We were just wandering through Albuquerque, no particular plan, when we turned the corner onto Coal…read moreAvenue and stumbled across it--Mario, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong, all pixelated and proud, stretched across the side of a building like they had punched their way straight out of 1985. At first, I thought maybe my childhood was hallucinating. But no, there was Mario mid-jump, fists in the air. Peach standing tall like the 8-bit queen she is. And Donkey Kong looming off to the side, barrels and all. The colors popped against the weathered brick, and even though you could tell the wall had seen better days, that just made it cooler--like the mural had leveled up after a few boss fights with graffiti and sun damage. Turns out it used to be a Pac-Man wall, but somebody tagged it, and the original artist came back to give it a Nintendo makeover. Respect. The vibe is pure throwback joy. Cars zipped past without noticing, but we stood there for a while, grinning like we'd just found a secret warp pipe in real life. We snapped a few pics, and some random guy yelled, "It's-a me, Mario!" from across the street. I don't know if he was drunk or just having a good time--but honestly, same. In a city full of hidden gems, this mural felt like a one-up mushroom: small, unexpected, and absolutely worth finding.

Soooo no more is Donkey Kong but Mushroom. Looks pretty new. Sucks tagging F's it all up. Like,…read morecome on, respect the art ! It's a cute surprise for the family. We pulled over & it was cool. I am soooo in love with New Mexico. We are full time RV peeps & have traveled 8 states now & New Mexico has my heart.

Cruising through Albuquerque, I stumbled on a giant Roadrunner statue that looked like it sprinted…read moreright off a Looney Tunes episode and plopped itself in front of a roofing shop. This thing is massive -- like, "Beep beep!" sized for a giant who's really into spray foam insulation. It's got those cartoonishly big eyes and that cheeky grin, standing proud like it's daring Wile E. Coyote to show up for a rematch. The best part? You don't even have to trespass to snap a pic -- just wave at the roofers and pretend you're part of some zany desert race. It's not exactly a theme park ride, but this oversized feathered speedster brings a little chuckle to your road trip and reminds you that sometimes, roadside art just wants to have fun. Beep beep, indeed!

So this was my final stop for the day during my scavenger hunt for my Oddities in Albuquerque…read moreseries. I actually thought it was further down past the casino but I was completely off. This guys right off Isleta Blvd in the driveway of a greenhouse! I guess first hearing about this road runner I pictured it to be much smaller like human sized, and was completely surprised when I saw how much taller it was. He's pretty tall I'd say over 10 feet easy! This roadrunner has some character and you can tell he or she's been around for awhile now but hasn't shown any signs of age other than through the paint. It's a unique site to see in the south valley especially since there already is so much character down Isleta Blvd as it is. There's a Blue Castle shaped mechanic shop just a block away from there along with a large strip mall called Mexico Accessories. So this guy keeps that area lively! I love it! If your in the south valley on Rio Bravo go north on Isleta and you'll see all the things I just mentioned along with this beautiful large roadrunner!

I've passed by this guy so many times to and from concerts, school, and working on films I never…read moreactually took the time to stop and see this him or her (not sure) up close. My what a beauty it is see how massive it truely is. It was much taller than mme that's for sure. This was my second to last stop for my oddities in Albuquerque series and this guy has been on my list from the start. I am so glad I actually parked my vehicle, walked up, and shared a moment to take in its New Mexican beauty. A truly unique site you don't find just anywhere. I love that it's here at home. Don't worry this snake won't eat you... yet anyways. I'm not much a fan of snakes in general but this one is officially my favorite one!

A must see when in Albuquerque! So creative and beautiful. Especially for car lovers!read more

Driving through Albuquerque, I glanced up and did a double take--was that... a Chevy on a stick?…read moreYep. A full-sized, blue-tiled 1954 Chevrolet hoisted high on a turquoise pedestal like some kind of sacred offering to the gods of roadside Americana. I couldn't not stop. It felt like stumbling across a monument from a world where hot rods are holy and kitsch is king. Locals apparently just roll with it, casually calling it "Chevy on a Stick" like that's a normal thing to have in your neighborhood. There's no big sign, no plaque explaining why a car is levitating above the median--just this glorious piece of public art floating above the traffic like a weird dream. I took a few pics, laughed to myself, and got back on the road feeling like I'd been let in on one of Albuquerque's best little secrets.

Our third visit to the Petroglyphs park, this trip we brought our children to explore-…read more starting with the Boca Negra Canyon: the path climbed up the mountain, complete with some built in stairs, railings, and signs to help navigate the path- our daughter enjoyed the climb, which was centered more on overlooking the NM landscape, and very little petroglyphs onto the Rinconada Canyon: a long flat path 2.2 mile walk, offering landscape views, but again very little petroglyphs; we ended up having to carry the kids the majority of the way, as there wasn't a lot to hold their attention besides the occasional path lizard finished with the Piedras Mercadas Canyon: this offered the most compelling views, ample petroglyphs along a shorter more scenic walk all the trails were moderate intensity, with railings, steps, boardwalks, and well marked path areas- they also had information signs, shaded seating areas, and picnic tables-all were time well spent we recalled enjoying our experience sight-seeing years ago, with kids in tow the best was definitely Piedras Mercadas, but still recommend entire park

Visitor Center: Super friendly staff, pit toilets only, but with a water bottle filling station…read more Useful for information, but aside from an info booth and gift shop, pretty sparse. Rinconada Canyon: Small parking lot, but free. We got there pretty early on a weekday so there was no issue, not sure what it would be like on a weekend. Be prepared for a sandy hike, and keep an eye out for snakes! We were a little worried when the first two signs indicated petroglyphs that we could barely see, if at all, but as you get deeper into the canyon they become much more numerous and clearer to see. Round trip hike is flat and easy, aside from the sandiness, but there is zero shade so be prepared.

