Throughout the decades, this road has had many names. The Main Street of America. The Mother Road. Route 66 shines brightest right here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Central Avenue (to us locals) is truly the lifeblood of our teeming city. Popularized through song, novels, and even a TV show, Route 66 was the pathway to the West Coast for generations of Americans. The epitome of a mid-century mobile culture that still dominates the imagination of visitors from around the world, it ran from Chicago to L.A. But our fine city was already here, a solid destination of its own. The ensuing tourism that followed the formal establishment of Route 66 in 1926 cemented Albuquerque in the minds and hearts of travelers for the decades that followed. As distinct neighborhoods sprang up along Central, Albuquerque’s history added numerous stories of cultural diversity, economic opportunity and local hospitality. Neon lights, curios, good food and quiet motels for those passing through gave way to a more diverse reflection of our growing community, one that stretches out both north and south from the Central Avenue… our own slice of the “Mother Road” that runs the entire east-west length of the city. The legend of Route 66 continues as its history looks to the future, keeping its original spirit while paving its way into the 21st Century. Come and explore the real, original Route 66.

There is so much to do along this stretch of Route 66 in the Duke City. Photographers from around the world are attracted to the old signs, the lights, the lowriders. Visitors fall in love with Route 66 for the first time and locals fall in love all over again. The mystique is real. This is where you’ll find the out-of-the ordinary, whether it’s local shops selling one-of-a-kind gems or local restaurants and breweries with a taste of New Mexico and a spin on everything else. There are places to hang out, events to participate in, art to see, and movies. The scenery itself unlike the rest of the city, state and country. Find it here and find your kicks. There’s something for everyone.