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.
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.
Founded in 1706, Albuquerque’s historic Old Town contains some of the oldest buildings in the city. Full of museums and well-preserved historic architecture, it’s also home to some of the best grub in town.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Albuquerque is a high desert city with an artsy vibe. Admire the Pueblo architecture, tour Old Town, visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and learn about the desert at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden.
To’hajiilee Reservation is the perfect starting and ending point for a Breaking Bad side trip, playing an important role in both the beginning and end of Walt’s journey. The first place Walt and Jesse parked the rolling meth lab, it was also prominently featured at the climax of the series. Formerly known as the Canoncito Reservation, To’hajiilee is a section of the Navajo Nation between three of New Mexico’s southwestern counties. The dry, rocky terrain has a certain desolate beauty.
Jose La Rivera, the manager of Twisters, a South Valley burrito joint, says that up to 40 fans a day pull up in cars and cabs—sometimes straight from the airport—in search of Breaking Bad’s Gus Fring. The show’s popularity has been great for La Rivera, who says that fan interest in the restaurant has increased his business and brought in new customers excited to sit in the most coveted seat in the place: Walt’s Booth. When you visit, ask La Rivera to snap your photo next to the huge Los Pollos Hermanos mural.
A handful of separate locations were used to make up Joe’s Salvage throughout Breaking Bad, but only one bore witness to the end of the RV: Ace Metals. Stop by to pay your respects to the rolling meth lab and yell, “Yeah, bitch! Magnets!”
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.
The Tamaya Mist in the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa offers visitors a unique relaxation experience. The “Ancient Drumming” treatment features a full-body rubdown made with mud from the Jemez Mountains infused with red chile, which the resort says will detoxify your body. If that doesn't do the trick, the spa’s relaxation room is fully stocked with green chile-infused granola and red chile chocolate.
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.
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.