday, Thursday, 10:30 to 22:00, Friday and 10:30 to 2:00. A popular local pizzerias chain, serving some of Albuquerque's best pizzas. They also have sandwiches. 
• 9 Il Vicino , 🏠 multiple locations; location on Nob Hill in 3403 Central Ave NE, ☎ +1 505 266-785555555on Thursday from 11:00 to 23:00 hours, Friday and 11:0 to midnight0. Pizza and Fresh Gourmet Beer 
• 10 Flying Star Cafe , 🏠 multiple locations; location on Nob Hill at 3416 Central Ave SE, ☎+1 505 255-6663363🕓6:00 to 11:00 p.m., 6:00 to midnight. The price hovers between $3 to $11dollars. 
• 11 Pars Cuisine , 🏠 4320 The 25 Way, Ste 100, ☎ +1 505 345-5551616🕓Monday to Thursday to 9:00 p.m., Friday and 11:00 to 22:00 hours, Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Persian food. The price hovers between $4 to $20. 
• 12 Slate Street Cafe , 🏠 515 Slate NW, ☎ +1 505 243-2210American cuisine. They have a good wine list and a wine bar. 
• 13 Taj Mahal , 🏠 1430 Carlisle Blvd NE, +1 505 255-1944 1991Lunch - 2:30 p.m., dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Excellent Indian food. The price hovers between $3 to $15. 

Caro

• 14 Artichoke Cafe , 🏠424 Central Ave SE (corner of Central and Edith), ☎・+1 505 2 43-0002🕓Breakfast from 11:00 to 14:30, dinner from Sunday to Thursday from 17:00 to 21:00 10 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. American cuisine and a popular restaurant in the center of the city. Excellent creamy artichoke soup and excellent salmon. Very pleasant atmosphere. The price hovers between $9 to $30. 
• 15 The Rancher's Club , 🏠 Crowne Plaza Albuquerque, 1901 University Blvd NE, ☎ +1 505 889-8071One of the best restaurants in Albuquerque, and winner of multiple awards. American cuisine, serving quality grilled beef, seafood and poultry on aromatic wood. 
• 16 Tucanos Brazilian Grill , 🏠 110 Central Ave SW, ☎ +1 505 246-9900 Thursday 010000000 to10:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays, 1 00-21:00. Excellent salad bar and a variety of meats brought to your table. Lunch is $12 per person and dinner is $20 per person. 
• 17 Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro , 3009 Central Ave NE, ☎ +1 505 254-94422222🏠6th to Thursday, 11:00 to 23:00 and 17:00 to 22:0, Friday 0-14:30 and 17:00-23:00, Saturday 17:00-23:00, Sunday 11:00-14:00. Nob Hill. American cuisine with a French touch; excellent snacks. Don't miss out on the wine bar and jazz in the basement. Recommended reservations The price hovers between $8 and $27dollars. 

New Mexico cuisine

Cheap

• 18 Church Street Cafe , 🏠 2111 Church St NW, +1 505 247-85222... The price hovers between $6 to $15. 
• Durans Central Pharmacy , 1815 Central Ave NW, 1 505 247-4111 Central Ave NW, +1 505 247-411 41🏠. The price hovers between $5 to $9 USD. 
• 20 Little Anita's , 🏠 regional chain, original in Old Town in 2105 Mountain Rd NW, ☎ +1 505 242-331 21,000 to 21:00 🕓. The price hovers between $3 to $7dollars. 
• 21 The Quates , regional chain 🏠, main location at 4901 Lomas NE, +1 505 268-0944 daily 49011:00 to 21:00. The price hovers between $4 to $10. 
• 22 Milly's , 🏠 7308 Jefferson St NE (alternate location at 2100 Candelaria Road), +1 505 345-9225-922☎🕓 6:30 to 5:00 hours. The price hovers between $3 to $8 USD. 
• 23 Papa Felipe's Mexican Restaurant , 🏠 9800 Menaul Blvd NE, +1 505 292-88877,・✉: rudy@papafelipes.com. 🕓 Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 21:00, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00. The price hovers between $7 to $20. 
• 24 Sadie's of New Mexico , regional 🏠, original at 6230 4th St NW, +1 505 345-5399 39☎1:00 to 22:00, 11:00 to 21:00 on Sunday. Constant quality. Often a long wait. The price hovers between $5 to $9 USD. 

Moderate

• 25 Cervantes , 🏠 5801 Gibson Blvd SE, +1 505 262-22335 Gibson Blvd SE, +1 505 262-222333 Monday to Saturday 11:00, Sundays. 
• 26 El Pinto , 🏠 10500 4th St NW, +1 505 898-17171Monday - 11:00 - 21:00, Friday and Saturday 11:00 - 22:00, Sunday 10 From 10:30am to 9:00pm and from 10:30am to 2:00pm you can enjoy breakfast and lunch on Sundays. A charming atmosphere and a great menu. Its nachos are fantastic, and the restaurant is also the supplier of a popular local salsa brand. 
• 27 Garduño's of Mexico , 2100 🏠Louisiana Blvd NE (alternate location on Cottonwood Mall), +1 505 880-000005-000-0500012 2:00 p.m., Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Consistent and good quality food with some Mexican and Arizona influence to go with the standards of New Mexico. 
• 28 Monroe's , 🏠 1520 Lomas NW (Alternate Localization at 6051 Osuna NE), +1 505 242-1111211☎1 to 21:00 a.m., Saturday and 9:00 to 2 1:00 a.m. Enjoy traditional tacos of steak. The price hovers between $4 to $11dollars. 

