Route 66 Rev Leg 3: Albuquerque to Amarillo

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.

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.