Albuquerque's Best Tours

There's nothing like seeing the sunset in Albuquerque. Flanked by the Sandia Mountains and mighty Rio Grande, this city has earned a place among Travel + Leisure magazine's 20 Most Charming Cities in America. You'll see why when you tour the area on foot, by trolley, in a jeep or even a hot air balloon!

Hot Air Balloon Tour

Look up on any given day and you'll likely see a squadron of colorful airborne beauties set against the city’s ever-blue sky. Albuquerque is the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World, and you can join the fortunate fliers to share their special perspective of the landscape on a hot air balloon tour. Try the popular Champagne Flight by World Balloon and take in a beautiful New Mexico sunrise over the Sandia Mountains before boarding your flight. Climb into the basket with 11 of your closest friends or family and take flight over the Rio Grande Valley.

Trolley Tour

Get the lay of the land of Albuquerque and an overview of its top sights on ABQ Trolley Co.'s Best of ABQ City Tour. Trundle along in an open-air trolley for 18 miles from Old Town, along Museum Row and Historic Route 66, by sports stadiums and the University of New Mexico. You'll see the Albuquerque BioPark complex, home to the Rio Grande Zoo, the Rio Grande Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach. Keep your tour sticker to get discounts at local establishments, including the BioPark and Albuquerque Museum. Trolley tours run April through October, every day except Monday.

Old Town Tour

Are you a history lover? Don't miss the historic district of Old Town, where you can learn about the city's southwestern heritage and hear tales of its storied history during a two-hour High Noon History Tour. Immerse yourself in Albuquerque's diverse cultural heritage, reflecting the history of early Spanish settlers, Native Americans and westward pioneers. Much has changed since Albuquerque was founded in 1706 by the Spanish on the banks of the Rio Grande. Wander with an expert guide around Old Town’s central plaza and 10 blocks of Spanish-style adobe buildings. Absorb stories of early pioneers, Civil War soldiers and merchants trading along the Santa Fe Trail. Public tours are offered daily from March through October, and you can arrange private tours year-round.

Breaking Bad Tour

Albuquerque and its expansive surroundings were arguably as much a part of the TV show “Breaking Bad” as its main characters, and several companies offer themed tours. If you're a fan, there's no way you want to miss the Breaking Bad RV Tour, which takes you to 20 locations you'll recognize instantly. Even the RV will look familiar—it's a replica of the iconic RV owned by Walt and Jesse in the show. See the car wash, laundry/drug superlab and Walt’s house, then stop for an unforgettable lunch at Los Pollos Hermanos. Your tour guide might even be one of the actors who worked on “Breaking Bad.” Brush up on your "Breaking Bad" trivia to ace impromptu mid-tour quizzes during the 3-hour ride.

Culinary Tour

Any foodies in the family? Take a food tour to get a taste of the local culinary scene and scope out restaurants to revisit during your stay in Albuquerque. Food Tour New Mexico offers several tours in Albuquerque, including the 2.5-hour Taste of Old Town Albuquerque. Wear comfy shoes and bring a healthy appetite for savory and sweet samplings punctuated by narration about the history and culture of Old Town. Left the kids at home? Wet your whistle on the Route 66 Craft Beer Tour, which takes you to three microbrewery taprooms and includes plenty of beer and snacks.

Ghost Tour

Hear spooky tales of fallen soldiers, epic duels and age-old murders. Tour the gallows where public hangings were once held and wander the streets of “Hell’s Half-Acre,” the city’s former red light district. On the PG-13-rated, 90-minute Albucreepy Downtown Ghost Walk, you'll follow an all-outdoor route showcasing both genuine Albuquerque history and paranormal legend through historic locations such as the old Bernalillo County Courthouse and a wool warehouse. Tours are directed by experienced paranormal investigators and historians, whose tall tales might convince even ardent skeptics. Ghost encounters are not guaranteed.

Jeep Tour

Take an adventurous and bone-jiggling ride in a top-down Jeep with New Mexico Jeep Tours, exploring rugged trails that criss cross a scenic, wildlife-rich nature preserve less than a 30-minute drive from Albuquerque. This is a land marked by prehistoric ruins, ancient Native American petroglyphs, the remnants of an early Spanish settlement and a 1920s ghost town. Look for the elusive wild horses that roam the property. Private tours—for two people minimum—start at two hours and are customized according to your interests, so let your driver know what you hope to see and hear about, whether it's medicinal plants, wildlife or geology. Bring your camera and sun protection as you'll have ample opportunity to get out and explore by walking.

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