For excellent views of Albuquerque and the nearby Sandia Mountains, take a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway. Cable cars carry passengers nearly 3 miles (about 15 minutes) along a suspended cable between eastern Albuquerque and the 10,378-foot-high summit of Sandia Peak. Once at the top, visitors relish the views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Land of Enchantment – you can see up to 11,000 square miles on a clear day – not to mention some excellent hiking trails. There are a range of trails to suit all skill levels, from the easy 0.3-mile Peak Nature Trail to the more difficult 7.5-mile La Luz Trail. If you'd like to hike up or down, one-way tickets are available. What's more, during most winters, visitors will find snow-covered ski slopes at the summit.

TEN3, the restaurant at Sandia Peak's summit, offers two dining experiences for visitors to choose from. Casual dining in a sports bar setting at the lounge is available for lunch or dinner on a first-come, first-served basis. More formal dining is available by reservation for the restaurant's Fine Dining section. Note that the restaurant is closed Tuesday and Wednesday and tram tickets are not included with your reservation.

U.S. News Insider Tip: While in Old Town, visit one of the city's quirkiest museums – the American International Rattlesnake Museum, where visitors earn a certificate of bravery for spying the conservation-minded museum's large collection of venomous snakes. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel

For more than 300 years, both Native American and Spanish cultures have been shaping this neighborhood (this is the site of the original city settlement in 1706). Anchored by the central plaza, Old Town's streets are filled with adobe buildings with brightly colored trim that now house galleries, restaurants and souvenir shops. The stunning San Felipe de Neri Church – Albuquerque's oldest building – can also be found here.

Long before the Spanish conquistadors made their way to New Mexico, the region was home to numerous tribes of Pueblo people. Today, the cultures of these Indigenous peoples are preserved at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which the Pueblos of New Mexico collectively own. Located about 2 miles northeast of Old Town, this educational facility of Pueblo art and history also hosts a variety of cultural events, including lectures, workshops and dances. 

Recent visitors strongly recommended stopping at the center while in Albuquerque, calling it a must-do. If you can, try visiting on a day when Pueblo dancers are performing; according to reviewers, it was a highlight of their visit. Travelers are also quick to recommend the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, which diners praised for its traditional dishes.

U.S. News Insider Tip: While you're visiting the park's botanic garden and aquarium, or Tingley Beach, cross Central Avenue to take a peek inside El Vado, a 1937 motor court hotel restored as a hotel, shopping and dining destination. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel

Sitting along the Rio Grande just southeast of Old Town, the ABQ BioPark is the ideal venue for a relaxing day spent outdoors, according to recent visitors. This massive park is home to four distinct attractions: an aquarium, a botanic garden, a zoo and Tingley Beach. The aquarium is a particular hit with children thanks to its 285,000-gallon shark tank, while the zoo's 250-plus species (snow leopards, kangaroos and polar bears included) are sure to keep their attention. If you're not really interested in the animal kingdom, spend an afternoon exploring the 32-acre botanic garden, which features numerous exotic plant species, meticulously manicured grounds and serene walking paths. You can also enjoy fishing at Tingley Beach during a summertime visit.

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're planning to attend, leave multiple mornings and evenings open. Although Albuquerque's weather is usually mild, inclement weather may mean the balloons can't fly. Allowing yourself backup days should ensure you get to see the big show. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel 

The city's dry climate is ideal for hot air ballooning, and so during the first week of October every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Albuquerque to experience the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. For a full week, the sky fills with more than 500 brightly colored balloons, which launch en masse many mornings from the 360-acre Balloon Fiesta Park in northern Albuquerque. Festival attendees witness the mass launch just before sunrise and the "Balloon Glows," during which the balloons are illuminated against the night sky.

Albuquerque has close ties to the birth of the Atomic Age sitting between Los Alamos to the north, where scientists created the first atomic weapons, and the Trinity Site to the south, where they tested the first nuclear bomb. Dating to 1969, National Museum of Nuclear Science & History tracks nuclear developments from the earliest pioneers in the field to the latest developments, including in the fields of nuclear power and medicine.

The museum takes visitors inside the decision to drop the first atomic bomb and explores the bomb's influence on pop culture. Thanks to a 2019 partnership with the Atomic Heritage Foundation, the museum inherited a trove of oral histories collected from Manhattan Project participants. Outside, the 9-acre Heritage Park stores a collection of rare and historically important aircraft and missiles, such as a B-29 Superfortress like the one that carried the "Fat Man" bomb.

Sitting on the north edge of Old Town's plaza, the San Felipe de Neri Church, originally founded in 1706, was the first Roman Catholic Church erected in Albuquerque. The structure that stands today was completed in 1793 (one year after the original building collapsed) and has expanded over the centuries to include a rectory, a convent and a school. There is also a museum here that displays religious art and artifacts that once hung on the church's walls.

Recent travelers said that a visit to the San Felipe de Neri Church is a must when visiting the Old Town area, even if you're not religious. Visitors admired its peaceful atmosphere and well-preserved interiors and architecture. 

Neighboring the Albuquerque Museum on the outskirts of Old Town, this museum educates visitors on billions of years of natural history. Highlights include the display on the Jurassic era that features life-size replicas of dinosaur skeletons, and "The Hall of the Stars," which attempts to explain how the night sky is organized via a tapestry that's equipped with UV reactive thread. Along with several temporary exhibits, the museum is home to a planetarium and a 3D movie theater.

Recent visitors praised the museum's artifacts and exhibits, especially the animatronic dinosaur in the entrance, and said its informative displays have the ability to engage a variety of visitors (even children). 

