Breakfast burritos, Navajo silverwork, and more.
Travelers on the way to the dramatic landscapes of Taos, Santa Fe, or White Sands might not pay much mind to Albuquerque — short of hopping in a rental car at the airport and heading out of town. However, the city of Breaking Bad also has its share of only-in-New Mexico businesses and an abundance of local art and design.
Here, GoTravelDaily’s picks for an afternoon in Old Town — the city’s historic adobe heart — and the new Sawmill District development next door.
Albuquerque Museum
The permanent collection explores the state’s intersecting cultural and artistic influences — threading a narrative between ancient artifacts, colonial religious iconography, 20th-century masters like Georgia O’Keeffe and Raymond Jonson, and contemporary Native artists like beadworker Teri Greeves and ceramist Janice Ortiz. For more information, visit cabq.gov.
Back Alley Brujas
A new shop filled with surprising finds like hand-painted Ghanaian movie posters and screen-printed Thelma & Louise tees, plus Southwestern-inspired accessories and plenty of crystal-and-candle vibes. Check out their offerings at @backalleybrujas.
Hotel Chaco
The design mission of this 118-key property is to pay tribute to New Mexico at every possible turn. The lobby calls to mind the kivas — circular rooms used for ceremonial purposes — at Chaco Canyon, a massive Puebloan archaeological complex northwest of the city. Common spaces are filled with art from each of the state’s 19 pueblos; flights of regional wine are served in the lounge; and in case you need a reminder of where you are, the rooftop restaurant has some of the best views in town. For more details, visit hotelchaco.com; doubles from $199.
Luna and Luz
This new shop offers “modern West goods” inside the recently redeveloped Plaza Don Luis, a historic arcade in Old Town. Shoppers will find sculptural ceramics, printed textiles, herbal teas, and more in a pleasingly mellow space. More information can be found at lunaandluz.com.
New Mexico Artisan Market
A pop-up event showcasing the best of local arts and crafts, including Diné painter Geraldine Tso, jewelry maker Randy Montoya, ceramicist Mary Alice Gonzales, and many more. In the works: a program to provide commercial space to youth artisans free of charge. For more details, visit nmartisanmarket.com.
Nizhóní Soap Company
The brainchild of 13-year-old Kamia Begay, this vegan bath-products company opened up in Albuquerque earlier this year. Nizhóní’s flagship product is a fragrant soap infused with Navajo tea — dried greenthread, a desert plant — and other ingredients harvested within the Navajo Nation. For more information, visit nizhonisoaps.com.
Sawmill Market
This food hall occupies the soaring former warehouse of the Frank Paxton Lumber Co. Stop by for snacks (from arepas and banh mi to a classic New Mexico breakfast burrito), plus local beers and wines, live music in the courtyard, and even mixology and culinary classes. Check it out at sawmillmarket.com.
The Silver Artichoke
Silver and turquoise abound in New Mexico, but it’s sometimes hard to judge quality or know who made (and who’s getting paid for) the jewelry for sale. Owned by fourth-generation Navajo silversmith Nicholas Jackson, the Silver Artichoke displays his and other Native artists’ work, from classic bolo ties and pendants to inventive pieces like cuff links made from old Buffalo nickels. More information can be found at thesilverartichoke.com.
Tiny Grocer ABQ
Opened during the pandemic, this store offers locally roasted Moons Coffee and small-batch food products from the surrounding region. Stock up on lavender seltzer from BlueFly Farms, in Peralta; flavored vinegars from Artemisia Herbs, in Dixon; and kimchi from Mi Young’s Farm, in Jaconita. Visit tinygrocerabq.com.
A version of this story first appeared in the December 2021/January 2022 issue of GoTravelDaily under the headline All About ABQ.
