Take a Self-Guided Breaking Bad Tour in Albuquerque

I had every intention of booking a guided Breaking Bad tour on our most recent visit to Albuquerque, New Mexico. That’s until I found out that prices for those tours had gone up quite a bit just months prior. 

A little internet sleuthing uncovered that a Breaking Bad self-guided tour was pretty easy to pull off. The filming locations for all of Walter White’s old haunts are well-publicized.

Come along on the journey, whether you’re curious about the show’s connection to Albuquerque or want to plan your own day exploring the sites. I’ll include real-life filming locations for a Better Call Saul tour, too.

There is A LOT of Breaking Bad stuff in Albuquerque.

Breaking Bad was set in Albuquerque. This wasn’t just the imaginary setting for the show, either. There are film locations all over Albuquerque that served as the perfect backdrop for this tale of a chemistry teacher gone bad.

Albuquerque was so inspiring to Vince Gilligan that he kept the town as a main player for Better Call Saul and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. 

Quick Tips for a Self-Guided Breaking Bad Tour

Before I share all of the top Breaking Bad locations in town, let’s get a few things out of the way first:

• You’ll need a car to make this Breaking Bad tour happen. Albuquerque has quite a bit of sprawl going on, so you can’t just walk from spot to spot, particularly as you get from Northeast Heights to downtown Albuquerque. 
• Albuquerque sits at over 5,300 feet of elevation. If you’re hitting some of the downtown locations on a walking tour, don’t push yourself too hard if you’re not yet used to getting all touristy at those heights.
• Many of the Breaking Bad Albuquerque locations here are private residences. Be respectful. Don’t give fans of the show a bad name by ringing doorbells and asking about buried cash. 
• That said, don’t engage with neighbors who don’t love the attention they’ve received for being featured in the show. You’ll see what I mean when I get to Walt’s place. 

Breaking Bad Locations in Albuquerque

Let’s get into why you’re here. I’ll have each of these Breaking Bad filming locations listed as how it was presented in the show.

If it’s a business still operating today, I’ll include that information in parenthesis so you know what to look for as you ride around.

If you’re plotting these out on a Breaking Bad tour map, start your visit in the Northeast Heights neighborhood of Albuquerque, especially if you’re short on time. This is where the biggies are.  

Walter White’s House 

3828 Piermont Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM

Walter and Skyler shared domestic bliss at this address in Northeast Heights. 

The house today is just as dramatic. The owners are often found waiting outside for passersby, waiting to cuss them out.

There are all kinds of fun videos depicting interactions at the house, but as there’s some spicy, at times racist language involved, I won’t link to it here.

Here’s the deal. This is a private residence. Don’t throw pizzas onto the roof in honor of Walt, and don’t engage with the cranky owners, particularly the woman described above. 

It sounds like she was psyched about her home’s appearance in a groundbreaking television series until she realized it would lead to fan involvement. Now she’s not so psyched.

During our visit, she was waiting outside in the driveway with her phone out, filming any cars that passed. We were one of two cars at that time who never even parked to stop because of her presence, despite signage asking fans to take photos across the street.

I’m not sure what she does with all that hot footage she films all day, but no pizzas made it onto her roof during our visit. 

Do a quick driveby of this one and don’t be an ass, please. You’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the gate, cones, signage, and cranky homeowner. 

They are not here to play, so if you’re on foot, take a quick photo from the other side of the street, which is public property, and move it along.

If you’re visiting with minors, do be warned that expletives are the norm. I wouldn’t call this stop family-friendly by any means, but if your littles were watching Breaking Bad, that’s another conversation altogether.

Saul Goodman’s Office (The Bourbon House)

9800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM

Imagine a Statue of Liberty waving in all its glory above what is now The Bourbon House. This is where Saul Goodman operated after upgrading from his shop inside a nail salon.

Ignore what other blogs say about this being a Dukes City Sports Bar. That is now closed.

