Ancient petroglyphs, fascinating cultures, world-famous museums, cuisine and art. This New Mexico destination thrills at every turn.
As one of the most culturally rich cities in the US, Albuquerque offers a plethora of opportunities for hyperlocal meetings and incentives. Here are 5 of our favorites.
Coffee & Chocolate Fest
The Southwest Coffee & Chocolate Fest, the nation’s largest festival for chocolate, coffee and gourmet food, kicks off mid-March in Albuquerque. Groups can participate in cake decorating and food-themed painting classes led by local artisans, coffee and chocolate tastings, and a variety of culinary demonstrations.
Gather Here
The “Gathering of Nations Pow Wow,” celebrating Native American culture through dance, crafts food and music, should also be on your radar. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is another must-do, including the Pueblo-inspired cuisine of the museum’s on-site restaurant, Pueblo Harvest. Here, a rich flavor palette from half a millennium ago can be explored via a “pre-contact” menu.
Book an RV
When it comes to immersive experiences, few things compare to the “Breaking Bad RV Tour,” which shuttles groups in a replicate “Breaking Bad” RV to 17 of the TV series’ most popular sites—Jesse’s house, the DEA Building, Rail Yard, Crossroads Motel, Danny’s Auto, Walt’s Car Wash, the Laundromat and more.
After-Hours Haunts
A guided after-hours ghost tour throughout the city offers the ultimate in team building, and groups can also venture out in between meetings for guided film, heritage and nature-based tours into the mountains, across lava fields, amid Indian ruins and ancient petroglyphs.
Get to Know Old Town
Groups staying at Hotel Albuquerque or Hotel Chaco are in a good position to explore Old Town, the city’s cultural heart and first neighborhood, dating back to the early 18th century. Here, most of the architecture is adobe in the Pueblo-Spanish style and museums, galleries, boutiques and cafes such as Church Street Cafe with recipes four generations old, speak to this heritage. Hotel Albuquerque offers 62,000 sf of meeting space and the Southwest’s first “Flamenco Tablao” experience in partnership with the National Institute of Flamenco that includes flamenco dancing, authentic Sevilla tapas and regionally inspired wines. Hotel Chaco is home to the acclaimed Level 5 rooftop restaurant and lounge, a “culturally alive” destination in and of itself.
