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Get Your Kicks
on Route 66
While popular memory evokes images of a highway lined with diners, motels, and roadside attractions catering to postwar travelers headed west, the central New Mexico section of the “Mother Road” reflects the original purpose of the “Main Street of America” - to provide isolated rural communities with a major thoroughfare and access to urban centers. From 1926 to 1937, historic 66 meandered north, around the Sandia Mountains to Santa Fe and then turned south through Sandoval County to Albuquerque and on to Valencia County and Los Lunas. Route 66 changed its course in 1938 and became a continuously paved highway. To take a drive down this historic route is to immerse yourself in a blend of rural communities, farm and ranching culture and bucolic scenery.
Historic Old Town
The charm of old Albuquerque. Offers 150 shops, art galleries,
restaurants and authentic Native American crafts.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
Hands-on museum with prehistoric exhibits and a larger than life
Extreme Screen DynaTheater. Also experience the Lodestar Astronomy Center.
505-841-2800
¡Explora! Science Center & Children's Museum of Albuquerque
Interactive exhibits combining science, art and culture.
505-224-8300
Albuquerque Museum
Outdoor sculpture garden, traditional and modern art, largest Spanish Colonial art collection in the nation.
505-243-7255
Albuquerque BioPark
505-764-6200
Albuquerque Aquarium
Walk through an eel cave, marvel at the spectacular 285,000-gallon
shark tank.
Rio Grande Botanic Garden
Walled gardens illustrate traditional, Spanish Moorish and English landscape design in tile, plantings and water features.
Rio Grande Zoo
Visit more than 1,200 animals in natural habitat settings.
Nob Hill
An eclectic mix of colorful coffee shops, curio stores, restaurants and clubs located on Central Avenue.
Downtown Albuquerque
Downtown is a great urban location where you can find a variety of nice accommodations as well as unique local art galleries, restaurants and clubs.
Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho is conveniently located along Route 66 in the heart of New Mexico’s scenic Land of Enchantment, where old and new merge with an exciting line up of attractions, events, history, culture, sports, outdoor activities and a wide choice of affordable lodging, dining, and shopping.
Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
Small shops and restaurants line this trail that has seen hundreds of years of travelers on the “Road to Santa Fe.” An active Farmers Market a few blocks west off 4th Street, a Springfest and community activities throughout the year offer low-key enjoyment.
505-344-6582
Original Route 66
(as seen on map)
Visit Route 66
in the
Heart of New Mexico
Click for a close-up of the map
Route 66 Side Trip
Rio Rancho
Stay in Rio Rancho where you’ll be a short drive from the rich cultural
heritage of seven area Indian Pueblos, the scenic Route 66 and Jemez Mountain
Trail, Albuquerque attractions and eclectic Santa Fe.
Rio Rancho CVB
888-746-7262
J&R
Vintage Auto Museum
Features nine classic automobiles that have competed
in the Great American Race. View more than 50 restored
cars and trucks.
505-867-2881
Sandia
Peak Tramway
Climb 3,800 feet in 15 minutes on the longest single-span tramway in the world and arrive at
Sandia Crest overlooking Albuquerque.
Sandia Peak Ski & Tramway
505-856-7325
Indian
Pueblo Cultural Center
New Mexico’s 19 Indian Pueblo cultures are showcased in museums, dances, gift shops, restaurants, and arts and crafts demonstrations.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
505-843-7270
National
Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico
Linked to schools, communities and cultural institutions
around the world, it is a learning center about Hispanic
cultures.
National
Hispanic Cultural Center
505-246-2261
Wildlife
West Nature Park
A 122-acre wildlife refuge and enhanced zoo featuring native
New Mexican plants and animals.
Wildlife West Nature Park
505-281-7655
Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of
Commerce, Convention and Tourism Department
Albuquerque
Hispano Chamber of Commerce
800-754-4620 or 888-451-7824
Visitor
Information:
Albuquerque CVB
800-284-2282
Rio Rancho CVB
888-746-7262
Sandoval County Visitor
Center
800-252-0191
