How to do a self-guided Breaking Bad tour in Albuquerque
Breaking Bad fans just have to visit Alburquerque New Mexico and visit the Breaking Bad Filming Locations on a self guided Breaking Bad tour.
My husband and I are big fans of Breaking Bad.
We started watching it when we traveled around South America on one of our first big trips. It took us more than the 3 months that we were traveling to complete the series and when we were traveling around North America on our 3 month road trip across the States, we knew we had to stop off in Albuquerque, NM.
We’ve smashed through the series of Better Call Saul and enjoyed the Breaking Bad film, El Camino. I know we’re not the only ones, this series has something of a cult following.
When we lived in London I snapped up tickets to the Breaking Bad cocktail experience (it was held in a replica RV from the show and was so much fun).
Breaking Bad tour in Albuquerque? We just had to do it!
We didn’t know much about Albuquerque in New Mexico, other than the fact that Breaking Bad, and the spin-off show, Better Call Saul, were set there. Turns out it’s quite a nice town to explore. Old Town Albuquerque in particular was very nice.
But, the real reason you’re here reading this is for Breaking Bad so let’s get to it!
I’ve also included a Breaking Bad self guided tour map so you can see where all these places are.
If you’re looking for Breaking Bad locations to visit then you’re in the right place. Let’s cook!
Breaking Bad Tours in Albuquerque
There are several companies who run Breaking Bad tours throughout Albuquerque but, to our surprise, there are very few other companies cashing in on the show.
There was a doughnut store making Breaking Bad doughnuts (they have blue icing and blue ‘meth’ (sugar)), and a shop selling just the blue sugar, but not much else at all.
The tours range a lot in price and length. Some last all day and even take you out to the desert locations.
If you’d like to take an organized tour of the Breaking Bad film locations, this company seems quite fun. You’ll go past many of the filming locations mentioned in this post while riding in an RV like Walter White’s.
Otherwise, it’s easy enough to organize and plan your own self-guided breaking bad tour in Albuquerque.
Here are some of the Breaking Bad tour locations to add to your list when you head out on your Breaking Bad driving tour.
Your self guided Breaking Bad tour
PLEASE NOTE: These are real businesses and real peoples’ homes. In most cases, only the outside of the building was used in the show.
Do not walk all over their property and don’t hang around for ages.
Drive past, get your picture, reminisce (briefly), and move on. You’ll notice that at Walter White’s House, the couple who live there sit outside on their lawn all day. Apparently, the woman gets a little angry when people get out and take pictures on their Breaking Bad self tour.
Breaking Bad tour map in Albuquerque
Add this map of my Albuquerque Breaking Bad tour to your phone to do your own self-guided Breaking Bad tour in Albuquerque. This Breaking Bad Albuquerque map has the top filming locations you’ve got to see.
By adding it to your Google Maps app you can see the Breaking Bad locations map while you’re driving around.
Breaking Bad Filming Locations
Using the Breaking Bad tour Albuquerque map above, you can learn more about all of the filming locations for Breaking Bad featured in it by reading below.
Walter White’s House
One of the main stops on a Breaking Bad Albuquerque tour is Walter White’s house.
The two owners sit outside the house all day, every day so don’t make this an extended stop. Or they were when I visited. I believe they now have big gates and fences around their house instead these days.
Their anger is understandable when you know that people have thrown pizza up onto their roof and tried to peer inside.
Only the exterior was used in Breaking Bad and, although it’s been painted since, you should recognize it pretty clearly.
If you drive past slowly as we did you should get away without any abuse thrown at you.
You’ll find the Breaking Bad house address on the map above just off Montgomery BLVD.
Hank and Marie’s House
Hank and Marie’s house is in a pretty plush area. There are big houses and lovely desert views. This Breaking Bad self-guided tour stop also has some nice hikes at the back of it for a good view of Albuquerque.
If you’re keen on visiting the houses then add this to your Breaking Bad house tour!
Twisters – Los Pollos Hermanos
In real life, Los Pollos Hermanos is called Twisters. It doesn’t sell fried chicken either, but burritos.
There are a few Twisters around Albuquerque but the one used as a Breaking Bad filming location is the one I’ve marked out on the map above. There’s also a huge Los Pollos Hermanos mural on the wall.
If you’re hungry for some New Mexican fast food, pop in!
The Breaking Bad Car Wash – Mister Car Wash
Who knew a car wash could have such a seedy secret? In Breaking Bad Walt and Skyler use their A1A car wash to hide their cash influx.
You can pull in here for a wash which I recommend since you’ll find man gadgets inside inspired by the series. This includes a reproduction of the ad distributed on the streets of Albuquerque when Walter mysteriously disappeared.
Or, you can of course just snap some photos from the outside during your DIY Breaking Bad tour.
Casa Tranquila
Casa Tranquila is the nursing home and assisted living facility where Hector “Tio” Salamanca lived after his nephew Tuco Salamanca was killed.
