Adventures with Nosey Mutts in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Luie Boone
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
This travel spot is featured in our sixth blog series, Mutts Mingle.
Luie Boone is currently in a hot air balloon over Albuquerque, New Mexico. Theoretically. Not actually. Obviously. Luie Boone is on the ground right now, where his hoomans and all the tasty fiddles are located. But if he were in a hot air balloon, Albuquerque would be the place to do it. Why? Well, the city is famous for ballooning and hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. Every fall, hundreds of balloons rise into the sky at once, which Luie Boone assumes looks like a giant box of floating Skittles.
Hot air balloons have actually been around since 1783, when two French brothers, the Montgolfiers, figured out that hot air rises and decided the obvious next step was putting humans in a basket and sending them into the sky. Luie Boone respects the science but has some questions about the decision making. He also wonders why his two hooman sisters couldn't have created something cool like that. Sure, they aren't French, but Luie Boone feels like someone in the family could have invented something by now. Even a really good treat dispenser would have been acceptable.
Now imagine Luie Boone floating over the desert landscape of Albuquerque. Which would be especially dramatic because this city is also where Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul were filmed. So if Luie Boone were drifting silently across the sky, he would absolutely pretend he was in a crossover episode of both shows. Luie Boone in a balloon above the desert, watching the roads below, waiting to see if Saul Goodman drives by in a suspicious car while Walter White stares intensely at something.
Luie Boone thinks this is a very Albuquerque way to start a vacation. And once his imaginary balloon lands, the real adventure begins because traveling with your dog in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is paw-some. In fact, it's one of the best destinations in the Southwest for a dog-friendly getaway. The city combines wide open desert landscapes, scenic walking trails, and a relaxed outdoor culture that makes it easy to explore with your four-legged companion. With sunny weather most of the year and plenty of pet-friendly parks, patios, and hotels, Albuquerque is a place where dogs are welcomed almost everywhere you go.
One of the most memorable activities you can enjoy with your dog in Albuquerque is hiking at Petroglyph National Monument. This fascinating park protects thousands of ancient rock carvings created by Native American and early Spanish settlers hundreds of years ago. Several of the monument’s trails allow leashed dogs, making it a great place to explore the desert landscape together.
As you walk through areas filled with volcanic rocks, sagebrush, and wide views of the surrounding mountains, you’ll pass many of the carved symbols that give the park its name. Trails like Rinconada Canyon are especially popular because the path is fairly easy and features dozens of petroglyphs along the route. Luie Boone thinks it’s very impressive that humans were carving pictures into rocks hundreds of years ago. If dogs had been in charge of history, there would probably be ancient stick drawings everywhere instead.
Another relaxing place to visit with your dog is Tingley Beach, a peaceful recreation area along the Rio Grande. The park features walking paths that wind around fishing ponds and shady spots that make it easy to slow down after a day of exploring the city. Many visitors bring their dogs here for early morning or evening walks when the temperatures are cooler and the light over the river is especially beautiful. It’s a calm place to take a break from the bustle of downtown Albuquerque while still being just minutes away.
Luie Boone also noticed the place is called Tingley Beach, which sounds like somewhere a dog might feel a little tingly. He isn't sure what causes the tingles, but he suspects it might happen when a fish suddenly splashes nearby.
When it’s time to eat, Albuquerque offers plenty of restaurants that welcome dogs on outdoor patios. Nexus Brewery & Restaurant is a popular stop with dog-friendly outdoor seating. Grab a seat with Fido at a table on the patio and enjoy dishes like chicken and waffles, fried catfish, or New Orleans gumbo.
Albuquerque is also known for its thriving craft beer scene, and many of the city’s breweries welcome dogs on their patios. Tractor Brewing Company has several locations with spacious outdoor seating where dogs can relax while their owners sample local brews. Luie Boone wants to note that it’s not the tractors doing the brewing. You probably already knew that, but he felt it was important to clarify.
Another popular stop is Marble Brewery, which also offers patio seating that makes it easy to unwind after a day of exploring the city. Luie Boone would also like to clarify that marbles are not involved in the brewing process. He checked on that too.