Savoy Bar & Grill

10601 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 

The Savoy Bar & Grill is the restaurant where Walter meets Gretchen Schwartz in Season 2. If you want to pop in, the bistro has an excellent wine menu and petite pizzas of the day on its happy hour menu. 

Hank and Marie’s House

4901 Cumbre del Sur Court NE, Albuquerque, NM

This is as fancy as it’s going to get on this Breaking Bad tour. Enjoy the views of the Sandia Mountains while you’re here taking a quick snap of Hank and Marie’s house.

We did a little Googling of house prices in the area while we were here and they’re way out of budget. That means don’t linger here is all I’m saying.

A1A Car Wash (Mister Car Wash)

9516 Snow Heights Circle NE, Albuquerque, NM

If your car is a little dusty from your adventures so far, give it a wash at what was Walter and Skyler’s car wash, the A1A Car Wash.

It’s a Mister Car Wash today, and they offer interior and exterior detailing, too, if you want to get fancy. Support local businesses!

La Palomita Park

 8516 La Sala Grande NE, Albuquerque, NM

This was the park where Mike would take his granddaughter Kaylee for some much-needed outdoor fun. It doesn’t play a big part in the show, but it’s a nice break in the day from some of the less picturesque spots along the way.

Los Pollos Hermanos (Twisters)

4275 Isleta Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, NM

Yep. You can visit Los Pollos Hermanos, or the shop that was featured in the show.

Head to this Twisters location in the South Valley for burritos and New Mexican fast food, not chicken. Enjoy a modest display of autographs from the filming of quite a few Breaking Bad scenes here.

Note: I’ve seen some bloggers list the Central Avenue location as the filming site, but that’s incorrect. Maybe they didn’t take a self-guided Breaking Bad tour themselves. You can make your own conclusions here.

The food itself is just fine and service is a little slow. Did that burrito hit a little differently knowing about everything that went down here? It sure did.

READ MORE: New Mexico is one of our favorite states to explore. Use this detailed guide to help you plan your trip.

Serenity (Isleta Hotel and Casino)

11000 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM

This filming site at the Isleta Hotel and Casino is off the beaten path compared to the other locations on the list, but I’m including it here for the diehards. 

The resort property you see there today served in a few different capacities on the show. It was both Serenity, Jesse’s rehab facility, and where Walt and his family moved when their house burned down in Season 5.

I guess once you scout out a good location, you stick with it.

The Car Fire Parking Lot (Isleta Amphitheater)

5601 University Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM

I skipped out on this one as I wanted to get downtown, but if you’d like to reenact scenes of Walter watching his car burn in a parking lot, head to the Isleta Amphitheater. Just don’t set anything on fire, please. It was all just a show. 

This is also where Walt taught Junior how to drive back in Season 2. Ah, memories.

Avoid this one during event days as it will be packed not with Breaking Bad fans, but people going to those events.

Jesse & Jane’s Apartment

323 Terrace St. SE, Albuquerque, NM

You’ll head toward downtown Albuquerque next for this cluster of Breaking Bad locations. You can do some walking here or rent a bike to improve your fitness.

I was still in the car for all of these but did have to navigate some downtown parking woes at the busier stops.

For your first stop in the area, look for a home with colorful steps and blue trim on the corner of a busy street. This is the apartment complex that fell into disrepair as Jesse and Jane fell into deeper and darker drug abuse. 

Give this one a quick look before continuing on, as there aren’t many spots to stop and it’s private property.  

The Crystal Palace (Crossroads Motel)

1001 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM

The Crossroads Motel served as a film site across several episodes as the Crystal Palace. Back in Season 1, this is where Hank took Junior to meet Wendy, a meth addict and prostitute, and scare him straight. 

As there weren’t any cars in the lot I’m going to assume this isn’t somewhere to rest your head while on a Breaking Bad road trip.

Here’s a review:

“People who rent here aren’t allowed to have any kind of visitors, not even your own mother.”

The woman at the front desk can be a little cranky, so if you’re not here for a room, keep moving it along after your look.

