Brooke & Bennett
Things To Do
Historic Old Town Albuquerque and The Plaza
Founded in 1706, Albuquerque's old town surrounding the plaza is home to historic adobe buildings, classic restaurants, and Pueblo indian artists and craftsmen. Not much has changed in 300 years, it's a great place sit on a bench, meander through the hidden pathways and gardens, have some New Mexican food on a patio, or buy some "blue meth" from The Candy Lady.
Sandia Peak Tramway
Take the gondola to the top and take in the views of the Rio Grande Valley! The ride takes 15 minutes and ascends 4,000 feet while riding above deep canyons, cliffs, and eroded spires. At the top are hiking trails, overlooks, and a restaurant. At 10,378 feet, it can be up to 30 degrees colder at the peak, so be prepared!
Acoma Pueblo
This place is unbelievably beautiful. 45 minutes outside of Albuquerque is the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America. The mesa-top settlement has been there since 1150 A.D. tours start in mid-march so check to make sure they have started before you drive out. This is Brooke's number one recommendation for you to visit. There is nowhere else on the planet where you can see a community like this.
Albuquerque Bio Park - Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanical Garden
Some zoo highlights include Tasmanian devils, an excellent collection of reptiles, Mexican gray wolves, a awesome polar bear exhibit, as well as all the elephants, primates, big carnivores, birds, and ungulates you can handle. The aquarium and botanical garden are top notch, be sure to check out the Japanese garden and the cacti.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
For a stunning hike through slot canyons in a completely unique landscape head north of Albuquerque to Tent Rocks. Be sure to look for the small rounded pieces of volcanic glass on the ground called Apache tears. From Albuquerque, head north on I-25 and take the exit for Santo Domingo/Cochiti Lake Recreation Area (Exit 259) off I-25 onto NM 22. Follow the signs on NM 22 to Cochiti Pueblo and Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
A wonderful center dedicated to the art, food, and culture of the many Native American groups in New Mexico and beyond. Buy pottery and jewelry made by masters of their trade and sample pueblo inspired cooking in their excellent restaurant.
Petroglyph National Monument
An easy 30 minute drive from downtown Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. There are easy hikes through the desert with wildlife (herps) and fossils throughout.
Santa Fe Plaza
Beautiful and historic. Be sure to check out Canyon Road and the Georgia Okeefe museum if you're an art lover. Tons of great shops, restaurants, snacks, and drinks in and around the plaza. The Palace of the Governors, built in 1610, is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States and also sits on the plaza.
Breaking Bad Self-Guided Tour
If you're a fan of AMC's Emmy Award-winning series "Breaking Bad", you already know you're in the right place. Take a look at the website linked here for a self-guided tour of all the memorable locations- from Walt's house (no pizza throwing allowed), to the Octopus Carwash, to having a meal at Los Pollos Hermanos. There are also numerous tour-operators in town too if you want to be shuttled around in an old winnebago identical to Walt's.
Albuquerque Brewery Scene
You may not know it, but Albuquerque has over 20 unique micro-breweries that have set up shop over the last 10 years! Check out the website below for a map of all the latest places. A few of our favorites: Marble Brewery High and Dry Brewing Side Tracked Tractor Ponderosa La Cumbre Bosque Brewing
Nob Hill Food, Drink, and Shopping
The main shopping district of the Nob Hill neighborhood runs along Central Avenue, an old portion of Route 66, and contains quirky local shops and galleries, hip restaurants, and a variety of pubs and breweries. Located at the eastern edge of the University of New Mexico campus, it's a great place to stop in a few shops and grab lunch, dinner, or a drink. The main attractions are on Central Ave between Yale Blvd and Carlisle Blvd. We recommend the following: Food: Frontier Cafe- Awesome, cheap New Mexican breakfast and all-day food at an iconic counter-serve restaurant from the 1970's Zacatecas- Fancy and creative tacos El Patio- A classic New Mexican food spot with, you guessed it, a nice front patio Drink: Tractor Brewing Company- One of several locations for one of the older and more popular breweries in town Two Fools Tavern- Quaint Irish pub with great food and some NM twists on the classics