We created this list of some things you & your guests can do in and around Albuquerque during your wedding weekend! If you are a New Mexico bride/groom-to-be, feel free to cut + paste directly to your wedding website so your out of town guests can experience the best of the city while they aren't busy celebrating you!
THINGS TO DO IN ABQ
"Rising from the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque, you ascend one of America’s most stunning urban peaks, reaching the 10,378-foot crest of the Sandia Mountains where an 11,000 square mile panoramic view awaits. " Your more active guests can hit the trails here, too!
The ABQ Bio Park has a zoo, botanic garden, aquarium, and a "beach". This is a great place for guests with children to come visit, or just great for your nature loving friends!
"The historic heart of Albuquerque is Old Town Plaza, where the pace slows and pedestrians find refuge from fast traffic. Old Town's official beginning took place on April 23, 1706, when Francisco Cuervo y Valdés, the Spanish governor of New Mexico, certified the founding of the Villa de Alburquerque. Spain's Laws of the Indies, in effect at the time, required setting a plaza at the center of any villa. Centered around the plaza, Albuquerque's Old Town comprises about ten blocks of historic adobe buildings. On the north side of the plaza is the San Felipe de Neri Church, the oldest building in the city, built in 1793. More than 100 stores and galleries feature a wide variety of Southwestern artwork, including jewelry, sculpture, paintings, weaving and pottery. In addition, the Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and Explora Science Center and Children's Museum are all located just to the east of Old Town, showcasing world-class exhibits."
CASINOS
Maybe your wedding guests can win big & put that money toward the honeymoon fund you have set up on your wedding website - you never know! Some popular casinos to visit in ABQ include:
The chances might be pretty high that your wedding is in October - given it's one of the most popular months for weddings with it's beautiful fall weather! Every October, the city hosts their annual Albuquerque International Balloon Festival - which includes colorful hot air balloons, live music, rodeos, and more. This could be an awesome experience for you and your guests (and make for some really cool photos!), but also should be something to keep in mind to make sure your guests book accommodations early to beat the tourists traveling in. This year's Fiesta is October 1st-9th.
"The Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago. These images are a valuable record of cultural expression and hold profound spiritual significance for contemporary Native Americans and for the descendants of the early Spanish settlers."
Explora is an "innovative experiential learning center" located in Old Town - basically, it's a fun and educational place your guests can take their kids to while in town!
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science has 8 permanent exhibits, changing temporary exhibits, and a planetarium to enjoy!
"Nob Hill is a vibrant district with eclectic shops, swanky dining and chic nightspots. Its Route 66 architecture and neon signs, combined with predominantly locally owned shops, galleries and restaurants, make Nob Hill a hip and fashionable area."
ABQ Uptown features upscale shopping and chain restaurants - it's where any of your out-of-town guests can go if they forgot to pack a suit for the wedding!
The perfect place for your guests to get a massage the day after giving it their all on the dance floor!
THINGS TO EAT
Sawmill Market is located in the heart of the Sawmill District - which used to be the site of the American Lumber Company north of historic Old Town. It's a renovated warehouse with an urban, open concept and outdoor eating space full of local merchants - from tacos to BBQ to wine to ice cream - making it a trendy place that all of your different guests can find something they like to eat while experiencing local ABQ cuisine.
Pizza, salad, & subs. And pro-tip: dip ALL of it in their ranch.
Sister restaurants and ABQ classics.
Who doesn't love a good breakfast?!
If you know anything about New Mexico, then you probably know food is ALLLL about green chile. The Range featured a Green Chile Stew that is a must try, especially if your guests want to live like a local.
Home-cooked Mexican food - need we say more?
"Albuquereque's original shipping container marketplace, Green Jeans Food Hall has something for everyone, featuring the Santa Fed Brewing Co. Taproom & twelve other local merchants."
THINGS TO DRINK
BREWERIES
THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE OF ABQ
SANTA FE
Snowboarding
Eat at The Pantry for breakfast
Ojo Caliente - natural hot springs
TAOS
ANGEL FIRE
SANTA ROSA
KASHA-KATUWE TENT ROCKS NATIONAL MONUMENT
DOWN SOUTH
Roswell (Area 51 AKA aliens!)
Photography: @mollymorganphotography