10 Things to Do in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque was never on the top of my ‘cities I must visit list’. In fact, I’m not sure I ever even considered visiting there. But when your significant other is in the military you find yourself traveling to places you never intended to, yet still making the most out of it.

I’ve been pretty shocked by how much I’ve ended up enjoying some of the cities that I’ve been taken to out of convenience rather than desire. 

I was excited to go to Albuquerque for the first time because everything I had found on blog posts on Pinterest made it seem like a pretty cool place. Don’t be fooled though, while there are some gems there, there are also some things that you definitely want to avoid.

It took some digging, but we ended up finding a few places that we really loved the couple of times that we visited there. 

The first time we visited we stayed at the Hyatt hotel in Uptown Albuquerque. This area was pretty decent. You could walk to Target, Trader Joe’s, the outdoor mall, and a lot of pretty good restaurants. The hotel was nice enough and although the area was busy since it was near the freeway, there didn’t seem to be too much crime. 

The second time we went we stayed on Kirtland Air Force Base which was an entirely different situation since the area around the base is super sketchy and you definitely don’t want to be walking around there. 

All that being said, we found some restaurants we loved and visited more than once as well as a few activities to partake in. We love a good happy hour and trying local cuisine so restaurants tend to be the focus of our travels. 

Hang and Have Fun at Top Golf

I’m no golfer but top golf is a great time and the Top Golf in Albuquerque has amazing views of the Sandia Mountains. Top golf isn’t just about golfing. It’s about enjoying drinks and food while laughing.

Top Golf has some great bar-style food options, a good variety of cocktails, and no-skill-needed golf games so everyone can have a great time. 

If you go during the day it’s more affordable than evenings or weekends. And if you haven’t been before, you should know that you get your own little booth with outdoor heaters and often patio furniture so you can hang out comfortably.

You can definitely interact with people around you if you want but it’s also a great day date idea as well as somewhere the whole family can enjoy. 

Sip on a Cofee at Little Bear Coffee in Uptown

I loved the Little Bear Coffee shop in uptown Albuquerque. They have a rotating seasonal menu and signature drinks that are coffee-forward. I had a mocha and was thrilled to see them hand-stirring in real cocoa powder to create a rich and bold mocha that wasn’t overly sweet like a melted chocolate milkshake. 

This cafe also has cute souvenirs and a great vibe with both indoor and outdoor seating. And let’s not forget that if you get your coffee to dine in, you can expect a cute design for the perfect photo op.

Whether you’re into matcha lattes or an old-school pour-over, you’ll love the taste of their homemade drinks. They also have burritos and pastries if you need a bite to eat. 

Munch on a Tasty Baked Good at Flying Star Cafe in NE Heights

The pastry case at this Flying Star cafe is divine. From decadent cakes to simple seasonal cookies… I wanted it all. I popped into this cafe after a chilly run in the foothills and was ready to devour everything.

While they do have coffee and baked goods they also have full meals. They’ve got breakfast all day as well as sandwiches, burgers, salads, and tacos. They even offer vegetarian and gluten-friendly options. 

I opted for the posole Verde, a fancy lemonade refresher, and a delightful seasonal cookie. The cafe is spacious and used as a workspace for many people. The second time I visited the area I spent some time there working.

They have outdoor and indoor seating and you’ll absolutely need to take a slice of cake to go. 

Eat a Giant Burrito at The Daily Grind

Before I visited Albuquerque, I did what you’re probably doing now and read various blog posts about the best places to eat and what to see and do in the area.

I made a list of prospective restaurants to visit, sorted by the type of restaurant they were. When I was doing this I was on a mission to find what foods were unique to the area. One thing I found was that it’s common to get ‘wet’ burritos or other dishes ‘Christmas style’ meaning you top it with both red and green chilli sauce. 

So, of course, when we went to breakfast at The Daily Grind and decided to get a massive burrito, I sounded like a true tourist when I ordered it ‘Christmas Style’. The burrito was massive and full of a variety of flavorful ingredients.

I would highly recommend sharing one unless you’re starved, that’s what we did. We often share food so that we can try out more things on the menu. 

Explore the Foothills of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness 

I was pleasantly surprised with the trails I found when staying in Albuquerque. I explored a couple of different areas when I went trail running and then my significant other and I enjoyed a nice walk in the foothills together as well.

I saw some cacti along the trail which isn’t the typical vegetation I’m exposed to so I thought that was pretty cool! I also got to do some rock scrambling and saw some great views from the hilltops. 

There are some Sandia Mountain Wilderness trailheads quite close to Kirtland Airforce base so you don’t have to venture too far from there to explore the outdoors. You’ll also find some of the nicer homes in the area at the base of the foothills which I enjoyed driving by.

The earlier mentioned Flying Star Cafe isn’t too far from where I ran one of the days so you should hit that up after your hike if you need a drink to cool off or warm up (depending on the season). Some signs warn you of wildlife in the area so keep that in mind. 

