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.
With man-made cliff dwellings dating back almost a thousand years, visitors can get a glimpse at the ancient way of life in the 33,000-acre Bandelier National Monument. To reach the caves, follow an easy 1.2-mile trail through Frijoles Canyon and hike an additional mile of trail that involves climbing 140 feet up through a number of stone stairs and four wooden ladders. Note: Using GPS to get you to the national monument is not a good plan, according to park rangers. The NPS website offers these directions: "From NM285 US84 in Pojaque NM. West on NM502, West on NM4 to White rock. Then 12 miles to the monument entrance on the south side of the road."
Just 40 miles west of Santa Fe, the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is home to some phenomenal slot canyons. The views from the trail are unreal—just remember to bring sunscreen and water, and wear comfortable shoes.
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.
For an authentic Route 66 meal, make a pit stop at the 66 Diner in Albuquerque, where you can load up on burgers, fries, strawberry shakes, and the biggest banana split you've ever seen. The 66 Diner doesn't just serve authentic 1950s-style food, but goes out of its way to look the part. Retro touches include chrome tables, a jukebox loaded with period-appropriate 45 records, and wait-staff in 1950s outfits. The sundaes here are comically giant—the banana split has eight scoops of ice cream, so get it to share.
The San Felipe de Neri Parish has been the spiritual heart of Albuquerque for more than 300 years. Built in 1793, the church is especially beautiful around Christmas when it’s illuminated. It’s just a quick 10 to 15 minutes off the highway, and the area is full of stores and restaurants, so pull over for a photo op and to stretch your legs.
Experience Albuquerque’s Native American roots firsthand at Petroglyph National Monument, a 17-mile monument filled with an estimated 25,000 petroglyphs that can be seen from three different hiking trails. The symbols give a fascinating look into another time and culture. The West Mesa volcanic escarpment is a fantastic place for hiking and discovering additional ancient rock drawings. Hit up the visitor center before embarking on your mini-adventure, and have someone direct you to the best spots.
Hidden in the Boca Negra Canyon, these three short hikes can be done in about an hour and put you face-to-face with more than 100 ancient petroglyphs. In fact, Petroglyph National Monument is one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring symbols carved 400 to 700 years ago. Bring your hiking boots. The climb can get tough and rocky, but it's totally worth the effort.
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.
The Owl Cafe is a classic diner with an eye-catching exterior (shaped like an owl), but it's the food inside that's the real star here. Home to an incredible green chile cheeseburger (a Southwest staple), the Owl Cafe offers more than 20 flavors of milkshakes, breakfast all day, and a legendary coconut cream pie. Be sure to bring extra quarters so you can spin your favorite 1950s tunes from a mini jukebox at your table.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
