A Guide to Shopping in Albuquerque

Each of the main neighborhoods has its own totally unique atmosphere.

Nob Hill

This original Routee 66 neighborhood is funky and eclectic. Although there’s enough stores to keep shoppers busy for a whole day, here are some of the more special places. Drop in on Lilly Barrack. An Albuquerque-based artist, her stunning sleek silver and stone jewelry is sold at wholesale prices at her home-city store. Located in the same building, just down the corrider -- be amazed by magic at The Magic Juggler Shop. People who work there spontaneously break out into impromptu demonstrations, and they offer live magic shows in their tiny backroom. Close up magice -- especially given the size of the space.

Peruse the enormous collection of Catrina figures at masks y mas. If you've never seen these fancy skeleton, you need to make their acquaintance. You've never seen the dead looking so festive and well-dressed.

Furniture is funky in Nob Hill. Buy retro 50s with a modern feel at Nob Hill Furniture located at 3701 Central Ave (505 262-9677).

For more information on Nob Hill visit their website: rt66central.com

Downtown

This is the urban center with all the official buildings, business centers, and the convention center. It's several blocks packed with restaurants, bars, stores and history. It also offers its own attractions like the Kimo Theater - perhaps the only Art Deco Pueblo Revival theater in the country. Look for the signs indicating the corner of Route 66 and Route 66 where the old historic route that traveled north-south through the city (and up to Santa Fe) crossed the “newer” route 66 that traveled east-west. Learn more about Learn more about Downtown

Skip Maisel's is located in a historic building dating back to 1939 (listed in both the State and the National Historic Registers). Murals adorn the outside of the store, while inside Skip sells a staggering array of stuff.

The large store is crammed with pottery, art, rugs, jewelry, Hopi dolls, things with feathers, things without feathers. It's my first choice for jewelry. Turquoise, silver, earrings, bracelets, pendants, I've bought them all here.

Skip's sign says wholesale, and the prices on the pieces are supposed to be the retail price, with 50% off the listed price. All I know is that the quality is high, the selection is huge, and the prices are quite reasonable. For everything. Although there are art galleries, Sumner and Dene is a standout. It has a bit of everything and all of it innovative and unique – and spans all price ranges. If you're looking for a gift for someone else, or for yourself, stop in. You'll find something that's just right. More than likely, something you didn't even know existed until you saw it there.

Old Town

As its name implies, this is the historic center. It's adobe charm, tiny shops, and little courtyards with yet to be discovered places. Wandering the streets and exploring is one of the popular activities, especially with entertainment happening in the Plaza.

The Turquoise Museum in a shopping center on the edge of Old Town should be everyone’s first stop. Not only is this a the perfect place to learn about turquoise, but the store also sells its own uniquely created designs made with turquoise from the family's own trove. Along with Skip Maisel, it is the only place in town where you can buy natural turquoise - turquoise that hasn't been stabilized, or had its color enhanced. Most of what is for sale throughout Albuquerque and New Mexico (and probably all over the country) is stabilized turquoise. It's lovely and less expensive. See Turquoise Buying Guide for more information.

Gowen Arts and Weems galleries are two favorites, conveniently located next to each other in Plaza Don Luis. Stroll through Nick’s patio plaza for one of the more charming little nooks, including Las Casita de Kaleidoscopes. Once the realm of children these are now an art form. Although you can still purchase the classic bits of plastic encased in sturdy cardboard kaleidoscopes, there are others that would fit well in an art gallery, become table top art, or even stand-alone-to-the-delight-of-visitors art.

Johnny Salas' Santisima is one of the more fun shops -- oddly enough. The pieces not only reflect Salas’ creations, but other artists whose work seems to fit in. His own work is certainly creative and, well, it’s fun – odd as it is to apply such a term to what’s often staid religious pieces. "I didn't know it was art back then," says Johnny Salas on his website JohnnySalasArt.com. "My grandmother and I would find prints of santos and embellish them as a devotion for a favor from that saint.” He used whatever odds and glittery ends he found to make what he calls “spiritual candy for the eye.” And it is.

Desert Blooms is one of the newer galleries in town, it is easily recognized. Located at 404 San Felipe, NE, owner Donna Duran tells people - just look for the big pot outside. In fact, there is a huge and glorious native American style pot in front of the gallery, and a large metal cat on its own limb in the tree hanging over it. Inside, though, you’ll find an array of affordable art from charming smiling fish to wood and glass fountains. There’s also large metal wall pieces with buy-me prices.

Art on the Warpath on Romeo Street is another favorite place filled with jewelry, antiques and items that are both unusual and gorgeous. Just along the same road, New Mexico Bead and Fetish (on Romeo Street) boasts one of the finest selections in the city

On the streets alongside the plaza, the vendors set up on blankets are regulated and licensed by the city so you can shop with confidence.

Read more about Old Town at AlbuquerqueOldTown.com

One final shopping place that is often overlooked is the gallery store in the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. It showcases carefully selected pieces often by southwest artists. You can also see the tapestries of world famous artist and Albuquerque resident Susan Klebanoff (which are available for sale).