7 Days in Albuquerque and Santa Fe: Hot Air Balloons, Red Rock Art, and New Mexican Flavors
New Mexico’s high desert invites you to slow down and see farther. In Albuquerque—the state’s largest city—Old Town adobe lanes, Route 66 neon, and a sky bristling with hot air balloons set the tone. To the north, Santa Fe’s 400-year-old plaza and world-class art scene reward wanderers who follow chile and conversation.
The region’s story threads through Indigenous pueblos, Spanish colonial missions, and the railroads and highways that stitched the Southwest together. You’ll trace petroglyphs pecked into basalt, ride the Sandia Peak Tramway for endless views, and sample red and green chile like a local—“Christmas,” if you want both.
Practical notes: Albuquerque sits around 5,000 feet (1,524m) and Santa Fe at ~7,200 feet (2,195m). Hydrate, wear SPF, and pace your first day. Balloon rides and museum hours vary seasonally; book ahead. New Mexican cuisine leans on roasted chile, blue corn, and sopapillas—comforting, flavorful, and memorable.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque blends Old Town heritage with a modern creative streak. Dawn skies fill with balloons; afternoons linger over green-chile smothered plates; evenings glow along Route 66 in Nob Hill. The Rio Grande bosque and Sandia Mountains put nature within easy reach.
- Top sights: Old Town Plaza, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, ABQ BioPark (Botanic Garden, Aquarium, Zoo), Petroglyph National Monument, Sandia Peak Tramway, Sawmill Market, Nob Hill/Route 66.
- Food & drink: Frontier Restaurant (breakfast burritos near UNM), Mary & Tito’s (James Beard–honored red chile), El Modelo (tamales), Sadie’s and El Pinto (classic New Mexican), Campo at Los Poblanos (farm-driven), Marble, La Cumbre, and Bow & Arrow (Native-owned) breweries.
- Fun facts: Home to the world’s largest hot air balloon festival; 310+ days of sun; “Breaking Bad” filming locations dot the city.
Where to stay: Search stays near Old Town or North Valley for easy sightseeing: VRBO in Albuquerque | Hotels.com: Albuquerque
Getting here: Fly into ABQ; typical nonstop/regional fares in the US range ~$120–$350 roundtrip depending on season. Compare options on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com.
Santa Fe
Santa Fe, “The City Different,” wraps adobe architecture around an artsy, high-altitude hub. From the 17th-century plaza to Canyon Road’s galleries and the neon mind-bend of Meow Wolf, it’s a feast for the eyes—and for anyone who loves red and green chile.
- Top sights: Santa Fe Plaza, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis, Loretto Chapel, Canyon Road, Railyard & Farmers Market, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (hours/venue may vary in 2025), and Meow Wolf.
- Food & drink: The Shed and La Choza (beloved New Mexican), Cafe Pasqual’s (breakfast to remember), Paloma (modern Mexican), Kakawa Chocolate House (historic chocolate elixirs), Coyote Rooftop (views + margaritas).
- Vibe: Blue skies, thick adobe walls, and a luminous art culture shaped by Indigenous, Spanish, and Anglo influences.
Where to stay: Base near the Plaza or Railyard for walkability: VRBO in Santa Fe | Hotels.com: Santa Fe
Getting from Albuquerque: Drive ~1–1.25 hours via I‑25 (65 miles/105 km). Scenic option: NM‑14 “Turquoise Trail” (~1.5–2 hours) via Madrid, an artsy mining town. Rail Runner Express commuter train runs ~1hr20m on select schedules; budget ~$10–$15 roundtrip per adult.
Day 1: Arrival in Albuquerque, Old Town and Sawmill
Morning: Travel day. Fly into ABQ; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Hydrate on arrival to adjust to altitude.
Afternoon: Check in near Old Town for walkability: VRBO or Hotels.com. Stroll Old Town Plaza’s adobe arcades and San Felipe de Neri Church, then graze at Sawmill Market (try — green chile pizza, elote, and local gelato); it’s a lively first taste of the city.
Evening: Dinner at Church Street Cafe (Old Town staple for stacked enchiladas, posole, sopapillas) or Campo at Los Poblanos (farm-to-fork with valley views). Nightcap at Marble Brewery’s downtown taproom or Bow & Arrow (try a hazy IPA or kettle sour brewed by a Native-woman-owned team).
Day 2: Sunrise Balloons, Bosque Wanders, and a Ghost Walk
Morning: Float above the Rio Grande Valley on a sunrise ride. Book the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise (typical from ~$199; 3–4 hours door-to-door).
Afternoon: Wander the cottonwood-lined Paseo del Bosque Trail by foot or bike; stop at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden and Aquarium (plan 2–3 hours). Lunch at Barelas Coffee House (carne adovada, green chile stew) or El Modelo for handheld tamales and stuffed sopapillas.
Evening: Join New Mexico’s oldest ghost walk in Old Town: The Ghost Tour of Old Town (90 minutes; family-friendly chills and 300 years of lore).