Downtown

• 1 Ibiza , 🏠 125 Second Street NW (in the Andaluz), Hotel☎・z+1 55 242 9090 
• 2 Launchpad , 🏠 618 Central Ave SW, ・+1 505 764 8887 
• 3 Library Bar & Grill , 312 Central Ave SW, 🏠・+1 505 242 2992 
• 4 Lotus , 🏠 211 Gold Ave SW, ・+1 505 243 0955 
• 5 Marble Brewery , 🏠 111 Marble StW, N+1 505 243 2739 

Nob Hill and UNM

• 6 Copper Lounge , 🏠 1504 Central Ave SE, ・+1 505 242 7490 
• 7 Imbibe , 🏠 3103 Central Ave NE, ☎・+1 505 255 4200 
• 8 Kelly's Brewery , 🏠 3222 Central Ave SE, ・ 1 505 262 2379 
• 9 Monte Vista Fire Station , 3205 🏠 Central Ave NE, ・+1 505 255 2424 
• 10 Nob Hill Bar & Grill , 🏠 3128 Central Ave SE, ・ 1 505 266 6872 
• 11 O'Neill's Pub , 🏠 4310 Central Ave SE, ・ 1 505 255 6782 
• 12 Two Fools Tavern , 🏠 3211 Central Ave NE, ・ 1 505 265 7447 

Interstate 25 and Heights Corridor

• 13 The Barley Room , 🏠 5200 Eubank NE, ・+1 505 332 0800 
• 14 Canteen Brewhouse , 🏠 2381 Aztec Rd NE, ・ 1 505 881 2737 
• 15 Chama River Brewing Company , 🏠 4931 Pan American NE, ☎+1 505 342 1800 
• 16 Summit , 🏠 3313 Girard E, ・+1 505 872 0225 
• 17 Nexus Brewery , 🏠 4730 Pan American Fwy East, Suite D, ☎+1 505 242 4100 

Westside

• 18 Cazuela's Mexican Grill & Brewery , 🏠 4501 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, ・ +1 505 994 9364 
• 19 Turtle Mountain Brewing Company , 🏠 905 36th St SE, Rio Rancho, ・+1 505 994 9497 

Cheap

• 1 Hiway House Motel , 3200 Central Ave SE, +1 505 268 3971,・✉: info@hiwayhousemotel.com. This modest hotel is located in the center of Nob Hill, close to restaurants, pubs, shops and the University of New Mexico. The price of the rooms is between 40 and 70 US dollars. (updated Sep 2018)

Moderate

• 2 Best Western Rio Grande Inn , 🏠 1015 Rio Grande Blvd, +1 505 843 9500, fax: 1 505 843 9238NOCC, ✉ : reservations@riograndeinn.com. The price of the rooms is between $90 and $120. (updated Sep 2018)
• 3 Bottger Mansion of Old Town , 110 San Felipe St NW, ☎ +1 505 243 3639,・✉: info@bottger.com. Input time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, departure time: 11:00 am. The price hovers between $115 and $180. (updated Sep 2018)
• 4 Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town , 🏠 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW, +1 505 843 6300Input Time: 3:00 pm, departure time: 12:00 pm. The price hovers between $140 and $200. (updated Sep 2018)
• 5 Mauger Estate Bed & Breakfast , 🏠 701 Roma Ave NW (In the city center, corner with 7th), free phone: +1 800 719 9189, ✉ : maugerbb@aol.com. Input time: 3:00, departure time: 11:00. A cozy bed & breakfast near the center of the city in a charming old Victorian house. Pet-friendly. The price hovers between $99 and $205. (updated in oct 2018)

Caro

• 6 Hotel Andaluz , 🏠 125 Second Street NW, ☎ +1 505 242 9090The price hovers between $165 and $275. (updated in oct 2018)
• 7 Hotel Parq Central , 806 🏠 Central Avenue SE, ☎ +1 505 20 0000, ✉ 44: info@hotelparqcentral.com. The price hovers between $150 and $300. (updated in oct 2018)
• 8 The Poor Inn , 🏠 4803 Rio Grande Blvd NW, +1 505 344 9277, 99✉: info@lospoblanos.com. The price hovers between $150 and $315. (updated in oct 2018)

Albuquerque has an average crime rate compared to other cities in the United States, but most are property crimes that concern residents more than visitors.

Central Avenue is home to the city's main attractions but there are areas that can be a bit dangerous in the evening such as the section from the train tracks to University Boulevard. Even in the center of the city, small streets near Central Avenue can be dangerous when dark. The Nob Hill or UNM district (between University and Carlisle) is safe at night, but there are areas where walking in the evening and it is recommended to take a bus or taxi after sunset.

If you are involved in outdoor recreational activities, use sunscreen. The city is more than 5,000 feet away and there are not many clouds so it can have a sunburn in a short time. The city and state is very arid and with its altitude, it makes moisture very low both in summer and winter, which can lead to dehydration. Drink a lot of water. A common complaint among visitors of lower altitudes is a persistent headache, often confused with height malaise, but which is actually a common symptom of dehydration. Consider carrying a bottle of water and drinking frequently throughout the day if you have not yet done so.