Discover all the best Albuquerque, NM experiences and activities.

Albuquerque enjoys a mild climate, making golf a year-round activity. While summer temperatures can be warm, early mornings and evenings are often comfortable for playing. The fall and spring seasons are particularly pleasant for playing 18 holes. Surrounded by stunning natural scenery, you’ll find courses with picturesque views of the Sandia Mountains, Rio Grande, and the high desert landscape. Albuquerque offers a range of golf courses suitable for players of all skill levels, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced golfer. Check out a few of our favorite golf courses in and around Albuquerque below, and be sure to reserve your tee times early!

• Paradise Hills Golf Course
  Located right next door, this is Albuquerque’s only privately owned public golf course. It offers beautiful views of the Sandia Mountains and the city skyline. Golfers of any skill level can enjoy a round of 9 or 18 holes. After your game, stay to enjoy refreshing food and drinks at The Office Bar & Grill.
• Ladera Golf Course
  Located on Albuquerque’s west side, this municipal 18-hole course also includes an executive 9-hole course with its own set of challenges. With beautiful views of the Sandia Mountains and volcanoes, it’s an affordable way to enjoy the game of golf and the stunning scenery.
• Sandia Golf Club
  Located at the Sandia Resort & Casino, this course offers breathtaking views of the Sandia Mountains. Even though its the area’s longest golf course, it’s designed to be enjoyed by all skill levels. In addition to all of the practice areas, pro shop, and restaurant, there’s also a casino to extend your play time!
• Paako Ridge Golf Club
  A bit outside Albuquerque, it’s consistently ranked the #1 golf course in New Mexico and among the top courses in the country. It offers challenging holes and epic views to its members and the public alike.
• Arroyo del Oso Golf Course
  This other municipal golf course in Albuquerque also offers a full 18-hole course along with a vintage 9-hole option. It is centrally located and offers a great golfing experience with an interesting topography.
• Topgolf
  If you want to swing a club, but enjoy a more lighthearted atmosphere, then a visit to our local Topgolf is the perfect fit. Enjoy fun golf games, along with food and drinks, delivered to your own climate-controlled hitting bay.

Albuquerque and its surrounding mountains provide a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. From trails and rivers to our clear skies, you’re sure to find the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the outdoors. If you do plan on hiking, biking or kayaking, remember that we are at a high altitude, which may add an extra challenge to your regular activity level, and be sure to check the weather for the day to avoid high temperatures.

Hiking & Biking

Pack plenty of water before setting out for a hike or bike ride in Albuquerque. Our area offers plenty of hiking and biking trails to explore for any skill level.

• Paseo del Bosque Trail
  Take a stroll on the interconnected trail system throughout the city. The Paseo del Bosque Trail is an easily accessible 16-mile multi-use route enjoyed by walkers, runners, cyclists, inline skaters and even horseback riders.
• Sandia Mountains
  The foothills of Albuquerque’s most famous mountain welcomes hikers and bikers of all skill levels, and as you head up the mountain you’ll find a more rigorous terrain and rock climbing opportunities. At lower elevations you’ll see prickly pear, cholla cactus and fragrant desert sage, and near the top you can soak up the sweet smells of pine and fir trees. To raise the bar for views and adventure, take a ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway—the longest one in North America—to the crest, where you take in the amazing views of the New Mexican landscape.
• Petroglyph National Monument
  Just a few minutes from El Verde Inn, this unique landscape offers trails through ancient lava flows, with carved drawings on the rocks from Albuquerque’s earliest residents.

Kayaking & Rafting

Float down the Rio Grande or explore a local lake on a leisurely kayak or paddleboard ride, or amp up the adventure on a white water rafting trip! There are several great tour companies in Albuquerque to suit your style.

Hot Air Ballooning

Albuquerque is known as the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World! With desirable weather conditions, any time of year is great for a balloon ride, and there are several reputable companies available to get you in the air. If you’re not that adventurous, keep an eye out for them in the skies or visit in October during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Off-roading & Jeep Tours

Head towards the hills for a thrilling adventure in a Jeep or on an ATV. Climb over rocks and splash through streams while you enjoy the fresh air. With an off-roading tour in Albuquerque, you’ll be able to capture amazing views and make memories to last a lifetime.

Taste your way through Albuquerque’s diverse award-winning adult drink makers! From breweries and cideries to wineries and distilleries, you’re sure to find the perfect fit to please your palate.

Breweries

Grab a tasting flight or a pint at several award-winning breweries in Albuquerque, scattered throughout the city. There are dozens of breweries worth a visit, but a few of our favorite spots include:

• Ex Novo consistently offers a diverse line of exceptional brews. From their beer-making roots in Oregon, they have a great brewery with event center and food trucks just up the road in Corrales, and are opening one in Albuquerque soon.
• Gravity Bound features some of the best IPAs and other brews, along with Kombucha and Hop Water for non-drinkers.
• La Cumbre gets consistently great reviews for their IPAs, and their Westside Taproom is not too far from El Verde Inn.
• Bow and Arrow is a Native American women-owned and was recently named a James Beard Semi-Finalist! Their beer is all brewed on Native land and is fabulous!
• Bosque Brewing has a great lineup, and their Cottonwood location is close to the Inn.
• Marble Brewery has an approachable standard lineup and also offers local wine, spirits and non-alcoholic mocktails, along with rotating food trucks at all three of their locations! Their Westside Taproom is convenient to El Verde Inn., though their other Downtown Brewery has great views from the rooftop patio.
• Canteen Brewhouse
  Enjoy great beer, delicious food and fun events at Albuquerque’s oldest and award-winning brewery.

