The rich culture and history of Albuquerque dates back more than 300 years and today plays an important role its future. Its architecture, cuisine, and language make Albuquerque a rich and vibrant community with its own unique identity. From Old Town to the North Valley, one can see structures old and new influenced by the Spanish and Native American cultures.

 

Outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Pueblo de Taos and Carlsbad Caverns. Santa Fe was designated as a UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art honoring its thriving arts community.

 

Consistently ranked by AmericanStyle along with Santa Fe and Taos as a top arts destination, Albuquerque inspires its artisans to create outstanding work. The Albuquerque-Santa Fe region has become a nationally recognized cultural center, offering audiences everything from the world-class Santa Fe Opera to small theaters, tribal historical museums, historical sites and art. Albuquerque has over 40 art galleries, and Santa Fe, although much smaller, has over 250.

 

Be sure to visit Old Town Albuquerque, a beautiful, charming and serene historic village within a modern city. Old Town Albuquerque is a place where centuries of history and modern life merge to blend 18th century architecture with narrow brick paths, world famous artwork, the finest jewelry, delicious food and rare specialty shops offering the creative talents of Spanish, Native American and Anglo heritages.

 

A shopper's and photographer's dream, Old Town Albuquerque is full of enticing nooks and crannies where you will find quaint merchant shops in the true southwestern style all located within a ten-minute walk from each other. For the romantic in you, horse drawn carriages can transport you back in time allowing you to imagine how life was in Old Town, 300 years ago.

 

There are many museums to visit in Albuquerque such as the Albuquerque Museum, Casa San Ysidro, Explora Science Center & Children's Museum , the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History to name a few. Albuquerque is also home of the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico.

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum traces the history of hot air ballooning through the centuries; exhibits range from early to modern record-breaking balloons.

 

In nearby Santa Fe, visitors can explore the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Spanish Market, which features prized works from acclaimed Southwestern artists. In Albuquerque, the Weems International Artfest brings nearly 300 artists together to showcase their talent.

 

Every April, thousands of visitors come to Albuquerque to celebrate The Gathering of Nations, a meeting of more than 500 Native American tribes from around the world that features singing, dancing and the crowning of Miss Indian World.

 

The Popejoy Presents series at Popejoy Hall on the University of New Mexico campus brings some of the best productions in the nation to Albuquerque. The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra has been delighting concertgoers for over 75 years with an exciting array of performances and venues. Albuquerque's Opera Southwest features multiple diverse, quality performances each season.

 

 

Albuquerque’s cultural diversity can best be expressed through its culinary flavor. Dining venues abound with over 1,600 eating and drinking establishments located throughout the Albuquerque metro area. From traditional Southwestern to contemporary gourmet cuisine there is something for every palate. Enjoy an Albuquerque sunset al fresco with a handmade margarita paired deliciously with green chile enchiladas.

 

Visit the bustling Nob Hill district located along Route 66 near the University of New Mexico. Historic Nob Hill is home to many eateries, clubs and boutique stores. Nob Hill offers residents a unique shopping and dining experience making it one of Albuquerque's favorite locations.

 

Downtown Albuquerque is one of the area’s premier destinations for nightlife with clubs and live music venues. East downtown (EDo) is undergoing a rapid transformation offering visitors art galleries and dining establishments.

 

Albuquerque Uptown is a great place to eat or go shopping. This newly redeveloped area is located off of I-40 and features an open air mall and many dining options.

The Albuquerque metro area features four casinos complete with hotels, golf courses and amenities: Sandia Resort and Casino, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Isleta Pueblo), Route 66 (Laguna Pueblo) and the Santa Ana Star Casino.

 

New Mexico’s tradition of winemaking dates back to the 17th century, making it the oldest wine grape growing state in the nation. Visit one of the 41 vineyards New Mexico has to offer and meet local winemaking experts and of course sample the great wine. The New Mexico Wine Festival in nearby Bernalillo features winemakers from all over New Mexico and attracts over 20,000 visitors during the Labor Day Weekend.

 

As a reflection of the growing film industry in New Mexico, Albuquerque is home to a number of local and national film festivals. Annually there are over 20 film festivals in New Mexico, ranging from kid’s film contests to specialty cinema.