It was the location of the bombing that killed Gustavo ‘Gus’ Fring, Hector Salamanca, and Tyrus Kitt.
The Laundromat – Delta Linen Supply
I don’t think there’s a super meth lab underneath this laundry, but who knows?
This is the location that set the stage for tense moments in season 4 of Breaking Bad when Walt used the basement as his meth lab.
Hooligans Tavern – Saul Goodman’s office
Hooligan’s Tavern, now The Dirty Bourbon, is what was used as the exterior of Saul’s office. was shot and no Breaking Bad tour would be complete without a nod to Saul Goodman. You’ll find his office filming location at Hooligan’s Tavern.
Why not pop in and grab a beer whilst paying your respects to the sleaziest lawyer in the Southwest?
Jesse Pinkman’s Home
This is the location of Jesse Pinkman’s first home where we saw hydrofluoric acid, a dissolving body in the bathtub, and a heap of fleshy bits all over the hallway.
The location changed during the second series of Breaking Bad – but the second location is not too far away on 16th Street.
Jesse and Janes House
When Jesse had to leave his parents’ home (above), he moved into this apartment which is where you’ll remember some of the most memorable scenes from Breaking Bad taking place.
to leave his previous home, Jesse moved into this apartment where you will see some of the most memorable scenes from the series.
Crossroads Motel
Known as the “The Crystal Palace” in Breaking Bad, it was home to Wendy.
It was used many times throughout the series, located along Central Avenue (Old US 66), next to Interstate 25. You will see the sign on the highway.
Java Joe’s
Tuco’s headquarters stands out thanks to the art on the side of the building.
Java Joe’s is really a local coffee shop that serves up great breakfast food, baked goods, and some live music from time to time.
To’hajiilee Reservation
Start or end your self-guided Breaking Bad tour here, this is where Walter and Jesse first parked their RV meth lab and where important final scenes were filmed.
The dry, rocky terrain of the To’hajiilee Reservation, formerly known as the Canoncito Indian Reservation, is both isolated and beautiful.
La Palomita Park
Another of the top Breaking Bad tour stops is this quiet, peaceful park. This is the park where Mike takes his Granddaughter to play many times throughout the show.
There was no one else there when we went and it’s a great spot to chill for a while.
Zen Nail Spa
Saul suggests Jesse buy this nail spa in Breaking Bad series 3.
Though you used to be able to actually get your nails done by Saul Goodman’s real pedicurist at Zen Nail Spa since the nail techs here were extras in the scenes
These days it’s unfortunately permanently closed. You can still view it from the outside though!
BONUS Breaking Bad locations in Albuquerque
Here are a couple more Breaking Bad, Albuquerque sites to add to your list.
They’re not quite Breaking Bad filming locations, but these Albuquerque Breaking Bad sites are good spots to get some Breaking Bad-inspired treats.
The Candy Lady
The Candy Lady has cashed in on Breaking Bad’s success. She makes blue meth sugar which you can buy for yourself and fellow Breaking Bad fans. Apparently, the sugar was even used as props on set!
Rebel Donuts
*Permanently closed now*
Grab yourself a tasty blue meth doughnut.
These doughnuts are covered in blue icing and blue meth sugar. They’re delicious!
FAQs about this Breaking Bad Tour Albuquerque
Where was Breaking Bad filmed?
Breaking Bad was primarily filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The city provided a unique Southwestern backdrop that greatly contributed to the show’s aesthetic.
Where is Breaking Bad set?
Breaking Bad is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From the desert stretches to car washes and homes, Albuquerque plays a pivotal role in representing the transformation of Walter White in the series.
Final thoughts on this tour and Breaking Bad Filming Locations map
And that’s the end of this Breaking Bad Tour Albuquerque. Hopefully, you’ve found the Breaking Bad self tour map useful as you relive your favorite moments from this awesome TV series.
From Walter’s House to Jesse Pinkman’s House, the laundromat. and the car wash, this do it yourself Breaking Bad Albuquerque tour includes some of the best sites from the show.
Since Better Call Saul was also filmed in Albuquerque and features a lot of the same buildings, you can also use this a little bit as a Better Call Saul Tour.
Don’t forget to use the Breakin bad locations map to see where to find all these spots!
If you’re visiting Albuquerque as part of a longer USA road trip like we were, be sure to check out the city of Austin, and the best things to do in Marfa as well as what to do in El Paso as we visited those places before making our way over to New Mexico.
I also recommend stopping in White Sands National Park, or heading over to the Grand Canyon in Arizona if you’re headed West.
Last Updated on July 18, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe, a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada, you’ll find posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.
Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.
Brilliant – me and my fiance are driving coming from the UK and driving from New York to Florida and then west all the way to Las Vegas to get married, with a 2 day stop in Alburquerque. Can’t wait to do this 😀
That sounds awesome and congratulations!