One of the first casinos to open in New Mexico, this lavish property is best known for its elegant 4000-seat outdoor amphitheater, which has become Albuquerque’s premier live-entertainment venue, hosting everything from symphony orchestras to big-name rockers.
Sandia Casino
Central New Mexico
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
9.45 MILES
Formerly known as the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, this showpiece museum shouldn't be missed. With an engaging Albuquerque history gallery that's…
8.46 MILES
Collectively run by New Mexico's 19 Pueblos, this cultural center is an essential stop-off during even the shortest Albuquerque visit. Revamped in 2016,…
American International Rattlesnake Museum
9.61 MILES
Anyone charmed by snakes and all things slithery will find this museum fascinating; for ophidiophobes, it’s a complete nightmare, filled with the world’s…
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
9.35 MILES
Dinosaur-mad kids are certain to love this huge modern museum, on the northeastern fringes of Old Town. From the T. rex in the main atrium onwards, it’s…
10.23 MILES
The twin highlights in this peaceful park are the two large conservatories of Mediterranean and desert plants. You'll also find formal Japanese gardens, a…
9.67 MILES
The lava fields preserved in this large desert park, west of the Rio Grande, are adorned with more than 23,000 ancient petroglyphs (1000 BC–AD 1700)…
5.08 MILES
The United States' longest aerial tram climbs 2.7 miles from the desert floor in the northeast corner of the city to the summit of 10,378ft Sandia Crest…
10.3 MILES
Set on 60 shady acres beside the Rio Grande and home to chimpanzees, giraffes, elephants, crocodiles and more, this zoo puts on a busy schedule of events…
Nearby Central New Mexico attractions
1. Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
2.1 MILES
Ready to geek out on hot-air balloons? This informative museum covers it all, from the first manned flight in Paris (1783) to Bernoulli's principle (how…
3.3 MILES
About 13 miles north of Albuquerque, this pueblo was established around 1300 AD. Thanks to the wealth it has generated from Sandia Casino, it has…
3.38 MILES
When Spanish colonists established this village in 1710, Tewa Indians had already been growing crops here for a thousand years. These days, the hills…
5.08 MILES
The United States' longest aerial tram climbs 2.7 miles from the desert floor in the northeast corner of the city to the summit of 10,378ft Sandia Crest…
5.76 MILES
This winery in the Los Ranchos area of the North Valley often serves as a wedding venue. At any other time, you can drop in for a $10 wine tasting. Check…
6. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
8.46 MILES
Collectively run by New Mexico's 19 Pueblos, this cultural center is an essential stop-off during even the shortest Albuquerque visit. Revamped in 2016,…
8.51 MILES
This site preserves the ruins of Kuaua Pueblo, which was at its most active from the 14th to the 16th centuries. The stars of the show are 14 500-year-old…
9 MILES
There are several museums and galleries packed into the small but peaceful campus of UNM, along with abundant public art and a performing arts center. The…