Albuquerque saw a rise in visitors due to what the locals call the Breaking Bad effect. But before the hit show, there was still plenty to bring people here. And the rise in tourism hasn’t impacted the city – it’s still an unspoiled, charming place, where old culture blends seamlessly with the new.
It’s a crossroads city, which makes sense when you consider the mix of ingredients here – Hispanic, Mexican and American.
Small screen adventures
New Mexico has long been a lure for filmmakers - its desert stretches ideal for westerns. But when the city of Albuquerque became a character on TV hit Breaking Bad, people started to flock here. While you can join organized tours, renting a car in Albuquerque is a great way to tick off the sights at your own pace.
There’s the house where Walter and Skylar lived with Walt Jr., and Jesse’s home, plus Tuco’s hideout, the legendary carwash and many more besides.
Perhaps best of all is grabbing a bite to eat the branch of Twister’s on Isleta Boulevard. It’s the place that became Los Pollos Hermanos in both Breaking Bad and spinoff Better Call Saul. You won’t bump into Gus Fring, but you can enjoy a delicious green chili cheese burger or breakfast burrito.
Culture clash
The mix of cultures here seeps into every aspect of life, from conversation to art, food to architecture. Dip into a store and you might catch snatches of Tewa being spoken, a language with roots older than the city itself. Explore this past in the old town, which is compact but ripe with reminders of Spanish settlers and Native American history.
You’ll also find the oldest building in the city - the San Felipe de Neri Church - and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center here. The latter covers history, art and excellent exhibitions.
Its café is also one of the best places to eat in town. Pueblo Harvest focusses on the cuisine of the Pueblos, locally sourced and using ingredients passed down generations. Blue cornmeal pops up in tacos, but also dusts onion rings. Mutton is turned into a hearty stew, bison into a more delicate carpaccio. Elk is braised with herbs and combined with white corn porridge for a dish they call Antlers & Maize.
There’s a similar vibe at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in the Barelas district. It’s another place where you can get an insight into a people, attend an event and try local cuisine.
Float on
Arrive in October and you’ll find a cultural phenomenon that isn’t so deeply rooted in the past but has become a fixture. The International Balloon Fiesta is the world’s largest such event, running for nine days and including some truly impressive specimens.
Of course, this is an ideal time to park up your Albuquerque car rental and take a hot air balloon flight of your own – you’ll float over the Rio Grande and get a wonderful views of the Petroglyph National Monument and the Sandia Mountains.
Explore this amazing city at your own pace with a rental car.