For an in-depth look at Albuquerque's rich cultural heritage, take a few hours to explore the Albuquerque Museum. Sitting on the eastern edge of Old Town, this space is home to an impressive collection of historic artifacts detailing the city's past; some of the more notable objects include a circa 1630 Jemez Pueblo jar and armor used by Spanish conquistadors. The museum also features approximately 10,000 pieces of art, including works by renowned New Mexico artists, such as Georgia O'Keeffe and Fritz Scholder.

Both travelers and locals praise this museum for its well-stocked permanent collection, but they also recommend spending some time in the temporary exhibits. Reviewers also suggested visiting the museum on one of your first days in Albuquerque to better understand and make the most of your time at the city's historical attractions, such as Old Town and the San Felipe de Neri Church.

If you're interested in (very) early American history, take a trip to the west side of the Rio Grande where you'll find Petroglyph National Monument – one of the top things to do in New Mexico. This 7,239-acre park is home to more than 25,000 carved images left behind by Native Americans and Spanish settlers. 

Before you head out to interpret the petroglyphs for yourself (the park features three primary hiking areas), stop by the visitor center. Keep in mind: The petroglyph viewing trails are a 1- to to 6-mile drive from the visitor center, so if you're being dropped off at the visitor center by a cab or ride-share, have the driver wait for you to transport you to the trailheads. At Boca Negra Canyon, three short trails lead to a combined 100 petroglyphs. Piedras Marcadas Canyon offers a chance to see the most petroglyphs, with 400 scattered over a 1.5-mile (roundtrip) trail. Staff members can direct you to specific attractions within the park, while on-site educational programs offer further insight into the ancient rock art. As far as the trails go, recent visitors raved about their accessibility and views of petroglyphs. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: While traveling the Paseo del Bosque Trail, take a small side trip to the 53-acre Aldo Leopold Forest, which honors the conservation leader and his ties to New Mexico. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel 

This 16-mile-long, paved walking and biking path traces the Rio Grande through central Albuquerque, passing major sites like the ABQ BioPark and within striking distance of Old Town. It also features public art and the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife. The trail is uninterrupted by road crossings, making it a great option for exploring the city sans traffic.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta stakes a claim as being the largest ballooning event in the world, but it only takes flight in October. The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum chronicles high-flying achievements in the sport year-round. It begins with the history of ballooning and devotes exhibits to the hall-of-flame aeronauts, including the locals from whom the museum takes its name, Maxie Anderson and Ben Abruzzo, whose Double Eagle II is celebrated among the museum's notable aircraft.

Recent visitors compared the museum to the Smithsonian for the sport and said it was worth a visit, even if you're not a hardcore fan of ballooning. They appreciated the museum's historical and global perspectives and interactive exhibits geared toward children, including exhibits on how balloons fly. However, travelers warned that sections of the museum may be closed during the fiesta when it hosts special events.

U.S. News Insider Tip: After visiting the Turquoise Museum, head across the street to visit Zendo Coffee, a local favorite coffee shop, and the Sanitary Tortilla Factory, a former tortilla factory-turned art gallery. – Ashley M. Biggers, Contributor, Travel   

Open since 1993, The Turquoise Museum is a fantastic place to go and learn all about the history of mining and crafting turquoise. The museum offers information on turquoise from around the world, how to tell different types of turquoise apart, and how to tell fake turquoise from the real thing, along with the history of turquoise. It also showcases some of the rarest turquoise specimens in the world.

The critically acclaimed TV show "Breaking Bad" was a pop culture phenomenon during its run from 2008 to 2013. The story of an Albuquerque high school chemistry teacher-turned meth kingpin Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, and his sidekick Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, won so many fans that they continue to travel from across the globe to see the show's Albuquerque filming locations. The Breaking Bad RV Tours whisks passengers across town on a replica Bounder RV, just like the one seen on the show, to local filming spots.

The tour hopscotches to popular locations used for settings in the show like Jesse's house, the Dog House restaurant, Tucco's headquarters, the Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant, the car wash and Walt's house (all meaningful stops to fans of the show). During the tour, guides, who are all industry professionals who worked as actors or crew on "Breaking Bad" or its sequel, "Better Call Saul," offer show insights and trivia. The company recommends booking early as tours often sell out.

With roots dating to 1629, New Mexico is the oldest wine growing region in the United States. Casa Rondeña is carrying on the tradition today. Although it uses grapes that grow just out its stately front door and from across New Mexico, the winery feels straight out of Spain with stone-block walls and a bell tower. The family-owned winery operates a public tasting room and a private 1629 Wine Club on site.

While recent visitors enjoyed the wine, they raved about the charming ambiance. They recommended breaking out of the tasting room once you have your glass in hand to wander the grounds, particularly the serene gardens and pond. 

This experiential learning center is set near Old Town Albuquerque. Although it's often described as a children's museum, it offers more than 250 interactive exhibits exploring STEAM  (science, technology, engineering, art and math) appealing to kids and the curious-at-heart of any age. The two-story museum features exhibitions devoted to gravity, moving air, water, chain reactions and bubble play, to name a few.

Most visitors loved the interactive exhibits and found that a variety of ages of children, even teenagers, found plenty to entertain them here. They recommended setting aside several hours, even a full day, to enjoy the exhibits here, which they found numerous for a city of Albuquerque's size. Travelers commented that the museum gets crowded and suggested taking advantage of earlier opening times, like during a time set aside for toddlers to explore, on Mondays from 9 to 11 a.m.