Exploring Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico has a lot to offer. Besides Breaking Bad, Albuquerque is also known for their annual Balloon Fiesta, which was my reason for visiting. I really wanted the opportunity to explore the city. I was only able to see a small fraction of it, but what I did see and do I enjoyed.
After we settled into the hotel my friend and I headed out to Downtown Albuquerque. It was quiet with not too many people around. There was a lot of street art and a nice fountain. I discovered a big chair which I had to get on. I slid back quickly and hit my head. There was also a basketball court in the vicinity.
After having too much fun, we headed to Old Town to see if we could find some food. Old Town was so cute! I loved the area and will have to go back and see more one day. Almost everything was closed or getting ready to close and it wasn’t even 7pm. We stopped inside of a church that was built in the 1700s. It was very small and quaint, but beautiful. After walking around some more we stopped in a store. It was on it’s way to closing for the night very soon so we ran in.
While I was purchasing some items, I asked the owner if he could recommend a place to eat. Ironically he was from my hometown of Queens, NY and had a great suggestion for us. He pointed us in the direction of Church Street Cafe. It was a very short walk down a dimly lit street. It looked so small from the outside, but it was spacious once inside. The food was absolutely delicious and we had to take the leftovers.
After we left Old Town we went in search of an iPhone charger. If you know me very well then you know it devastated me to have to go buy one. You may be wondering why I had to go buy one in the first place. Very long story short, someone decided to steal it out of my bag. (I will save this experience for another time.) After going to a few stores I was finally able to find one at a Target right before they too closed.
Some of the many pins from past Balloon Fiestas ©2015 HollyDayz Balloon Fiesta Race Memorabilia ©2015 HollyDayz
We had a 3:30am for the Balloon Fiesta, but after the day session ended we headed over to the Balloon Museum for a little while and walked around. There was so much to see and the staff was incredibly nice. Albuquerque has some of the nicest people I have met. The Balloon Museum housed so much Fiesta memorabilia including the infamous pins. The Museum had a ton of pins from over the years.
The Balloon Museum is very interactive. A great place to take the kids or for those who like history. They can learn about the Albuquerque Box Effect, the history of the hot air balloon, get into a gondola, and so much more. If I wasn’t so tired I would have stayed there even longer, but it got to a point where I needed some food and a nap. After a bit more exploring and having fun at the museum we headed to get some food.
After sitting in some traffic and dozing off multiple times we rode down the infamous Route 66. It was interesting seeing a mix of what used to be with brand new things. Motels lined Route 66 with chain stores a short distance away. Makes me wish I could have seen Route 66 in all of its glory. Either way it was fun and interesting to see.
After the night session at the Balloon Fiesta we headed back to Old Town to see if we could find a souvenir shop open. Low and behold we found one. Not only that it was a huge store with several rooms of things to buy. We spent a ton of time walking around. After purchasing some items we headed back to the hotel to get some sleep.
Although I didn’t have enough time to see everything I wanted to I still had fun exploring Albuquerque and would love to go back. There is so much more to do and see. The people really make you want to come back as they are very warm and welcoming. You can see for yourself what we did!
Have you ever been to Albuquerque? What did you do?
Disclaimer: Thank you to the Albuquerque Tourism Board. All opinions and views are my own.
Anya YaYa Reed
I’ve never been to Albuquerque but it looks like a neat place to visit. And where’s pictures of the food? I was totally waiting to see those. LOL
Holly Dayz
It is a beautiful city. Well you can either click the link to see a full review and pictures of the food or click the video and see it live in your face! 🙂
Danielle S
I’ve never been to Albuquerque, but it looks like you had a lot of fun. I’ll have to add this to our list of possible travel destinations.
Holly Dayz
I did have a lot of fun and am interested in going back soon.
Kita Bryant
I have heard about Alburquerque and it looks like so much fun. I know that chair will swallow me up as short as I am.
Holly Dayz
Then you will be like me. I can’t even touch the top of the chair.
Ty
You found some really cool places to visit. Great pics!!!
Holly Dayz
Thank you. I stumbled upon much of it.
Jo
I would love to go to Alburquerque! Really nice pics.
