The stretch of Interstate 40 between Amarillo, Texas, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, is fairly desolate. Aside from roadside truck stops and the occasional fast food chain, there’s not much to see or do along this 280-mile open road, but just a few miles off I-40 is an opportunity to cruise through one of Route 66’s most iconic towns: Tucumcari, New Mexico.
Nicknamed “The Crystal Palace,” the Crossroads Motel was featured in a musical montage that had everyone humming “Everyone Knows It’s Windy” at work the next day. Though the Crossroads stopped making appearances in later seasons, it’s an iconic part of Breaking Bad’s imagery well worth a visit.
Tuco's headquarters has a distinctive look in Breaking Bad. In real life, it's a local coffee shop called Java Joe's that serves up great breakfast food, baked goods, and live music.
Hydrofluoric acid, a dissolving body in the bathtub, and a heap of fleshy bits all over the hallway: Welcome to Jesse Pinkman’s (first) home. The location of Pinkman’s fictional home changed sometime during production of the second season of Breaking Bad when the original homeowners sold the property, but if you pop over to 16th street, you can see both in one easy trip. Just remember to be respectful since these are private residences.
There might not be a superlab located deep in the basement of this laundry facility, but you can still visit Delta Uniform & Linen, the location that set the stage for so many tense moments between Heisenberg and Fring in season four of Breaking Bad.
Breaking Bad single-handedly turned a perfectly harmless car wash into one of the seediest places in the U.S. Walt and Skyler might have been using their A1A car wash to clean a whole lot of dirty cash, but the real life counterpart, Octopus Car Wash, focuses primarily on washing cars. You can pull in for a wash, or just snap some photos, as it’s open to the general public. Tell ‘em Walt sent you.
Generally speaking, standing outside Walter White’s house and snapping pictures is probably a bad idea. In Heisenberg’s Albuquerque, you would most likely find yourself dissolving in a plastic barrel, but lucky for us, it’s not as dangerous in real life. Frances Padilla had no idea what she was getting herself into when she agreed to let her home of 40 years become the fictional residence of the turbulent White family. On a monthly basis, hundreds of fans pull up to her curb and pile out just to take pictures of themselves wearing sunglasses and black bowler hats.
9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM, US
The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, designed to look like a hot air balloon resting on its side, houses artifacts that tell the history of balloon excursions, from crossing the Atlantic Ocean to crossing the planet. Never been on a hot air balloon ride? You can try out the simulator and decide whether the heights are for you. If you visit during October, you'll be able to catch the awe-inspiring sights of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, when hundreds of hot air balloons fill the skies above the city.
Pay your respects to Breaking Bad's Heisenberg with a visit to Walter White's final resting place. This headstone was erected a few years back as a way of giving fans of the series a little extra closure. The headstone can be a bit tough to find, but poke around the back of the strip mall and you'll discover it mounted to the wall.
Get ready to learn everything you never knew you wanted to know about the benefits—and dangers—of nuclear energy. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History houses an amazing collection of artifacts from full-size Cold War-era aircraft to miniature models of nuclear power plants. Many of the tour guides are retired military personnel with hands-on experience working with nuclear science, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You want to get a glimpse into the future? Head to the Imbibe cigar bar to check out the bitcoin ATM. Bitcoin is a virtual currency that can be traded digitally for goods and services. Already got a nice stash of bitcoin? You can actually spend it at Imbibe.
At the Monte Carlo Steakhouse and Liquor Store, you can order some of the best prime cuts in the state, and grab a bottle of your favorite spirit while you wait. The prime rib is only available after 5 p.m., so plan accordingly. Wondering about the wine selection? The restaurant is attached to a liquor store, so pick any wine in the store and they'll bring it to your table.
The Bottger Mansion Bed and Breakfast, located in historic Old Town, features photographs, antiques, and memorabilia dating back to the arrival of the railroad in 1879. It also has all the modern amenities. The guest rooms, all named for prominent Albuquerqueans, come decorated and furnished with biographies and historic photos (so you'll know the exact identity of the ghost that comes to haunt you later in the evening). Be sure to book your reservation well in advance. This is one of the best bed and breakfasts in the city and it fills up fast.
As the center of television's Breaking Bad universe, an iconic landmark from the show is always just a stone's throw away in Albuquerque. This can make coordinating your pilgrimage a little tough. Fortunately, the BaDTour from ABQ Trolley Co. will show you all of the best filming locations, including the hard-to-find hidden secrets. The best part? They do the driving.
The Candy Lady has been serving up sweets to the local community for three decades, but after the producers of Breaking Bad came knocking, the shop suddenly became known for whipping up batches of the iconic blue "meth" used in the series. Fortunately for us, they've continued producing it, and have made it available to fans in their shop. Grab the readily-available "Heisenberg" disguise and the staff will snap a photo of you holding the candy. If you're over 18 (and not easily offended), head to the back of the shop to see some of the most scandalous chocolate molds you've ever seen.
The American International Rattlesnake Museum will educate you on one of the Southwest's most misunderstood creatures, plus give you a good primer on what to do if you ever encounter a rattlesnake in the wild. The museum only consists of a few rooms, so you probably won't spend more than half an hour here unless you're lucky enough to meet Bob, the owner, who's an amazing storyteller. Come early when the snakes are especially active.
The Enchanted Trails park is about as scenic as a campground can get. Flanked by three extinct volcanoes, the location offers campers incredible views of the surrounding desert vistas—especially during sunset.
You’re more than halfway through the Mother Road, but don’t get nostalgic just yet—there’s still plenty left to see on your way into Arizona. The trading posts—and opportunities to buy moccasins—will become more frequent as you head further into the desert Southwest. Grants and Gallup, New Mexico, and Holbrook, Arizona, are all historic towns still full of top-notch neon and whimsical motels, so take your time and enjoy the dry air and colorful sunsets. Keep an eye out for black rocks that line the road between Grants and Gallup—this part of the route follows the Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field.