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Luie Boone has noticed that breweries tend to have water bowls set out for visiting dogs, which he considers very thoughtful hospitality. His hooman dad, Randy, is also very interested in Albuquerque’s craft beer scene and plans to conduct some serious taste testing while Luie Boone supervises from the patio.
Taking your dog on vacation to Albuquerque offers a great mix of outdoor adventure and relaxed city experiences. From hiking desert trails filled with ancient history to enjoying dinner on a sunny patio with your pup by your side, the city makes traveling with a dog easy and enjoyable.
With beautiful scenery and plenty of pet-friendly spots to explore, Albuquerque is a place where both you and your dog can make some unforgettable vacation memories. Luie Boone also appreciates that a city famous for hot air balloons clearly understands the importance of big ideas.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Casita Bonita
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 5 beds and 2 baths.
Photos by Airbnb.com
It features the following amenities:
Southwest desert-style home
Upfront views of the Sandia Mountain foothills
Overlooks with views of Balloon Fiesta Park
Chef’s kitchen
Coffee and tea station
Breakfast bar
Patio with BBQ
Four-person hot tub
Fire pit (natural gas start or wood burning)
Fully fenced turf yard with dog toys
Large outdoor garbage can and dog waste bags available for cleanup
Three memory foam dog beds and dog bowls provided (Luie Boone will test all three… to be polite, of course!)
Five-minute walk to multiple trails in the Sandia Foothills and Cibola National Forest
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
We’re staying at a rental called Casita Bonita, which means “pretty little house.” I love the sound of that because I can appreciate a place with good vibes and nice views. My stuffed rabbit Walter is coming with me, because every important adventure requires a rabbit assistant. Also, since Breaking Bad was filmed in Albuquerque and there’s a very famous Walter in that show, Luie Boone feels it’s only appropriate to bring his own Walter along for the trip. The house sits near the Sandia Mountains with beautiful desert views, and my humans are very excited about relaxing on the patio by the fire pit. The backyard is fully fenced with turf, which means Walter and I can zoom around safely while looking very bonita ourselves. Just five minutes away are desert trails leading into the Cibola National Forest, where I’ll be investigating desert rabbits and keeping an eye out for speedy roadrunners. Walter will be helping with that, of course. Remember my Walter is rabbit, but he still very good at figuring stuff out, just like the Walter in Breaking Bad.
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing to Albuquerque, New Mexico!
ABQ Trolley Company
Hop aboard the ABQ Trolley for a 100-minute guided tour through Albuquerque. This open-air ride is fully narrated and packed with fun local history, stories, and multimedia stops along the way. Riders learn about the city’s famous red and green chile, hear the thundering call of the University of New Mexico Lobos, and see filming locations from major movies and television shows including Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Luie Boone is very curious about the University of New Mexico Lobo fight song. He suspects he'll howl along.
The tour passes many of Albuquerque’s most well-known sights, including Old Town Plaza, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, ABQ BioPark, Museum Row, Route 66, Nob Hill, the University of New Mexico campus, the Rail Yards, the Hispanic Cultural Center, El Vado Motel, and several sports stadiums. Along the way you might even spot a beach in the desert or a castle hidden in the city.
Volcanoes Day Use Area
The Volcanoes Day Use Area is a great place to walk with your canine buddy while exploring three of the monument’s cinder cone volcanoes. The trails bring visitors close to the volcanic cones and offer great views of Albuquerque to the east. Luie Boone thinks casually going for a walk near volcanoes sounds extremely impressive.
The parking lot is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though the trails themselves are open from sunrise to sunset. There are no petroglyphs at this location. Visitors are asked not to hike to the tops of the cones, as Native peoples consider the volcanoes sacred.
Piedras Marcadas Canyon
The northernmost section of Petroglyph National Monument is Piedras Marcadas Canyon, which means “canyon of marked rocks.” This area has the densest concentration of petroglyphs along the monument’s 17-mile volcanic escarpment. Out of the roughly 20,000 petroglyphs in the park, about 5,000 are found here. Along the 1.5-mile round-trip trail, visitors can spot hundreds of these ancient rock carvings.
Luie Boone thinks rocks covered in mysterious drawings are extremely interesting. He will not be drawing on any rocks himself, but he will be staring at them very seriously.
