Albuquerque, New Mexico
Old Town adobe, Central Avenue neon and a tramway to the sky.
Albuquerque is the biggest city between Tulsa and LA, and it wears its Route 66 heart on Central Avenue — the old alignment still runs straight through town, lined with neon diners and motels. But the real magic is Old Town, where adobe walls and church bells make you forget the highway entirely.
“Old Town's adobe walls and the Sandias turning watermelon pink at sunset — sandía literally means watermelon. We rode Central Avenue after dark just to see the neon.”
History
Founded in 1706 as a Spanish colonial outpost, Albuquerque grew into a railroad hub and then a Route 66 city. Central Avenue is the old road, and the surviving mid-century motels and signs are among the best preserved anywhere. The Sandia Pueblo people have lived in the valley for centuries — the city's name and soul are Spanish, its land older still.
Why Visit
It's the cultural and culinary pivot of the trip — the best New Mexican food on Route 66, the Sandia mountains framing every view, and a rare big-city night with proper restaurants and a great brewery scene. The altitude (5,300ft) also gives you a gentle taste of the mountain air to come.
Best Motorcycle Roads
Central Avenue — old Route 66
Ride the full length of the original alignment through town — neon, diners, motels, the whole story.
Sandia Crest Scenic Byway (NM-536)
A spectacular paved climb to 10,678ft up the mountain — one of the finest half-day rides in the Southwest.
Best Hotels
Hotel Albuquerque
Mid-rangeOld Town-adjacent base for the Central Ave alignment and the Sandia Tram — pool, restaurant and parking.
El Vado Motel (reborn)
BudgetA restored 1937 Route 66 motel with a modern food court and bar beside it — the cool-kid overnight.
Best Restaurants
66 Diner
Diner
A neon-and-chrome homage to the road on Central Ave — shakes, burgers and green chile cheeseburgers.
Must Try · Green chile cheeseburger and a malt
Sadie's of New Mexico
New Mexican
The place that turned 'red or green?' (the state question) into a religion. Huge portions, huge flavour.
Must Try · Sopapillas with honey
Hidden Gems
- The Sandia Peak Tramway — the world's third-longest aerial tram, up to a 10,000ft sunset view.
- Old Town's hidden courtyard cafes behind the plaza.
- The ABQ BioPark — a botanical garden and aquarium combo that surprises everyone.
Photography Spots
- The neon signs of Central Avenue after dark — the '66 Motel' and others glow beautifully.
- Old Town's San Felipe de Neri church at golden hour.
- The Sandia Tram view at sunset — the mountains turn watermelon pink (sandía means watermelon).
Sunrise & Sunset
Around 6am. A balloon ride at dawn over the Rio Grande valley is one of the great American experiences if you can book one.
From the Sandia Crest or the tram — the mountains glow pink, and the desert floor goes gold.
Practical Information
- Smith's fuel on Central Avenue (Route 66) — right on the alignment, easy bike access.
- Albertsons fuel on Wyoming Boulevard, handy on the east side.
Old Town has free street parking and small lots. Central Avenue meters are cheap. Many hotels offer free parking — confirm when booking.
Suggested Walking Routes
Old Town Plaza loop
A flat half-mile around the plaza, church and courtyard shops — adobe walls and 300 years of history.
Central Avenue neon stroll
A mile east of Old Town along the old road — best after dark when the signs light up.
Weather & Ride Difficulty
High-desert — sunny, dry, with a 15°C swing between day and night. Summer afternoons hit 35°C but mornings are crisp. July–August monsoons bring dramatic afternoon thunderstorms; ride early, rest after lunch.
Easy urban riding on good roads. The altitude sneaks up — you're at 5,300ft, so drink more water than you think you need.
Nearby Attractions
- Old Town Albuquerque
- Sandia Peak Tramway
- ABQ BioPark (zoo, aquarium, gardens)
- Petroglyph National Monument
Frequently Asked Questions
Both. 'Christmas' means half-and-half and is the local power move. New Mexico chile is the pride of the state — try it at least once.
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