Things to Do in Albuquerque in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Albuquerque
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect weather window before summer heat intensifies - daytime temps around 70-85°F (21-29°C) make outdoor exploration comfortable in mornings and evenings, which is when Albuquerque actually comes alive anyway
- Balloon Fiesta Park activities ramp up as the city prepares for fall season - you can often catch test flights and training sessions without the October crowds, plus tour the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum when it's practically empty
- Spring wildflower bloom in the Sandia Foothills peaks mid-to-late April - the high desert comes alive with penstemon, prickly pear blooms, and Apache plume along trails like La Luz and Embudo, creating photo opportunities you won't get any other time of year
- Shoulder season pricing means 20-30% lower hotel rates compared to October's Balloon Fiesta or summer peak, and you can actually get dinner reservations at places like Farm & Table or Mas Tapas without booking weeks ahead
Considerations
- Wind is the real April challenge here - sustained winds of 15-25 mph (24-40 km/h) with gusts up to 40 mph (64 km/h) are common, making outdoor dining unpleasant and kicking up dust that affects visibility and allergies
- Wildfire season begins in April, and depending on conditions in the surrounding forests, you might encounter smoke haze that obscures mountain views and affects air quality - check AQI readings before planning hiking days
- The city hasn't fully transitioned to summer hours yet, so some seasonal attractions and rooftop bars operate on limited schedules or aren't open at all - verify hours before heading out
Best Activities in April
Sandia Peak Tramway and Foothills Hiking
April is genuinely the sweet spot for Sandia Mountain activities. The tramway ride up to 10,378 feet (3,163 m) offers crystal-clear views before summer monsoons and with wildflowers blooming at lower elevations. Temperature drops about 20-25°F (11-14°C) from base to peak, so you get two climate zones in one day. Trails like La Luz and Embudo Spring are at their best - not too hot, wildflowers in bloom, and you'll have trails mostly to yourself compared to summer weekends.
Old Town and Historic Walking Tours
April weather makes Old Town actually pleasant to explore on foot - you're not dealing with June's 95°F (35°C) heat or January's freezing mornings. The 400-year-old plaza area is compact enough to cover in 2-3 hours, and spring means the cottonwoods are leafing out, providing shade in the plaza. The San Felipe de Neri Church and surrounding galleries are best experienced mid-morning (9-11am) before tour buses arrive and while the light is perfect for photography of adobe architecture.
Rio Grande Bosque Nature Walks and Bird Watching
The Rio Grande cottonwood forest is at peak spring migration in April - over 200 bird species pass through, including sandhill cranes heading north. The bosque trails stay cool and protected from wind compared to exposed desert hikes. Paseo del Bosque Trail runs 16 miles (26 km) along the river, mostly flat and perfect for casual cycling or walking. Early morning (6-9am) is when bird activity peaks and before the wind picks up.
Petroglyph National Monument Exploration
April is ideal for petroglyph viewing - cooler mornings make the exposed volcanic escarpment trails comfortable, and the angle of spring light brings out the carved images better than harsh summer sun. The monument protects over 24,000 ancient rock carvings along the 17-mile (27 km) West Mesa escarpment. Boca Negra Canyon is the most accessible area with paved trails, while Rinconada Canyon offers a quieter 2.2-mile (3.5 km) loop with hundreds of petroglyphs and mountain views.
New Mexico Food and Brewery Trail Experiences
April is perfect for Albuquerque's food scene because you can still enjoy patios before summer heat makes outdoor dining brutal. The city's red-versus-green chile obsession peaks in fall after harvest, but April means restaurants are using last season's frozen roasted chiles, which locals will tell you are actually better than fresh for consistency. The brewery scene here is massive - over 30 craft breweries, many in walkable clusters like Downtown and Nob Hill.
Hot Air Balloon Ride Experience
While October's Balloon Fiesta gets all the attention, April offers balloon rides with several advantages - clearer air, fewer crowds at launch sites, and often better deals. Morning flights launch around sunrise (6-7am in April) when winds are calmest. You're floating over the Rio Grande Valley with the Sandia Mountains as backdrop, and April's spring green in the bosque beats October's brown cottonwoods. Flights last about 60-75 minutes actual air time.
April Events & Festivals
Gathering of Nations Powwow
North America's largest powwow happens late April at Tingley Coliseum, bringing together over 500 tribes and 3,000+ dancers and singers. It's a genuine cultural event, not a tourist show - you'll see competitive dancing across multiple categories, traditional regalia that takes months to create, and the Miss Indian World competition. The adjacent Indian Traders Market has 800+ artists selling jewelry, pottery, and textiles. This is the real deal and worth planning your April trip around if dates align.
ABQ BioPark Spring Events
The zoo, aquarium, and botanic garden complex runs spring programming throughout April including baby animal viewings and spring bloom tours. The botanic garden's Mediterranean Conservatory and Japanese Garden are particularly beautiful in April with spring flowering. Not a major festival, but worth knowing about if you're traveling with kids or want indoor backup plans for windy days.