The trail has little shade, so bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Restrooms are not available for hoomans, obviously. Dogs, of course, have much more flexible options.
Pino Canyon Overlook
Take your pooch on the 4.1-mile Tree Spring Trail to reach the Pino Canyon Overlook. This popular hike on the west side of the Sandia Mountains begins in the desert landscape and gradually climbs to a scenic saddle with impressive views of the Sandias and the plains stretching to the east.
The overlook offers sweeping views of Pino Canyon, the city of Albuquerque, and distant mountains, making the steady climb worth the effort. A small parking fee is required to access the trailhead.
Eye Of The Sandias
Nestled within the Sandia Mountains, the Eye of the Sandias Loop Trail leads hikers to a fascinating rock formation that looks like a pair of giant “eyes” peering out over the landscape. The trail offers a chance to explore unique geology while enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Luie Boone thinks giant stone eyes in the mountains sound a little suspicious, but he is willing to investigate. The overlook provides sweeping views that make the hike well worth it, and it’s a great spot to snap a photo of your pup with the “eyes.” Just remember to wear layers, since the weather can change quickly at higher elevations.
Hondo Canyon and Travertine Falls
The Hondo Canyon and Travertine Falls Trail is a cave hike in New Mexico that you and your pooch won’t want to miss. This out-and-back trail stretches a little over four miles with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, so it’s considered a moderately challenging hike. Plan to spend at least two and a half hours on the trail, though many hikers take longer to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Dogs are welcome on the trail as long as they remain on a leash. Near the trailhead, you’ll find a spiral of stones often used for quiet, meditative walks before beginning the hike. About a mile in, hikers reach Travertine Falls, which is fed by a natural spring. Depending on the season, the waterfall may be frozen, flowing, a small trickle, or completely dry. Farther along the trail, hikers eventually reach a large sandstone cave with two openings. Stepping inside reveals a noticeably cooler temperature and an impressive natural formation that makes this hike especially memorable. Luie Boone believes caves are very exciting places to investigate, although he plans to keep Walter the rabbit safely outside. He wouldn't want to lose him in the cave!
The Bosque
The Bosque, which means “woods” or “forest” in Spanish, is a 4,300-acre cottonwood forest that stretches for about 20 miles through the heart of Albuquerque along the Rio Grande. In the middle of the desert, this lush riparian forest creates an important refuge for plants and animals that depend on water and shade to survive. Today, the Bosque is a popular place for outdoor recreation, including hiking with pups, biking, birdwatching, and kayaking along the river. Luie Boone thinks a forest in the middle of the desert sounds like a very smart idea.
The Bosque is also an important ecosystem worth protecting. Cottonwood trees help prevent erosion, recycle nutrients in the soil, and provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Because this environment is fragile, many local groups work to monitor and protect the Bosque so future visitors can continue to enjoy its natural beauty.
Grassburger
Grassburger is a popular American restaurant known for its gourmet burgers and commitment to quality ingredients. It has become a favorite among locals and visitors thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and focus on fresh food. Dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly outdoor patio, where they can even enjoy a pup burger from the dog menu.
Luie Boone would like to clarify that despite the name, the burgers are not made of grass. He checked. Very carefully. The hooman visitors can try menu favorites, like the Green Chile Jackburger topped with New Mexico green chiles and pepper jack cheese, or the Southwest Vegan Bowl with a black bean patty, pico de gallo, and spicy serrano sauce. With its tasty menu and friendly service, Grassburger has become a popular dining stop in Albuquerque.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Albuquerque, New Mexico
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
I’ve heard the city of Albuquerque is famous for red and green chile, and everything smells roasted and spicy and amazing. Unfortunately, spicy chile can upset my stomach, and onion and garlic, which are common in many dishes, are not safe for dogs. It’s very confusing to smell something that wonderful and be told it’s absolutely not for you. Patio dining is popular in Albuquerque, which means I’ll be sitting under tables while plates of enchiladas hover just above my nose. I will look up politely. I will sigh. My hooman will say “No.” I will try to be strong. Luckily, I’m bringing Walter, my stuffed rabbit. He’s made of fabric and fluff so he can’t actually eat, but in his heart he loves food just as much as I do. He understands the drama and supports the mission.
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