Enjoy yourself some authentic southwest fun with help from these Albuquerque Travel Tips!
Are you craving a little southwest getaway? If you’re thinking of spending some time in Albuquerque or Santa Fe New Mexico, I’ve got some really fun tips to share with you!
You very own frugal friends have shared these creative Albuquerque Travel Tips for the Best Things to do in Albuquerque and Santa Fe New Mexico!
Are you ready for some fun in one of the nation’s highest and oldest inland cities, that also happens to have some pretty epic Hot Air Ballon action?
Check out these top Albuquerque things to do…
Related: Easy ways to get Free Gas Gift Cards for Road Trips!
A special thanks to frugal friend Roxie for the above photo taken at the Balloon Fiesta Nighttime Glow!
So You’re Planning a Trip to Albuquerque?
To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead. One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your ‘Albuquerque Trip Fund’. Need to increase your travel fund stash? One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time! Here’s my favorite trick for ramping up the vacation budget…
Top Survey Sites to Make Money Online
How to Visit Albuquerque for Free!
How to Get Free Travel Gift Cards
Where to Eat in Albuquerque:
When visiting Albuquerque, you definitely need to try Rudy’s BBQ for amazing bbq and a great value! Rudy’s is the best mix of amazing BBQ and great prices. Be a little adventurous and try ordering your Brisket moist with extra bark! You’ll also love the Pork Baby Back Ribs, Sweet Corn and Banana Pudding! Teenagers meet their match with the Jumbo Smoked Potato topped with Brisket! Try getting the special Rudy’s Cup, and you’ll score 75 cent refills of Coke or Sweet Tea on all future visits!
Now keep reading for all the very best Albuquerque travel tips and things to do shared by myself and your frugal friends…
Albuquerque Travel Tips – The Best Things to Do
Drea said: “The Balloon Fiesta. It is the first two weeks of October every year. I ‘ve lived here most of my life and I still get excited for it every year! It is a must!!!”
Betsy said: “Old Town! You must try the Green Chile Stew… anywhere in Albuquerque!”
Katy said: “Old Town for sure & take the tram up to Sandia Peak.”
Pam said: “Yes, ride tram up Sandia Peak before sunset and stay till after… beautiful to come down after dark with the city all lit up! Haven’t been in several years, but we always ate at the restaurant at the top, High Finance. It is pricey, but was always really good and a neat experience with an amazing view! Oh, now I want to go back! Met and fell in love with my husband in NM!”
Denise said: “That Tram Ride up the mountain is awesome!!!”
Score a Deal on your Albuquerque Car Rental! There are so many beautiful places to explore around Albuquerque… and you’ll need a car to see most of them! There are a few easy Rental Car Hacks to slash your costs that you’ll want to put to use! Here are my favorite tricks to save BIG on car rentals…
19 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars
Alexis said: “Yes I grew up there and love it… visit the Sandia Tram… eat at Dion’s Pizza and order Green Chile Pizza, or at Blakes Lotaburger and eat a Green Chile Cheeseburger ( if you are going there you need to eat green chile)… old town is fun to visit and if you have time a trip up to Santa Fe is enjoyable… have fun!!”
Crystal said: “Grew up there. Old Town, zoo, tram is very neat, Santa Fe is nice if you’re up for a little road trip.”
Kristen said: “The aquarium there is really nice.”
Karis said: “The aquarium, botanical gardens, and zoo are super fun! Also Hinkle Family Fun Center.”
April said: “The zoo, aquarium and botanical garden has a train that you can ride to get to each one and you can buy a combo pass. Wonderful. The butterfly garden inside the botanical garden will open in May.”
Nancy said: “If you go to Santa Fe, be sure to check out the Tesuque Pueblo Flea Market. The Balloon Museum in Albuquerque is also interesting.”
Rachel said: “They have a huge flea market there, I remember going there when we used to live in NM.”