Holly Dayz
I hope you do and thank you.
Valerie Robinson
Great pics! Can’t believe how huge that chair is!
Holly Dayz
Thanks. It was so big. It made me seem much smaller.
staciesayzso
No, I haven’t been to New Mexico yet, but I sure would enjoy tasting all the food there. Love that chair too!
Holly Dayz
The chair was a lot of fun.
everydayeyecandy
I’ve been to Albuquerque once! I stayed overnight while driving across country to Vegas! I’ve always wanted to go back to experience more of the city!
Holly Dayz
You should, I want to go back and experience more myself.
Jonna
Never been there but it sounds like one of those cool places to go. I bet that church from the 1700s was beautiful inside.
Holly Dayz
It was, you can see for yourself in the video 🙂
Chasing Joy
Looks like a fun trip. I really want to take a picture in one of those big chairs.
Holly Dayz
It was fun.
BritneyDearest
Looks cool! I plan to add Albuquerque to my bucket list 🙂 My kids would love trying out that giant chair lol.
Holly Dayz
It was a great place with nice people. I def want to go back.
Kasi
Albuquerque looks like a fun city to explore! That’s cool you got to ride on route66, it’s definitely a legend that we are all familiar with because of the song and the brand! I could tell you guys were having a lot of fun in your video!
Holly Dayz
It was fun, I need to go back and see more. Route 66 was fun, it was such a mix of old and new..wish it was more old.
Brenda Tolentino
I’ve never been to Albuquerque, New Mexico but will stop by during our U.S.A. Road Trip. A 7 pm closing time is so early! It’s very cool to see Route 66.
Holly Dayz
It is early. They close up quick. There is a ton to do and I hope you have a blast on your road trip.
jen
I’ve been through the area and had some amazing tex-mex food but haven’t stayed for a longer visit. Would love to see the balloon festival one day. Must be an amazing sight!
Holly Dayz
The Balloon Fiesta was such a sight to see. You must go one day.
Megan Claire (@mappingmegan)
I hope you do have the chance to head back to Albuquerque 🙂 The annual Balloon Fiesta is really high on my list, so I can’t wait to get there to experience it too. Sounds like there’s a lot to explore and do – the old town especially seems really fascinating and charming to explore. It’s sad that everything was closed, but all the more reason for another trip soon!
Holly Dayz
Your right, def need another trip back. I hope you get there soon, I think you will truly enjoy yourself.
econexcursion
I’ve only been to Albuquerque as a very small child, so I don’t remember anything about it. Just another reason to head back so that I can re-visit and remember!
Holly Dayz
Yes head back you will enjoy yourself.
Claudia
While I would love to explore New Mexico, I am not sure I would be too interested in Albuquerque. Good to have an idea of the things to do there, in case I actually go one day!
Holly Dayz
There is far more to do there then I got to experience.
Traveling Rockhopper
Looks very interesting! My friend is planning to move to New Mexico, I know where we should go when I visit her! 🙂
Holly Dayz
Oh awesome. Yea then you can let me know what you see too.
Sue @NoFixedAbodeForSue
I have only driven through Albuquerque on the way to a few vacations but would love to visit during the balloon festival as I have seen some amazing photos. New Mexico has a fun vibe, very laid back and welcoming.
Holly Dayz
You should go next October. New Mexico is very welcoming.
Anda
I’ve heard so many good things about Albuquerque that I started thinking very seriously to go visit. New Mexico seems very similar to Arizona and I’m sure I’d love it there. I’d love to go when the Balloon Fiesta takes place. That must be quite interesting to watch.
Holly Dayz
You should go visit. You would enjoy yourself. It is fun and such a sight to see.
Mar Pages
Alburqueque balloon fiesta must be quite cool! I didn’t realize the Route 66 arrived down there. Must feel like a movie set
Holly Dayz
It is a lot of fun. Yea it is there, it is a mix of old and new.
Nancy Laws (@chicmompreneur)
I have never been but I would not mind exploring…it is not high on my list but it does not look bad!
Holly Dayz
It wasn’t high on mine till I found out about the Balloon Fiesta. I enjoyed it there.