The Grove Cafe & Market

600 Central Ave. SE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM

This popular brunch spot is where Lydia Fraser often met Walter and sipped on chamomile.

I had a belly full of burritos that prevented me from partaking in brunch or lunch at The Grove Cafe & Market, but their focus on fresh, organic ingredients does sound delicious. The lot here was busy when I popped by, so it’s definitely a bustling place.

Mike Ehrmantraut’s House

204 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM

This modest home in a residential neighborhood is more prominently featured in Better Call Saul, but I’ll include it here as its first appearance was in the original.

Take a quick look and move it along, as this is a private residence among Breaking Bad spots in Albuquerque.

Fring’s Drug Dropoff  (Albuquerque Rail Yards)

1100 2nd St. SW, Albuquerque, NM

The Albuquerque Rail Yards are undergoing some revitalization work as we speak, but on my visit, it was still a pretty perfect location to stand in as Gus Fring’s drug dropoff. It was all abandoned warehouses, broken-out windows, and graffiti. 

There is a Wheels Museum here that gives the history of the historic Santa Fe Railroad Shops that once sat here, so maybe it’ll feel less sketchy on a repeat visit.

Tuco’s Headquarters (Java Joe’s)

906 Park Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM

Tuco Salamanca’s headquarters actually operated out of a Java Joe’s, and their green tea latte is not a mistake if you need a little pick-me-up for the rest of your adventuring. You’ll find some Breaking Bad-related merchandise inside which I definitely support. 

Dog House Drive In

1216 Central Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM

This hot dog stand is featured in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Its first appearance was in the very first season of the original when Jesse tried to sell meth here. 

It’s just a hot dog stand today, and a busy one at that. The hot dogs are just fine. (I’m from Chicago, so the bar is high.) The chili dogs are likely better if reviews are to be believed, but I didn’t want to make a mess of myself as I navigated many of these spots solo. 

Jesse Pinkman’s House

322 16th St. SW, Albuquerque, NM

Before Jesse moved into the duplex near Jane, he lived in this home owned by his parents. This was the site of that one scene with the hydrofluoric acid in the bathtub. You know the one.

Try to forget about all of that with a stroll around the beautiful neighborhood once you’re done.

The Superlab (Delta Uniform & Linens)

1617 Candelaria Road NE, Albuquerque, NM

It may look like a commercial laundromat, but that goes to show that you don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. OK, so there’s no giant meth lab at this location, but this is the filming location for the Superlab, the show’s large-scale meth operation.

I’d recommend snapping a pic when it’s closed so you don’t look like a complete weirdo unless you actually have some dry cleaning to do.

Loyola’s Family Restaurant

4500 Central Ave. SE, Albuquerque, NM

This casual New Mexican eatery is seen throughout Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. It was host to strategy sessions between Mike and Jesse and then a favorite haunt of Mike in the spinoff. 

I didn’t eat at this one, but it has a storied history as a filming location in these parts. The restaurant was also featured in the movie In Plain Sight and the TV show Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.  Did you miss those, too?

Casa Tranquila (Fiesta Park Wellness and Rehabilitation)

8820 Horizon Blvd., Albuquerque, NM

This real nursing home played the role of the assisted living facility where Hector Salamanca spent his bell-ringing days. It was also the location of the bombing that killed Gus Fring.

I assume you know how to behave at real nursing homes. Don’t be weird and try to go inside.

Fun fact: You’ll be super close to The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum from here. It’s a mouthful of a place, but it’s also one of the best museums in Albuquerque whether you’re into ballooning or not. You will learn A LOT!

Walt’s Buried Money (To’hajilee Indian Reservation)

35°06’07.1″N, 107°08’14.0″W

This is one of the most important sites in the show. It’s where Walter buries his money and the site of his first cooking session with Jesse in the pilot. It’s a hike from Albuquerque and not recommended if you don’t have a high-clearance vehicle.

We took the drive out to see if we could. While the scenery is spectacular, this is Navajo land. Be respectful when you’re out here. Don’t dig holes looking for cash. You won’t find any, at least not from the show.