The views and people watching here were top tier. New Mexico really is the land of enchantment. We…read morehad fun driving & walking around here. You really have a good time, get your steps in & find some gems. My biggest takeaway was the traditional native touches everywhere & how friendly the natives are. ABQ has a special place in my heart. Also there's live music nightly here & it's DOPE. The performances from native blues & rock artists really blew me away.

I see two Block by Block cleaning crews cleaning the graffiti off the glass and buildings and light…read morepoles are being painted green. Doing what they can to revive the builds in the hopes the downtown comes bald alive one day. It's sad to see any downtown with boarded up windows to avoid folks breaking them down. No idea what the downtown area looked like before the pandemic or if the mass exit and vacancy occurred before Covid. Even the Jimmy John's is closed.

There is a huge selection of art, clothing, ornaments, jewelry and anything else you can think of…read more I was in search of a few marigolds for our alter and found them for $1 each. I would have expected more costumes and shirts for Dia de los Muertos. The owner was kind and friendly. Fun to wander around if you are not even looking to buy. There was a steady flow of people. Small business at its best.

My son was in town visiting with a friend, so of course I took him to the shops on Central Ave. A…read moremust drive for all tourists & even locals. Masks Y Mas is just chocked full of Mexican art & curiosities. A fun place to wander around to find gifts for self, friends, & family. You can see from the pictures the amazing collections of items for sale. Staff were friendly & knowledgeable of their products. Highly recommended this place for a visit

At first glance, it's just a series of bright red arches along a sidewalk in Albuquerque--but walk…read moreunder them, and suddenly you're part of something sculptural, almost sacred. The repeating serpent-like shapes cast shifting shadows, and the further you go, the more it feels like a portal or procession. It's oddly immersive for a piece of public art that doesn't say much--because it doesn't have to. You feel it. The name "Kolowisi" refers to the Zuni water serpent, and once you know that, the entire piece ripples with deeper meaning. A tribute to movement, spirit, and story. Definitely worth a stop, even if it's just for a short walk that feels strangely important.

Kolowisi! This giant steel serpentine sculpture sits along…read moreLomas in Albuquerque. It straddles the sidewalk, making the pedestrian walk along inside the coils of the snake. It's reminiscent of Quetzalcoatl, the Mayan water god. Kolowisi is the water sperpent god of the Zuni Indians. The god Kolowisi saved the Zuni Indians from the giant flood and led them to the top of their sacred mountain. When the Indians were on top of the mountain, the water serpent god gave them gifts of food and water and seeds. The water god lives in lakes, reservoirs, wells, puddles and any body of water. He's kind of like the Loch Ness Monster that lives in Cochiti Lake or the Rio Grande. The water snake can change forms, like water into any shape it wants to. The City of Albuquerque relies heavily upon the water spirits, so it's an appropriate sculpture. This snake is painted what I would call 'enchilada red,' it matches the red sauce that makes Albuquerque food so great. You can't miss it. The artist is Andrew Shows. The city does a grand job of keeping it in good condition, free of graffiti and grime.

Tucked into the heart of Albuquerque, the "Greetings from Burque" mural feels like the city giving…read moreyou a big, colorful hug. Painted in the classic postcard style, each giant letter in "BURQUE" is filled with vibrant scenes--hot air balloons, desert landscapes, Route 66 signs--that scream New Mexico pride. The wall pops with color, and you can't help but smile when you see it. It's the kind of spot where you instantly pull out your phone for a photo--even if you weren't planning on stopping. Locals drive by it every day, but it still manages to catch the eye like it's the first time. Whether you're a lifelong New Mexican or just passing through, the mural says what everyone feels: welcome to Burque--stay awhile.

Burque is a term the locals use for the city. The mural is…read morelocated in a cool Nob Hill shopping district of Albuquerque, NM. The mural is painted on the side of the building with coffee shop. It is right on old Route 66 which is now Central Avenue. We love these vintage postcards murals, and we try to find them in every major city we visit.

The Albuquerque Museum is an absolute gem and, in my opinion, a must see when visiting! My husband…read moreand I visit frequently from Denver, CO as a weekend getaway and I can't recall a single trip where this stop hasn't been on our list. The Museum is well situated in Old Town and an easy bop over from the shops. In fact, if you visit on a Sunday morning, the museum is free of charge and shares a parking lot with Old Town. You can have your parking validated by the museum and spend some time at both. The permanent exhibits at the museum are expertly organized and there's almost certainly something for everyone. You could easily spend the day learning about local New Mexico artists in many different formats, or enjoy the rotating exhibits. Even if a rotating exhibit doesn't sound particularly interesting, I highly encourage you to check it out. The curator at this museum does an absolutely fantastic job of keeping things engaging. There's a particularly profound permanent piece that I highly encourage one to find, which is a video accompanied by a teeter-totter. And don't miss the sculpture garden outside! The gift shop is worth a stop, too. Many of the museum gift shops that I've stopped in over the years are filled with, well, junk--items largely irrelevant to the visit. The Albuquerque Museum, though, showcases local artisans, local food, and so much more. I almost always leave with something from their Los Poblanos case and a new coffee table book about the southwest. Can't recommend this gem enough!

This place is great to escape to when it's so hot outside just wish you were able to have a glass…read moreof wine and enjoy the art . The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful . There's so much to do and see you'll have to come back over the course of a few days to see it all .