Albuquerque Favorite Tips by AlbuqRay Top 5 Page for this destination

Things to Do Around Albuquerque Near Albuquerque Review

Favorite thing: Arranged by:
- In Albuquerque itself
- Half days out of Albuquerque
- Day trips out of Albuquerque
- Overnight trips
- Long trips

Note! Original image was high resolution and very readable. I believe that it is still readable in the new VT picture format. However, the picture title sometimes covers part of the left side of the Overnight Trips Section. It should read:
Chaco Culture National Historical Park/Suenos Encantados B&B, Cuba, NM;
Carlsbad Caverns/Living Desert Museum/Sitting Bull Falls;
Abiquiu/Ghost Ranch/Echo Amphitheater/Chama/Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.

Albuquerque-Gallup-Canyon de Chelly-Grand Canyon

Favorite thing: You may drive from Albuquerque to Gallup in a couple of hours, but I would not recommend that. There are some very interesting things to do in between. Don't miss Acoma Pueblo's Sky City, which is off I-40 less than half way to Gallup. Sky City will take 3-4 hours. I would then recommend going back to I-40 and then turn south on NM-53 at Grants to do the El Malpais cave (~1 hour) and for sure El Morro (~2 hours). Then take NM-602 to Gallup and spend the night in the El Rancho Hotel and Motel. It's a historic hotel where many movie stars used to stay and has a very interesting lobby (see my NM hotel tip).

I have not been to Canyon de Chelly or the three Hopi Reservation mesas, but I have heard they are good. If I were doing it, I would take old US-666 north out of Gallup and, if I survived (it is supposed to be haunted), would turn west on Hwy-264 and then US-191 to Chinle after stopping at the Hubbell Trading Post. I think Canyon de Chelly will take most of a day (jeep tour?). After spending the night, I would go back to Hwy-264 and do the scenic drive across the Hopi mesas to Tuba City. Another alternative would be to go further north on US-191 and see Monument Valley via US-160 and US-163. I would then catch US-89 south and AZ-64 west. Be sure to stop at Desert View on the way to Grand Canyon Village.

Albuquerque to Grand Canyon

Favorite thing: If the roads are clear (and they usually are, even in the winter), you can drive directly from Albuquerque to Grand Canyon Village in about 6 hours using I-40 and turning north on AZ-64 at Williams, AZ. However, I would recommend an entirely different trip that takes an extra day. I would take I-40 out of Albuquerque, stop at Acoma's Sky City, then take NM-53 to see the El Malpais National Monument and El Morro. Pass through the Zuni Pueblo, then take US-191 back to I-40. If there is time, stop at the Petrified Forest and spend the night in Holbrook. The next morning get an early start and turn north on US-89 at Flagstaff. Do the Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument loop. Continue north on US-89 to AZ-64 west. It will take you to the Little Colorado Canyon overlook and then the Desert View Watchtower. Continue on East Rim Drive to Grand Canyon Village. See also my Albuquerque travelogues for Western NM and Northern NM.

Record Snow in Albuquerque on 29 Dec 06

Favorite thing: We had a record snow in Albuquerque on 29 Dec 06, 11.3 inches (28.7 cm). By the next day it was up to 14" and still snowing. All the 10" snow from the week before was was not even melted yet. I made snow ice cream. Sure was yummy.

Where the Buffalo Roam (Kind of) Near Albuquerque Review

Favorite thing: The Sandia Pueblo is on the north boundary of Albuquerque. Although they are small in population, they own a large amount of land with spectacular geography. Their casino has been hugely successful for them (but maybe not for the people who lose money there). They have started to raise buffalo on their grasslands. The buffalo would not let me get very close. I hope you can see them in the picture. BTW, it is NOT "gaming;" it is GAMBLING.