Visit Albuquerque

The ABQ BioPark is a unique environmental museum comprising four facilities -- the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Rio Grande Zoo and Tingley Beach (fishing lakes). The BioPark system provides Albuquerque residents and visitors with exciting new recreational opportunities and to foster environmental awareness, education and stewardship. The BioPark is a division of the City of Albuquerque's Cultural Services Department. Wildlife West Nature Park is a 122-acre wildlife refuge and an enhanced rescued wildlife zoo featuring over 20 species of native NM animals. It features cougars, wolves, bear, elk, deer, javelina, fox, raptors and more. Overnight adventures are available by appointment. Located on the central Rio Grande flyway, the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park offers excellent bird watching throughout the year. Visitors can observe about 250 species of birds including roadrunners and wood ducks. A trail system along the river, demonstration gardens and indoor and outdoor wildlife viewing areas add to this valuable public resource. The bosque, or riverside forest, features two miles of nature trails that wind through tall cottonwoods and past willow thickets and open sand flats alongside the Rio Grande. Park visitors in winter might observe Sandhill cranes at the river and porcupines in the trees. In summer, lizards skitter across the trails and hummingbirds investigate flowering plants.

Visiting Albuquerque museums and the city’s cultural and historic centers offers a fun and fascinating look at the history that shaped New Mexico and the blend of cultures that makes this area so unique. For an introduction to New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos, be sure to visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center which offers information and resources on Native American culture, history and art. If you’re interested in the area’s Spanish heritage, don’t miss the National Hispanic Cultural Center where you can learn about the Day of the Dead traditions, see world-class flamenco performances and enjoy other cultural events. Albuquerque’s Museum of Art and History has exhibits on the city’s origins as a Spanish colonial village, which will give you a whole new perspective on our city. The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History also includes artworks in all traditions, from the works of indigenous peoples to Spanish colonial art to cutting-edge modern installations. Albuquerque history and science museums are easy to find with this online museum and cultural city guide. Albuquerque’s museums provide you with a unique and in-depth perspective on diverse topics covering art, history, culture, science, nature and unique topics such as hot air ballooning and turquoise. Most museum facilities are available to rent for special events, allowing guests to network among dinosaur fossils, a replica turquoise mine, hot air balloon gondolas or Southwestern art.

For a fun family vacation, New Mexico is always a top choice. Albuquerque offers one of the best U.S. family vacations, with several family amusement centers, steam engine train rides and theme parks featuring rides, mini-golf, arcades and lots of fun activities for children. Electric Playhouse is an immersive virtual-reality gaming experience where you control the action, and the Albuquerque BioPark system includes a zoo, aquarium and botanic garden. Family-friendly museums offer fun for everyone. Explora is designed to ignite curiosity, with interactive exhibits and imagination stations. The Wheels Museum will delight train enthusiasts. The Rattlesnake Museum has the largest collection of live rattlesnake species in the world. Learn about the history of hot air ballooning at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Delight in handcrafted miniature scenes at Tinkertown Museum. Explore geology, astronomy and paleontology at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History.

Albuquerque’s spa vacation packages offer a variety of services to help you unwind and enjoy the relaxing spirit of the Southwest. For centuries, New Mexico's geothermally heated mineral springs have given comfort to weary travelers. Today, the outstanding Albuquerque spas have made it a true relaxation destination. The Tamaya Mist Spa at Hyatt Tamaya Resort and Spa, located on Santa Ana Pueblo just outside Albuquerque, has been recognized by Travel + Leisure as one of the 'Top 25 Hotel Spas' in the continental U.S. and Canada. Other Albuquerque spas offer a wide range of services designed to soothe and pamper, often using indigenous ingredients like clay, blue corn meal, juniper and sage. Whether you're looking for a deep tissue massage, an exfoliating body polish, a purifying herbal wrap or a whole day of serene self-indulgence, you'll find it at one of the many luxurious day spas in Albuquerque. New Mexico’s luxury spa vacations are perfect for a girls’ weekend getaway, or for a romantic couples retreat. Many of our spas specialize in treatments that use local ingredients – mud from the Jemez Mountains or piñon-scented oil – for a unique New Mexico day spa experience.

New Mexican food is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. Try a cooking class to learn how to make this fusion cuisine based on Native American, Mexican and Spanish ingredients and techniques. As a diverse culinary destination, Albuquerque boasts a wide variety of restaurants sure to suit any foodie. The star ingredient is the chile pepper, our state fruit. Harvested in the late summer while still green, the long, narrow peppers are served freshly roasted and peeled, or frozen for use throughout the year. Most commonly, you’ll find green chiles made into a spicy sauce that’s ladled over enchiladas, burritos and stuffed sopaipillas. (To sound like a local, just call it “green chile,” not “green chile sauce.”) Albuquerque is one of the best culinary destinations with mom 'n pop restaurants offering green chiles fried into rellenos, piled on top of cheeseburgers, stuffed into breakfast burritos and made into a satisfying stew with hearty chunks of potato. Red chiles, left on the plants to ripen to a deep garnet color, are strung into ristras to dry. These dried red chiles are rehydrated and pureed into a velvety smooth sauce (again, simply called “red chile”) that adorns huevos rancheros, tamales and enchiladas—served stacked, not rolled. Annual Food and Wine Events The Albuquerque area hosts unique food, beer and wine festivals that draw thousands of visitors every year; see the website for a list of major events. Also be sure to check our calendar for smaller beer-pairing dinners, wine tastings and other savory events.

With spectacular weather, 310 days of sunshine and an abundance of outdoor adventures, Albuquerque is a great place for both elite athletes and leisure recreation enthusiasts. Albuquerque is continually ranked among “the country’s fittest cities” by Men’s Fitness Magazine. Outstanding outdoor activities in Albuquerque and Central New Mexico include: -Abundant and accessible biking and hiking trails -Year-round award-winning golf courses -Rafting, stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing on the Rio Grande -Horseback riding with spectacular high-desert scenery -Skiing and snowboarding very close to the city -Birding at three elevations -Rock climbing, mountaineering and geocaching neighboring the city Favorite spectator sports include the Albuquerque Isotopes AAA baseball, New Mexico United soccer, and great college matchups with the University of New Mexico Lobos.

Looking for an interesting way to experience Albuquerque and the sightseeing opportunities available within the city? Guided Albuquerque tours are perfect for people who want to see all the sites but have limited time in the city. Tour the city by trolley, bus, Segway or jeep. Customize your tour topic by photography, walking tours, nature, culture, history or ghost tours. Take a day trip to explore the Jemez Mountains, Santa Fe, Taos, Acoma Pueblo or another destination in the Heart of New Mexico. Or try a scenic train ride. Albuquerque is the perfect home base for touring the region. View the calendar of events for special tours, lectures and presentations happening during your visit.

No matter what Albuquerque entertainment venue you choose, you'll never spend a dull night in Albuquerque! You’ll find some of the best Albuquerque concert venues, nightlife, restaurants and more in the city’s casinos and resorts that also offer gambling feature table games, poker, slots, bingo, spas and golf courses. Check the calendar of events to see what special events are happening during your visit. Top Spots To Enjoy The Albuquerque Nightlife Downtown and Nob Hill are packed with the best bars in Albuquerque, from brewpubs, wine bars and restaurants to billiards and dance clubs within walkable areas. Art openings are common on Friday nights and you'll find live music every night of the week in Albuquerque concert venues. Many casinos also have large performance venues featuring national performing acts and musicians. The closest Albuquerque casinos are just a 10-minute drive from Downtown and several offer free shuttle service from Albuquerque hotels.