Albuquerque Best Things To Do In Old Town.
Albuquerque, New Mexico: The Best Things To Do In Old Town
Old Town Albuquerque is a quaint, charming little downtown area. On week nights in the winter, you might find it quiet as can be. But don’t let it’s quietness fool you.
Even in the slow season, there are worthwhile activities for travelers and locals alike!
Watch an Albuquerque sunset from Hotel Chaco’s rooftop bar
On my most recent trip to Albuquerque, I came across this hidden gem. I had heard Albuquerque has frequent stunning sunsets so I was determined to find the best view point to watch the sun set against the Sandia Mountains.
So imagine my delight when I found the rooftop bar & restaurant on the 5th floor of the boutique property, Hotel Chaco! Despite it being unusually foggy and cloudy at sunset, I knew I had found my new favorite spot. Just look at the mountain views!
And you don’t need to be a hotel guest to soak up these gorgeous views.
Anyone can visit the 5th floor rooftop, even if you’re not staying at Hotel Chaco. Although you might want to book a room because it’s a beautiful hotel and within walking distance of Old Town.
A local draft beer is only $6.50 but cocktails range are all about $14.
The food is a little pricey so my recommendation would be to have Mexican food dinner in Old Town then come here after or before depending what time the sun sets.
Address: 2000 Bellamah Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Phone: (505) 246-9989
A perfect view for sunset in Albuquerque
Level 5 Hours
- 7am – 2pm Daily
- 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm Sun – Wed
- 4:30 pm – 11:00 pm Thurs – Sat
Check out their website here.
Fire pits & blankets in the winter
The staff was lovely and as we waited for the fires to start up, our server brought out blankets so we could bundle up and keep warm! It does get chilly at night in the winter but once the fires were lit, it was plenty warm.
Book a sunrise flight with Rainbow Ryders
No trip to Albuquerque would be complete without taking part in their great hot air balloon tradition! Deemed “the hot air balloon capital of the world”- Albuquerque has the perfect combination of wind currents and air temperature needed for flying.
The community also enthusiastically supports the ballooning culture here with lax laws about where balloons can take off and land. Nearly every day if you look to the sky in Albuquerque, you can see balloons lazily floating past.
Not to mention, each October Albuquerque is home to The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world pour into New Mexico every year in early October as hundreds of balloons take to the sky over the 9 day celebration.
I’ve done the sunrise hot air balloon flight several times now and the company we always use is called Rainbow Ryders. They are safe, reliable and have expert pilots with years of experience ballooning all over the world.
Rainbow Ryders will pick you up from your hotel near Old Town and bring you to the balloon site for your flight!
Eat Southwest cuisine at High Noon
Labeling themselves as serving “new food from the old west”, High Noon has a menu focusing largely on steaks and favorite Mexican dishes. The restaurant is built in the Pueblo revival style architecture found all over New Mexico, giving it a majestic and historic flare.
Check out their menu here.
Stop by the Candylady to try to the candy “meth” that was used in Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad fans rejoice! As you might already know, the show was filmed here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They even offer Breaking Bad tours in an old RV like Walt’s mobile meth lab. But did you know, that Heisenberg’s “Blue Sky” meth is actually rock candy from a local candy store?
Stop by The Candy Lady to buy little baggies of the meth candy used on the show. Little bags are just one dollar! And they will slide them to you across the counter in a little brown bag. Shhhhhh š
Check out The Candy Lady website here.
Address: 424 San Felipe St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
And if you’re a die hard fan of the show, be sure to go have dinner at Los Pollos Hermanos, swing by the car wash and stop by Walt’s house for a photo. Just be respectful if you go see the house, people actually live there!
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