Kimo Theatre, Albuquerque, NM

Visit Albuquerque

“Take a left at Albuquerque”

Yes, Bugs Bunny made Albuquerque even more famous.

“Alburquerque” can be traced back to a town in Spain’s Badajoz province, which was named after a noble family. Our city was named in honor of the 10th Duke of Alburquerque when it was established as a formal settlement in 1706 by the governor, Francisco Cuervo y Valdes. The first ‘r’ was dropped sometime later.  

The 18-mile Central Avenue alignment is the longest urban stretch of Route 66 along the entire length of The Mother Road.

For our recommendations, see below or Click Here for a quick view of Albuquerque’s Rt. 66 Centennial pages.

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PLANNING FOR ALBUQUERQUE

On Central Avenue, you will find the retro motels, retro cafes and restaurants, and about 20 vintage neon signs that light up the night.  In 1955, there were 99 motels located along Route 66 in Albuquerque.  Imagine 99 neon signs lighting up the road ahead! 

Below are a few of Albuquerque’s Route 66 highlights:

ALBUQUERQUE’S RETRO MOTELS

There are at least a dozen chain hotels and motels but the following hotels embody the retro-chic of Route 66.

  • The Imperial – Built in the 1960s, this newly remodeled boutique hotel is located at 701 Central East.
  • Hotel Zazz – A quirky, arty, fun, boutique hotel located at 3711 Central Avenue.
  • Arrive Hotel (formerly the Downtowner Hotel) – Built in 1964, and now a great-looking remodeled boutique hotel with the DWNTNR cocktail lounge serving high/low drinks and dishes located at 717 W. Central Avenue.
  • Monterey Motel – Built in 1946-1947, recently renovated as an upscale boutique motel. Great Neon! It’s located at 2402 W. Central Avenue within walking distance of the historic Old Town Plaza, featuring galleries, museums, and fab shops.
  • El Vado Motel – Built in 1946, with a great neon sign! It has been renovated as an upscale boutique motel. Located at 2500 W. Central Avenue, they feature a changing lineup of food pods, where up-and-coming restaurants get their start.
  • DeAnza Motor Lodge – Fully, gloriously renovated as apartments available for long or short-term (corporate) rental. Could be an option if you’re relocating or plan an extended visit based in Albuquerque. Located at 4305 E. Central Avenue
  • El Don Motel – Great News! This property was purchased by an Albuquerque native in March 2025. The plans are to completely renovate the property into a 20-unit boutique motel with an outdoor cocktail deck. He’s keeping the cowboy roping neon! Built in 1946, the hotel is located at 2222 W. Central Avenue.

Retro Motels PRE-1937 Alignment

El Camino Motor Hotel – Built in 1937-1938, located at 6801 N. Fourth Street. Although built after the 1937 realignment, the motor hotel deserves an Honorable Mention.

Retro Motels 1937 Alignment – Residential

Most of the following vintage hotels and motels along the 1937 Alignment on Central Avenue are long-term residential or the property is awaiting a sale or rescue:

  • Tewa Motor Lodge –FOR SALE – Built in 1946, located at 5715 E. Central Avenue. One of the oldest continuously operating motels on Route 66.
  • La Puerta Motor Lodge – Built in 1949, located at 9608 E. Central Avenue.
  • Luna Lodge – Built in 1949, located at 9119 E. Central Avenue.
  • Pinon Motel – Built in 1946-1947, located at 8501 E. Central Avenue.
  • Bow and Arrow Lodge – Built in 1941, located at 8300 E. Central Avenue.
  • El Jardin Lodge – Now Route 66 Inn, built in 1946, located at 8100 E. Central Avenue.
  • Loma Verde Court -Built in 1946-1947, located at 7503 E. Central Avenue.
  • La Mesa Motel -Built in 1938, located at 7407 E. Central Avenue.
  • Pioneer Motel – Built in 1949, located at 7602 E. Central Avenue.
  • Sundowner Motor Hotel -Built in 1959, located at 6101 E. Central Avenue.
  • El Oriente Auto Court – Now Town Lodge. Built in 1935, located at 4101 E. Central Avenue.
  • Hudson Hotel – Built in 1905, located at 202 E. Central Avenue.
  • Prado Hotel – Now First National Bank, built in 1922, located at 223 W. Central Avenue
  • Cibola Court -Built in 1947, located at 4914 W. Central Avenue.
  • El Campo Tourist Court – Now Sena Village Apts., was built in 1939, located at 5800 W. Central Avenue.
  • Hacienda Motel – Built in 1947, located at 6214 W. Central Avenue.
  • Westward Ho! Motel – Built in 1948, located at 7500 E. Central Avenue.

