Welcome to the first ever Grand Prix in Albuquerque! The local Magic scene is excited to host such a big event, and we all want visitors to enjoy themselves in our fair city.

Transportation

Getting to Albuquerque

Airlines/Airport – Albuquerque International Airport is served by American, Delta, Frontier, jetBlue, Southwest, United, and US Airways.

Automobile – If you’re starting anywhere outside New Mexico, be prepared for a long drive. Although Albuquerque is in the desert, snowstorms are possible (though not likely) in late November, so allow extra time if the weather report for your travel days looks bad. The convention center is in downtown Albuquerque, at 401 2nd Street NW. Take the 6th Street exit (#158) from Interstate 40 or the Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. exit (#224B) from Interstate 25.

Train – Amtrak has service to Alvarado Transportation Center, which is in downtown Albuquerque within walking distance of the convention center.

Bus – Greyhound has intercity bus service to Albuquerque; the Alvarado Transportation Center is the main bus terminal.

Getting Around Within Albuquerque

Taxi – Taxi service is available throughout Albuquerque, but the only place you can reliably get a cab without making an advanced reservation is at the airport, so call a taxi company directly or have your hotel arrange for one when you’re ready to leave. A cab ride between the airport and downtown Albuquerque costs about $16.

Shuttles – Airport shuttle service to locations around Albuquerque is available from Sunport Shuttle; one can only hope that the quality of their service is better than the quality of their web design.

Bus – Albuquerque’s bus service is fairly typical for moderately-sized cities. In reading the schedules, note that some routes have different schedules on weekends, and Sunday schedules aren’t necessarily the same as Saturday. As of this writing, the express route between the airport and downtown (route #250) is free on weekdays but does not appear to run on weekends or late at night.

Automobile – Driving within Albuquerque is convenient. Moderate congestion is common during morning and evening rush hours, but delays are rare at other times and on weekends.

Parking – The entrance to the parking garage at the convention center is west of the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Broadway; this garage costs $6 per day. Several other lots, with varying prices, are available throughout the downtown area. If you’re traveling anywhere outside of downtown, you shouldn’t have to pay for parking, except for in a few areas (notably Old Town and near the University of New Mexico) that have curbside parking meters.

Rail Runner – The New Mexico Rail Runner offers train service along a north–south corridor from Santa Fe to Belen. The Downtown ABQ stop is reasonably close to the Albuquerque Convention Center. If you want to spend a few hours in Santa Fe but don’t have a car, this is your best bet; get off at the Santa Fe Depot stop for the most convenient access to common Santa Fe tourist attractions.

Lodging

The Doubletree has a room block associated with the Grand Prix available at $89 per night; this hotel is immediately adjacent to the convention center and has an underground connecting walkway. Other nearby downtown hotels include the Hotel Andaluz and Hyatt Regency. As usual, lower rates may be available at various chain motels along Interstates 25 and 40 if you’re willing to stay farther away from the convention center. Unless you have a high tolerance for risk, avoid the older, bargain-rate, independent motels (particularly the ones on Central Avenue), as many of them are poorly maintained and are sometimes havens for criminal activity.

Food

One of the delights of Albuquerque is that local New Mexican food is both delicious and relatively inexpensive. Those with deep pockets will find no shortage of gastronomic delicacies, but ordinary New Mexican food is an affordable pleasure.

A Note on Chile for the Uninitiated

At many restaurants, you’ll have the option to eat chile with almost anything on the menu. Be advised that this is not a mixture of ground beef, beans, and tomato paste, such as you might find in Texas. Rather, it’s a chopped or blended sauce consisting almost entirely of chile peppers, either fresh (green chile) or dried (red chile). The server will usually simply ask, “Red or green?” (This, by the way, is even the official state question.) The surest way to look like an ignorant tourist is to ask which one is milder. In most cases, they’re about equally hot, but each has a different characteristic flavor. New Mexicans eat chile, especially the green variety, not just on Mexican food, but on almost everything; don’t leave the state without trying a green chilecheeseburger or a green chile pizza.

Restaurants within Walking Distance of the Convention Center

If you’re short on time or transportation options, check out one of the restaurants in the vicinity of the convention center.

