WHAT'S NEW IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Sandia Resort & Casino Reopens After Major Expansion and Renovation

Sandia Resort & Casino recently completed a 75,000-square-foot expansion, which introduces more space to the high-limit gambling room on the first floor, as well as a brand-new 25,000-square-foot sports bar and restaurant on the third floor. The third-floor expansion also introduces indoor golfing facilities and the addition of widescreen televisions.

New Indoor Track Unveiled by Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department

The City of Albuquerque Parks & Recreation Department has introduced a brand-new indoor track within the Albuquerque Convention Center. The indoor track will host regional and national track and field competitions, with the goal of bolstering the city’s notoriety for recreation and sports, as well as its tourism initiatives. 

Culinary News

New Restaurants and Cafes Open in Downtown Albuquerque

• Yummy's Mini Donuts and Ice Cream
  • Yummy’s, owned and operated by a former University of New Mexico Lobo Basketball player, opened in August and serves up fresh mini donuts, ice cream, milkshakes and more. 
• Katrina Ice Cream Shop
  • This family-owned and -operated ice cream shop opened its doors in July and features rotating flavors of housemade ice cream and paletas (currently around 22 different flavors of each), visually amazing churro shakes, boba, aguas frescas, corn in a cup, candy and so many toppings!
• Curious Toast Cafe
  • This partner project is the creation of Victoria VanDame (OT Circus) and Chef David Ruiz. Located in the building across the street from OT Circus, Curious Toast opened in July and offers coffee, tea and creative, tasty and visually beautiful open-faced toasts and sandwiches. Breads and veggies are sourced from vendors from Albuquerque’s Downtown Growers' Market. 
• The Paleta Bar and Spring Rollin’
  • The Paleta Bar and Spring Rollin’ offer build-your-own paletas and Vietnamese spring rolls. Located on Gold Ave. and 4th Street in the Stay Gold mural building, they opened their doors this summer. 
• EL ROI Cafe
  • After a delay in opening due to the pandemic, EL ROI Cafe is a family-owned business that opened in May and serves up traditional New Mexican and Native American dishes. The menu includes traditional New Mexican foods like enchiladas and Pueblo staples such as fry bread and mutton stew.

The Taproom at Old Town Opens

Old Town’s first taproom is officially welcoming guests as of July 2021. This was a long-term, long-awaited project from the owners behind Palmer Brewery and Cider House and Left Turn Distilling. The taproom serves craft cocktails and local brews as well as Asian-inspired cuisine from Kitsune. 

Farm & Table Welcomes New Executive Chef

Farm & Table is thrilled to announce their new executive chef, Jens Peter Smith. Many guests will recognize Chef Jens, as he has been an integral part of the Farm & Table family for the past two years. After taking the helm in May, he is now leading the kitchen team with the skill and passion that he developed through his culinary training which began in Switzerland and led him throughout Europe, to New York and eventually into his own food business in New Mexico.
 

Attractions & Facilities

eBike Tours Now Offered in Albuquerque 

Free-to-Roam eBiking is a new venture in Albuquerque that offers motorized bicycle rentals as an active way to explore the city. The company launched earlier in 2021, and currently has 24 bikes for guided tours and open rentals at two locations: Bike In Coffee at 949 Montoya St NW and at Lynnwood Park at 12308 Lexington Ave. NE.

Walking Tours are Back

Downtown Walking Tours have resumed. The Albuquerque Historical Society offers free Downtown walking tours beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturdays through November. Tours begin at 1st Street and Central Avenue and travel along Central to 8th Street. Special requests are also welcome for tours year-round.

New Mexico Artisan Market Opens in Permanent Home

New Mexico Artisan Market at the Bazaar is located within a 12,000-square-foot warehouse space at 1904 Bellamah Ave NW in the up-and-coming Sawmill District, conveniently located across the street from Sawmill Market and next door to Spur Line Supply Co. More than 70 unique, local merchants showcase their wares each weekend - Friday through Sunday - through Oct. 10. New to the Bazaar is a youth artisans component, where young artists ages 10-18 are able to apply to secure a space to exhibit their works for free.

Los Poblanos Opens Hacienda Spa

Housed in the historic Hacienda at Los Poblanos, the Hacienda Spa provides a unique experience. The intimacy of the space combined with distinct architectural and design elements craft an environment that explores all senses. Hacienda Spa opened in July 2021 and offers treatments focused on massage therapies and facials, pairing botanically based, professional skin care lines with the Los Poblanos artisan lavender product line and other botanicals sourced from the farm. To further enrich the spa experience, yoga, meditation and fitness classes will be held in a new yurt in a quiet, forested area on the property. 

Balloon Museum Announces New Exhibitions and Events for Balloon Fiesta Season

The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum and its partnering Foundation announce new exhibitions, events and opportunities for visitors to explore and enjoy during Albuquerque’s largest festival and tourism event of the year, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October 2-10. The Balloon Museum is open year-round and it is directly south of the Balloon Fiesta Park, on an elevated overlook which boasts one of the best views of the daily launches of hundreds of hot air balloons and the evening balloon glows and fireworks during Balloon Fiesta.

Plaza Don Luis Welcomes New Vendors and Begins Hosting Events

Plaza Don Luis is a new take on Old Town Albuquerque. It is home to New Mexico wineries and a brewery in addition to locally owned retailers such as modern gift shop Luna + Luz, lifestyle recreation retailer Happy Hiker, Lapis Room art gallery, pH Bar spa and salon and others. The official grand reopening following recent renovations will take place on Oct. 30 and will celebrate new and existing vendors and feature live music performances, family-fun activities, chef-inspired cuisine, additional local concessionaires and local boutique shopping.
 

Development

Albuquerque International Sunport Regains and Adds Direct Flights

Southwest Airlines this summer announced the return of direct, non-stop service between Austin, Texas and Los Angeles, Calif. and the Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). Delta Air Lines has resumed direct, non-stop service between the Sunport and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) in Minnesota. JetBlue is increasing the frequency of its popular non-stop flight from ABQ to JFK to five times per week through the end of summer.