ABQ’s Brewery Scene Continues to Boom
As the first city in the nation to officially designate a Brewery District (located off 1-25 near Candelaria), the city now has an official Downtown Brewery District as well. And with 40+ breweries and taprooms in the metro area (and more on the way), Albuquerque has more microbreweries per capita than Portland!
Attractions & Facilities
Summer Nights at the ABQ BioPark
The Albuquerque Zoo is introducing evening tours after its regular 5 p.m. closing time. Tours will take place between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and feature guided tours of the zoo, as well as the Botanic Garden.
Spain’s Prado Museum Brings Masterpieces to Albuquerque
Works of art from the Spanish Royal Family’s Collection are now on display at downtown Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza through August 31, 2018. The traveling exhibition, Prado on the Plaza, will feature images by well-known artists like Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Goya, and El Greco, as well as ninety-two mounted, high-quality reproductions of paintings from Museo Nacional del Prado (The Prado Museum) in Madrid, Spain. Free and open to the public, the collection includes some of the most recognizable artworks in history such as Velázquez's Las Meninas from 1656 and Goya's 1814 oil painting The Third of May 1808 in Madrid, also called The Executions. Albuquerque is this exhibit's second stop in the United States.
ARTECHOUSE comes to Albuquerque
ARTECHOUSE, an innovative digital art experience powered by arts and technology, presents XYZT: Abstract Landscapes, a light and projection-based interactive exhibit designed by Adrien M. and Claire B. Company. The exhibit, located in the Sawmill District, comprises 10 dynamic installations on temporary display now through October 21st. Albuquerque is the only stop on the exhibit’s U.S. tour.
Development
Internationally-Renowned Turquoise Museum Relocating to Downtown Albuquerque
New Mexico’s popular Turquoise Museum is relocating to downtown in fall 2018 to the former 8,500-square-foot Gertrude Zachary Castle. The Museum, opened in 1993 by the Lowry’s—a New Mexican family with five generations of turquoise experience and expertise – houses what is believed to be the world’s largest collection of turquoise. The new museum will feature exhibits including: the science and geology of turquoise; turquoise mining; turquoise around the world; hundreds of examples of turquoise jewelry; and an overview of imitation turquoise. There will also be a new research library, a café and a flower shop on site.
Sawmill District Currently Being Developed in Historic Old Town
This area, just north of Historic Old Town, was once dominated by warehouses and industrial buildings, but is expected to be the next hip neighborhood in Albuquerque. Will be a hub for local art, entertainment, food and shopping. A warehouse, once home to the Paxton Lumber business, will be converted to the Sawmill Market, a 25,000 square foot food and market hall. There are plans to renovate more of the buildings as well. The Sawmill District’s location, next to historic Old Town and the majority of Albuquerque’s museums, make it the perfect place for travelers to jump back and forth between historic and modern elements of the city. The district’s newest retailer, Spur Line Supply Co., opened in September 2017 and features clothing, a children’s shop, records, stationary and florals.
Albuquerque’s Newly-Renovated Civic Plaza Hosts Variety of Summer Events
Civic Plaza, adjacent to the Albuquerque Convention Center’s West Complex in downtown, has undergone an extensive redesign, unveiling a new, interactive water fountain with LED lighting, new playground and inviting leisure spaces, as well as amphitheater-style seating, large projection screen and an improved sound system. The Plaza has become a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors thanks to the variety of events they have going on throughout the summer, including a new Wednesday Lunch Market, ABQ Food Fridays, Movies on the Plaza, Shakespeare on the Plaza, and Summer of Soccer events.
Explore Albuquerque’s Outdoor Sights and Sounds
Plan your trip to Albuquerque this summer to experience a vast variety of outdoor events under our beautiful wide-open sky. Choose from more than 50 events over the course of 12 weeks and take in the live music, arts and culture that make this destination one-of-a-kind. From salsa and jazz in Albuquerque's Historic Old Town to reggae and folk in the picturesque ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, you're sure to get your groove on!
