3 Things You Can Only Do in Albuquerque

Albuquerque: a city that was once pretty much only famous because Bugs Bunny used to regularly bemoan that he’d forgotten to take an infamous left turn there whenever he found himself lost. But the truth is travelers don’t need to think of New Mexico’s largest city has just a landmark for directions when traveling with a cartoon rabbit–it’s a pretty awesome destination in its own right.

Don’t believe us? Here are three things that you can only do in Albuquerque.

You’d think if your city was constantly associated with a show about a quiet originary school teacher who becomes an infamous drug kingpin (murdering a bunch of people along the way), it wouldn’t be exactly be high on the things you’d tout to possibly visitors, right? Well, you’d be wrong. Especially, if that show was the critically acclaimed and fan favorite Breaking Bad, which was filmed and set in Albuquerque. You can see all the familiar sites from the show with a professional tour guide or find your own way.

Hot air balloons are a regular site in the skies above and around Albuquerque. The region’s predictable  weather makes it the perfect spot to pilot the floating craft. In fact, New Mexico as more hot air balloonists than any other state. But the area’s ballooning community really comes alive for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is THE hot air balloon event throughout the world and takes place this year between October 3 and 11. There will be races, shows, mass launchings and of course…rides.

Like most major metropolitan areas, Albuquerque is home to a host of museums and informative attractions to check out, but there are a few unique educational destinations that you can’t really find anywhere else. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, for example, describes its mission as to “preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture and to advance understanding by presenting with dignity and respect, the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico.” The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, meanwhile, claims to be America’s “only congressionally chartered museum in its field.” And the American Rattlesnake Museum is home to the the world’s largest collection of different species of live rattlesnakes.

Are you a super fan of the ABQ? Think we missed a uniquely Albuquerque activity that you can’t do anywhere else? Let us know in the comments section below.