Tucano’s – For those who can’t let a Grand Prix pass without patronizing an all-you-can-eat Brazilian churrasco steakhouse, Tucano’s will fill your need. It’s fairly typical for such establishments—always enjoyable, never transcendent.

La Esquina – The award for strangest location goes to La Esquina, which is in a weird little underground mall across the street from the convention center. If you want to try some local New Mexican food but can’t get away from the event site, this may be your best option. Unfortunately, this restaurant is closed on weekends but is open until 8:30 P.M. on Fridays.

Subway – The closest Subway restaurant is very near the Convention Center, at 20 First Plaza NW, but it’s closed normally on weekends. However, for the Grand Prix, they will be open 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. They are likely to have a special for Grand Prix attendees. The next closest, which is open on weekends, is at 315 Central Ave. NW.

Jimmy John’s – More sandwiches are available at Jimmy John’s, which is at 301 Central Ave. NW. (For some reason, the location map on their website doesn’t reliably direct visitors to the correct site of this particular restaurant.)

Zohra – Zohra serves tasty Middle Eastern food right across the street from the convention center. Everything is cooked from scratch after the order is placed, so it’s advisable to phone ahead with your order if time is a factor.

Local Favorites

Want to go where the locals go? Look no further.

Sadie’s – Long ago, Sadie’s began as a roadside hamburger stand and moved through several successively larger restaurants (including one inside a bowling alley) before eventually becoming a local institution for Mexican food with four locations. The site on 4th Street is the closest to the original, but the food quality is very uniform at all locations. Burritos and enchiladas are always solid choices here, but the more adventurous may opt for the Roberto Special, once described as a “heart attack on a plate” and consisting of a hamburger patty, potatoes, and beans, all topped with cheese sauce and red or green chile.

Los Cuates – Another traditional local hangout, Los Cuates, offers a full menu of delicious Mexican food at reasonable prices. The Lomas Blvd. location is closest to the convention center.

Frontier – Open from 5:00 A.M. until 1:00 A.M., the Frontier is the standard Albuquerque choice for late-night eating. The menu is large and diverse; the sweet rolls, breakfast burritos, and Western hash browns are all popular choices.

Golden Crown Panaderia – Originally a simple neighborhood bakery on the edge of downtown, Golden Crown Panaderia has augmented its menu of traditional New Mexican pastries and breads with a selection of pizza and sandwiches. Known for old-school, uncompromising quality, Golden Crown also embraces modern innovation; they grow their own lettuce inside the restaurant in a hydroponic tank. Whether you’re stopping by for an empanada or sitting down to a full meal, you’re guaranteed an authentic Albuquerque dining experience.

El Pinto – When out-of-towners visit Albuquerque residents, the locals often take their guests to El Pinto, where fairly orthodox New Mexican food is served in very charming surroundings. It’s one of those large, sprawling restaurants with a lot of little rooms and patios. El Pinto is a good place for celebratory dinners of large parties, so keep it in mind if you expect to win the Grand Prix. Reservations are advisable on weekends.

Holy Cow – If you want a delicious, expensive hamburger, Holy Cow is the place to go. They’re also purveyors of great milkshakes and the best French fries in town.

DaVinci’s Pizza – For pizza that’s a step up in quality above of the national chains, try DaVinci’s. It’s even owned by a local Magic player, so you’ll be supporting one of your own compatriots.

Taste of Peru – In the mood for rotisserie chicken? Head over to Taste of Peru. The chicken is essentially the only thing on the menu, but the restaurant makes up in tastiness what it lacks in variety.

Fine Dining

Albuquerque’s finest cuisine awaits. Reservations are strongly advised for all the restaurants in this section.

Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steakhouse – It the short time since its opening, Vernon’s Hidden Valley Steakhouse has quickly established a reputation as the premier steakhouse in Albuquerque.

La Crêpe Michel – Tucked away in a little corner of Old Town, La Crêpe Michel serves delightful French crepes, of both the sweet and savory variety. This would be an excellent spot for a leisurely lunch, should you have multiple byes or otherwise be planning a late arrival to the Grand Prix.

Antiquity – Another Old Town favorite, Antiquity backs up its considerable atmospheric charm with delicious food, most of which is cooked on an ancient little charcoal grill. The fare consists primarily of steak and seafood, with hints of both French sophistication and Southwestern spice.