Score Free Coffee at Starbucks! With all the fresh air, sunshine, and things to do… you just might be needing a caffeine fix! There are lots of Starbucks locations around Albuquerque, so check this out…
Starbucks Money Saving Hacks
Pia said: “Beautiful country. Check out the village of Chimayó, 30 min. north of Santa Fe. There’s a chapel there called Santuario de Chimayó that’s beautiful.”
Cory said: “Rudy’s BBQ is a MUST for the best food in town… Also gotta hit up Frontier (awesome breakfast near UNM – Cinnamon rolls the size of your head).”
Ryan said: “Breakfast at Frontier is a must!! I drool thinking about it!!”
Melissa said: “I live here now. Tent Rocks is in between here and Santa Fe. It is a really cool place to see and hike. The Petroglyph National Monument is near Albuquerque and a cool hike as well. Love the zoo, aquarium and gardens.”
Mignon said: “Drive north to Taos!”
Frugal Albuquerque Tip: Don’t forget to cash in your Swagbucks for Free Gas Cards, Free Hotels, and Free Airfare, too!
How to Travel for Free or Cheap {Budget Travel Hacks}
What To Pack for Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico:
Best Baby Travel Gear
Traveling with Baby? Don’t leave home without these Baby Travel Gear Essentials! I’ve taken my babies on the long flights so many times and these must-have items will make traveling with Baby so much easier!
Suitcases
Now that you’ve read through all of these incredible Albuquerque Travel Tips… are you ready to get packing for New Mexico? Make sure you’ve got some good sturdy luggage with wheels to take along! Fun and unique prints on luggage are always great, because it always seems like every suitcase at the airport or hotel is black, right? Someone will be a lot less likely to walk off with your luggage when it’s got a unique color or print!
Large Travel Purse
Every great trip starts with a large purse, right? I have one large purse I save just for trips, and it’s perfect for storing my Kindle, Maps, Snacks, and even my Camera! I never leave on a trip without it, and am always grateful for that extra space!
Travel Pillow
Make sleeping on those long flights a whole lot easier when you pack a comfy travel pillow!
Don’t board your plane without these 11 Carry On Must Haves! They’re a lifesaver on long flights!
Now that you’ve scored all of these Albuquerque Travel Tips, are you dreaming of More Vacations in the Southwest?
Have fun planning your next trip with these fun tips below…
45 Best Things to Do in Phoenix Arizona
35 Denver Travel Tips – The Best Things to Do
Colorado Springs Travel Tips {40 Top Things to Do}
44 Grand Canyon Travel Tips You Can’t Afford to Miss
Sedona Travel Tips! {8 Can’t Miss Spots}
Zion National Park Travel Tips {what to know before you go}
Bryce Canyon Travel Tips
Arches National Park Hikes {Top Tips Before You Go}
37 Tucson Travel Tips – Top Things to do in Tucson Arizona
Dallas and Forth Worth Travel Tips – What You Can’t Afford to Miss
American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary {14 Epic Days}
11 Road Trip Must Haves for your next Vacation
22 Southwest Airlines Hacks! {Tips To Know Before You Fly}
34 Ways To Entertain Kids on a Trip! {Creative Activities}
59 Easy Camping Menu Tips! {Campout Favorites}
88+ Frugal Travel Tips and Best Kept Secrets
How To Make Money On The Road While You Travel
Don’t miss out! Catch all the latest fun new Frugal Girls Travel Tips, Recipes + more…
So… have YOU ever been to Albuquerque before?
What are some of your favorite Albuquerque Travel Tips for things to do, places to eat, etc? Leave a comment & share!
Tiana says
Albuquerque is a city that I love most. I have spent so many years on of my childhood there.
Thanks for your amazing travel guide on Albuquerque.
The photos were really attractive.
Thomas B. Tyner says
Thanks for the good advice! After 2 years travelling in South America, I took a job in a company in United State. I’m gonna need it, thanks!