Enjoy Happy Hour at Craft Republic Bar & Grill 

This pub vibe of Craft Republic became our go-to spot during our two stays in Albuquerque. It looks like your typical sports bar and can get a little rowdy at night or during big games but during happy hour we found it to be super chill and the food is tasty and affordable.

We loved their burgers and pretzel bites but were satisfied with pretty much everything we tried on the menu. We ate there at least 6 times… maybe more.

We also LOVED their blueberry lavender Moscow mule. They make it with locally made blueberry lavender vodka which I haven’t been able to find anywhere outside of the area (a great disappointment). When we went they were serving them up for $6.50, I’m pretty sure something was wrong with the pricing but I wasn’t about to complain.

I have been hooked on mules of all varieties ever since. I even attempted to make lavender blackberry vodka myself last summer to mimic it, but it wasn’t the same. 

Wine and Dine on Pizza at Scarpas

My love for Prosecco started at this restaurant and yours can too! If you are a pizza and wine fan then this little brick oven-style pizza joint is a must. Scarpas has some unique pizza flavor combos on its menu as well as some of the traditional options.

You’ll find pizza with a New Mexican twist thanks to the addition of green chilis on some of the pies. You can even find enchilada, BLT, and shrimp scampi pizza. It gets a little weird but in the best way. 

I love mushrooms and truffles so naturally I ordered the wild mushroom pizza the first time we went. This pizza is truffle oil-based and loaded with a blend of wild mushrooms, creamy Fontina cheese, and fresh thyme. I also added pancetta bacon because bacon is the best (especially when combined with mushrooms and truffle oil).

I tried the Pizza Margherita during our second time dining there and added Pancetta to it as well, so good! Oh and their Roma Classico salad was also delicious, I am a Caesar salad connoisseur and was very impressed with their house-made dressing! 

Try the Best Ramen Ever at Oni

We are big ramen fans so naturally we had to venture downtown to try ramen at Oni. It did not disappoint. This place not only serves ramen but also is a bar of sorts. Their menu is small but mighty and did not disappoint.

Their appetizers looked delightful but we opted out and just grabbed the Shoyu ramen and a hard cider and I’m so glad we did. I am not kidding when I say it was the best ramen I’ve ever had.

The smoked pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, it was so tender in our mouths and had so much flavor. My only complaint was that there wasn’t more of it. The bone broth was rich and the soft boiled egg was a fun surprise to cut into and watch ooze into the bowl adding in that much more flavor and creaminess.

On top of all that, there was a drizzle of chile oil that added the perfect amount of spice. They even offer a vegan and gluten-free version of this ramen if your heart desires (or your gut requires).

Chill in a Zen Atmosphere at Jinja Bar & Bistro

I loved the atmosphere of this Asian-fusion restaurant. I wanted to go somewhere with a bit more of a date vibe and Jinja Bar & Bistro definitely hit the mark. They have some fun and unique cocktails, lots of appetizers, and plenty of main dishes to choose from.

I ordered the Mongolian beef with fried rice which was delicious and we shared the fried calamari. I love fried calamari and this was one of the best versions I’ve had. It is flash-fried and served with red and green peppers as well as a lime and mint dipping sauce. The sauce sounded weird to me but I ended up really enjoying it. 

The cocktails were also amazing. I had a pina colada and a passionfruit mojito. If you want an aesthetically pleasing cocktail you have to try the lava flow margarita which has layers of colors and also tastes delicious. This place is a great date night spot or perfect for a night out with friends. 

Feel Fancy on the Rooftop of Vintage 423

Okay, if you want somewhere that has an upscale vibe and fancy feel then you have to check out Vintage 423. The first time we ventured over to this place we hit up the rooftop and it was windy but lovely.

The view of the mountains from the rooftop was wonderful and the overall atmosphere was chill. We went at lunchtime and I enjoyed a club sandwich and Caesar salad.

The second time we went to this upscale establishment was more for a date night and we dined inside. They had live music playing and the indoor seating area had a bit of a high-class lounge feeling.

They do have a dress code but they didn’t seem to be too strict on it. They have a variety of mules and espresso-themed drinks on their cocktail menu. They also have some super top-shelf whiskey that is many dollars for a glass.

For dinner, I had the beef short rib stroganoff which was so rich and flavorful that I’m salivating just writing this. The menu is small and very beef and seafood-forward. Definitely worth checking out for a date night or afternoon lunch.  

Takeaways

Upon arrival, Albuquerque may not look like much (especially around the airport). But if you do a little digging you will find some great food, vibes, and views.

I truly believe that new places are whatever you make them and everyone can find something to love about every place especially if you’re exploring the place with good company. 

If you want to find out more about how I travel for free (or close to it) check out my post about the best travel credit cards. You can also check out how I used these cards to spend an unforgettable night in Strasbourg France exploring the Christmas market.