Stand at the Corner of Route 66 and Route 66 in Albuquerque

Did you know that Albuquerque is the only city on Route 66 where the famous highway crosses over itself? 

John Collier Jr., Albuquerque, NM [Looking west on Central Ave from 4th St], 1943.

Library of Congress, Office of War Information Photographs, LC-USW3-018801-C​.

You might notice Route 66 signs in all four directions at the intersection of 4th Street and Central Avenue in Downtown Albuquerque. When Route 66 was established in 1926, the federal government paved the highway north to Santa Fe and south through Albuquerque and Isleta Pueblo to Los Lunas – one of the pathways of the historic trading route, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro.

In 1937, New Mexico Governor Arthur Hannett rerouted Route 66 to thread east to west through Albuquerque’s bustling Railroad Avenue. Today, we know that street as Central Avenue. In popular culture, this Downtown intersection is at the heart of Bugs Bunny’s running joke: I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque!

Sprawling north, south, east and west– there is so much to see on Albuquerque’s Route 66. Here are some ideas for a day on the crossroads.

New Mexico Piñon Coffee

Kick off your morning with New Mexico Piñon Coffee to-go and a stroll around the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. We recommend the Biscochito Latte for a mouthful of New Mexico’s signature buttery anise cookie in a drink.

Photo courtesy of Piñon Coffee House.

Barelas Coffee House

Fill up at this beloved local diner in the Barelas neighborhood along south 4th Street. Generous portions of chile and a bright, beautiful atmosphere mark Barelas Coffee House as a must-stop for New Mexico foodies.

Fito and Bromo's Food Market before Barelas Coffee House moved into the building in 1978. Photo courtesy of Monica Bencomo, Homewise.

Posole from Barelas Coffee House.

Telephone Museum of New Mexico

The Telephone Museum of New Mexico, located in a historic four-story building on 4th Street, offers a guided journey through the history of the telephone. Opened in 1997, the museum showcases over 100 unique phones – from rotary dial models to early portable phones – and includes hands-on exhibits and interactive audio stations.

Some installations at the Telephone Museum of New Mexico.

The Route 66 Crossroads

The crossroads of 4th Street and Central Ave is a bucket list photo-op for your Route 66 road trip. It's the only place in all eight states to do the “Bugs Bunny” and take that infamous left at Albuquerque.

A lowrider crosses the intersection of 4th St/Central Ave (pre-1937 Route 66 and post-1937 Route 66). Photo courtesy of NMTD.

KiMo Theatre

Pose with Albuquerque’s original Pueblo Deco picture palace in the heart of Downtown, just one block west of the historic Route 66 crossroads. Book a private tour in advance with the City of Albuquerque to witness this iconic theater in all its grandeur.

KiMo Theatre. Photo courtesy of Marble Street Studio.

516 Arts

Time travel from the 1920s to the 2020s at 516 Arts, a large contemporary art gallery displaying multimedia artworks from New Mexico’s cutting-edge visionaries.

516 Arts. Photo courtesy of NMTD.

The Mothership Alumni

An eccentric collective of artist studios is just up the stairs in the Yrisarri Building (built c. 1912) on the corner of 4th Street and Central Avenue. This little corner of Downtown is busiest during Downtown Art Walk, recurring monthly on First Friday. Walk up the stairs to view the Route 66 art exhibition and meet with artists in their studios.

The Yrisarri Building in 1979. Photo courtesy of the Albuquerque Museum, 

The Yrisarri Building today. Photo courtesy of Dominic Valdez.

National Hispanic Cultural Center

At the wishbone of 4th Street and Avenida Dolores Huerta is the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the Southwest’s premiere museum and performing arts center for Hispanic and Latinx heritage. Keep an eye on their events calendar for theatrical and dance performances at the Roy E. Disney Performing Arts Center.

National Hispanic Cultural Center. Photo courtesy of NHCC.

Town and Ranch

Unwind for the evening at Los Poblanos’ emerald taproom for a night of gin-tasting and delicious small plates. This cocktail bar is hidden in the Town and Ranch shop and warehouse (c. 1943) in Wells Park. Peek through the portal window to watch with delight as Los Poblanos’ skilled distillers craft the gin in your drink.

Town and Ranch Supplies as it appeared in the 1940s. Look out for the "Town and Ranch Supplies" neon sign today. Photo courtesy of Los Poblanos.

The bar at Town and Ranch. Photo courtesy of Los Poblanos.