Jennifer James 101 – If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a judge on Top Chef, Jennifer James 101 is the place for you. Despite its unassuming, strip-mall exterior, the food is modern and sophisticated, featuring unexpected, innovative combinations of flavors. Whatever your order, add a $1.50 deviled egg appetizer; you won’t regret it.

Albuquerque Nightlife

Distillery – 406 Central Ave SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 – The Downtown Distillery is one of the bars that attracts many of the college crowd. They offer free pool, PlayStation 3, ping pong, and foosball every night of the week. There are a ton of drink specials every night, so if you want to have a great time and not pay a ton for drinks, this is the place.

Anodyne – 409 Central Ave NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 – Anodyne is an excellent bar for the beer lover with rotating selection of a hundred twenty different beers. Pool, pinball, and snooker are available all night. This bar is upstairs, so it can be easy to miss it if you’re not paying attention. This bar doesn’t attract the college crowd as much as all the surrounding bars, so it is a cool place to have a drink and hang out.

Burt’s Tiki Lounge – 313 Gold Ave SW Albuquerque, NM 87102 – Take what you know about a tiki lounge and dive bar, and then mix them together. Every night can be a little different here, as some nights, it’s really laid back, and other nights, they have a punk band rocking the place. They have an assortment of tropical drinks, and it’s worth showing up and seeing what’s happening on a weekend night.

Graham Central Station – 4770 Montgomery Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 – Graham Central Station is among the largest nightclubs in the city. It has three different bars under one roof to keep you entertained all night. The Top 40 bar, South Beach, plays all the hits and mixes in spurts of techno to keep everyone’s pulse up. Denim and Diamonds usually has the largest crowd, playing all of the country hits. The karaoke bar, Alley Cats, has a large stage, costumes, and a nice selection of songs for all the singers out there! Cover charge is around $6 for access to all three bars.

Locations of Closest Facilities & Stores

Need something in a hurry during the Grand Prix? The closest businesses and facilities to the convention center are as follows:

Convenience store – 7-Eleven, 401 Copper Ave. NW, (505) 247-9843

Grocery store – Lowe’s, 701 11th Street NW, (505) 247-8399; or Smith’s, 320 Yale Boulevard SE, (505) 266-0201

Drug store – Duran Central Pharmacy, 1815 Central Ave NW, (505) 247-4141; or Walgreens, 2105 Central Ave NW, (505) 242-2713

Gas station – Shell, 300 Lomas Blvd NE, (505) 242-1130

Post office – United States Post Office, 40 First Plaza Ctr NW #240, (505) 346-0854

Hospital – Lovelace Medical Center, 601 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. NE, (505) 727-8000; or Presbyterian Hospital, 1100 Central Ave. SE, (505) 841-1234

Safety

Crime – As with any city, the unfortunate reality is that crime occurs in Albuquerque. The criminal activity here isn’t unique, so the usual precautions should greatly reduce your chances of being victimized: Don’t leave valuables visible in your car, don’t wander around alone and drunk late at night, and don’t be antagonistic to strangers.

Emergency and Police Phone Numbers

Emergency – 911

Albuquerque Police Department Non-Emergency – (505) 242-2677

Bernalillo County Sheriff Non-Emergency – (505) 798-7000

Altitude Sickness – Denver is known as the Mile High City, but the elevation of Albuquerque is almost identical. This isn’t a problem for most people, but be aware of it if you’re prone to altitude sickness.

Drunk Pedestrians Downtown – Around the time the bars close (about 2:00 A.M.), the downtown streets, particularly along Central Ave. and Gold Ave., are flooded with drunken people slowly staggering back to their cars. Even if they all have designated drivers (don’t count on that), it’s advisable to drive very carefully—or better yet, avoid the area entirely—to avoid running into one of these erratically-moving pedestrians.

Weather – The average high and low temperatures at the time of the Grand Prix are 53°F and 32°F, respectively. Be prepared for weather ranging from cool and beautiful to snowy and windy. The odds favor pleasant weather, but bring a warm jacket anyway.

