Breaking Bad Tour – Self Guided

Breaking Bad Tour: By now, most of you have either binge-watched Breaking Bad or know someone who has. I think it’s safe to say most people are familiar with this phenomenal series. Brian and I love this show, and for me, it was epic. I don’t watch anything for very long,  I have a brief interest/attention span, and I fall asleep watching TV in most cases. To date, Breaking Bad is the only series I have ever seen every episode of.

The Breaking Bad show was primarily filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Who would have known? And guess what, you can take a guided tour. You might be tempted to, and if tours are your thing – go for it.

The real deal is you don’t need to pay to take a Breaking Bad tour if you have a car. You can do a self-guided tour to most of the locations used for filming. There are mainly three sections to cover, Northern Heights, Downtown, and North.

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Northern Heights – Breaking Bad Tour 

Do the Northern Heights section together as they are in the suburbs:

Walt & Skyler’s House

3828 Piermont Dr. NE Albuquerque, NM 87111

Infamous for the pizza scene, this is an actual residence. Don’t try to recreate the scene and throw pizza on the roof!

The family that lives here is less than impressed with the attention and has installed a fence around the entire perimeter. There are also construction cones blocking parking and signs everywhere, asking you to take your photos and go.

Naturally, we were not the only tourists capturing a snap. What I found odd is why the family that lives there has not cashed in on this? If It were me, I would offer guided tours through the house or at least a peek in the window or charge for a view of the pool. I mean, tour buses are trekking through the neighborhood daily, so why not profit from it?

Saul Goodman’s Office

9800 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

A mile away from Walt & Skyler’s House, the office is on the Montgomery Blvd and Eubank Blvd intersection. If you are not familiar with Saul Goodman’s, he’s the corrupt lawyer Walter and Jesse uses. This location is also featured in the follow-up show Better Call Saul on AMC.

Hank and Marie Schrader’s House

4901 Cumbre del Sur Ct. Albuquerque, NM 87111

Just three miles away from Walt & Skyler’s house, this location gives you a glimpse of the Sandia Mountains. As portrayed in the show, this place is swankier than Walt & Skyler’s house.

Another private residence, so please be respectful to the owners.

The White’s A1 Car Wash

9516 Snowheights Cir NE Albuquerque, NM 87112

Formerly known as The Octopus Car Wash, now Mister, this is the car wash that Walter and Skyler owned on Breaking Bad. As you know, they used it to launder money – the irony!

Depth Finders

Downtown – Breaking Bad Tour

Loyola’s Family Restaurant

4500 Central Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87108

The diner where Mike and Jesse refuel in Season 4.

Walters Apartment

3932 Silver Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87108

Gertrude Zachary Jewelry

3300 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Remember the scene where Marie shoplifted? This is the place where it happened!

Jesse & Jane’s Duplex

323 Terrace St SE Albuquerque, NM 87106

Crossroads Motel

1001 Central Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87106

Known as the “The Crystal Palace” in Breaking Bad, it was home to Wendy, the prostitute. 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.

Albuquerque Rail Yards

1100 2nd Street Southwest, Albuquerque, NM 87102

The green stained glass windows you will see here inspired Breaking Bad’s theme colors for various scenes.

DEA office

320 Gold Ave SW Albuquerque, NM 87102

Burt’s Tiki Lounge

313 Gold Avenue Southwest Albuquerque, NM 87102

The primary location where Jesse and Walt sold meth is in Season 2.

Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza

1 Civic Plaza Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Location of the scene of Hank and Gomie sending Jesse to meet Walt wearing a wire.

Java Joe’s

906 Park Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Tuco’s hideout in the show is a real-life coffee shop that you can actually stop and drink in.

Photo of Java Joe’s is courtesy of Tripadvisor

Dog House Drive-In

1216 Central Avenue Northwest Albuquerque, NM 87102

Jesse hands out cash to a homeless man at this location.

Jesse Pinkman’s House

322 16th St SW Albuquerque, NM 87104

Another private residence where the owners are less than pleased about tourists. Make sure you respect the home and take photos from afar.

Gustavo Fring’s Laundry Business & Meth Lab

1617 Candelaria Road Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87107

A real working business, it’s called Delta Uniform & Linens.

Gustavo Fring’s House

 1213 Jefferson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

One more private residence, be sure to respect the home and take photos from afar.

Los Pollos Hermanos (Gustavo Fring’s Shop)

4257 Isleta Blvd SW Albuquerque, NM 87105

Perhaps the most famous of all locations – Los Pollos Hermanos. This is the cover-up business for Gustavo. Featured many times in the show, this one should be on any fans list!

In real life, this place is called Twisters, and you can eat here!

Map of all Breaking Bad Locations

Closing Thoughts

Breaking Bad was initially set to be filmed in Los Angeles; however, New Mexico’s state offered tax rebates, which persuaded the filming crew to move to Albuquerque.

You could make an entire weekend of this tour, especially if you brave the Crossroads Motel and stay at one of the filming locations.  Or, you can drive to all of the destinations in one day.

If you are a fan and are visiting New Mexico, you should plan to do this self-guided tour.

Looking for more posts on America? Start here:

• Delaware – The Nemours Estate
• Detroit Buildings – The Abandoned Ones in Pictures
• New Mexico – Santa Fe – Why You Should Visit
• Yellowstone – The Most Beautiful State Park

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