Day 3: Petroglyphs, Old Town History, and Sandia Peaks
Morning: Explore Petroglyph National Monument. Walk Boca Negra Canyon’s short but steep basalt trails (40–60 minutes) or the flat Piedras Marcadas Canyon (90 minutes) to see centuries-old rock art. Coffee before or after at Little Bear (North Valley) or Zendo (downtown).
Afternoon: Step into 300+ years of stories on the 12pm High Noon History, Legends & Lore Guided Old Town Stroll.
Evening: Dinner under cottonwoods at El Pinto (north valley; try the green chile ribs) or Mary & Tito’s (red chile enchiladas). Cap the night at La Cumbre Brewing with a flagship Elevated IPA or a crisp pilsner.
Day 4: Drive to Santa Fe, Plaza, and a Deep-Dive Walking Tour
Morning: Depart Albuquerque after breakfast (1–1.25 hours via I‑25). If you prefer scenery, take the Turquoise Trail (NM‑14) through rolling high desert and the artsy hamlet of Madrid (allow 1.5–2 hours). Check into a Plaza- or Railyard-area stay: VRBO or Hotels.com.
Afternoon: Orient yourself at the Plaza, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis, and Loretto Chapel (the “Miraculous Staircase” intrigues engineers and artists alike). Lunch at The Shed (classic red chile enchiladas) or La Choza (sister spot, easier seating mid-day). Then dive into the Santa Fe Ultimate History Walking Tour—a narrative sweep from Puebloan roots to modern arts.
Evening: Stroll Canyon Road’s adobe galleries during golden hour. Dinner at Geronimo (sophisticated Southwestern) or Paloma (mezcal-forward cocktails, masa and seafood). Nightcap at Secreto Lounge (garden-fresh cocktails) or a slow walk under starry skies.
Day 5: Meow Wolf, Railyard Markets, and a Food Tour Feast
Morning: Coffee at Iconik (Daphne or Lena blends) or Sky Coffee in the Railyard. Then enter the portal: Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return—70+ rooms of immersive, neon-dream art perfect for curious minds.
Afternoon: Lunch at Tune‑Up Cafe (huevos motuleños, Salvadoran pupusas) or Dolina Bakery (house pastries, borscht, pierogi on specials). Browse the Railyard galleries and, if it’s a market day, the Santa Fe Farmers Market for chile ristras, local honey, and crafts. If open during your dates, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum offers an intimate look at the artist’s New Mexico years; check current hours/venue details.
Evening: Join the New Mexican Flavors Food Tour of the Santa Fe Plaza to sample chile-forward dishes and learn chile’s storied path from field to table.
Day 6: Scenic Route Back to Albuquerque, Museums, and Breweries
Morning: Drive back to Albuquerque (I‑25 is fastest; the Turquoise Trail adds views and a stop in Madrid—try the Mine Shaft Tavern for a green chile cheeseburger if it’s lunchtime). Check back into your Albuquerque stay: VRBO or Hotels.com.
Afternoon: Pick a museum: the Albuquerque Museum (regional art/history), the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History (Cold War curiosities and atomic-age design), or Explora (hands-on science, great if traveling with kids). Coffee at Humble or Prismatic.
Evening: Dinner at Farm & Table (seasonal, local purveyors) or Los Poblanos’ Campo if you missed it earlier. Try a flight at Marble’s rooftop or Bow & Arrow’s spacious taproom; if you love live music, check who’s playing around downtown on your dates.
Day 7: Zoo, Nob Hill, and Departure
Morning: Choose the ABQ BioPark Zoo (2–3 hours; shade and strolling paths) or rent bikes for the Bosque Trail. Brunch at The Grove (ricotta pancakes, breakfast sandwich) or Tia Betty Blue’s (blue corn waffles, breakfast burritos).
Afternoon: Last bites and souvenirs in Nob Hill along Route 66—Farina Pizzeria (New York–style pies) or a classic green chile cheeseburger at Blake’s Lotaburger. Head to the airport for your afternoon departure; compare any last‑minute changes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
Evening: Wheels up! If you have extra time before your flight, grab a to‑go latte at Little Bear or Zendo and a bag of local piñon coffee beans for home.
Optional/Seasonal Enhancements
- Balloon Fiesta (early October): If your dates align, book early; you can also consider the Balloon Festival Aerogelic Ballooning.
Albuquerque's Balloon Festival Aerogelic Ballooning on Viator - Private deep-dive in ABQ: History lover? Swap in the Albuquerque Private Tour: Plazas, History & Museums.
Albuquerque Private Tour: Plazas, History & Museums on Viator
From sunrise balloon rides over the Rio Grande to sunset strolls past Santa Fe’s adobe galleries, this 7-day New Mexico itinerary layers history, landscape, and flavor. Expect big skies, bold chile, and a slower rhythm that lingers long after you leave.