Albuquerque has an active performing-arts and nightlife scene, as befits a city of half a million people. As also befits this area, the performing arts are multicultural, with Hispanic and (to a lesser extent) Native American productions sharing stage space with Anglo works, including theater, opera, symphony, and dance. Albuquerque also attracts many national touring companies. Nightclubs cover the gamut, with rock, jazz, and country predominant.

Complete information on all major cultural events can be obtained from the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau (tel. 800/284-2282 for recorded information after 5pm). Current listings appear in the two daily newspapers; detailed weekend arts calendars can be found in Friday's Journal. The monthly On the Scene also carries entertainment listings.

Tickets for nearly all major entertainment and sporting events can be obtained from Ticketmaster, 4004 Carlisle Blvd. NE (tel. 505/883-7800). Discount tickets are often available for midweek and matinee performances; check with individual theater or concert hall box offices.

The Major Concert & Performance Halls

  • Journal Pavilion, 5601 University Blvd. NE (tel. 505/452-5100).

  • Keller Hall, University of New Mexico, Cornell Street at Redondo Drive South NE (tel. 505/277-4569).

  • KiMo Theatre, 423 Central Ave. NW (tel. 505/768-3544).

  • Popejoy Hall, University of New Mexico, Cornell Street at Redondo Drive South NE (tel. 505/277-3824).

  • South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE (tel. 505/848-1320).

More Entertainment

Albuquerque's best nighttime attraction is the Sandia Peak Tramway, from which you can enjoy a view nonpareil of the Rio Grande Valley and the city lights.

The best place to catch foreign films, art films, and limited-release productions is the Guild Cinema, 3405 Central Ave. NE (tel. 505/255-1848). For film classics, check out the Southwest Film Center, on the UNM campus (tel. 505/277-5608), which has double features, changing nightly (when classes are in session). In addition, Albuquerque has a number of first-run movie theaters whose numbers you can find in the local telephone directory.

Many travelers like to include a little dice-throw and slot-machine play in their trip to New Mexico. Those who do are in luck, with the expansive Sandia Resort & Casino, north of I-25 and a quarter-mile east on Tramway Boulevard (tel. 800/526-9366; www.sandiacasino.com). The $80-million structure sits on Sandia Pueblo land and has outstanding views of the Sandia Mountains. Built in pueblo architectural style, the graceful casino has a 3,650-seat outdoor amphitheater, three restaurants (one, Bien Shur, has excellent food), a lounge, more than 1,800 slot and video poker machines, the largest poker room in the state, and blackjack, roulette, and craps tables. It's open from 8am to 4am Sunday to Wednesday and 24 hours Thursday to Saturday. The Isleta Gaming Palace, 11,000 Broadway SE (tel. 877/7-ISLETA [747-5382] or 505/724-3800; www.isletacasinoresort.com), is a luxurious, air-conditioned casino (featuring blackjack, poker, slots, bingo, and keno) with a full-service restaurant, nonsmoking section, and free bus transportation on request. Open Monday to Wednesday 8am to 4am, Thursday to Sunday 24 hours a day.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.