Tourism by Rail

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express launched its tourism campaign in July 2014 with an impressive video highlighting the culture, beauty and history that you can experience by taking the train. Whether your interest is fine dining, art, shopping, the outdoors, or just sight-seeing, take the train and live the adventure we call home. 

Your Experience Begins the Moment You Step on the Train

All of these places are only steps away from the New Mexico Rail Runner Express!  Let us take you to experience New Mexico - the adventure we call home.

Fine Dining - Hundreds of restaurants are only
steps away from the train.  Whether you are
looking for an upscale restaurant in Santa Fe
or causal dining in Bernalillo, just about every
station has choices for mouth watering food that
is sure to satisfy everyone in your party.

Historic Santa Fe - The Santa Fe Plaza is only
a 10-15 minute walk from the Santa Fe Depot. 
There are tons of shops, galleries and
restaurants along the way.  Just walk north on
Guadalupe and east on San Francisco Street. 
Or you can take the free shuttle that runs
every 15-minutes.

Balloons - Albuquerque is the hot air ballooning
capital of the world.  Just about any calm morning,
you can find up to a dozen hot air balloons right
outside the train window.  In October, during the
International Balloon Fiesta, you can see more
than 700 balloons floating in the sky.

The Rio Grande Zoo - The zoo in Albuquerque
is the most visited attraction in the State of New
Mexico.  From polar bears to giraffes, this award
winning facility is easy to get to from the train. 
Just exit the train in Downtown ABQ and connect
for FREE to Bus Route 53.

Biking - You can always take your bike on the
train or you may decide to rent a bike locker. 
Several stations conveniently connect to bike trails, including: Santa Fe Depot, South Capitol, Los
Ranchos/JC, Downtown ABQ & Bernalillo County.


Hiking - If hiking is your thing, then we’ve got you
covered.  From the Sandia Mountains in
Albuquerque to Tent Rocks in Sandoval County,
New Mexico offers some amazing trails with
beauty you can only experience in the southwest!

Rodeos - Whether you want to attend a rodeo at
the New Mexico State Fair or go horseback riding
at a private ranch in Los Lunas, there are plenty
of options. Bus connections or other transportation
may be necessary.

Art Galleries - From the Georgia O’Keeffe
Museum in Santa Fe to Judy Chicago in Belen,
there are dozens of options for exploring New
Mexico art within walking distance of the Rail
Runner.  You can also take the short free shuttle
to gallery row along Canyon Road.

Casinos - The New Mexico Rail Runner Express
travels through five Native American pueblos. 
Free shuttles meet every train to the Isleta
Resort & Casino, Sandia Resort & Casino, Santa
Ana Star Casino, San Felipe Casino and Buffalo
Thunder Resort & Casino.

Becker Avenue in Belen - At the southern end
of the rail line is the community of Belen, New
Mexico. Walk across the pedestrian overpass
to Becker Avenue and you will find the Harvey
House Museum, Pete’s Cafe & Becker Street
Pub.  And you can look forward to a new brewery
opening this fall in our station parking lot.

Skiing - Some of the best skiing in the United
States is right here in New Mexico.  From the
Santa Fe Depot, take a shuttle to Pajarito Ski
Resort or make travel arrangements to get to
Ski Santa Fe, Sandia Ski Area or Taos.

Jewelry - Native American artisans set up shop
in front of the Palace of the Governors every day
in Santa Fe.  Take a short 15-minute walk from
the Santa Fe Depot or take the free shuttle.  In
Albuquerque, visit the artisans in Old Town Plaza. 
From Downtown ABQ, connect to the Rapid Ride
Red Line for free and exit at Rio Grande.

Scenery - From New Mexico sunsets to gorgeous
mountain views and valley landscapes, the scenery
from the New Mexico Rail Runner Express cannot
be beaten.  You can see all of this and so much
more from the comfort of your seat on the train.

Pottery - You can’t visit New Mexico without
taking home a piece of our culture.  Native
American pottery is sold everyday at various
stores along the route, or you can make plans
to attend several Indian art markets held from
July through September.