Local Activities and Dining

The Land of Enchantment contains hundreds of mysteries, varied landscapes, and Native American cultures - many within a half day journey from the city of Albuquerque. In conjunction with the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, this page will provide information regarding the sights and sounds of this exciting city and adjacent Santa Fe - now just a short train ride north from Albuquerque.

Activities Galore!

For a comprehensive overview of Activities, Cultural Attractions, Local Museums, Touring (walking and guided), and Dining Options, visit the website of the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Acoma Pueblo Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum
Take a drive out to the Acoma Pueblo’s cultural center and museum.  Famed for its art and pottery, "Acoma Pueblo is built atop a sheer-walled, 367-foot sandstone bluff in a valley studded with sacred, towering monoliths. Since 1150 A.D., Acoma Pueblo has earned the reputation as the oldest continuously inhabited community in North America."

Sandia Peak Tramway

We also recommend riding the Sandia Peak Tramway, the world's longest aerial tramway, to dine or ski down from the 10,378 ft. peak. Skiing down from the tram peak is strictly for intermediate to advanced skiers who bring all of their own gear! A favorite day-ski destination for locals when there's enough snow. You might also forego the tramway ride and hike about the many trails nearby.

Historic Old Town
See the historic San Felipe de Neri Church or take the evening Ghost Tour.  Enough shops and galleries to make your feet cry, New Mexican chachkies made in China, and much much more. Gloria Estefan ate a taco here once and left a signed picture, or so Phil Heldrich related in his dynamic Albuquerque essay, "Epiphania", featuring Mr. Tecate Man.

Santa Fe

Just 60 miles away.  Drive, or ride on the Rail Runner Express light rail system.   

Explore the famed, historic Plaza, tour the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, and visit the city’s many other cultural attractions.  For information, see the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Route 66

Drive on the famous cross-country route, which is Central Avenue going either direction from downtown.  Albuquerque’s stretch of the iconic Mother Road features a treasure trove of roadside Americana: vintage neon signs, old motels, classic eateries, historic theaters, etc.  Along Route 66, stop to browse in the hip Nob Hill district (just east of UNM), with its array of colorful, unique shops, restaurants, and nightspots.

Museums

Albuquerque’s wealth of museums and cultural centers range from the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History to the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.  

Walk to Dining

Route 66 (Central Avenue), with many dining & shopping options, is an easy one-minute walk from the hotel entrance. Pick up a local dining brochure from the ABQ Convention and Visitors Bureau at the conference. Better yet, try these recommendations (most on Route 66) from our past participants, or scroll down for some local favorites within a short drive (including vegetarian).

Forque Kitchen and Bar
(Inside the conference hotel, lobby level - we're lucky we have such good food at our hotel!)

Mouth-watering steaks, tantalizing chicken, freshly prepared seafood - you'll feast on the finest New Mexico has to offer. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For your convenience, reservations are accepted. Open daily, morning to late evening. Or, order drinks in the casual atmosphere of Forque Bar.

JC's New York Pizza Department
215 Central Ave. NW, Suite 1-B
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505)766-NYPD (6973)

Specializing in thin crust NY-style pizza, calzones, hot Italian sandwiches. Delivery and catering.

La Quiche Parisienne Bistro
(4th Street Mall, adjacent to hotel)
401 Copper Ave NW #A
(505)242-2808; Mon-Fri 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.; closed Sat. and Sun

Fine French pastries, quiche, sandwiches, and soups!

Lindy’s

500 Central SW  

Lindy’s is one of the oldest restaurants in Albuquerque, having opened in 1929 as the Coney

Island Café.  You can still eat a coney dog there, sitting on a stool at the vintage lunch counter or in a vinyl booth.  The menu features American comfort food, as well as some Greek specialties.

Maloney's Tavern
325 Central Ave. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505)242-7422

Lunch and dinner. Listen to the best music from the 70s, 80s and 90s, where everybody knows your name!

Nick's Crossroads Cafe
400 Central Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505)242-8369

Affordable American and Greek food. A downtown favorite of conventioneers and tourists.

Sushi King
118 Central Ave. SW
Albuquerque, NM
(505)842-5099

Sushi in New Mexico? You bet! Each year we return to Albuquerque, Sushi King continues to be the King of fish.

Tucanos Brazilian Grill
110 Central Ave. SW
Albuquerque, NW 87102
(505)246-9900
Open daily: lunch and dinner. ABQ's hottest restaurant! Unlimited fresh grilled, seasoned beef, poultry and seafood.

Dining Worth the Drive

66 Diner

1405 Central Ave NE

A well-known stop among Route 66 tourists and photographers, this nostalgia-oriented eatery serves up home cooking in a retro atmosphere.  Famed for its milkshakes and other soda fountain fare.  

Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe
(one block east and one block south of Central and University, by UNM campus)
2201 Silver Avenue SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505)262-2424

"The Place for Healing Cuisine" - now that's quite a claim. Well-recommended for its wide menu of vegetarian only selections.

Cake Fetish
(Across from the large Coronado Mall)

2665 Louisiana Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505)883-0670

Open daily. ABQ's first gourmet cupcake bakery!

Church Street Café

Old Town

2111 Church St. NW

New Mexican dishes served in Albuquerque’s oldest house, the adobe Casa de Ruiz from the early 1700s.  

El Pinto
North Valley
10500 4th St NW
Albuquerque, NM 87114
(505)898-1771

President Barack Obama ate here, and so have a host of ordinary people who love Mexican and New Mexican food. Try the green chile stew and watch out for those pesky t.v. food show hosts who love to eat here as well!

Frontier Restaurant
(Across from the UNM campus bookstore)
2400 Central Ave. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106-3507
(505)266-0550

One of Phil Heldrich's faves, featured in his book Out Here in the Out There: Essays in a Region of Superlatives.  (You even get a green burrito recipe with every purchase.)  A must stop for its retro atmosphere, wall decor, salsa bar, interesting crowds, tasty burritos, and a selection of New Mexican and American grill favorites. A reliable staple for UNM students. Always a good crowd and ample seating. Open until 1:00 am. 

Kelly’s Brewpub

3222 Central Ave SE

This popular brewery is found in the city’s hip Nob Hill district, inside the landmarked Jones Motor Company building - a neon-lined, former Ford dealership / Texaco gas station from 1939 (listed on the National Register of Historic Places).  Kelly’s includes a large patio dining area and offers over 20 house-made beers, along with a full menu.

Little Anita’s New Mexican Cafe
Old Town
2105 Mountain Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505)242-3102

White bag it or sit down to some of the finest New Mexican food in town, and visit Old Town too. Don't forget to ask for extra hot sauce to go.

Standard Diner

(Just east of downtown)

320 Central Ave SE

Featured on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.”  Far from “standard,” this restaurant specializes in upscale twists on classic diner dishes (like truffle tofu mac & cheese and kobe burgers).  Located in a streamline moderne, 1938 Texaco gas station.