Wineries

You don’t think of Albuquerque as a wine destination, but they do have a unique high-altitude niche in the industry! Here are the wineries to check out!

• Casa Rodeña Winery offers a sophisticated but relaxed setting.
• D.H. Lescombes Winery brings their French Burgundy culture and French Country cuisine.
• Gruet Winery produces sparkling wines from different varietals.
• Noisy Water Winery is a must-visit when in Old Town. It offers over 30 wines, along with appetizers and their own hard cider!
• Sheehan Winery in Old Town creates limited release wine from locally grown grapes.
• VARA Winery & Distillery features Spanish and American wines. They can be enjoyed on their scenic patio with views or in their rustic tasting room.

Distilleries

If you prefer the hard stuff, you’re in luck! Albuquerque is home to several wonderful distilleries that encapsulate the essence of Albuquerque and are worth a visit.

• Taylor Garrett Spirits produces fine whiskeys
• Hollow Spirits Distillery offers a full line of spirits, craft cocktails and great food.
• Safe House Distilling Co. creates vodka, gin, and a variety of canned cocktails.
• Left Turn Distilling, Craft Cocktails & Spirits provides a casual place to enjoy their own spirits and great Mexican food.
• 505 Spirits produces spirits unique to Albuquerque.

Our own boutique hotel serves as an art gallery, featuring art from local producers. Pieces displayed at our Albuquerque inn are available to enjoy during your stay and are available for sale. We partner with Art on the Rio to curate the rotating collections. Outside our doors, Albuquerque exudes culture and charm, from its public art to its countless museums, galleries and theaters. The blend of cultures and historic significance in the area adds a vibrancy that is palpable. Soak up some of the local culture at these following places:

Museums

Get an in-depth look at the history that shaped New Mexico and learn about the cultures that make Albuquerque so unique at local museums. There are museums for everything from turquoise to transportation and science to snakes, but the following museums are a must visit!

• Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
• National Hispanic Cultural Center
• Albuquerque Museum of Art and History

Galleries

Galleries can be found all throughout the area that feature art from locals and international artists alike. To get a deeper sense of Albuquerque’s diverse art scene, take part in a monthly ARTScrawl event.

Public Art

As you wander through Albuquerque, you’re sure to encounter some incredible public art. View murals throughout the city and learn about them on MurosABQ.com, or on the first Friday of each month venture Downtown for their free ABQ Artwalk.

Theaters

Albuquerque hosts countless performances throughout the year at different venues. Check their schedules to see what’s available during your visit or plan ahead to be able to attend! A couple of the more popular theaters include:

• Popejoy Hall – On the University of New Mexico campus, it’s a popular stopping point for major touring productions.
• KiMo Theatre – This magnificent venue on Route 66 is nearly a century old and features performances of all kinds.

Historically, Albuquerque is known for its New Mexican cuisine that blends Native American and Spanish foods, featuring ingredients like blue corn, chile peppers, wheat flour, and pork. But today, the area offers every type of food you could imagine! Here are a few restaurants and food halls in Albuquerque that you should consider during your next visit:

Food Halls

• Sawmill Market Food Hall
  Enjoy your choice of cuisine from 27 individual local merchants including a brewpub, a cocktail and wine bar, and a mercantile. Dine indoors or in the Yard – an outdoor dining and play area.
• 505 Central Food Hall
  Food court style space featuring 9 restaurants. It’s a great casual place to hang out, where there is something for everyone.
• Green Jeans Food Hall
  Shipping container marketplace with something for everyone, featuring the Santa Fe Brewing Co. and nine other local merchants.

New Mexico Cuisine

• Casa de Benavidez 
  New Mexican cuisine in a garden setting.
• Campo at Los Poblanos
  Rio Grande cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients.
• Church Street Café
  New Mexican cuisine with patio seating.
• Garduño’s  
  Enjoy authentic regional New Mexico and Mexican cuisine.

Other Great Restaurants

• Ten 3
  Take the aerial tram to the top of the Sandia Mountains for an “elevated” dining experience. With casual and fine dining options, this unique restaurant is worth the visit, for both the amazing food and views!
• Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza
  Contemporary Italian pizzeria with three locations, serving delicious and authentic wood-fired pizza and more.
• Tucanos Brazilian Grill
  Savory Brazilian cuisine carefully prepared over open flame rotisserie grills. Churrasco (shoe-HAS-ko) is a delicious fusion of South American and European cultures.
• Scalo
  Contemporary Italian restaurant with an upscale atmosphere.
• Seasons of Albuquerque
  Enjoy California wine country cuisine in a casually elegant setting.
• Flying Star Artisan Bakery & Restaurant
  Treat yourselves to unique dishes and amazing desserts.
• Range Cafe
  Dine where the locals do at this quirky cafe with exceptional food and desserts.
• Canteen Brewhouse
  Enjoy great beer, delicious food and fun events at Albuquerque’s oldest and award-winning brewery.

Albuquerque may be known for its Bugs Bunny mention in the 1950s cartoon, but in recent years it’s boomed in terms of film and television production. If you’re a fan of TV and movies, then you’ve certainly caught a glimpse of Albuquerque in the background! Look at this sampling of just a few shows and movies that were filmed in Albuquerque:

• Breaking Bad
• Stranger Things
• The Avengers
• Big Sky
• The Cleaning Lady
• Better Call Saul

If you want to visit some of the places featured, take a self guided film location tour or join our local tour companies for guided versions that can be found on our local tourism guide.