I’m such a long, long way from home,
And the road goes on, on and on, on and on.
But the lights of Albuquerque will soon be shining bright,
Like a diamond in the desert, like a beacon in the night.
–“The Lights of Albuquerque,” Jim Glaser
No one knows exactly which view of the city inspired Jim Glaser to write his 1983 song “The Lights of Albuquerque,” but if you’ve ever crested Nine Mile Hill on historic Route 66, you might have a pretty good guess.
The view looking east at Nine Mile Hill
By day, drivers approaching from the west are amazed when they top the hill and get their first glimpse of the rugged Sandia Mountains on the eastern horizon. But after sunset, the scene transforms. Those who make the same drive at nighttime are left awestruck by the thousands of glittering city lights in the valley below.
Legend has it that even the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, couldn’t resist the magic. He would park his Cadillac at Nine Mile Hill to take in the view during his frequent drives between Graceland and Los Angeles.
Of course, if you take a drive down Central Avenue in Albuquerque, you’ll find plenty of magical lights flickering to life. The neon signs of Route 66 do more than just light the night. They tell stories, guide travelers, and add a nostalgic glow to Albuquerque’s streets. Ready to explore? Here’s a guide to where to find some of the city’s brightest beacons.
Places to Stay
You can sleep under neon signs at a number of lodging properties along Central Avenue, including the El Vado Motel, Monterey Motel, ARRIVE Albuquerque, Imperial Inn and Hotel Zazz. Each property has been thoughtfully renovated in recent years to retain vintage charm while offering modern amenities and comforts, making them ideal choices for a retro vacation along Route 66.
West Central Route 66 Visitor Center
Part museum and part community gathering place, the West Central Route 66 Visitor Center at Nine Mile Hill celebrates the Mother Road’s enduring spirit with car shows and neighborhood festivals. It is also the home of a neon sign park, helping to preserve a wide collection of vintage signage that once guided travelers.
KiMo Theatre
The KiMo Theatre’s neon marquee has been lighting up Downtown since 1927, adding a beautiful glow to the building’s Pueblo Deco design.
Route 66 Gateway
Drive under the Route 66 Gateway, a neon arch on Central Avenue between 64th Street and 65th Street on the city’s Westside. The arch, which features a classic “66” shield in its center, spans four lanes of traffic. In 2026, a cantilevered Route 66 neon arch will be added to the eastern end of Central Avenue, near Tramway Boulevard, creating a neon gateway on the Eastside.
Historic Old Town
A neon entryway near Central Avenue and Rio Grande Boulevard, installed in 2025, welcomes visitors to Old Town. It issues the invitation “Come, let’s stroll,” a lyric from a 1958 song by The Diamonds called “The Stroll” that ignited a dance craze among bobby soxers in the late ’50s and was later re-recorded by Chubby Checker.
De Anza Motor Lodge
The neon sign at the De Anza Motor Lodge, near Nob Hill, is the last remnant of the 1939 motor court. Today, the De Anza has been remodeled into luxury apartments but the sign remains. It features the neon outline of 18th Century Spanish Colonial Governor Juan Bautista de Anza.
66 Diner
Just east of Downtown, neon tubing wraps the exterior and illuminates the name of the 66 Diner. Everything in the restaurant – from the black-and-white checkerboard floors and jukebox to the old-fashioned soda fountain and dishes like meatloaf and chicken-fried steak – pays homage to the classic roadside diners of yesteryear.
Lobo Theater
Photo Credit: Facebook
Neon still shines at the Lobo Theater, which opened in 1938 in Nob Hill, and the Hiland Theater, built in 1950 just east of Nob Hill. Today, the Lobo hosts comedy shows, classic movies and concerts, while the Hiland is home to the National Dance Institute of New Mexico, which offers children’s dance classes and programs.
Dog House
One of Albuquerque’s only animated neon signs can be found at the Dog House, near 10th Street and Central Avenue. Viewers of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” will recognize the sign’s stout dachshund, eagerly wagging his neon tail as he devours a neon string of sausages.
