Rail Yards Market — Attraction in Albuquerque

This was my first outing to the Railyard market. We arrived in the area between 11 and noon which may have been a busy time. There was no parking on site and getting into the parking loop from 1st was not productive. We parked on the street near the downtown garage across from the greyhound station. We estimated about a half mile from the entrance. The trek there was fraught with obstacles for someone in a power chair like me. I have a Ranger Quattro twin 300 watt motor folding rig. She's fairly capable on road but any loose medium of any type an inch or so deep and I'm stuck and needing a tow. Ok for me but challenging for someone with more limited ambulation. The sidewalk is under construction and just non existent in various 50 to 100 yard stretches along the way. I used the side of the road a few times and was able to get through. When we made it to the entrance gate the attendants were waiving folks past due to a full lot. I asked the parking attendant if there was any handicap parking and I was surprised to learn that there were spaces available. We did not navigate the mobius loop so that one was on me for not conducting proper recon. We did go spur of the moment. The parking map I was able to access online day of did not show any designated handicap parking but does state in the parking section of their accessibility option that ADA spaces are available onsite. They also state that " The yards plaza has wide paved pathways" which there are but more on that later. We started the market shuffle in the area where the surface is grayish black chunky gravel. I quickly surmised that my chair was struggling in the softer parts and was able to navigate but still getting stuck in various spots. The folks in manual chairs were doing fine from what I could tell. The rest of the site was a breeze with concrete floors and paved pathways. Now for the vendors. I was so happy to be able to access so many wonderful goods from New Mexico. I found a wonderful butcher that raises and sells grass fed proteins of all types. So many other vendors with so many fresh honest and true products offered at fair trade prices. I have conducted recon now and plan so many more trips back to this gem in our backyard when it re opens this coming year. The Railyard Market has made every effort in my opinion to make their event as accessible as possible. I only list the challenges I faced to benefit fellow travelers looking to navigate the rail yards as handi capable as possible. Everyone from the vendors to the event staff were friendly and respectful. Thank you Rail Yard Market for offering this. I can't load photos for...

I went this morning w my mom & daughter....3 generations. Paid $1 to park closer...great deal. My mom & daughter were super impressed w the bathrooms saying they're better & cleaner than most restaurants. I love the idea that this is put on by a community organization.

Their website States "We are so much more than your typical Farmer's or Grower's Market--every Sunday you can peruse 100's of New Mexico's finest food, farm, artisan, and healing vendors, hear live musicians, and come away enriched from our educational/demonstration zones for kids and adults! All this under one roof at the historic Blacksmith Shop at the heart of our City!". On this day we went, we saw only 1 healing vendor...if you want to call a Tarot card reader that. I didn't see any educational vendors. The artist vendors were not quite minimal but there definitely could be a lot more. I like the food vendors which included bread bakers, chile vendors, popcorn makers, salsa, homemade jams and a little bit of produce. I guess you might have to get there early to get produce...maybe it was sold out? There were plenty of food trucks. There were too many skin product vendors, oils and such. The breads, horchata type drinks ($5 ea & packed up to the brim w ice) & jams (3 for $20) seemed pricey.

The people were friendly. Lots of dogs....also friendly. We all had chats with numerous random friendly people so everyone was enjoying their time there.

All in all, I would go again a few more times just to see how different and varied the vendors can be. We enjoyed the experience, especially the covered, open air historical site.

Oh yeah....NO music! That was a bummer. And thank goodness no burning...

Amazing and magical places. African dance classes Saturday @ 11:30am, Monday nights @ 6pm and advanced class on Wednesday nights at 6pm.

The farmers market on Saturday and Tuesday spring and summer, 8-1pm is one of the best I have been to. Excellent variety. Herbalist's, farmers, botanicals, mushroom cultivation, authors, the local Waldorf sometimes and bakers. All local. Mostly organic but ask to make sure as different farms have varying care techniques.

The violet crown theater has many movie options, food and hanging out open areas.

Second Street brewery has bands and brews.

The artist market hosts amazing local artists, jewlers and craftspeople. Saturdays and Sundays spring and summer into Autumn and Sundays all year.

El museo is a beautiful local gallery where I have attended a wedding and met some very interesting people.

A pottery studio with kilns offers classes and workshops.

"The Boxcar" is a fun bar/restaurant/music venue that hosts great DJ's Sato and Saggalific Mondays and Wednesdays, bands on the weekends, reggae Thursdays, geeks who drink trivia on the patio Tuesday and great food.

If you want to sit down and have a down home santa Fe meal there is Tomasitas restaurant, family owned and operated for...ever. amazing restaurant. Sopapillas here are wonderful and some of my favorites. Just like grandma used to make.

Hmm.. REI, cell phone store... and then there are the events ! Outdoor bands and DJ's.

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