Friends,
We’re staying in Albuquerque for two nights in advance of Festival and I was wondering if anyone has any recs for food/fun? We have an almost two year old, so late night stuff won’t be an option, but we have a day to play in town and figure there’s something fun to do beer/food/kid related.
Thanks for your help
Z
There is a really great science museum or perhaps it was a Natural history museum we went to once- very hands on/kids friendly… I don’t remember the exact name. Maybe someone else can you give you details. It was a longtime ago I was there
I’ve spent a lot of time in Albuquerque as a kid and adult. Debbie’s right about the Natural History Museum, and I really enjoy the Rio Grande Nature Center, also a great kid & adult friendly attraction. (Disclaimer: no kids of my own, just happy memories). They’re not too far from each other either.
The museum is right by the Old Town plaza, touristy but fun, and the Church Street Cafe is excellent - a block off the main square. Also a fan of the Frontier, but that’s more nostalgia than a great food recommendation. 
In addition to that mentioned above-
Albuquerque BioPark (Zoo), Botanic Garden, Tingley Beach, Aquarium: http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark
Minor League Baseball (Albuquerque Isotopes) have home games 14th-17th.
Albuquerque Events calendar: http://www.cabq.gov/events
Ride the Tram from town to the top of the Sandia Mountains: http://sandiapeak.com/
Google: Albuquerque Brew Pub or Albuquerque Breweries…depends on where you’re staying and it’s hard to go too wrong.
Sunsets: Approx. 300 out of 365 days/yr, each evening just before dusk…
Dion’s makes pizza that kids and grown-ups enjoy, there’s plenty of good New Mexican food places where you can get green or red chile piled on food (like Sadie’s or Garcia’s kitchen or even Weck’s for breakfast,) there’s 2 Whole Foods stores, 2 Total Wine stores for liquor/wine/beer, Sam’s Club and Costco if you need to stock up before heading north.
Welcome…
Ron in Albuquerque
Thanks for all the help! We’re staying at the Monterey Inn which is not far from many of these things; glad to know the close stuff is worthwhile!
Z
You’re gonna be by a lot of the touristy places, but can I make one suggestion - don’t eat IN Old Town. All around Old Town, OK, but not right there. Walk north to the High Noon for NM food, or a little farther to Seasons (little more upscale), or another 2 blocks up to St. Clair Winery. Go east a few blocks to Duran’s Pharmacy (a locals place for NM food). Vinagrette, across the street from Duran’s is nice, fresh but expensive. Even going west is OK (Mariscos for Mexican seafood). but for the most part the restaurants on the Old Town square are not that great.
The Bio Park and Zoo are both pretty nice and you can take a train from one to the other.
The most popular brewery is Marble, on 1st street north of Lomas. Popular with everyone excpet me. I can’t seem to find a beer there that I absolutely love. But there is a business park between Candelaria and Comanche, and I-25 and Girard that has two (maybe three?) breweries that I really like.
You[ll also be pretty close to 2 of Albq’s hottest neighborhoods. Going east on Central, you’ll head thru downtown to EDO (East Downtown) where there are several good restaurants (and possible Bevin sightings!). A few miles later, past UNM, you’ll hit the Nob Hill area. Here there are LOTS of restaurants, two breweries (Tractor has GREAT food trucks outside!) and lots of people watching.
I can certainly vouch for the restaurants in the “EDo” neighborhood.
Google for: The Grove Cafe - for the best coffee/espresso drinks in the universe (they serve Intelligentsia) and the best breakfast/lunch in town. But do NOT arrive at Noon. The lines out the door will attest to my recommendation.
Just down the street from The Grove is Farina Pizzeria, which is excellent as well.
Our AAA ball park is amazing so if you like baseball, that’s some good, cheap fun in the evening, with views of the mountains.
Have fun in ‘Burque’ !!
Explora-the kids will LOVE it an so will you: http://www.explora.us/en/
Also Cliffs Amusement Park if you want to cool off-on San Mateo-then just south I like Sweet Tomatoes for a healthy lunch or dinner.
Explora looks awesome. Any experience with the Toddler Time element of it? That sounds appealing, as our girl (not quite 2) LOVES other kids her age.
Sorry I don’t