Retro Restaurants – 1937 alignment

  • 66 Diner – Rebuilt in 1995 and located at 1405 E. Central Avenue, the diner is a tribute to an old-style diner. Wonderful food and neon galore! Warning: The banana split is a 9-scoop mountain of whipped cream and real ice cream.
  • Lindy’s Diner – Built in 1929 and located at 500 W. Central Avenue across from the KiMo Theatre (park behind the KiMo). A popular movie location. Authentic food – Try the Ultimate Burger.
  • Western View Steakhouse – Award-winning steaks, fresh pies, great neon sign, near the Western 66 gateway at 6411 E. Central Avenue since 1949.
  • Frontier Restaurant – Since 1971, located at 2400 E. Central Avenue, and has a HUGE menu board. Popular and good! Famous for the Frontier Sweet Roll!
  • The Dog House – Born 1948. The present location (est. 1969) is 1216 E. Central Avenue. Their animated dog-wagging neon sign is a roadie favorite. You might recognize it from “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.”
  • Mac’s La Sierra Coffee House – Built in 1948 and famous for its “Steak in the Rough.” Located at 6217 W. Central Avenue.  

Theatres

  • KiMo Theatre – The GEM of the vintage theatres. Built in 1927, it’s a 660-seat masterpiece of Pueblo-Deco architecture. Big, gorgeous neon sign located at 423 W. Central Avenue, it is a downtown venue for movies and live performances. If passing through and the box office is open, ask to tour the interior.
  • Lobo Theatre – Built in 1938, a popular venue for live music, classic film screenings and private events. Located at 3013 E. Central Avenue.
  • Guild Theater – Built in 1966, it was a counter-culture kind of movie house and now an eclectic art-house movie crowd enjoys regular programming. Located at 3405 E. Central Avenue.
  • Hiland Theater – Located at 4804 E. Central Avenue. Built in 1952, it is now the National Dance Institute of NM, with dance programs for all ages, after-school, and public school programs too. The towering blade-style neon sign stands proudly over the marquee.
  • Sunshine Theater – Built in 1924, a beautiful old theatre located at 120 w. Central Avenue. It’s now a live music venue.
  • El Rey Theater – Built in 1941, now a live music venue located at 624 W. Central Avenue.

Attractions

A few highlights out of the many attractions in Albuquerque:

  • Sandia Peak Tramway – The longest aerial tram in North America. It’s a 15-minute climb up the 10,378-foot mountain peak. The restaurant, TEN3, at the top, plus access to the ski area, hiking trails, and mountain bike trails.
  • National Museum of Nuclear Science and History – Learn about the secret work done in Los Alamos, NM and the beginning of the atomic age. Loads of indoor and outdoor exhibits (real planes).
  • Old Town Albuquerque – Founded in 1706, Old Town Albuquerque is home to more than 150 independent restaurants and boutiques.
  • Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) – The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is an ideal resource for learning more about the history of New Mexico’s Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations. Located at 12th Street NW. The center is owned and operated by New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos. The IPCC features permanent and rotating museum exhibitions as well as year-round educational programming and events highlighting art, history, film, dance, and culture. There is also a wonderful gift shop and the award-winning Pueblo Harvest Café.
  • Albuquerque BioPark – The ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque is a popular destination encompassing a zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, and Tingley Beach.  
  • Turquoise Museum – Learn about all things turquoise in this privately owned museum/castle with 15 rooms and 132 chandeliers. The history and meaning of turquoise in the Southwest and the world is just 3 blocks off of Central Avenue at 400 2nd Street.
  • Hot Air Balloon Rides – Most passengers experience a peaceful and majestic hot air balloon flight. Traveling via the wind, the pilot glides through high and low altitudes. Many companies offer flights almost daily.
  • Rattlesnake Museum – The museum has the largest collection of different species of live rattlesnakes in the world. (shiver!)
  • Tingley Beach –   Enjoy wildlife, fishing ponds, picnics, and hiking trails through the Bosque. Sunbathe but no swimming.
  • Wheels Museum – This grass-roots museum is gaining local traction. Exhibits cover the history of transportation in Albuquerque and New Mexico.  Located in the historic rail yards downtown.