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 an unusually short interest/attention span, and in most cases, I fall asleep watching TV. 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 have now 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 that Walter and Jesse use. This location is also featured in 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!
Must Have’s For Any Breaking Bad Fan!
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 shoplift? 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, and it was home to Wendy, the prostitute. It was used many times throughout the series. Located along Central Avenue (Old US 66), right next to Interstate 25. You will see the sign from the highway.
Ironically, there is a sign saying you must pay to take a photograph. Total nonsense – it’s a public building. Ignore the warning and take all the photos you like.
And, if you are a die-hard fan, you can stay at this hotel although be warned that the reviews are terrible and by all accounts, it’s a dump. This said, how many people can say they stayed at the motel featured in Breaking Bad? I think it’s worth roughing it for a night to complete your experience.
Book Your Stay At the Crossroads Motel here:
Albuquerque Rail Yards
1100 2nd Street Southwest, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Used for various scenes, the green stained glass windows that you will see here inspired the theme colors of Breaking Bad.
DEA office
320 Gold Ave SW Albuquerque, NM 87102
Burt’s Tiki Lounge
313 Gold Avenue Southwest Albuquerque, NM 87102
The main location where Jesse and Walt sold meth 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 and is a real-life coffee shop that you can actually stop and have a 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!
North – Breaking Bad Tour
To get to the northern locations, it’s about a ten-mile drive.
Casa Tranquila Nursing Home
8820 Horizon Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Home of Hector ‘Tio’ Salamanca and the location where Gustavo Fring was killed.
Walt’s School
Rio Rancho High School, 301 Loma Colorado Blvd NE Rio Rancho, NM
Garduno’s Restaurant
2100 Louisiana Boulevard Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87110
The Mexican restaurant where Walt and family eat lunch.
Map of all Breaking Bad Locations
Closing Thoughts
Breaking Bad was initially set to be filmed in Los Angeles; however, the state of New Mexico 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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