The coordinates here will take you to the approximate location of scenes filmed in the area. Again, don’t come out here all unprepared. You’re in the desert.

Bring lots of water, don’t park in the middle of the road no matter how desolate it feels, and leave no trace.

READ MORE: Love a good desert? Saguaro National Park is a pretty spectacular example.

Things You WON’T See on Your Breaking Bad Tour

I read through loads of guides that haven’t been updated in a while to make my list of highlights. I don’t want you to feel disappointed because you’re looking for places that don’t exist.

Here are a few locations that you won’t see on your Breaking Bad self-guided tour, no matter how hard you try:

• Venezia’s Pizzeria, the pizza shop that supplied the pie that ended up on Walter’s roof, has been renamed Gino’s New York Style Pizza. The original owner retired, so I can’t vouch for the new business and its authenticity.
• Zen Nail Spa, the real spa where Saul would get his pedicures, is permanently closed. This one is a bummer because some of the nail techs who worked here were extras in the show and loved talking about it during spa treatments. 
• Something must be going around in the nail salons in this town because the Day Spa & Nail that served as Jimmy McGill’s first office is also permanently closed. 
• The scene filmed at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History was at the museum’s temporary location. The museum you can visit today is great and worth a trip, but it didn’t appear in the show. 
• Paul’s Monterey Inn, a bar and grill where Jesse and Walt met to talk about killing “bad” guys, is permanently closed.
• Garduno’s of Mexico on Louisiana Boulevard is permanently closed. This is where Walt, Skyler, Marie, and Hank meet in the last season.
• The Gertrude Zachary Jewelry location where Marie shoplifts a tiara is now permanently closed. There’s another one on Lomas Boulevard, but it’s not the same shop.
• If you want a cinnamon roll from the Cinnabon Saul Goodman worked at in Better Call Saul, you’re out of luck. While Cottonwood Mall is still very much a thing, the Cinnabon location within the mall is closed.

Better Call Saul Filming Locations

Whether you loved Saul Goodman or loved to hate him, you can’t deny the awesomeness that was Better Call Saul.

You’ll be happy to know that Albuquerque shares the love for Kim Wexler, by the way.

Let’s take a look at a few more stops to make while you’re in town for a Better Call Saul self-guided tour. Note that many of the locations from Breaking Bad overlap with the spinoff, but if you’ve been following along you know that already.

Chuck’s House

1607 San Cristobal Road SW, Albuquerque, NM

In the fictional world, Chuck McGill lived just around the corner from Jesse Pinkman’s parents. If you’re looking at filming locations for both shows, you can easily take a quick look at this one if you’re already in the tree-lined neighborhood.

As with any other private residence on this list, keep it moving once you take a glance.

HHM (Regus/Pan American Building)

100 Sun Plaza NE #650, Albuquerque, NM

You should recognize the large purple building from the show that served as Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, or HHM. I wouldn’t go inside unless you want weird encounters with security, as it’s just a regular office in real life.

Fun fact: Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad and its spinoffs, used loads of color symbolism throughout the show. If you watch it back, you’ll notice Marie Schrader’s love for purple. That was meant to symbolize the usual purple traits like pride and loyalty, but also self-deception. Purple is also opposite yellow on the color wheel, a color most often associated with the meth trade on the show.

Mesa Verde Bank & Trust (One Executive Center)

8500 Menaul Blvd. NE # A125, Albuquerque, NM

The financial institution that hires Kim Wexler and causes many of the headaches that aren’t related to Saul is in a nondescript office building off Menaul Boulevard.

In my research on this one, I came upon a website looking for victims of the company, so Saul’s shenanigans live on.

More Breaking Bad Places to Visit in Albuquerque

The attractions below are more Breaking Bad-adjacent, as in they’ve capitalized on the show’s success to get their own things going. I support it. To be honest, I’m shocked the woman who lives in Walter White’s house won’t do the same.

