Albuquerque, NM, is stuffed with surprises past its well-known sights. From tucked-away cafés and hidden mountain climbing trails to off-the-beaten-path museums and native artwork galleries, the town has loads of secret spots ready to be explored. Whether or not you’re a longtime resident or a first-time customer, discovering these hidden gems provides you with a recent perspective on Albuquerque’s distinctive appeal. Learn on to uncover a number of the metropolis’s best-kept secrets and techniques!
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“Quarter Celtic Brewpub is a real hidden gem — tucked away from the road, usually stunning even locals who bump into it. The brewery crafts a number of world medal-winning beers, but it surely’s their fish and chips that basically steal the present. The key? A crispy Crimson Lass Irish pink beer batter that has individuals raving. Voted Greatest Gastropub in Albuquerque by Edible Journal in 2024, QC is the proper spot to take pleasure in nice brews and hearty meals.” – Rory, Quarter Celtic Brewpub
“Tucked away in Albuquerque, Sherwood Espresso ‘n’ Bread is a hidden gem for meals lovers searching for a hands-on expertise. This distinctive baking faculty provides interactive courses the place friends be taught to craft artisan bread and wood-fired pizza in a standard brick oven. Greater than only a class, it’s an opportunity to attach with native meals tradition, grasp old-world baking strategies, and benefit from the freshest bread you’ll ever style. Whether or not you’re a seasoned baker or a curious foodie, this expertise is a must-try.” – Igor Dernov, Founder, Sherwood Espresso
“Make sure you try Gallery Hozho, showcasing up to date New Mexican artwork. Positioned inside Lodge Chaco within the Sawmill District, the gallery options excellent works in several media, together with portray, ceramics, glass, and jewellery. Curated by director Dr. Suzanne Fricke, each piece within the gallery represents the state’s wealthy inventive heritage.” – Suzanne Newman Fricke, PhD, Director, Gallery Hózhó at Lodge Chaco
“The Bosque Trails in Albuquerque provide a serene escape into nature, winding alongside the Rio Grande beneath a cover of towering cottonwood bushes. These trails showcase breathtaking magnificence year-round, from golden autumn leaves to vibrant spring wildflowers. Wildlife is considerable, with sightings of sandhill cranes, roadrunners, and even the occasional coyote.
The tender grime paths and peaceable river views make it a favourite spot for strolling, biking, and birdwatching. At dawn and sundown, the sky transforms right into a masterpiece of fiery hues, reflecting off the water for a very magical expertise.” – Bobby Burdock, Burdock Pictures
“Considered one of Albuquerque’s best-kept secrets and techniques is ABQ Meals Park, a vibrant gathering spot the place locals and guests can take pleasure in a rotating lineup of a number of the metropolis’s greatest meals vehicles. Positioned at 6901B San Antonio Drive NE, it’s greater than only a place to eat — it’s a neighborhood hub that includes stay music, themed occasions like film nights and meals truck festivals, and a welcoming environment for all ages.
Whether or not you’re craving genuine New Mexican flavors, gourmand avenue meals, or refreshing do-it-yourself lemonade, ABQ Meals Park provides an ever-changing menu of scrumptious choices. It’s the proper place to expertise Albuquerque’s numerous culinary scene and native tradition in a single spot.” – Alex Chavez, ABQ Meals Park
Discover the murals
“Albuquerque is a metropolis filled with public artwork, making it really feel welcoming, inclusive, and vibrant. There are lovely murals throughout city should you’re in search of a approach to spend a while outdoor and aren’t into mountain climbing. Doing a mural tour is a wonderful approach to spend a couple of hours within the metropolis, be taught in regards to the neighborhood, and get some nice photographs!” – Katelynn Kellogg, Katelynn Out Loud
“Expertise the guts of Albuquerque at Canteen Brewhouse — the town’s oldest brewery, crafting award-winning beer since 1994. A real hidden gem, we host stay native music each Wednesday (6 pm) and Sunday (9 pm), together with distinctive neighborhood occasions that convey individuals collectively over nice beer and good vibes. Seize a pint, soak within the tunes, and benefit from the unbelievable patio — the most effective spots on the town to expertise Albuquerque’s inventive vitality. And for these on the east facet, our cozy Taproom off Tramway provides the identical nice beer with unbeatable mountain views.” – Jana Everett, Advertising and Gross sales Coordinator, Canteen Brewhouse
“Should you’re visiting Albuquerque, make sure to try Eldora Chocolate, an internationally award-winning bean-to-bar chocolate store. If time permits, ebook a Behind-the-Scenes Tour and Tasting to see the chocolate-making course of up shut and luxuriate in freshly made chocolate. Quick on time? No drawback—cease by their retailer on Edith at no cost samples and a style of their handcrafted creations.” – Steve Prickett, Founder and Proprietor, Eldora Chocolate
“Once you’re exploring Outdated City Albuquerque, be sure to take a look at the Albuquerque Photographers’ Gallery, situated simply behind the San Felipe de Neri church on San Felipe. You possibly can select wonderful pictures of the American Southwest made by the ten owner-photographers, and take house a wonderful reminiscence of the colourful landscapes of the 4 Corners. Since 2003, the Gallery has set the usual for wonderful artwork photographs that seize the distinctive mild and types of New Mexico and the lands close by.” – Chris Sandberg, Albuquerque Photographers Gallery
“Juno Brewery + Cafe is a hidden gem on First Road NW, simply north of downtown, showcasing hanging industrial structure and a spacious 3,000 sq. ft. patio adorned with 25-foot lighted metal “bushes.” Their drink menu options quite a lot of house-brewed lagers, IPAs, craft cocktails, and an intensive choice of non-alcoholic drinks. On the meals menu, standouts embrace the pepperoni and inexperienced chile pizza, panini sandwiches, recent salads, and house-made hummus. With nightly leisure starting from Latin music and indie rock to burlesque, Juno provides a vigorous and distinctive expertise.” – Jason Marks, Juno Brewery Café Artwork
“Winter Wonderland NM is Albuquerque’s premier vacation occasion, returning to Expo New Mexico for the 2025 season from November twenty seventh to December twenty ninth. This annual custom transforms the State Fairgrounds into a stunning winter spectacle, that includes breathtaking vacation mild shows, a mix of drive-thru and strolling experiences, and festive leisure for all ages.
Guests can meet Santa Claus for a memorable picture, work together with Disney-themed princesses, and discover an array of distinctive distributors providing handcrafted presents and vacation treasures. Scrumptious seasonal treats and heat drinks add to the comfortable environment, making it the proper approach to have fun the magic of the vacations. Whether or not you’re seeking to create cherished reminiscences, seize gorgeous photographs, or just benefit from the festive spirit, Winter Wonderland NM has one thing for everybody.” – Nichole Harwood, Winter Wonderland NM