Entertainment

Tourist Attractions

Old Town – Albuquerque was founded in 1706, in the area now known as Old Town. This charming neighborhood retains much of its historical flavor and architecture. A few hours of strolling among the art galleries, restaurants, and souvenir shops would be time well spent.

Zoo – The Albuquerque Zoo is small enough to see in a couple of hours but extensive enough to provide a satisfying zoo experience. The selection of animals is fairly typical, and the exhibits are, for the most part, pleasantly arranged.

Botanic Garden & Aquarium – For some reason, the Botanic Garden and Aquarium are in the same facility, so one entrance fee gets you into both. In late November, the cottonwood trees will be well past the peak of their fall color, but the garden is still worth a visit, particularly the Japanese garden and heritage farm exhibits. The aquarium has a manta ray pool, some nice jellyfish and coral reef exhibits, and, as the big finale, a huge shark tank. There’s a small train that connects to the zoo, catering to those who want to experience the animal–plant–fish trifecta.

Sandia Peak Tramway – Riding the Sandia Peak Tramway is one of the quintessential Albuquerque experiences. The tramway rises from the foothills at the northeast corner of the city up to the top of Sandia Peak (elevation 10,378 feet). The views are beyond spectacular; for the best experience, go in the late afternoon and watch the sunset from the peak. In November, it’ll be very cold on top of the mountain, so prepare accordingly. The High Finance restaurant (which, as its name suggests, is outrageously expensive) sits at the top of the tramway; splurge on some overpriced hot chocolate, but don’t have dinner there unless money is no object.

Museums

Albuquerque has several museums worthy of visitors’ attention.

Albuquerque Museum – Permanent collections focus on Southwestern art and local history. Temporary exhibitions at the time of the Grand Prix include 20th Century African-American art, photographs of vernacular architecture of New Mexico, and miniature paintings from local artists.

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum – Celebrating Albuquerque’s position as the hot air balloon capital of the world, this museum showcases both local and international ballooning history.

Explora –This is a highly interactive science-based children’s museum, but it’s just as cool for nerdy adults. Check out the life-size Lincoln Logs on the roof.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center – Experience the culture and arts of the Native American Pueblos of New Mexico.

National Hispanic Cultural Center – This museum features Hispanic art and history. This facility also hosts a lot of special events, so check their website as the date of your visit approaches.

National Museum of Nuclear Science and History – Exhibits here focus prominently on the Manhattan Project and the Cold War, with secondary emphasis on nuclear power and nuclear medicine.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science – See a lot of dinosaurs, a planetarium, and a giant-screen theater showing nature films.

Rattlesnake Museum – This is exactly what it sounds like.

Breaking Bad Locations

Devotees of Breaking Bad who visit Albuquerque often want to see some of the locations made famous by the show. The two most popular stops on the tour are probably Los Pollos Hermanos (actually Twister’s restaurant on Isleta Blvd.), and the A1A Car Wash (actually Octopus Car Wash, which looks even weirder in reality than on the show).

There are a few premade Google Maps that show some other locations, but the best approach is probably to look up the addresses of the sites you want to see on the Breaking Bad wiki and then plug them into Google Maps.

A local candy shop (The Candy Lady) even offers Breaking Bad–themed candy that looks like the show’s famous blue crystals, and Rebel Donut sells blue sprinkled donuts inspired by the show.

Santa Fe

If you have an extra day to spare, consider traveling to Santa Fe, which is not unlike a giant version of Albuquerque’s Old Town. One of the oldest cities in the United States, Santa Fe was founded in 1610, only a few years after Jamestown and a decade before the Pilgrims settled in Plymouth Colony. The center of tourism is the downtown plaza and the historic neighborhoods that surround it, but the art galleries on Canyon Road and the city’s numerous museums are also worth a look.

Acoma

Acoma Pueblo, about sixty miles west of Albuquerque, is one of the oldest communities in the United States, having been continuously inhabited for more than eight hundred years. The village, which sits atop an otherwise barren mesa, is open to visitors via guided tours. There’s a lot of charm, a lot of history, and a lot of beauty.

Pre-Register!

Pre-registration for Grand Prix Albuquerque is available! The event is November 22–24, so check out the page and all the cool events and offerings, and start planning your trip.