Top 10 Things to Do in Albuquerque This Summer (2025 Guide)

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Albuquerque this summer, this locally curated guide is for you. Whether you’re planning your first visit or you’re a New Mexican looking to enjoy the season to the fullest, summer in Albuquerque is full of sunshine, adventure, and high desert charm.

Since moving back to New Mexico after six years abroad, I’ve fallen in love with this city all over again—especially in summer. From hot air balloons and food halls to hikes and lakes, Albuquerque really does have something for everyone this time of year. So grab your sunscreen, water bottle, and appetite for green chile, and let’s dive in.

Here are my top 10 favorite summer activities in Albuquerque for 2025:

Table of Contents

1. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway

2. Visit the Downtown Growers’ Market

3. Day Trip to Cochiti Lake

4. Hike the La Luz Trail

5. Explore a Summer Night Market in Old Town

6. Cool Off at Tingley Beach

7. Green Chile Everything

8. Outdoor Movies and Music at the BioPark

9. Sunset Walks on the Bosque Trail

10. Escape the Heat at Sawmill Market

1. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway

If you only do one thing this summer, make it the Sandia Peak Tramway. It’s one of the most iconic Albuquerque attractions and offers sweeping views from the top of Sandia Crest, 10,378 feet above sea level. Go for a sunset ride when the desert glows pink and purple. Pack a light jacket—it’s usually 20 degrees cooler at the top.

🎟️ Visit Sandia Peak Tramway

2. Visit the Downtown Growers’ Market

Saturday mornings at Robinson Park are a whole vibe. The Downtown Growers' Market is packed with local produce, artisan crafts, live music, and some of the best breakfast burritos in town. This is one of the most community-driven and family-friendly things to do in Albuquerque—and a perfect place to grab green chile bagels and homemade jam.

🛍️ Visit the Market

3. Day Trip to Cochiti Lake

Located about 50 minutes north, Cochiti Lake is one of the best $3 day trips from Albuquerque for cooling off and relaxing. You’ll find swimming coves, paddleboarding, shaded picnic spots, and dramatic desert views. Pro tip: bring a floaty and set up in the no-wake zone for a peaceful afternoon.

🏖️ Plan Your Trip

4. Hike the La Luz Trail

Start early to beat the heat and enjoy a peaceful, rewarding summer hike in Albuquerque. Even doing a portion of the La Luz Trail gives you sweeping views of the city. Bring tons of water, a hat, and SPF—shade is minimal but the scenery is next-level.

6 months pregnant with a beautiful summer rainbow

5. Explore a Summer Night Market in Old Town

Old Town shines in the summer evenings with live mariachi, food trucks, and open-air vendors. If you’re visiting, this is a must-do. If you’re local, check out the monthly ArtWalk or Summer Night Markets, which pop up around historic plazas and showcase the best of Albuquerque’s creative scene.

6. Cool Off at Tingley Beach

Tucked between the Albuquerque BioPark and the Bosque Trail, Tingley Beach is a relaxing escape with fishing ponds, paddle boats, and shaded picnic spots. It’s one of the easiest ways to cool off in Albuquerque when the temps hit triple digits—and it’s totally free.

7. Green Chile Everything

You know it’s summer when you smell chile roasting in the air. From late July onward, green chile season kicks off—and it’s heaven. Try a green chile cheeseburger at Blake’s Lotaburger, chile-stuffed sopapillas at Sadie’s, or roasted chile from local farm stands. This is a key piece of any New Mexico summer bucket list.

8. Outdoor Movies and Music at the BioPark

Grab your picnic blanket and catch a summer concert or movie night at ABQ BioPark. They rotate events across the zoo, botanic gardens, and Tingley Beach. It's one of my favorite family activities in Albuquerque during the warmer months.

🎶 View BioPark Events

9. Sunset Walks on the Bosque Trail

Running alongside the Rio Grande, the Paseo del Bosque Trail is pure magic at golden hour. Whether you’re walking, biking, or pushing a stroller, this shaded escape is ideal for winding down after a hot day. Look out for hot air balloons on the horizon—there’s nothing more quintessentially Albuquerque.

10. Escape the Heat at Sawmill Market

Looking for an indoor escape? Head to Sawmill Market, a stylish food hall housed in a restored lumber warehouse near Old Town. With dozens of vendors—coffee, cocktails, ramen, poke, churros—it’s a must-visit for foodies and a favorite spot to chill in the A/C.

🍷 Visit Sawmill Market

Bonus: Embrace the Slowness

Some of the best things to do in Albuquerque in summer aren’t activities—they’re moments. Sipping iced coffee on your porch, watching monsoon clouds roll in, chatting with neighbors at sunset. Summer here has its own rhythm, and it’s okay to just soak it in.

Final Thoughts & Local Love ❤️

This list is just the beginning—there are endless summer things to do in Albuquerque, whether you love hiking, food, live music, or lounging by the water. I hope this gave you a few fresh ideas to explore or revisit.

If you’re local, I’d love to hear your favorite summer rituals or hidden gems—drop a comment below or DM me on Instagram! Sharing these experiences helps our little community grow, and it helps others fall in love with New Mexico the way we have.

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With love from ABQ,

Lindley