Here are a few fun spots that embrace the fandom to round out your Breaking Bad tour of Albuquerque.

The Candy Lady

424 San Felipe St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 

Head to Old Town Albuquerque for the next two stops and feel free to linger a while. This is one of the best areas of the city for quirky shops, eateries, and historical cache.

Once you’re at the candy shop, revel in all of the Breaking Bad wonders. If you ask nicely, an old lady will sell you dime bags of the blue stuff for just a dollar. I’m sure she’d do it even if you didn’t ask nicely, but it’s always best to be polite. 

This candy shop has made a name for itself selling its version of Blue Sky — it’s pure sugar, so stop freaking out — but don’t leave without hitting the chocolate counter. While the kitsch is in the little baggies, the other treats are much tastier. 

The Breaking Bad Store ABQ

2047 S. Plaza St. NW, Albuquerque, NM

There is no official Breaking Bad museum in Albuquerque, but The Breaking Bad Store ABQ gets pretty close. They have more signed memorabilia and artifacts from the show than anywhere else, and it’s all free to see.

This is so much more than a gift shop selling cheesy merchandise in Old Town. I mean, there’s a lot of that. If you keep walking toward the back of the shop, though, you’ll find an entire exhibit dedicated to the show and its spinoffs. 

There are a few photo opportunities for you inside if you want to get into character, or just revel in all of the memorabilia. I’m going to go ahead and call this one a must on any self-guided Breaking Bad tour in Albuquerque.

Marble Brewery

9904 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 

The Northeast Heights location of Marble Brewery was a popular spot for Bryan Cranston and the crew during filming, so we obviously had to indulge in a pint. 

They do flights or full pours of a rotating draft list.

Their Lab-Spresso, an imperial stout with some lactose thrown in for good measure, was the most interesting pour we sampled. It’s served on nitro, which means a layer of delicious foam and a thicker texture as you sip.

Vernon’s Speakeasy

6855 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM

I didn’t learn about this one until after we left and feel some FOMO over it. If you’re in the mood for steaks and cocktails, you can pay your respects to Walter White at this place. 

In 2013, fans held a mock funeral for the meth cook complete with a temporary headstone at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. That didn’t jive with people who were mourning actual loved ones, so the thing was moved here. 

Why a speakeasy? One of the funeral organizers owns the place.

Guided Tour Options

If all of this feels overwhelming and you don’t mind putting down some cash for a guided Breaking Bad tour, the most highly-rated option is Breaking Bad RV Tours. 

I can’t vouch for the experience as I visited all of these Breaking Bad tour locations on my own, obviously, but the Breaking Bad tour reviews on this one are pretty good. The only bummer I saw for some fans who booked was that the RV isn’t always available. 

Note: The real Breaking Bad RV is in Culver City. You can see it on a Sony Pictures Studio Tour. No, you can’t ride in it.

I’d imagine that’s a big draw for anyone booking a Breaking Bad tour in Albuquerque with them as it’s in the name of their company, so ask questions if this is a big deal. You can book tickets for tours online ahead of time. 

On busy days, you will be in an RV full of other fans. This sounds very fun for some but may make others uncomfortable when you consider that some of the private residences described in this guide don’t love the attention.

It really depends on the experience you’d like to have as you explore Breaking Bad things to do in Albuquerque.

Where to Stay in Albuquerque

We love this property in Nob Hill for our stays in Albuquerque. It’s our favorite neighborhood in the city, and it’s pet-friendly. Our dog loved that, for sure.

If you’d like to more options for where to rest after you’r done with Breaking Bad sites in Albuquerque, check out the map below:

Breaking Bad fans should really visit Albuquerque.

For us, the Breaking Bad locations to visit were icing as far as reasons to spend some time in the quirky city. If you’re a big fan, though, the city should be at the top of your list, even if not all of the city’s residents would love you here.

Just stay off their lawns. That’s true even if you’re on a Breaking Bad driving tour and never leave your car. It’s just more metaphorical in that sense. Be as unobstrusive as possible.

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